ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (42-27) battled to a 6-3 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers (32-38) in game two on Sunday night at Dell Diamond. Rehabbing Houston Astros C Max Stassi launched a two-run bomb to lead the team's success. Round Rock RHP Corbin Martin (2-1, 2.70)
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (42-27) battled to a 6-3 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers (32-38) in game two on Sunday night at Dell Diamond. Rehabbing Houston Astros C Max Stassi launched a two-run bomb to lead the team's success.
Round Rock RHP Corbin Martin (2-1, 2.70) earned the win after allowing only two runs while punching out eight Rainiers batters. Additionally, LHP Ryan Hartman worked for a save as he held the visitors to only one run while he also fanned eight hitters. On the losing side, Tacoma LHP Jon Niese (3-2, 5.03) suffered the loss after surrendering six runs on 11 hits and three walks.
Round Rock opened scoring in the second inning. 1B Taylor Jones led off the frame with a double and advanced to second on a Nick Tanielu fly out. LF Josh Rojas then singled the runner home to put Round Rock ahead 1-0.
The next inning, rehabbing Houston Astros 2B José Altuve notched a leadoff single prior to trotting home moments later thanks to a Max Stassi home run. The next at-bat, RF Kyle Tucker notched a single and advanced to third on a Drew Ferguson base hit. The runner then hustled home on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 4-0.
In the fourth, SS Alex De Goti singed and advanced to second when Altuve worked a walk. Stassi then singled De Goti home and Altuve moved to third, eventually scoring a run on a Tucker sacrifice fly.
However, in the fifth, Tacoma broke Round Rock's 13.2-inning shutout streak with a pair of singles and a double. SS Kelby Tomlinson began the frame with a single before DH Tim Lopes tacked on another. 2B Shed Long then sent the runners home on a double. Tacoma would tack on one more run as LF Jaycob Brugman scored when Tomlinson hit into a fielder's choice double play in the eighth, but the visitors could not overcome a 6-3 deficit.
Round Rock aims for a series win in game three on Monday night. Rainiers RHP Mike Wright (0-1, 3.45) is scheduled to start opposite RHP Brandon Bielak (0-2, 3.11). First pitch at Dell Diamond is set 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
