RedHawks Lose On Late Homer

An opposite field solo home run by Carlos Peña in the top of the ninth inning pushed the Round Rock Express to a 2-1 win Thursday in front of a crowd of 6,196 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Each team scored one run in the third inning and the score remained tied until the ninth inning of the series finale.

The teams combined for just seven hits as Round Rock (52-51) won the series, 3-1.

Express pitcher Justin Germano (4-10) pitched his first complete game of the season, allowing one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out two in the win. The complete game was his first since Aug. 15, 2013 when he was with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

Alex White started for the RedHawks, pitching a season-high five innings. He held the Express to one run on three hits as the RedHawks fell to 53-54 on the season.

Asher Wojciechowski (0-3) followed White, allowing one run on one hit over the final four innings in a tough loss. He retired the first 11 batters he faced before Peña’s homer and retired 12 of 13 Express batters overall.

The Express scored first Thursday.

Ryan Strausborger singled to lead off the third inning, then scored on a single by Luis Sardinas for a 1-0 Round Rock lead in the top of the third inning.

Max Stassi drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jio Mier. Joe Sclafani then hit a RBI single on a grounder to left field to score Stassi and knot the game, 1-1.

Germano then retired 18 of the next 19 RedHawks batters, allowing one walk in the sixth inning. Ronny Torreyes singled in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out, but was out advancing to second on the throw from center field.

The RedHawks next open an eight-game road trip with a 7:05 p.m. game Friday in Nashville.