The age-old adage of “the game’s not over until it’s over” has rung true for the Round Rock Express this season. Playing in their league-leading 13th extra-inning game this year, the Express seem to play their best ball in crunch time.
Express lead-off man, designated hitter Michael Helman, went 3-6 at the plate with a triple in the third. His two RBI single in the top of the 12th inning brought home the game-winning run, completing Round Rock’s first series sweep this season, 6-5 over the Las Vegas Aviators late Sunday night.
The Express are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with after a difficult first half of the season. Hitting the ground running straight out of the all-star break, the team got a statement series sweep over the Pacific Coast League’s first-half winner.
Part of this was Helman breaking out in his most productive series this season. In three games in Las Vegas, the designated hitter picked up three consecutive multi-hit games, four RBI and two extra-base hits to just a single strikeout.
Another reason for the success was the fresh rotation of pitchers in the pen after an extended all-star break. Employing eight different arms against the Aviators, Round Rock was able to unload them in the series finale.
One of the rising prospects in the Rangers system, starting pitcher Kohl Drake, making his second start in an Express uniform, is still adjusting to the Triple-A level after dominating in Double-A Frisco this season.
As the top of the order for Las Vegas returned to the box for the second time in the third inning, Drake started to struggle. Allowing three earned runs on five consecutive hits and a wild pitch put the Express in an early hole.
Drake was sent out to the mound for the fourth inning, despite the tough outing in the third. Having a more typical performance, picking up his fourth strikeout and a pair of groundouts, Drake ended his night on a positive note.
Potential Future Hall of Fame closer Craig Kimbrel was able to preserve Round Rock’s narrow lead when he came in the 12th inning. Allowing a sac fly and two runners in scoring position, Kimbrel was able to navigate out of the jam, picking up his second save of the season.
Ending a disappointing first half near the bottom of the league, Round Rock is currently one and a half games back from the top of the league standings.
Round Rock will face the PCL’s second-half best team and one of the hottest, the Tacoma Rainiers, this week at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington.
