Express Suffer Heartbreaking Loss to Isotopes in Extras

The Round Rock Express endured a tough defeat Thursday night, as the Albuquerque Isotopes rallied in the ninth to tie the game before securing a 3-2 victory in the tenth inning. It was a particularly frustrating loss for the Express, marking their 11th blown lead after seven innings and sixth after eight this season.

The game started promisingly for Round Rock with Ty Blach on the mound, who delivered 2.1 perfect innings before exiting due to tightness. Five Express relievers followed, with Jon Gray ultimately taking the loss after giving up the winning run in the tenth. For Albuquerque, starter Tanner Gordon was solid, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings. Dugan Darnell earned the win after a scoreless ninth.

Round Rock jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. Kellen Strahm singled home Justin Foscue, and a successful double steal brought Cooper Johnson across the plate. The Isotopes cut the lead in half in the third when Adael Amador doubled home Jose Torres.

The real drama unfolded in the ninth. Sam Hilliard doubled, advanced on a passed ball, and after two walks loaded the bases, Sterlin Thompson’s sacrifice fly tied the game at 2-2, sending it to extra innings.

In the tenth, with Warming Bernabel starting on second base, Jose Torres delivered a clutch single to center, sending Bernabel home and giving the Isotopes a 3-2 lead that held until the final out.

The late-game collapse continues a worrying trend for the Express, who were 28-6 when leading after eight frames this year before this loss, a stark contrast to their dominant 199-7 record in such situations from 2022-2024. Despite the team’s struggles, reliever Joe Barlow delivered another strong outing, pitching two scoreless innings, his 18th such appearance this season.