Express Fall to Isotopes in Series Opener, 6-5

The Round Rock Express found themselves playing from behind all night Tuesday, ultimately falling 6-5 to the Albuquerque Isotopes in the opening game of their six-game series. Despite a late rally to tie the game, the Isotopes pulled ahead in the eighth inning and held on for the win.

Express starter Cory Abbott pitched four innings, giving up two runs on six hits, but did not factor into the decision. The loss went to Round Rock reliever Robby Ahlstrom, who surrendered the go-ahead run in the eighth. For the Isotopes, starter Anthony Molina allowed two runs on five hits over five innings, also earning a no-decision, while Dugan Darnell secured the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Nick Anderson closed out the ninth, striking out the side to seal the Albuquerque victory.

The Isotopes jumped out to an early lead, scoring a run in the second on Drew Romo’s single and adding another in the third. Round Rock answered in the fourth when Josh Jung doubled and Rowdy Tellez blasted his first home run for the Express, tying the game at 2-2.

Albuquerque regained the lead in the sixth with a two-run homer from Sean Bouchard and an RBI groundout, pushing their advantage to 5-2. Not to be outdone, Blaine Crim launched a two-run homer for the Express in the bottom of the sixth, bringing Round Rock within one. Kellen Strahm then singled, allowing Billy McKinney to score the tying run.

The tie was short-lived. In the top of the eighth, Sterlin Thompson singled for the Isotopes, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on Warming Bernabel’s groundout, giving Albuquerque the decisive 6-5 lead.

Despite the loss, Richie Martin continued his hot streak for the Express, going 2-for-4 and extending his hitting streak to six games, batting .476 over that span. Blaine Crim’s two-run shot moved him into sole possession of fourth place in club history with 238 RBI, and he extended his on-base streak to 23 games, the fifth-longest active streak in the Pacific Coast League.