Cleburne Matches Team Record With 10-Run Inning, Blasts Houston

CLEBURNE, Texas (July 30, 2021) – The Cleburne Railroaders matched a franchise record for runs in an inning with a ten-spot in the bottom of the fourth, rolling past the Houston Apollos 16-3 on Friday night at The Depot at Cleburne Station.

The Railroaders also matched a season-high with the 16 runs scored, equaling the total posted on June 9 against Sioux Falls.

The fourth inning offensive explosion included seven hits, three stolen bases, two walks, a hit by pitch, and a Houston error as the Railroaders (37-27) turned a 2-0 lead into a 12-0 margin. Tyler Ryan and Chase Simpson smacked two-run doubles in the inning, while Hunter Clanin, Colton Pogue and Alay Lago notched run-scoring hits of their own to cap the scoring in the inning. 

Lago finished the night 4-for-4 to raise his season average to .333, while Pogue reached base in all five at-bats. Ramon Hernandez blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to give him three extra-base hits on the night to go along with four RBI. 

Jheyson Manzueta (5-2) was dominant over seven shutout innings for Cleburne, striking out six while issuing just one walk and allowing four hits. Austin Fairchild and Ezequiel De La Cruz recorded the final six outs from the Railroaders bullpen to secure the win.

Houston (8-57) scratched across two runs in the eighth on a bases-loaded walk and an RBI groundout, then added one more in the ninth on a Cleburne error. Apollos starter Brian Smith (0-1) took the loss in his season debut, allowing five runs on just three hits over three innings. Houston pitchers walked nine Railroaders on the evening.

The Railroaders and Apollos continue the series on Saturday night at 7:06 PM. Left-hander Michael Gunn (4-3, 4.45) starts for Cleburne, while Houston counters with righty Tucker Smith (1-5, 7.95).

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.