Smaller Mistakes Sink Express

No one disputes that the Round Rock Express (19-27), and their parent club, the Texas Rangers, are struggling.  Tonight the Express took on the Iowa Cubs (15-28), the worst team in the Pacific Coast League and lost, again.  

Pitching and mistakes have been the Express bane.  Tonight was no different.  Three batters hit-by-pitch, and an untimely walk and home run gave Iowa the win. 

The defense stepped up.  A diving catch by left fielder Willie Calhoun, masterful play by shortstop Christian Lopes, and two runners caught stealing make the team look like a potential contender.  

The Express scored first in their half of the second inning.  Walks to Andy Ibanez and Cameron Rupp put runners on first and second base.  Juan Centeno ground into a double play, advancing Ibanez to third base.  Ibanez then scored on a wild pitch by Duane Underwood.  

Tyler Wagner pitched respectable baseball, going 6 and 1/3 inning, striking out five, hitting two batters, and walking one.  The walk to Efren Navarro led to Adam Loewen replacing Wagner.  Loewen gave up a home run to David Bote, the next batter, and ultimately gave Iowa the win.  Loewen pitched 1/3 of an inning, gave up two hits and hit one batter.  Loewen was assigned the blown-save and the loss.  Tayler Scott replaced Loewen who closed out the seventh inning and the game.  

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