Round Rock Drops Game Three in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The Round Rock Express (1-2 | 45-32) fell in game three of the series to the Las Vegas Aviators (2-1 | 36-41) by a final score of 5-4 at Las Vegas Ballpark on Friday night.

Express LHP Jake Latz (1-4, 7.81) went home with the loss after allowing one hit, one run, two walks and one strikeout in his 2.0 innings of work. Aviators RHP Angel Felipe (2-2, 5.86) collected the win after one inning that saw four hits, three runs and just one strikeout. RHP Chad Smith picked up his second save of the series despite loading the bases in the ninth inning. He evaded the jam and posted a scoreless frame of work with one hit and two strikeouts.

Along the Train Tracks

• In the first inning, Express SS Davis Wendzel drew a one-out walk. After stealing second base, 3B Justin Foscue doubled to put Round Rock on the board.
• In the home half of the first, Aviators 2B Zach Gelof launched a two-out home run to tie the game at one.
• Round Rock scored two runs in the third inning after C Jordan Procyshen drew a walk and CF J.P. Martinez brought two runs home after a two-run home run to center field. The E-Train led 3-1.
• Express RHP Kyle Cody came out of the bullpen with two outs in the third inning and a runner aboard. Cody walked the first two batters he faced and gave up a bases-clearing double to RF Cody Thomas which allowed the Aviators to take a 4-3 lead.
• With a solo home run in the seventh inning, Round Rock LF Sandro Fabian tied the game at four apiece.
• Las Vegas took a 5-4 lead in the eighth after a sacrifice fly from 3B Jonah Bride scored Gelof from third base.
• In the top of the ninth inning, DH Blaine Crim PR Bubba Thompson entered and stole a base to get into scoring position. 2B Jonathan Ornelas and 1B Dustin Harris drew back-to-back walks to load the bases but Fabian grounded into a double play and Procyshen grounded out to end the game.

E-Train Excerpts:

• Express CF J.P. Martinez smacked his second home run of the series after his two-run blast in the third frame. It was his third home run in the last eight games after he needed 20 games to hit three home runs this year.
• RHP Alex Speas made his Triple-A debut for Round Rock and threw 2.0 scoreless innings where he allowed two hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

Next up: Round Rock will play game four against the Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland Athletics affiliate) on Saturday night from Las Vegas Ballpark at 9:05 p.m. CT. The Express have not yet named a pitcher but will face Aviators RHP Zach Neal (2-0, 5.36).