Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Reno Aces
May 25, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (27-18) vs. RENO ACES (27-19)
GAME 46 | 25 MAY ¬Ë2011 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS
TONIGHT'S GAME
Round Rock continues a 12-game home stand with the third of four games against the Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT. Both teams are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
PROMOTIONS
Kids Eat Free compliments of AT&T - all kids age 12 and under receive a voucher good for a hot dog, chips and small soft drink
RADIO BROADCAST INFORMATION
Tonight's game airs on 104.9 FM The Horn ESPN ¬ËRadio Austin. Online audio also is available at www.espnaustin.com
EXPRESS-ACES SERIES
The teams split the first two games with the Aces winning Monday night's series opener 9-7 and the Express taking last night's game 5-4.
GAME ¬Ë44 | MONDAY, MAY 23
Aces 9, Express 7
WP: Duke (1-0). LP: Hankins (5-2). SV: Stange (1).
GAME ¬Ë45 | TUESDAY, MAY 24
Express 5, Aces 4
WP: Kirkman (1-3). LP: Ellis (0-1). SV: Strop (1).
GAME ¬Ë46 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 | 7:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP Seth McClung (2-0, 3.92 ERA)
Aces: RHP Matt Torra (2-0, 5.00 ERA)
GAME ¬Ë47 | THURSDAY, MAY 26 | 7:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP Neil Ramirez (3-1, 3.66 ERA)
Aces: RHP Kevin Mulvey (3-3, 7.43 ERA)
STARTING PITCHERS
EXPRESS: RHP Seth McClung (2-0, 3.92 ERA)
Last Outing: No-decision in May 20 start against Colorado Springs, a 5-4 Express loss ¬Â¦ Allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 6.2 innings ¬Â¦ Left game leading tied 4-4.
2011: Makes 11th appearance, seventh start ¬Â¦ Express are 4-2 in his starts and average 6.83 runs of support ¬Â¦ 2-0, 4.01 ERA, .258 opponents' batting average as starter ¬Â¦ Wins were May 3 at Iowa and May 8 against Nashville ¬Â¦ Four home runs allowed, last May 13 at Tucson ¬Â¦ 1-0, 5.31 ERA, .305 opponents' batting average in six home outings - two starts ¬Â¦ 4.50 first-inning ERA (3 ER / 6.0 IP) ¬Â¦ 41.1 innings pitched with 28 strikeouts, 17 walks and .258 opponents' batting average.
2010: Did not play after being released by Florida Marlins during Spring Training.
Notable: Tampa Bay Rays fifth-round pick in 1999 out of Greenbrier East High School in Lewisburg, W.Va. ¬Â¦ MLB debut March 31, 2003 ¬Â¦ Traded to Milwaukee during 2007 season ¬Â¦ Went 6-6 with Brewers in 2008, followed by a 3-3 mark in 2009 ¬Â¦ Signed minor league contract with Rangers following 2010 season ¬Â¦ Nickname is "Big Red" ¬Â¦ Brother played football at Virginia Tech and in the CFL ¬Â¦ Head coach of the girls basketball team at Pinellas Park High School in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area.
ACES: RHP Matt Torra (2-0, 5.00 ERA)
Last Outing: No-decision in May 20 start at Albuquerque, a 7-6 Reno loss ¬Â¦ Allowed three runs on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 6.0 innings ¬Â¦ Surrendered one home run, a two-run shot in the fourth that cut into 4-1 Reno lead ¬Â¦ Left game leading 5-3.
2011: Makes ninth start tonight ¬Â¦ Wins were April 11 at Colorado Springs and May 9 at Salt Lake ¬Â¦ Tossed seven-inning complete game May 9 at Salt Lake ¬Â¦ Four home runs allowed, last in most recent start ¬Â¦ Allowed three or fewer earned runs in four of eight starts and no more than five in any start ¬Â¦ Worked at least 5.0 innings in seven of eight starts, going 4.0 innings April 28 against Tacoma ¬Â¦ 17 strikeouts, 10 walks over 45.0 innings with .310 opponents' batting average.
2010: Started 27 games for Reno, going 11-7 with a 4.55 ERA and one complete game ¬Â¦ Logged PCL-high 178.0 innings with 99 strikeouts and 34 walks ¬Â¦ Opponents hit .313 ¬Â¦ Ranked among PCL leaders in wins (t-5th) and starts (t-3rd) ¬Â¦ Allowed 22 walks, fifth in league ¬Â¦ Began season at Double-A Mobile, making one no-decision start in which he tossed 5.0 scoreless innings on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
2010 vs. Round Rock: Suffered loss in lone start against Round Rock ¬Â¦ Allowed five runs on nine hits - one home run - and one walk with four strikeouts over 6.0 innings.
2010 vs. Oklahoma City: Earned victory in lone start against Rangers' previous Triple-A affiliate ¬Â¦ Held RedHawks to two runs on eight hits - one home run - over 7.0 innings with no walks and six strikeouts.
Notable: Born in Pittsfield, Mass. ¬Â¦ Pitched collegiately at the University of Massachusetts ¬Â¦ Arizona Diamondbacks first-round pick (31st overall) in 2005.
NO, NOT THAT CHAD TRACY
Express first baseman Chad Tracy is not the player of the same name who played for the Aces in 2009. That Chad Tracy is a third baseman, five years older and last played in the Florida Marlins organization last season. However, Express outfielder Doug Deeds did play for Reno last season; he was a PCL All-Star and hit .302 with 12 home runs, 55 RBI, 39 doubles and eight triples.
DIVISION LEADERS MEET
Round Rock and Reno both lead their respective divisions. The Express own a game-and-a-half lead over Albuquerque (25-19) and New Orleans (26-20) in the PCL American Southern Division, while the Aces have a six-game lead over Salt Lake (21-25) in the PCL Pacific Northern Division. The American Southern Division in the league's only division with three teams above .500; the Pacific Southern Division has two, while the Pacific Northern and the American Northern divisions have one each.
EXPRESS, ACES TOP PCL HOME RUN TEAMS
The PCL's top two homerun-hitting teams meet this week at The Dell Diamond. Reno leads the league with 62 long balls, while Round Rock is second with 57, and the teams have combined for seven home runs in the series' first two games. The Aces and Express also are first (301) and third (266), respectively, in RBI, second (.311) and fourth (.290) in batting average, and first (843) and fourth (761) in total bases. Round Rock and Reno are the two of the toughest teams to strikeout in the league. The Express average 5.46 at bats per strikeout, second in the league; the Aces average 5.22, fourth in the PCL. Omaha leads the league at 5.66.
RANSOM RETURNS TO ROUND ROCK FOR RENO SERIES
Former Express member Cody Ransom returns to The Dell Diamond as a member of the Reno Aces this week. Ransom was a member of the 2006 and 2007 Express squads. He split time between third base and shortstop in 2006, hitting .247 with 21 home runs, 23 doubles and 62 RBI. Ransom was Round Rock's regular third baseman in 2007 when he hit .260 with 28 home runs, 35 doubles and 90 RBI. His 2007 home run total remains second on Round Rock's Triple-A era (since 2005) records chart as does his extra-base hits total (63) from that season. Ransom, who was a member of the Rangers Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City in 2005, played 19 games with the Houston Astros in September 2007. He signed with the New York Yankees following the 2007 season and split each of the next two seasons between Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre and New York. Ransom played in the Philadelphia Phillies organization last season.
FIVE IS THE KEY
Round Rock is 23-8 this season when scoring at least five runs. Only four times have the Express won when scoring fewer than five runs: April 12 vs. Omaha (3-2, 13 innings), April 13 vs. Omaha (2-0), April 18 at New Orleans (3-1) and April 22 at Oklahoma City (2-1). Since then, the Express have lost eight consecutive games when scoring fewer than five runs. Meanwhile, Round Rock is 18-5 when allowing fewer than five runs and 9-13 when allowing at least five runs.
EXPRESS STOP ONE-RUN SKID
Tuesday's 5-4 Express win stopped a four-game skid in one-run games. Round Rock started the season 7-1 in such games before the four-game slump. The Express are 14-11 in games decided by two runs or fewer.
KIRKMAN BACK TO OLD FORM
Southpaw Michael Kirkman is 1-3 with a 5.35 ERA this season, one year removed from earning PCL Pitcher of the Year honors. However, those numbers do not tell the entire story. Eight days after taking a line drive off his left tricep, Kirkman suffered the roughest outing of his career when he allowed 10 runs on 10 hits over 3.1 innings against Iowa in the season opener. Since then, he owns a 3.21 ERA, allowing 12 earned runs over 33.2 innings. Kirkman has been especially strong of late, posting a 1.37 ERA (3 ER / 19.2 IP) over his last six outings. In four relief outings, Kirkman has allowed one unearned run over 7.2 innings with nine strikeouts and a .207 opponents' batting average.
ROUND ROCK AMONG TOP PCL TEAMS
Round Rock (27-18) owns the third-best record in the Pacific Coast League, one-and-a-half games behind Sacramento (28-16) and one-half game behind Las Vegas (28-18), which has won eight straight. The Express lead the American Southern Division by one-and-a-half games over Albuquerque (25-19) and New Orleans (26-20). Columbus (32-14) of the International League owns the best Triple-A record.
EXPRESS ENJOY STRONG START
The Express have posted the second-best 45-game start in the franchise's Triple-A history (since 2005). The 2006 squad started 28-17 and improved to 31-18 before a five-game losing streak. Only one other Round Rock Triple-A team was above .500 through 45 games; the 2005 team was 25-20 but lost each of its next eight.
HOME AT LAST
The Express continues a 12-game home stand tonight, the season's longest and penultimate multiple-series home stand. Round Rock played only 16 of the season's first 39 games at The Dell Diamond, playing 23 of 31 games on the road after a season-opening, eight-game home stand. The Express are 13-9 at home this season.
ROAD WARRIORS
Round Rock is 14-9 (.609) away from home, tied for second in the PCL in road wins behind Reno (15-10, .600) and third in road winning percentage behind Sacramento (14-6, .700) and Las Vegas (14-8, .636). Three other PCL teams are above .500 on road - Salt Lake (12-8, .600), New Orleans (13-9, .591) and Omaha (12-11, .522).
TEAM NOTES
* The Express have eight last-at-bat wins, including three walk-off victories.
* Round Rock is 4-1 in extra-inning games, including a 3-1 mark on the road.
* The Express are 21-7 when holding the opponent to fewer than six runs.
* Round Rock is 15-5 when scoring first and 13-5 when scoring in the first inning.
* The Express are 11-6 when allowing a first-inning run.
* Round Rock is 19-4 when out-hitting the opponent.
* The Express are 21-5 when leading after six innings, 20-2 when leading after seven innings and 20-2 when leading after eight innings. Both losses when leading after the seventh and eighth innings occurred in the last seven games.
* Round Rock has won six of 10 games when tied after eight innings.
* The Express have out-scored their opponents 125-74 in innings four through six, including a 45-29 edge in the fourth and a 49-25 advantage in the sixth.
* The Express have not lost three straight games, going 6-0 after consecutive losses.
* Round Rock has homered in 28 of 45 games, hitting at least two home runs 19 times. The Express are 14-5 when hitting two-plus homers.
* The Express are hitting .306 (19-for-66) with the bases loaded, producing six doubles, one triple, one grand slam and 60 RBI in that situation. Round Rock also has drawn 10 bases-loaded walks.
* Round Rock is hitting .315 (138-for-438) with runners in scoring position, including a .327 mark (66-for-202) with runners in scoring position and two outs. The Express average 2.4 two-out RBI per game.
* The Express are fourth in the PCL in batting average (.290), second in fewest strikeouts (296), second in home runs (57) and first in stolen base percentage (.857, 30-of-35).
* Round Rock has been caught stealing only twice since April 23 (29 games), successfully swiping 14 bags in that time.
* Express pitchers are seventh in the PCL in staff ERA (4.80), tied for fourth in saves (13) and fourth in fewest walks (163).
* Round Rock starters average 3.14 walks per nine innings (81 BB / 232.1 IP) while Express relievers average 4.18 walks per nine innings (82 BB / 176.2 IP).
PLAYER NOTES
Brian Barden
* 10th in the PCL with a .357 batting average
* Hitting 25-for-61 (.410) with eight multiple-hit outings over his last 14 games
* Leads the team with 19 two-out hits and 16 multiple-hit outings
* Hitless in each of his last two games, the first time he has gone hitless in consecutive games this season
* Currently on disabled list (right ankle)
Yhency Brazoban
* Fifth among PCL relievers with 11.57 strikeouts per nine innings
* At least one strikeout in six consecutive outings (14 K / 10.1 IP)
* 7.1 consecutive scoreless innings over last four appearances
* Holds opponents to a .174 average (4-for-23) with runners in scoring position, .154 (2-for-13) with runners in scoring position and two outs
Joey Butler
* 10-for-21 (.476) in his last six games, hitting safely in each game with four multiple-hit outings
* Six multiple-hit performances in his last 10 games with Round Rock
* 10 RBI in his last nine Express games
* Hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games and in 19 of 22 played with the Express
Kevin Cash
* .282 (11-for-39) over his last 12 games
* Reached safely in 15 of his last 18 games
* Hitless in consecutive games only twice this season with no three-game skids
* 2-for-3 with three walks and nine RBI with the bases loaded, delivering a three-run double and a three-run triple
* Thrown out four of 22 would-be base stealers (18.2 percent)
Luis Cruz
* Hit safely in eight straight with four multiple-hit outings, going 14-for-32 (.438) in that time
* Hitting .333 (27-for-81) in May after a .222 mark (20-for-90) in the season's first month
* 6-for-12 (.500) in the first inning and 4-for-13 (.308) in the ninth inning
* Hitting .254 (36-for-142) during innings two through eight, 1-for-4 in extra innings
* 3-for-7 (.429) with the bases loaded, producing five RBI
Chris Davis
* Hit safely in five of six games with the Express
* At least one RBI in each game
* At least one home run in three of six games
* Struck out at least once in each contest with Express
Doug Deeds
* Hitless in consecutive games only once (April 23, 26)
* Hitting .250 (14-for-56) prior to the fifth inning and .286 (18-for-63) from the fifth inning on
* Hits .333 (11-for-33) with two outs but has two hits in his last 16 two-out at bats
Cody Eppley
* No runs allowed in 9.2 innings over seven appearances with the Express
* 3-for-3 in save opportunities with Round Rock while the rest of the Express bullpen is 10-for-20
Esteban German
* Snapped an eight-game hitting streak last night, going 0-for-5
* 13-for-39 (.333) over last nine games
* Tied for second on the team with 14 multiple-hit games, including three in the last six games
* Had only two multiple-hit outings in a 21-game span prior to current six-game stretch
* 12-for-31 (.387) with runners on base and two outs but was 0-for-3 last night
* Hitting .359 (14-for-39) with runners in scoring position and .444 (8-for-18) with runners in scoring position and two outs
* Second on the team with 13 two-out RBI
* Hitting .261 (24-for-92) at home with 13 strikeouts and five walks
* Hitting .329 (27-for-82) on the road with 21 walks and 11 strikeouts
Derek Hankins
* Tied for second in the PCL with five wins
* Allowed at least one home run in eight of nine outings
* 4-0 with a 4.18 ERA and a .248 opponents' batting average in five road outings
* 1-2, with a 10.47 ERA and a .368 opponents' batting average in four appearances at The Dell Diamond
* Express are 5-3 in his starts
* Averages 6.63 runs of support
Zach Jackson
* Express are 6-3 in his starts
* Averages staff-best 7.33 runs of support
* 12.00 ERA (12 ER / 9.00 ERA) in the first inning but 3.34 ERA (13 ER / 35.0 IP) innings two through five
* Opposing batters hit .267 on the road, .328 at The Dell Diamond
* All five home runs allowed were at home
* Last win was April 20 at Oklahoma City, a game in which he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning
Matt Kata
* Hit safely in six of seven games and 11 of 14 games with five multiple-hit outings, including a trio of three-hit games
* Reached safely in 16 of 19 games
* Hitting .338 (22-for-65) over last 17 games
* Struck out looking only once in 106 at bats
* Advanced a runner with an out 17 times
* Averages 8.93 plate appearances per strikeout, second on the team
Seth McClung
* Express are 4-2 in his starts
* Averages 6.83 runs of support
* 2-0, 4.01 ERA, .258 opponents' batting average as starter
Brad Nelson
* Hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, going 13-for-36 (.361) in that time
* Scored at least one run in 10 straight games
* Hitting 27-for-80 (.338) over his last 20 games, going hitless only four times in that span
* Hits .238 (19-for-80) prior to the sixth inning, including a 1-for-14 mark in the fifth inning
* Hits .349 (22-for-63) from the sixth inning on, going 3-for-4 in extra innings
Zach Phillips
* Leads staff with 17 appearances
* Converted three of five save opportunities
* 2.25 ERA (3 ER / 12.0 IP) and .200 opponents' batting average in eight outings at home
* 10.03 ERA (13 ER / 11.2 IP) and .345 opponents' batting average in nine appearances on the road
Omar Quintanilla
* Hit safely in 10 of 13 games, including six multiple-hit outings
* 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-3 with the bases loaded
* Has not produced an RBI since driving in three runs May 9 in his third game with Round Rock
Neil Ramirez
* Eighth in the PCL with 45 strikeouts
* Third among league starters with 10.30 strikeouts per nine innings
* Has not recorded a decision in his last three starts, posting a 7.11 ERA (10 ER / 12.0 IP) in that time
* Express are 6-2 in his starts
* Averages 5.57 runs of support
Pedro Strop
* At least one strikeout in six consecutive outings
* Stranded four of five inherited runners
Taylor Teagarden
* Hit safely in 11 of 14 games with the Express
* Five of seven home runs were solo shots
* Hitting .400 (12-for-30) with bases empty
* 3-for-6 with two home runs and seven RBI when batting with two outs and runners in scoring position
* 6-for-13 (.462) when leading off an inning
* Thrown out three of 15 would-be base stealers (20.0 percent)
Chad Tracy
* 11-for-33 (.333) over the last nine games
* Struck out at least once in each of those nine games, going down on strikes 12 times
* Hitting .369 (31-for-84) with runners on base but only .145 (12-for-83) with the bases empty
* Leads the team in hits with runners in scoring position (22)
* Team-best .400 average with runners is scoring position
* Second on the team with 18 two-out hits
* Leads the team with 17 two-out RBI - four more than any other player
NEXT SERIES
Round Rock concludes a 12-game home stand with a four-game series against the Iowa Cubs (Chicago-NL). The series begins Friday at 7:05 p.m. ¬ËCDT and continues Saturday at 6:05 p.m., Sunday at 1:05 p.m. and Monday at 12:05 p.m. The Express and Cubs have split eight games this season. Iowa won three of four at The Dell Diamond in the season's first series. Four weeks later, the Express won three of four at Des Moines.
GAME ¬Ë48 | FRIDAY, MAY ¬Ë27 | 7:05 p.m. CDT
Express: LHP ¬ËZach Jackson (2-1, 6.13 ERA)
Cubs: RHP Jay Jackson (1-3, 7.94 ERA)
GAME ¬Ë49 | SATURDAY, MAY ¬Ë28 | 6:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP Derek Hankins (5-2, 6.50 ERA)
Cubs: RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-2, 6.31 ERA)
GAME ¬Ë50 | SUNDAY, MAY ¬Ë29 | 1:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP Scott Feldman (1-0, 5.40 ERA)
Cubs: RHP Robert Coello (3-5, 7.82 ERA)
GAME ¬Ë51 | MONDAY, MAY 30 | 12:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP ¬ËSeth McClung (starts tonight)
Cubs: RHP Ramon Ortiz (starts tonight)
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 25, 2011
- Lyles, RedHawks Blasts Sink Loux, Grizzlies - Fresno Grizzlies
- RedHawks Tame Grizzlies, 5-1 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Palmer Leads Bees over Redbirds - Salt Lake Bees
- Round Rock Express Fall to Reno 7-2 - Round Rock Express
- Ransom Powers Aces Over Express, 7-2 - Reno Aces
- Cubs Stop Streaking 51s, 7-3 - Iowa Cubs
- Zephyrs Fall in a Long Afternoon in Sacramento - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Rain Delay Can't Slow Sacramento in Win - Sacramento River Cats
- Rainiers, Sounds Rained Out - Tacoma Rainiers
- Sounds, Rainiers Washed out Wednesday - Nashville Sounds
- Wright Recalled to Iowa - Iowa Cubs
- 51s Winners of 8 Straight, 18-3 Over Last 21 Games; 19-4 Record in May - Las Vegas Aviators
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Reno Aces - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Tucson Padres Postponed at Omaha Wednesday - Tucson Padres
- Today's Game Postponed Due to Inclement Weather - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Reno Aces Offer Two-For-$22 Wednesday Ticket Special - Reno Aces
- Sounds Open Action-Packed Eight-Game Homestand on Friday at Greer - Nashville Sounds
- Promotion Packed Memorial Day Weekend at Kino Stadium - Tucson Padres
- Disastrous Ninth Dooms 'Topes in 15-6 Setback - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Z's Fall to River Cats 3-2 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sacramento Bullpen Shuts Down New Orleans - Sacramento River Cats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
