Express Stun Storm Chasers in 7-6 Walkoff Victory

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (50-34) topped the Omaha Storm Chasers (38-47) with a thrilling 7-6 walkoff win after completing a late comeback on Tuesday night at Dell Diamond. 1B Taylor Jones played hero, smoking a no-doubter, three-run home run in the 10th inning to give the Express the victory, marking the team's second straight series win over Omaha.
Express RHP Felipe Paulino (1-0, 6.75) earned the win after allowing only one earned run in the 10th inning. Omaha RHP Andres Machado (1-1, 2.59) suffered the loss after surrendering three runs, only two of which were earned, on one hit while recording just one out.
Omaha struck first as DH Samir Dueñez worked a second inning walk prior to a homer off the bat of C Nick Dini. Shortly thereafter, RF Brett Phillips notched another home run to put the Storm Chasers ahead 3-0. The next inning, 1B Ryan O'Hearn drew a walk and advanced to second thanks to a Bubba Starling single. Duenez then singled in Omaha's fourth run of the game.
In the fourth, Round Rock put up three runs to come within a run. LF Josh Rojas led off the frame with a single prior to a Jack Mayfield walk. Jones then collected an RBI single before advancing to second on an Omaha balk that also pushed Mayfield home. Finally, DH Kyle Tucker plated Jones with a base hit.
The score remained until the eighth inning when Rojas reached base on a walk and advanced from first to third on a wild pitch. CF Drew Ferguson then knocked in Jones to level the score at four and eventually force extra innings.
Per MiLB extra inning rules, Dini started the frame at second and advanced to third on a Chase d'Arnaud hit. Phillips then scored Dini on a sacrifice fly. O'Hearn followed up by tacking on another sacrifice fly, scoring D'Arnaud to give Omaha a 6-4 advantage in the 10th.
However, Round Rock made a furious comeback in the home half of the 10th to ensure the walkoff win. McCormick started the inning at second base before Rojas jumped aboard via a walk. The next at-bat, Mayfield reached base after grounding into a force out that eliminated Rojas at second. Jones then stole the show as he smoked a walkoff home run to upset Omaha 7-6.
Round Rock and Omaha cap off their current series during the team's Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday night. E-Train RHP Akeem Bostick (4-4, 5.82) is set to start while the Storm Chasers plan to counter with LHP Foster Griffin (7-3, 5.58). First pitch at Dell Diamond is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
For more information on the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and join the conversation during our historic 20th season using #20STROng.
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Round Rock Express Baseball, owned and operated by Ryan Sanders Baseball, LP, is the proud Triple-A Affiliate of the Houston Astros and a member of the Pacific Coast League