Round Rock Snaps Scoreless Skid, Defeats Tacoma 4-1

ROUND ROCK, Texas - After 27 consecutive scoreless innings, C Brett Nicholas took matters into his own hands, driving in three runs to fuel a 4-1 Round Rock Express (25-21) victory over the Tacoma Rainiers (29-18) Thursday night at Dell Diamond.

RHP Nick Tepesch (4-2, 4.10) put together one of his best starts of the season, holding Tacoma to just one run on four hits in seven dominant innings on the mound. The righty struck out four while walking just one. Rainiers LHP James Paxton (4-3, 3.97) suffered a tough-luck loss after limiting the Express to just two runs - both unearned - on three hits over the span of six innings. The lefty struck out five and walked two. 

Tacoma's only run of the contest came in the second inning as 1B Efren Navarro opened the scoring with a wind-aided solo home run that skipped off the top of the outfield wall in left field before landing the grassy berm. Tepesch would recover to allow just four additional baserunners over the next five-plus innings. No hitter advanced past first base in that span.

Nicholas put the Express ahead in the sixth inning with a two-run single that electrified the Dell Diamond crowd. With two down in the frame, LF James Jones reached on a fielding error before promptly stealing second base. Back-to-back walks to CF Delino DeShields and RF Ryan Strausborger loaded the bases for Nicholas. The catcher delivered then ended Round Rock's 27 consecutive inning scoreless streak with a single that plated a pair. Strausborger was thrown out attempting to steal third in the next at-bat.

The E-Train tacked on insurance runs in both the seventh and eighth innings. Following a one-out Ike Davis walk, DH Drew Robinson doubled on a long fly ball to right, scoring Davis from first. In the very next frame, Nicholas delivered again, scoring DeShields with a single on a grounder to center field. DeShields previously walked then stole second to put himself in scoring position.

As has been a theme throughout this series, the Express bullpen shut down the Rainiers late. RHP Anthony Carter relieved Tepesch in the eighth inning, where he retired the side in order on just 12 pitches. RHP Carlos Fisher earned the save after a ninth inning in which he worked around a leadoff walk to preserve the 4-1 victory.

Next up, Round Rock welcomes the Reno Aces to Dell Diamond for a four-game set. Friday's series opener is scheduled to feature Express LHP Michael Roth (4-1, 1.77) up against Aces RHP Kyle Drabek (3-3, 5.80). Fans attending the contest can stick around for Bud Light Friday Fireworks immediately following the game.

Single game tickets are available along with season ticket packages and group discounts. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!