HOW IT HAPPENED:
After being held hitless through the first three innings, the Express broke through for four runs in the fourth inning. DH Kyle Higashioka reached second base on an error from SS Leo Rivas to start the inning. 2B John Taylor poked a double to left field line, scoring Higashioka for the game’s first run. After CF Michael Helman singled, RF Aaron Zavala followed with a ground-rule double, sending Taylor in from second and putting runners at second and third. Consecutive groundouts allowed Helman and Zavala to score and give Round Rock a 4-0 lead.
The E-Train struck for three runs in the sixth to extend their lead to seven. The Express loaded the bases following two walks and a single. 3B Cam Cauley brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to center and C Logan O’Hoppe drove in a pair with a double.
In the seventh, Helman hit a two-run home run to make it a 9-0 game.
Tacoma avoided the shutout in the eighth after a groundout to first from 1B Connor Joe allowed 2B Ryan Bliss to score. The Rainiers added another run in the ninth after a sacrifice fly from C Willie MacIver, but the Express still went on to win by a final score of 9-2.
E-TRAIN EXCERPTS:
WHERE WE STAND: Round Rock won their 4th consecutive game on Tuesday night…have outscored opponents 36-12 during the 4-game stretch…are 6-1 in their last 7 games…have won 6 of their last 8 series openers and are 3-2-2 in their last 7 series…move to 63-17 when scoring 5+ runs and 45-18 when holding opponents under 5 runs.
RHP MICHEL OTAÑEZ: (ND, 2.0 IP, H, 0 R, 4 SO, 29 pitches, 21 strikes) started his 1st game since 8/28/19 with BRK (High-A NYM)… punched out a season-high 4 batters… 2 with his slider and 2 with his fastball… has generated at least 1 SO through his last 8 outings… has tossed 4.0 SHO innings through his last 3 appearances… just the 5th time this season he has pitched 2.0 innings with 2 of those appearances coming against TAC.
INF JOHN TAYLOR: got the scoring started in the 4th with his RBI double… has now driven in 55 R this season and recorded 84 RBIs between Round Rock and Double-A Frisco… ranks 3rd among Ranger farm players this season in RBIs… extends his team-high on-base streak to 11 G as well and is slashing .244/.380/.293 in that span.
C LOGAN O’HOPPE: finished the night going 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a walk… walked in the 1st, singled in the 5th and doubled in the 6th… was optioned to Round Rock from the Rangers on 9/12 and activated before tonight’s game… was slashing .353/.333/.412 with an RBI in 10 G with TEX before being sent down… begins his 2nd stint this season with the E-Train with his previous lasting from 8/1-23… hit .292 (21/72) with 3 HR, 20 RBI and 10 doubles in that span.
OF MICHAEL HELMAN: went 2-for-4 with 2 R and a homer in his return to the lineup… was placed on the injured list on 6/19 with a right finger fracture… blasted a two-run homer in the 7th to put the game out of reach… marks his 6th homer of the season and his 4th at Dell Diamond.
RHP RYAN LOBUS: (W, 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 26 pitches, 20 strikes) earned the win in the series opener, tossing 2.0 scoreless frames as the 1st man out of the bullpen…tallied 1st-pitch strikes to all 8 batters faced…has not walked a batter in 3 straight appearances and issued 1 walk in his last 5…owns a 3.78 strikeout to walk ratio (34 SO/9 BB), which ranks 2nd among Round Rock relievers with 25.0+ IP.
NOTES: Round Rock arms recorded 10+ strikeouts for the 9th time through 13 G this month… has tallied 143 SO this month which is tied with SUG for the most in the PCL this month.
NEXT GAME: Wednesday, September 16 vs Tacoma FIRST PITCH: 6:45 p.m. CT BALLPARK: Dell Diamond
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 X!