Tacoma Earns Shutout, Takes Down Round Rock 8-0

TACOMA, Wash. – The Round Rock Express (34-39 | 71-76) fell in game five of the series on Saturday night at Cheney Stadium against the Tacoma Rainiers (38-36 | 81-68) by a final score of 8-0.

Round Rock starter LHP Avery Weems (0-2, 8.31) was tagged with the loss after 2.0 innings with one run, two walks and one strikeout. Tacoma starter RHP Casey Lawrence (11-11, 5.95) walked away with the win following 5.0 innings of scoreless baseball with seven hits, one walk and four strikeouts.

Along the Train Tracks:

• Tacoma struck first in the first inning. After CF Samad Taylor walked, he stole second base. A groundout moved him to third base before a wild pitch scored him to make it 1-0.
• A four-spot in the third inning increased the Rainiers lead to 5-0. 2B Kobe Kato doubled to start the frame and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. A sacrifice fly for RF Rhylan Thomas gave Tacoma a 2-0 lead. With two outs, DH Tyler Locklear doubled and 3B Jake Slaughter LF Nick Solak made the E-Train pay with a three-run homer.
• The Rainiers kept the scoring coming in the sixth and seventh frames. After a single for SS Logan Warmoth, he stole second and the throw went into center field which allowed him to advance to third base. A sacrifice fly for Kato brought the lead to 6-0 for Tacoma. A single and walk for Thomas and Locklear put two on in the seventh. Slaughter singled home one run before a double for 1B Michael Papierski brought the advantage to 8-0.

E-Train Excerpts:

• Round Rock C Ben Hartl checked into the game in the ninth inning to pinch-hit. He ripped a clean single to earn the first Triple-A hit of his career.
• Express 1B Blaine Crim and 2B Matt Duffy each went 2-for-4. Crim also collected a walk while Duffy had a double. In 14 games this month, Duffy is hitting .298 (17-57).

Next up: The Express and Rainiers come back for the final game of the season tomorrow at Cheney Stadium. Round Rock RHP Adrian Sampson (8-10, 5.57) is slated to toe the rubber against Tacoma LHP Rob Kaminsky (1-0, 6.98) is slated to pitch. First pitch is set for 3:35 p.m. CT.

For more information about the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Subscribe to the E-Train email newsletter and keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and X!