Express Bounce Back with Gritty Win Over Chihuahuas

After a challenging 5-1 series loss in Tacoma, the Round Rock Express returned home Tuesday night and offered their fans a much-needed change of pace, securing a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas.

The Express’s turnaround was spearheaded by an impressive outing from starting pitcher Carl Edwards Jr., who dominated on the mound. Edwards Jr. baffled El Paso hitters, fanning eight and surrendering just one run on two hits over six strong innings, earning his first win of the season. Relievers Josh Sborz, Peyton Gray, and Codi Heuer then combined to close out the game, sealing the win for Round Rock. El Paso’s Matt Waldron took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits through six innings.

Round Rock wasted no time asserting themselves offensively. In the bottom of the first, Alejandro Osuna led off with a walk, stole second, and then scored on a double down the line by Cody Freeman. Blaine Crim followed with a ground ball that El Paso’s Mason McCoy mishandled, allowing Freeman to score on the error. Justin Foscue then singled, bringing home Dustin Harris to give the Express an early 3-0 lead.

Freeman continued his hot streak in the third, launching a solo home run to left field – his fourth homer in just two games – extending Round Rock’s advantage to 4-0. El Paso responded in the fourth with a leadoff homer from Forrest Wall. The Chihuahuas clawed their way back in the seventh with an RBI single from Tim Locastro and a bases-loaded walk to Cody Roberts, trimming the deficit to one.

However, Gray and Heuer slammed the door shut, retiring the final six Chihuahuas batters in order to preserve the Express’s 4-3 triumph. Freeman finished the night a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. His impressive performance continues a strong July, where the Express have now homered in 12 consecutive games, leading the league with 33 home runs this month.