Big Innings Lift Express to 9-6 Victory Over River Cats

SACRAMENTO, California – The Round Rock Express (30-32) snagged its second victory over the Sacramento River Cats (26-35) thanks to two big innings on Friday night at Sutter Health Park. The high-scoring contest featured 18 total hits and runs in five separate frames.

Round Rock RHP Jharel Cotton (4-0, 3.16) got the win, throwing 3.0 scoreless innings of relief that featured just one hit and six-straight strikeouts. Sacramento reliever RHP Yunior Marte (0-2, 4.91) was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with three punchouts in his 1.2-inning showing.

Sacramento started the contest early, plating two runs in the first inning. 1B Jason Krizan drew a one-out walk then rounded the bases on three consecutive singles from C Joey Bart, CF Joe McCarthy and LF Arismendy Alc**á**ntara. Alcántara’s base hit also sent home Bart for a 2-0 lead.

The top of the second saw Round Rock’s first four runs on the night, highlighted by a three-run home run from 1B Elier Hernandez. C Yohel Pozo and 3B Ryan Dorow both worked walks before coming home on Hernandez’ hit to left field. After drawing the third walk of the inning, 2B Charles Leblanc scored thanks to a Delino DeShields single to put the Express on top 4-2.

The River Cats trimmed the Express lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the frame as RF Braden Bishop hit a solo home run.

Both sides added to their total in the third as Pozo launched his second dinger in as many contests for the Express. DH Bryce Johnson scored for the River Cats with a home run of his own, sending a two-run shot to left-center field that scored Bart to tie the contest at 5-5.

Sacramento took over for a 6-5 lead with a run in the fourth inning when Bishop knocked a one-out double before scoring thanks to a single from 3B Mauricio Dub**ó**n.

The Express earned another big inning in the fifth to regain a 9-6 lead over the River Cats. DeShields crossed home first after drawing a leadoff walk, stealing second base, then advancing on a Sacramento throwing error before scoring as CF Leody Taveras struck out. A Pozo single and back-to-back walks from DH Curtis Terry and Dorow loaded the bases for the Express before Hernandez tallied three more RBI, sending his teammates in with a double.

Round Rock RHP Scott Engler earned his first save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the 9-6 win.

Round Rock and Sacramento are back in action on Saturday night at Sutter Health Park. Express RHP Tyler Phillips (0-3, 9.90) is set to start against San Francisco Giants RHP Aaron Sanchez (0-1, 9.82), who is set to make an MLB rehab appearance for the River Cats. First pitch is set for 9:05 p.m. CT.

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