River Cats Defeat Express 7-2 on Friday Night

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Round Rock Express (36-36) fell at the paws of the Sacramento River Cats (43-30) at Sutter Health Park on Friday night, 7-2. Despite the loss, Round Rock still leads the six-game series three games to one.

Round Rock starter RHP Gerson Garabito (1-3, 2.62) took the loss after allowing four runs on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts over 4.0 innings. Sacramento starter RHP Hayden Birdsong (1-0, 5.00) earned the win after allowing two runs on three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over 5.0 innings.

Along the Train Tracks:

• Sacramento opened the scoring in the bottom of the second thanks to a bases loaded hit by pitch by 2B Donovan Walton and a wild pitch that allowed C Blake Sabol to score to make it 2-0.
• Round Rock answered in the top of the third after C Andrew Knapp hit a sacrifice fly that scored LF Trevor Hauver to cut it to 2-1.
• 3B David Villar launched a two-run homer to center field in the bottom of the third inning to extend the River Cats lead to 4-1.
• The Express added a big fly of their own in the fifth off the bat of 3B Jonathan Ornelas, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
• An RBI double by Villar in the bottom of the fifth plated SS Marco Luciano to increase the Sacramento advantage to 5-2.
• Luciano added two more runs to the River Cats lead in the sixth on a single to make it 7-2.

E-Train Excerpts:

• Texas Rangers rehabber 2B Justin Foscue extended his on-base streak to 38 games at the Triple-A level, dating back to August 18, 2023. He went 0-for-1 with three walks
• Round Rock 3B Jonathan Ornelas launched his third home run of the season on Friday night going 1-3 with a solo homer, an RBI and a run scored.

Next up: Round Rock and Sacramento face off for game five of the series Saturday night. Express RHP Adrian Sampson (7-3, 4.80) is slated to make the start against River Cats RHP Tommy Romero (4-1, 3.11). First pitch from Sutter Health Park is set for 8:37 p.m. CT.

Single game tickets as well as full season and other 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!