Express Suffer Another Setback, Fall to Rainiers in Series Opener

The struggles continued for the Round Rock Express on Tuesday night as they dropped the opening game of their series against the Tacoma Rainiers by a score of 5-3. Late-inning heroics, courtesy of two Rainiers home runs, propelled the visitors to a comeback victory, extending the Express’ recent slump to eight losses in their last ten games, including six of their last ten at home.

Tacoma wasted no time getting on the board, as Samad Taylor launched the first pitch of the game over the fence for a 1-0 lead. Round Rock quickly answered in the bottom of the first, with Cody Freeman singling, advancing on a Trevor Hauver double, and scoring to tie the game.

The Express took a 3-1 lead in the third. Alex De Goti walked, Freeman singled him to second, and then Blaine Crimdoubled to score De Goti. Michael Helman followed with a sacrifice fly that brought Freeman home.

After four quiet innings, the Rainiers exploded in the eighth. A leadoff walk to Jack López and a single from Taylor set the stage. A wild pitch advanced both runners, and Harry Ford grounded out to score López. Then, Tyler Locklearblasted a two-run home run, bringing Taylor home and putting Tacoma ahead 4-3.

Austin Shenton added an insurance run for the Rainiers with a solo shot in the top of the ninth. Despite putting two runners on in the bottom of the ninth, the Express couldn’t capitalize, sealing their 5-3 defeat.

Individually, Cody Freeman continued his hot streak, recording his fourth consecutive multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. Blaine Crim also had a strong night, going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI, bringing his season total to 56 RBIs, tying him for fourth in the Pacific Coast League. On the pitching side, relievers Joe Barlow, Patrick Murphy, and Craig Kimbrel combined for 4.0 scoreless innings, providing a glimmer of hope despite the loss.