El Paso Defeats Round Rock with Big Finish

What started as a pitcher’s duel ended as a rout as the Round Rock Express fell to the El Paso Chihuahuas.  El Paso (38-52) put up 5 runs in the final 2 innings to defeated Round Rock (42-49) by a score of 6-to-1. 

Round Rock starting pitcher A.J. Alexy threw for 5 solid innings before yielding the mound to Hyeon-Jong Yang.  Alexy allowed no runs, scatting 3 hits, striking out 3 while walking 1 batter. 

Yang got off to an uneven start in the sixth inning.  Leadoff batter Matt Batten reach first on a throwing error by third baseman Sherten Apostel.  Yany then hit Luis Campusano with a pitch to put runners on first and second.  Jose Azocar’s single to center field scored Batten, giving El Paso a 1-0 lead. 

Round Rock evened the score with Ryan Dorow’s home run to left field in the seventh inning off Steven Wilson.  Wilson (1-0) was assigned both a blown save and later the win. 

Yang opened the eighth inning allowing back-to-back singles to Matt Batten and Taylor Kohlwey.  Joe Gatto replaced Yang with 1 out, hoping to minimize the damage, but a fielder’s choice allowed Batten to score.  Kohlwey later crossed the plate on a single by Gosuke Katoh.  Both runs were charged to Yang.  Patrick Kivlehand’s double brought home Katoh, giving the Chihuahuas a 4-1 lead. 

El Paso added to their lead in the ninth inning, beginning with a Webster Rivas home run.  Ivan Castillo reached second base on a fielding error by center fielder Leody Taveras.  Castillo later scored on a single by Luis Campusano.  

Yang (0-3) suffered the lost, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits  in 2.1 innings.  He struck out 5 batters.