Rainiers Defeat Express 6-1 to Even Series
TACOMA, Washington – The Round Rock Express (10-4) fell to the Tacoma Rainiers (6-8) in a 6-1 final on Friday night at Cheney Stadium. The loss is the first for Round Rock since a 5-1 defeat on May 14 in game two of its home series versus Sugar Land. Round
TACOMA, Washington – The Round Rock Express (10-4) fell to the Tacoma Rainiers (6-8) in a 6-1 final on Friday night at Cheney Stadium. The loss is the first for Round Rock since a 5-1 defeat on May 14 in game two of its home series versus Sugar Land.
Round Rock’s starter LHP Wes Benjamin (1-1, 6.14) was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs on six hits while allowing two walks and striking out three in 2.1 innings on the mound. Rainiers starter RHP Darren McCaughan (1-1, 5.40) earned the win with one Express run on two hits, two walks and six strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
The Express put its solo run of the night on the board in the first inning when LF Delino DeShields hit a leadoff single to right field before advancing to third base on a Rainiers error. RF Jason Martin followed, hitting his third double of the season to bring DeShields home.
Tacoma followed with a run of its own in the bottom of the first inning as C Cal Raleigh hit a solo home run to open up scoring for the Rainiers.
The home team plated three runs in the second inning to take a 4-1 lead when 2B Joseph Rosa gave Tacoma its second home run of the night, this time a three-run shot to left field. The hit brought in RF Dillon Thomas and 3B Jantzen Witte.
The Rainiers tallied two more runs in the third inning after a double from Raleigh and back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Witte hit a two RBI single to left field, bringing Tacoma’s total to six.
Both bullpens shined to end the contest with six straight scoreless frames and preserve the 6-1 final.
The two teams meet again on Saturday, May 22 at Cheney Stadium with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. CT. Express RHP Sam Gaviglio (1-0, 3.97) is scheduled to start up against Rainiers LHP Héctor Santiago (0-0, 4.00).
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