On an evening when the Austin Toros guard, Squeeky Johnson threw out the first pitch in honor of winning the NBA D-League championship, the Round Rock Express won their third straight game over New Orleans.

It was a the final game of a four game series against the Zephyrs in the middle of an eight game home stand during which Round Rock rebounded from a series opening loss to the current win streak. The Express are taking advantage of the eight games at the Dell Diamond to improve their overall record (13-15). Round Rock has struggled on the road, winning 5 of 10 games while they improved to 7-5 at home, but the Express offense has been potent this season, hitting .325 and getting nearly 12 hits a game as a team.

They needed every bit of offense they got in the match against the Zephyrs, and Round Rock hung on to win 5-4.

Julio Borbon, Yangervis Solarte and Matt Kata all homered for Round Rock. The Express got out to an early 3-0 lead on a Solarte solo homer in the first inning, followed by Borbon's two run blast in the third. Solarte has been hot, batting 13-30, a .433 clip with 3 HR 6 RBIs in the 8 games prior.

Borbon also had the defensive play of the game, making a diving catch in shallow centerfield that looked like a sure hit.

Round Rock was bolstered by a solid pitching effort from starter, Neil Ramirez, who held the Zephyrs scoreless for the first 32/3 innings until he gave up a solo shot over the fence to Luke Montz to cut the Express lead to 3-1. Kata added his solo shot in the 4th inning and Round Rock had a comfortable 4-1. In the 5th, New Orleans closed the gap further when Cole Armstrong doubled through the gap past Kata, who was shading toward second. Chris Aquila promptly smacked a line drive to Solarte and it was 4-2, Express.

Round Rock added an insurance run in the 6th and looked like they were cruising to an easy win until Express manager Bobby Jones pulled starter Ramirez in favor of Sean Green, who immediately gave up three hits and two runs on Donovan Solano's line drive single to center. It could have been worse, but Chris Coghlan lined into a double play when Kata nabbed the liner at second and doubled up Donovan Solano, who was stealing second to end the inning. Ramirez finished a strong outing with three strikeouts and no walks in seven innings.

Closer Tanner Scheppers came in the ninth and shut down the heart of the Zephyrs order, getting one strikeout and his fifth save on the season. The save gave Round Rock some momentum as they prepare to host Memphis for the second half of their home stand and get their record back up over .500.

The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team owned by RSR Sports run by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, along with Don Sanders and Reid Ryan. Reid, son of Nolan, founded the club.

The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and principal owner; they're named after the senior Ryan's pitcher nickname, "The Ryan Express." An unexpected tie-in: The stadium is located adjacent to active train tracks. Train whistles can be heard periodically during a game, and the train is viewable from the right field seats as it passes the ballpark.

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Round Rock opens a four-game series against the Memphis Redbirds tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. Right-hander Greg Reynolds (1-3, 4.45 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Express, while right-hander Joe Kelly (1-1, 2.17 ERA) is slated to go for the Redbirds.

Round Rock Express pitcher Mark Hamburger.

  

Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express pitcher Mark Hamburger.