Round Rock rallies, but falls

O’Neill’s RBI triple lifts Tacoma after Guzman ties it up.

Tyler O’Neill hit a run-scoring triple in the eighth inning, leading the Tacoma Rainiers to a 6-4 win over the Round Rock Express on Sunday in Tacoma, Wash.

The triple by O’Neill, part of a two-run inning, gave the Rainiers a 5-4 lead before D.J. Peterson hit a sacrifice fly later in the inning.

The Express tied the game 4-4 when Ronald Guzman hit a two-run home run in the eighth.

Ryne Harper (2-0) got the win with 1⅓ innings of scoreless relief while Jimmy Reyes (0-1) took the loss in the Pacific Coast League game.

Guzman homered twice, driving home three runs and scoring two for the Express.

Late Saturday: The Express settled for a split of Saturday’s doubleheader against Tacoma, winning the first game 5-0 and dropping the second 8-1. Both contests were seven innings.

Brett Nicholas hit a two-run triple in the fourth inning of the first game to score Guzman and Jared Hoying to give the Express a 2-0 lead.

Round Rock starter Tyler Wagner (1-3) picked up the win after allowing just one hit over five scoreless innings. Tacoma starter Rob Whalen (0-1) took the loss in the Pacific Coast League game after allowing five runs and five hits over six innings.

The Rainiers (22-12) were blanked for the fourth time this season, while the Express pitchers recorded their first shutout of the year.

Nicholas went 2 for 3 with a run scored and three RBIs. He had a double to go along with his triple. Travis Snider also doubled as he went 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Guzman scored twice in the game.

Tacoma took the second game of the night, jumping out to an 8-0 lead before Round Rock finally scored in the seventh inning.

Nick Hagadone (1-1) picked up the win as he didn’t allow a hit in 1⅓ innings of relief.

Dillon Gee (1-4) was hit with the loss as he struggled on the mound, allowing seven runs on seven hits through 4⅓ innings.

Daniel Vogelbach had four RBIs as he went 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs scored. Boog Powell had a great night at the plate for Tacoma as well, going 3 for 3 with a double while scoring four runs. He also stole two bases.

Dario Pizzano homered for Tacoma and drove in two runs.

Nicholas had the lone RBI for Round Rock.

Up next: The Express begin a four-game road series with the Reno Aces beginning Monday. Round Rock will return home Friday to start an eightgame homestand, beginning with a four-game series with the Salt Lake Bees.