Express Fall to River Cats as Sacramento Pulls Away Late

ROUND ROCK, Texas (TXAN 24) — The Round Rock Express stayed within striking distance through five innings before the Sacramento River Cats erupted late for a 12-1 victory Thursday night at Dell Diamond.

Sacramento grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the opening inning behind an RBI double from Buddy Kennedy and a sacrifice fly by Grant McCray. The Express answered in the fifth when catcher Jose Herrera delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The River Cats quickly regained control in the sixth, plating four runs with RBI singles from Drew Cavanaugh and Aeverson Arteaga to extend the lead to 6-1. Sacramento then broke the game open in the seventh with six more runs, highlighted by Arteaga’s first Triple-A home run, a three-run blast to left field.

Round Rock starter Jose Corniell turned in five innings with four strikeouts and no walks in his second start of the season. Outfielder Gilberto Celestino led the Express offensively, going 2-for-3 with a walk.

The loss dropped Round Rock to 16-26 on the season and marked the club’s third game this month scoring one run or fewer.

The Express continue their series against Sacramento Friday night at Dell Diamond with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.