Rally Fizzles, Express Fall to Chihuahuas
June 7, 2021
The El Paso Chihuahuas (12-16) took advantage of inconsistent Round Rock Express (19-10) starting pitcher Drew Anderson and put up three early runs. The Chihuahuas ultimately defeated the Express by a score of 4-2.
Anderson (L, 3-2) suffered the lost, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits in 4 innings. He walked 3 and struck out 6 batters. The Express sent four relief pitchers to the mound to salvage the effort.
El Paso starting pitcher Jerry Keel (W, 1-0) looked solid, going 5.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits. Keel walked 3 and struck out 2 batters. Relief pitcher Mason Thompson (S, 5) was awarded the save.
The Express opened the scoring in the first inning when John Hicks dropped a soft fly ball to Patrick Kivlehan in right field with Eli White on first base. Kivlehan just missed the catch, and in the ensuing confusion, Express manager Kenny Holmberg sent White home. Kivlehan’s throw to the plate should have put White out, but catcher Luis Campusano dropped the ball and White scored.
The Chihuahuas responded in the second inning, quickly loading the bases on Kivlehan’s single, Luis Campusano’s walk, and Gosuke Katoh’s single. Pedro Florimon’s single to right field scored Kivlehan and Campusano. Michael Cantu’s single brough Katoh home.
El Paso added an insurance run in the fifth inning on Nick Tanielu’s sacrifice fly that scored John Andreoli. Andreoli singled and later advanced to third base on a throwing error by Express third baseman Eli White.
Round Rock could have changed the direction of the game in the eighth inning. Leadoff batter Delino DeShields took first base on a hit by pitch. DeShields stole second base, and advanced to third on Leody Taveras’ fly out to center field. Walks to Eli White and Curtis Terry loaded the bases with two outs. Andy Ibanez’s walk scored DeShields. However, Yohel Pozo’s ground out ended the Express rally.