Curtis Terry Hits for the Cycle as Express Fall to Dodgers 8-7
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Round Rock Express 1B Curtis Terry etched his name in the club’s history books by becoming the third player in franchise’s 21-year history to hit for the cycle, however it was the Oklahoma City Dodgers (18-20) topping the Express (23-15) by a final score of 8-7
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Round Rock Express 1B Curtis Terry etched his name in the club’s history books by becoming the third player in franchise’s 21-year history to hit for the cycle, however it was the Oklahoma City Dodgers (18-20) topping the Express (23-15) by a final score of 8-7 on Friday night at Dell Diamond.
.@curtball28 hits for the cycle!
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 19, 2021
The @Rangers' No. 26 prospect completes the feat with an RBI single in the ninth for @RRExpress.https://t.co/ErP1Qzsmh2 pic.twitter.com/dP2zmA8kD5
Round Rock LHP James Jones (2-1, 5.25) suffered the loss in relief, allowing three runs, only two of which were earned, on three hits and a walk with a strikeout in 2.0 innings. On the winning side, Oklahoma City reliever RHP Brusdar Graterol (1-1, 7.11) struck out both batters he faced in 0.2 innings of relief.
The game saw at least one run scored in every inning, beginning with a solo Oklahoma City tally in the top of the first. RF Zach Reks scored the Dodgers’ first run by singling, moving to second on a wild pitch and ultimately coming home on a single from LF Luke Raley.
Both teams put runners across in the second as Oklahoma City’s CF Drew Avans singled before stealing second base then scoring on a Reks double. In the bottom of the frame, Terry began his historic night by recording a triple before scoring on an ensuing triple from RF Carl Chester. C Jack Kruger then tied the game at 2-2 on a fielder’s choice that allowed Chester to score.
The Dodgers doubled their run total in the third inning for a 4-2 lead as 3B Cristian Santana launched a two-run home run into left field, scoring Raley, who had reached on a base hit in the previous at-bat.
Each half of the fourth frame saw a run as Oklahoma City’s SS Elliot Soto reached second on a Round Rock error before scoring thanks to a single from C Keibert Ruiz. The Express responded as Terry hit a dinger to the left field berm for his second hit of the cycle.
Round Rock made it a one-run contest in the fifth inning as SS Yonny Hernandez crossed home plate. After working a walk, the infielder moved to second then scored on back-to-back singles from CF Leody Taveras and 3B Andy Ib**áñ**ez to cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 5-4.
The Dodgers plated three in the sixth, increasing their lead again to 8-4. Avans tallied his second run of the night with a solo home run. Reks then drew a walk and was followed by a Ruiz double, putting both runners in scoring position. 1B Yoshi Tsutsugo drove Reks home on a sacrifice fly that also allowed Ruiz to move to third. DH Sheldon Neuse then recorded a base hit to score Ruiz for the final run of the inning.
Round Rock worked at a comeback attempt, scoring one run in each of the final three frames. Ibáñez hit a 400-foot solo homer to the Home Run Porch in left field in the seventh. In the eighth, Terry earned a double that left him a single short of the cycle, then scored as Chester hit a one-out triple, his second of the night.
The ninth inning saw a dramatic two-out rally that allowed Terry to receive one final at-bat. After a pair of strikeouts, Ibáñez draw a walk before moving to third base thanks to a base hit from DH John Hicks. Terry then completed his historic feat by following with a single that sent Ibáñez home. The Express couldn’t bring in the go-ahead run as Dodgers RHP Ryan Moseley retired 2B Charles Leblanc with a fly out to end the game.
With his 4-5 performance at the plate, Terry joined former Round Rock INF Doug Bernier (July 27, 2016 vs Omaha) and INF Alex De Goti (August 8, 2019 at El Paso) as the only players in franchise history to hit for the cycle.
.@curtball28 with the game ball. Congrats on your first cycle, Big Curt! #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/N9duMiQ0KE
— Rangers Player Development (@TEXPlayerDev) June 19, 2021
Round Rock and Oklahoma City face off again on Saturday night in game three at Dell Diamond. Express RHP Drew Anderson (3-2, 2.86) is scheduled to get the start against Dodgers RHP Edwin Uceta (0-2, 5.79). 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!