Isotopes Top Express 2-1 in Pitcher’s Duel on Friday Night

ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Albuquerque Isotopes (20-35) rallied for a pair of late runs to top the Round Rock Express (28-28) by a final score of 2-1 in Friday night’s game two at Dell Diamond, leveling the series at 1-1 in the process. The low-scoring contest included 10 total hits, five for each side, and 15 strikeouts between the two pitching staffs.

Round Rock RHP Jimmy Herget (1-1, 2.30) was tagged with the blown-save loss after allowing both Albuquerque runs to cross on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning. Albuquerque LHP Zac Rosscup (1-0, 0.59) earned the win with a perfect 2.0 innings of relief that saw three strikeouts. Express starter LHP Brock Burke had a standout 5.0-inning performance, allowing no runs on just one hit while tallying six punchouts.

The contest went six innings without seeing a run before Round Rock got one on the board in the bottom of the seventh. SS Ryan Dorow drew a leadoff walk and advanced when RF Elier Hernandez followed with a walk of his own. Dorow crossed home as LF Delino DeShields hit a single to left-center field, giving the Express a 1-0 lead.

Express RHP Jharel Cotton held the Isotopes scoreless in the eighth, striking out 3B Taylor Motter for the final out of the frame after 2B Rio Ruiz and RF Ryan Vilade hit back-to-back singles with two outs.

Albuquerque DH Connor Joe knocked a leadoff single in the top of the ninth and moved to second as LF Nick Longhi drew a one-out walk. A Brian Serven base hit sent Joe home, tying the contest at 1-1 with runners on the corners. Longhi scored the winning run for the Isotopes as SS Alan Trejo grounded out.

The two teams return to Dell Diamond for game three on Saturday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Express LHP Wes Benjamin (1-2, 6.75) is set to start against Isotopes RHP Dereck Rodr**í**guez (2-2, 7.31).

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