Abercrombie’s walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth helps the Round Rock Express open home stand with a win
The Round Rock Express (33-42) had a 4-0 lead disappear Saturday night only to win in dramatic fashion when Reggie Abercrombie doubled in the bottom of the ninth to drive home Jason Smith and defeat the Iowa Cubs (40-35) by a score of 6-5. It was Abercrombie’s 21st double of the year and second extra base hit of the game.
Jason Smith had opened the inning with a single to right field before Abercrombie slapped the game winning double down the left field line.
It was the first game of a four game home stand against the Iowa Cubs and J.R. Towles helped the Express get off to a fast start when he doubled in the bottom of the first inning. John Gall then came through as he delivered an RBI single to center plating Towles for a 1-0 lead.
Express starting pitcher Yorman Bazardo sailed through the first three innings giving up just three singles. He would also get some solid offensive support early on. In the third inning the Express went to work with their bats again. After two outs in the inning, J.R. Towles provided a spark yet again as he delivered a two-out double. John Gall then delivered with his seventh home run of the year, a two run shot to left field. Chris Johnson stepped to the plate next and tripled to right field and later came around to score on a Mark Saccomanno single for a 4-0 Express lead.
In the fourth inning the Cubs picked up their first run of the game when Iowa’s Jason Dubois connected for a two-out home run to cut the Express lead to 4-1.
Iowa got some traffic going on the base paths in the fifth-inning when Nate Spears singled to left field to lead off the inning. San Fuld would later single before Bazardo uncorked a wild pitch allowing Iowa to put runners at second and third. Matt Camp would then take full advantage coming up with a two RBI single to right field. Camp came across to score moments later on a John-Ford Griffin double to tie the game up at 4-4. Griffin ended up at third base after a throwing error but Bazado ended the Iowa rally with a strike out.
Round Rock went back out in front in the fifth inning after Towles led off with a bunt single that was followed by a Gall single and later a Saccomanno sacrifice fly that allowed Towles to score the go ahead run.
Nate Spears tripled for Iowa in the top of the eight inning and later came around to score on a Chris Robinson sacrifice fly allowing the Cubs to tie the game up at 5-5.
Iowa was unable to capitalize on a scoring opportunity in the ninth inning thanks to some clutch pitching by Express reliever Brendan Donnelly. Camp reached on a bunt single and later stole second base before moving the third on a wild pitch. Donnelly then walked Griffin before coming back and striking out the next two batters to get out of the inning.
The game then moved into the bottom of the ninth inning with Jason Smith leading off with a single before Abercrombie slapped his walk-off double down the third base line.
J.R. Towles had a huge night for the Express going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored. Gall also had three hits on the night to go along with three RBI. Saccomanno chipped in with two hits and two RBI.
Bazardo (7-2, 2.79 ERA) went six innings giving up nine hits and three earned runs. Donnelly (2-0, 1.90 ERA, 4 saves) picked up the win in relief after coming on to pitch the ninth inning. He gave up just the one hit while striking out two.
Iowa’s Blake Parker (0-1, 2.04 ERA) took the loss after coming on in relief in the eighth inning.
