Rolling into playoffs with dramatic win
Grand slam in 8th by Nicholas cinches Round Rock victory.
ROUN DROCK — Now, that’s the way to give a team a rocket-propelled launch into the postseason.
The division champion Round Rock Express, trailing the Iowa Cubs 4-0 in the late innings on Labor Day, rallied for a 7-4 win, capping the comeback with Brett Nicholas’ grand slam in the eighth.
Nicholas banged two homers and knocked in six runs on the last day of the regular season, and Jared Hoying dashed into some Pacific Coast League history, locking down his second straight season with 20 home runs and 20 steals.
“Definitely one of my favorite moments during my playing days,” said Nicholas, who took over the team RBI lead with 63. “If it’s not No. 1, then it’s No. 2. And for the team, it allows us to take a head of steam into the playoffs.”
Next up: The PCL semifinals, starting Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Dodgers (86-58) at Dell Diamond. Round Rock (78-66) is making its first postseason trip in four years.
Hoying will go in on a high, as well. He came into the finale with 23 homers and 18 stolen bases, needing two thefts to become the first PCL player to post back-to-back 20-homer, 20-steal campaigns in 32 years. Former Pirates outfielder Doug Frobel accomplished it for Portland in 1982 and Hawaii in 1983.
Hoying built maximum drama by waiting till the eighth inning to reach base for the first time.
“Once I got on, there was no doubt I was going,” he said. “Everybody in our dugout knew it. I got a huge jump on that first one.”
Hoying easily stole second. The next pitch, he took off for third, beating the tag by a flash.
“I don’t know who Doug Frobel is, but I’m happy to join him in the record book,” he said.
Hoying, one of the best center fielders in the league, also made diving and leaping catches to rob Iowa (80-64) of extra-base hits.
“I take great pride in my defense,” he said. “It helps to have speed, but for me a lot of it is mental focus, staying in the game from pitch to pitch, knowing the hitters, the counts, and that allows me to cheat a little bit on where I play.”
Nicholas had the second multihomer game of his career. He hit two on Nov. 2, 2013, in the Arizona Fall League All-Star game. Monday’s slam came off Brian Schlitter, who entered with 23 saves and a 1.02 ERA.
“He’s one of the best closers in the league,” Nicholas said. “But he made a mistake with a slider. When I keep things simple, I can get into a groove.”
Just in time for the team’s first playoff trip in four years.
“This is going to be exciting,” Nicholas said, “and I like our momentum.”