Late Express rally upends 51s

Brett Nicholas' two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning sent the Round Rock Express to a 5-3 win over the 51s in a Pacific Coast League game Sunday in Round Rock, Texas.

With the loss, coupled with El Paso's 4-2 win over Oklahoma City, Las Vegas (74-62) had its lead over the Chihuahuas cut to 1½ games atop the Pacific South Division.

The 51s open a four-game series against El Paso tonight at Cashman Field.

With the score tied at 3 in the eighth, Round Rock (74-62) loaded the bases on a walk, a bunt single by Bishop Gorman product Joey Gallo and a hit-batsman, setting up Nicholas' decisive hit.

Ed Lucas went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI singles for the Express, who matched Las Vegas' nine hits.

Travis Taijeron went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, his 24th home run of the season, for the 51s.

Jared Hoying's 22nd homer keyed a two-run third inning that put Round Rock up 3-2.

Las Vegas tied it in the seventh on pinch hitter Eric Campbell's two-out, bases-loaded infield single.

Both starting pitchers went six innings, and neither issued a walk. 51s right-hander Dillon Gee gave up three runs, two earned, on six hits and struck out 10. Anthony Ranaudo gave up two runs on four hits and fanned five.

Spencer Patton (1-0) shut out Las Vegas in the eighth to post the win. 51s reliever Dario Alvarez (2-1) was charged with two runs on one hit and one walk in one-third of an inning.