E-Train Collects Second Straight Rain-Shortened Win Over ‘Topes

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – For the second night in a row, the Round Rock Express (47-50) built an early lead over the Albuquerque Isotopes (42-55) and for the second night in a row, heavy rains forced the contest to end after seven full innings. Tonight, it was the E-Train collecting a 5-1 victory at Isotopes Park thanks in part to a pair of home runs from CF Elier Hernandez and another solo blast from SS Charles Leblanc.

Express reliever RHP Joe Gatto (3-2, 4.91) earned the win after 2.1 shutout innings of relief that saw just one walk and three strikeouts. On the losing side, Isotopes starter RHP Ryan Rolison (1-1, 5.71) suffered his first defeat of the season following a performance in which he allowed five runs on seven hits, including three home runs, in 5.0 innings.

Rehabbing Texas Rangers RHP Kohei Arihara started the contest for Round Rock, surrendering a one-out single to CF Raimel Tapia in the bottom of the first inning. After a passed ball by C John Hicks moved Tapia to third, 3B Colton Welker sent his center fielder to third with a flyout to deep left field. An ensuing Greg Bird single allowed Tapia to score the unearned run, giving the home side an early 1-0 lead.

However, Round Rock stormed ahead in the second as back-to-back-to-back doubles by DH Sherten Apostel, 1B Curtis Terry and SS Charles Leblanc plated a pair of runs to give the Express a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Arihara recovered to face the minimum, completing his rehab assignment after 30 total pitches, with 14 landing in the strike zone. The righty allowed one unearned run on two hits and a walk in 2.0 innings.

The E-Train added solo home runs in each of the next three innings to open a 5-1 advantage. Hernandez kickstarted the longball party with a solo shot in the third before Leblanc improved upon his evening with a solo shot in the fourth. An inning later, Hernandez added his second homer in as many at-bats, recording his first career multi-home run game in what is his 10th professional season.

The Express bullpen quartet of RHP Blake Bass (1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 K), Gatto (2.1 IP, 1 BB, 3 K), RHP Justin Anderson (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) and RHP Buck Farmer (0.1 IP, BB) then went to work, blanking the Isotopes on just two total hits and six walks over the final 6.0 innings of play to preserve the Round Rock advantage.

Just like Thursday night’s series opener, heavy rains moved into the greater Albuquerque area following the completion of the seventh inning, causing a 46-minute rain delay before the decision was made to complete the contest early.

Round Rock and Albuquerque look to navigate nine full innings of play in Saturday night’s game three from Isotopes Park. Express RHP Collin Wiles (4-1, 3.97) is scheduled to face Isotopes RHP Ryan Castellani (3-8, 6.94). First pitch from New Mexico is set for 7:35 p.m.

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!