Storm Chasers Edge Express 3-2 in Series Opener

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express (47-34) suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers (38-44) in their series opener on Saturday night at Dell Diamond. Omaha used a three-run opening frame to fuel the victory.
Storm Chasers LHP Jake Kalish (5-4, 4.07) earned the win after a 6.0-inning appearance out of the bullpen in which he held Round Rock to two runs, only one of which was earned, on four hits and three strikeouts. Express LHP Ryan Hartman (5-3, 5.09) suffered the loss after surrendering three runs on six hits in a 7.0-inning start.
The Storm Chasers quickly opened scoring as SS Jecksson Flores worked a leadoff walk prior to a single from 3B Erik Mejia and a walk by LF Jorge Bonifacio . RF Bubba Starling then notched a bases-clearing double to put Omaha ahead 3-0.
Round Rock answered back in the third as C Garrett Stubbs smoked a double and advanced to third on a Nick Dini passed ball. The next at-bat, 2B Alex De Goti plated Stubbs via a sacrifice fly. In the fourth, SS Jack Mayfield smoked a leadoff homer to cut Round Rock's deficit to 3-2.
The teams exchanged five scoreless innings that included a pair of E-Train hits, but Round Rock could not find the game-tying run, resulting in a 3-2 defeat.
Round Rock meets Omaha on Sunday night for game two aiming to level the series at one. Express RHP Brandon Bielak (1-3, 6.57) is scheduled to start opposite Storm Chasers RHP Arnaldo Hernandez (1-5, 8.14). First pitch at Dell Diamond is set for 6:05 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