Skeeters Top Express in Series-Opening Showdown

SUGAR LAND, Texas – The Round Rock Express (19-12) fell by a final score of 2-1 to the Sugar Land Skeeters (20-10) in Thursday night’s series opener at Constellation Field. The two teams combined for just seven hits in the low-scoring contest.

Sugar Land’s RHP Chad Donato (1-1, 7.04) earned the win, throwing a scoreless 4.0 innings of relief that featured one Express hit, two walks and five strikeouts. Round Rock reliever RHP Joe Barlow (0-1, 3.60) suffered the loss with one run on one hit and two walks in his 1.0-inning appearance.

The Express scored its solo run in the top of the first inning when CF Leody Taveras found himself in scoring position after hitting a double to left field. Taveras came home for the 1-0 lead on an RBI single from DH John Hicks.

Sugar Land tied the contest at 1-1 in the fourth when CF Bryan De La Cruz hit a solo home run to lead off the inning, marking his fourth bomb of the season.

In the eighth inning, the Skeeters took a 2-1 lead when LF Ronnie Dawson and 3B Abraham Toro drew consecutive walks before De La Cruz earned his second RBI of the night with a single to score Dawson for the go-ahead run.

Express starter LHP Brock Burke struck out seven Skeeters in his 5.0 innings on the mound and allowed three total hits, one run and two walks. Relievers LHP James Jones and RHP Nick Vincent each threw for a scoreless inning, including a three up, three down inning for Vincent.

The two teams will face off again on Friday at Constellation Field. Round Rock LHP Wade LeBlanc (1-0, 4.09) is scheduled to get the start up against Sugar Land RHP Jojanse Torres (0-2, 5.50). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Single game tickets as well as full season and mini season membership plans are on sale now. 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 Twitter!