Salt Lake Routs Round Rock in Scherzer Rehab Appearance

The center of the Texas Ranger universe was on Round Rock, Texas, as Max Scherzer continued his rehab with the Round Rock Express.  Scherzer pitched 2.1 innings for no decision as the Express fell to the Salt Lake Bees by a final score of 12-to-5. 

Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, and two-time World Series champion, started the game and was scheduled to throw 45 pitches as part of his recovery for lower back surgery in the off season.  He gave up three runs on five hits, including two home runs, and struck out four batters. 

The Bee jumped to 1-to-0 lead on Jason Martin’s first inning solo home run.  Then added two additional runs in the second inning on Cole Tucker’s solo homer, and on D’Shawn Knowles RBI double. 

The Express clawed back two runs in the bottom of the third inning on Sandro Fabian’s two-run round tripper, his second of the season.  Salt Lake took back those two runs in the fourth inning when Chad Wallach went yard.  

The scoring give-and-take continued into the fifth inning when Round Rock’s Blaine Crim plated Dustin Harris on a double. 

The Express tied the game in the seventh on Harris’ home run and Trevor Hauver’s run scoring force out. 

Salt Lake closed the book on the  Express with a five run eighth inning, beginning with Hunter Dozier’s RBI single and ending with Jack Lopez’ grand slam. 

To add insult to injury, the Bees added two additional runs in the final frame, making the final score 12-to-5. 

Round Rock’s Gerson Garabito suffered the loss, allowing three runs on four hits in four innings of work.  He struck out six batters and walked two. 

Hans Grouse took home the win for Salt Lake for a scant 0.2 inning on the mound, walking one batter and striking out another.