Brigham Paces Express to 4-0 Victory Over Storm Chasers

ROUND ROCK, Texas - Backed by starter Jake Brigham's seven scoreless innings, the Round Rock Express (51-40) knocked off the Omaha Storm Chasers (40-50) 4-0 Sunday night in the series finale of a four-game set at Dell Diamond.

Brigham continued his hot streak as a starter, earning his third consecutive win when starting a game and registering his third straight quality start.

Third baseman Mike Olt got the Express offense going in the third, singling to center to break a 0-for-13 stretch. Olt went first to third two batters later on center fielder Leury Garcia's knock to right and came around to score on second baseman Greg Miclat's RBI single to center, putting the E-Train ahead 1-0.

Round Rock wasn't done as Garcia crossed the plate when the Storm Chasers were unable to turn a double play on shortstop Yangervis Solarte's ground ball, allowing the Express to grab a 2-0 lead after three frames.

Brigham continued to dominate on the mound, allowing just three hits through his first five innings to keep the Storm Chasers off the scoreboard.

A two-out rally in the fifth gave the Express its third run when Miclat singled and scored on Solarte's double down the right field line, giving Round Rock a 3-0 advantage.

The final two innings of Brigham's outing mimicked the first five as the right-hander cruised through 7.0 scoreless innings of work, scattering four hits and striking out four before giving way to southpaw Joseph Ortiz out of the bullpen.

The Express tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Designated hitter Manny Ramirez worked a one-out walk and was replaced on the base paths by pinch runner Jared Hoying. Left fielder Joey Butler immediately followed with a double into the right-center gap that allowed Hoying to score from first, though Butler was thrown out trying to stretch his double into a triple. Ramirez finished the night 1-for-3 in his Round Rock debut after singling in his first at-bat to leadoff the second inning.

Ortiz finished off the final two innings without allowing a base runner as he collected his first save of the season with the Express. Brigham improved to 3-1 with the victory while Omaha starter Yordano Ventura (2-3) suffered the loss.

The Express continues a seven-game homestand when it opens a three-game set against the Oklahoma City RedHawks Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Dell Diamond will feature $1.00 hot dogs and sodas, presented by Mrs Baird's. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!