Round Rock, TX – Express First Baseman Curtis Terry (.316, 1.107 OPS) hit for the cycle and drove in 2 runs but the third cycle in franchise history and a late comeback was not enough as the Round Rock Express (23-15) fell to the Oklahoma City Dodgers (18-20) by a score of 8-7 in front of a season high crowd of 7,404.
Center Fielder turned relief pitcher James Jones (2-1, 5.25), the second pitcher out of the pen on a bullpen night went 2 innings allowing 3 hits, 3 runs (2 earned) while walking 1 and striking out one, with most of the damage coming in the 3rd inning off a Cristian Santana (#15 Dodger prospect) home run, took the loss.
Dodger reliever Brusdal Graterol, who threw fewer pitches than anyone in the game (only 9) in his 2/3 of an inning, picked up his first win of the 2021 campaign.
The loss, the Express’ third in a row, coupled with Sugar Land’s (23-14) 10-3 victory over El Paso dropped Round Rock into 2nd place, a half game behind the Skeeters in the unstably named Triple-A West East.
The Dodgers remain at 5.5 games back.
On The Mound
Jake Lemoine (4-0, 2.29) led the troops out on a pre-determined bullpen night and just really set the tone for early mixed results. Lemoine went 2IP with 4H 2R (both earned) striking out 2 and walking one.
Following the aforementioned Jones performance, Ranger prospect Scott Angler (0-0, 20.25) followed made his Triple-A debut, also to mixed results, showing absolute “stuff” in missing bats, yet showing his stage of development in the ones that he didn’t going 1.1IP giving up 3 H/R/ER, striking out 2, walking one and giving up on really loud and long homer to former Southeastern Louisiana standout Drew Avans.
An interesting note of recent memory is the shutdown performances from the back end of the bullpen as again tonight, sparked by performances from Jharel Cotton (3-0, 5.16) and Joe Barlow (0-1, 7 SV, 2.84), the Express shut down the Dodgers on 2 hits over the final four frames.
At The Plate
Did I mention that Curtis Terry (.316, 11 HR, 31 RBI) hit for the cycle? He’s really good. Have I mentioned that also? There was quite a uniqueness about this cycle in that he had the triple and the home run out of the way early, then the double came in the 8th.
Terry came to the plate as the game winning run in the bottom of the 9th and singled competing the cycle, driving in Andy Ibanez in the process. Carl Chester flied out to right with the tying run at third to end the game.
The Rangers will have to make a decision on Terry, if they haven’t already, in the very near future. My guess is that since clearing a roster spot on the 40 man will be required, but more importantly, his major league clock, will keep him in Round Rock at least thru June.
In other bats of note 3B Andy Ibanez (.337, 1.012 OPS) continued his hot hitting going 3-4, including his 5th homer of the year 2 RBI and reaching base four times. Carl Chester had a strong night at the plate as well going 2-4 with 2 triples and 2 RBI and while he did have the games final out, it took a spectacular catch to prevent the tying run from scoring.
Up Next
The Express (23-15) take on the Dodgers (18-20) at 7:05 pm. Drew Anderson (3-2, 2.86) tries to right the ship while Edwin Uceta 0-2, 5.79) takes the hill for the Dodgers.
