Express Earn Series Opener Over Knights, 5-1
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The Knights put two on in the second with a pair of singles from SS Colson Montgomery and C Kyle Teel. 3B Bryan Ramos grounded into a fielder’s choice but Montgomery scored on the play, giving Charlotte a 1-0 lead. Round Rock
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - BOX SCORE
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Knights put two on in the second with a pair of singles from SS Colson Montgomery and C Kyle Teel. 3B Bryan Ramos grounded into a fielder’s choice but Montgomery scored on the play, giving Charlotte a 1-0 lead.
Round Rock grabbed the lead in the top of the fifth. 3B Alex De Goti drew a walk then RF Marcus Smith recorded his second homer of the year sending the Express ahead 2-1.
The Express extended their advantage with three runs in the seventh. 1B Blaine Crim came to the plate with the bases loaded and sent a double into left center scoring two. Later, CF Alejandro Osuna was nearly picked off from third base, but he evaded the third baseman and scored to move the E-Train lead to 5-1.
Round Rock LHP Robby Ahlstrom replaced RHP Peyton Gray with two out in the bottom of the ninth. Ahlstrom hit the first batter he faced and Charlotte brought the tying run to the plate. Ahlstrom got 2B Triston Gray to line out and the Express took the series opener, 5-1.
E-TRAIN EXCERPTS:
MARCUS IS MASHING: RF Marcus Smith went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in the series opener. Smith has racked up a .321/.472/.714 slash line this year. Since being promoted to Round Rock on May 8th, his 1.186 OPS ranks fourth in the PCL.
CRIM: After his two-run double in the seventh inning, 1B Blaine Crim is now 3-for-6 with six RBI when the bases are loaded this season. Crim is tied for second in the league with 12 RBIs in the seventh inning or later while batting .333 with just five strikeouts.
RYAN IN RELIEF: RHP Ryan Garcia tossed 4.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five. In his first three outings as a starter this year, Garcia gave up 12 earned runs and 16 hits with six strikeouts in 8.2 innings. Since throwing 8.2 consecutive innings in relief, he’s allowed three earned runs, four hits and struck out 11.
NEXT GAME: Wednesday, May 21 at Charlotte FIRST PITCH: 5:35 p.m. CT BALLPARK: Truist Field
For more information about the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Subscribe to the E-Train email newsletter and keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and X!