PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas

Published on July 20, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 99 | 20 JULY 2012 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (41-57) vs. OMAHA STORM CHASERS (58-41)

RADIO: 104.9 FM The Horn ESPN"ˆAustin | ONLINE"ˆAUDIO: www.espnaustin.com

EXPRESS: RHP Neftali Feliz (rehab) / LHP Zach Jackson (3-11, 4.99 ERA)

STORM CHASERS: RHP Nate Adcock (4-3, 5.40 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock begins an eight-game home stand, opening a four-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. Round Rock most recently split a four-game series at Nashville, dropping last night's series finale 4-3. The Express are 2-5 since the All-Star Break. Round Rock is 21-25 at home and lost each of their last five at The Dell Diamond. Omaha most recently was swept by Oklahoma City at home, including a 9-8 loss in last night's series finale. The Storm Chasers, who owned the PCL's best record at the All-Star break, are 2-6 since the break and have lost five straight, all at home. Omaha is 22-22 on the road, dropping three straight. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern division, 17 games behind division leader Oklahoma City. Omaha leads the American Northern Division by 14-and-a-half games, the league's largest division lead.

RADIO GA GA

Tonight's game airs on The Horn 104.9 FM ESPN"ˆAustin. Online audio also is available at www.espnaustin.com. Express Director of Broadcasting Mike Capps handles play-by-play duties.

US AND THEM

This is the last of four series between the two teams. Omaha leads the season series 10-2, sweeping both four-game series at Werner Park and splitting four games at The Dell Diamond. ... SERIES HISTORY: Omaha holds a 67-59 advantage in the all-time series, which has been dominated by the home team. The Storm Chasers are 40-25 against the Express in Nebraska but 27-34 at The Dell Diamond. The Express won season series in 2006 (10-6), 2009 (11-5) and 2011 (11-5). The Storm Chasers won season series in 2005 (6-10), 2008 (6-10), 2010 (4-12) and have clinched this year's series. The teams split a rare 18-game season series in 2007 with the home team going 6-3 in each location. There have been seven series sweeps - Round Rock at home in 2006, Omaha at home in 2008 (three games), Round Rock at Omaha in 2009, Omaha at home in 2010, Round Rock at home in 2011 and Omaha at home twice this season. ... 2012 SERIES: Seven of the 12 meetings were decided by three or fewer runs, including a pair of two-run games and four one-run games of which Omaha won three. The Storm Chasers won the April 10 game 9-8 in 16 innings, the longest game in Express history both in terms of innings and time of game (5:24). Round Rock is hitting .235 (100-for-425) with seven homers, 21 doubles and 3.8 runs per game. Julio Borbon is 11-for-44 (.250) in 11 games with a homer, six RBI, two doubles and five runs scored. Joey Butler is 13-for-45 (.289) with a solo homer, two doubles and nine runs scored in 11 games; he also struck out 14 times against four walks. Yangervis Solarte is 13-for-46 (.283) with seven RBI, four doubles and a run scored in 11 games. Round Rock pitchers have a 5.82 ERA (70 ER/108.1 IP) with 61 strikeouts against 41 walks. The Express also have surrendered eight unearned runs and converted two of five save opportunities. Omaha is hitting .304 (132-for-434) with 14 homers, 21 doubles, four triples and 6.5 runs per game. Storm Chasers pitchers have a 3.19 ERA with 95 strikeouts against 40 walks; Omaha relievers converted all five save opportunities.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ99 | FRIDAY, JULY 20 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Neftali Feliz (0-0, 0.00 ERA ... rehab) / LHP Zack Jackson (3-11, 4.99 ERA)

Storm Chasers: RHP Nate Adcock (4-3, 5.40 ERA)

GAME"ˆ100 | SATURDAY, JULY 21 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Martin Perez (5-5, 4.59 ERA)

Storm Chasers: LHP Chris Dwyer (0-1, 12.60 ERA)

GAME"ˆ101 | SUNDAY, JULY 22 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (7-6, 5.07 ERA)

Storm Chasers: LHP Doug Davis (5-1, 3.48 ERA)

GAME"ˆ102 | MONDAY, JULY 23 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (3-2, 4.15 ERA)

Storm Chasers: RHP Ethan Hollingsworth (2-2, 6.49 ERA)

START ME UP

NOTE: RHP Neftali Feliz will make a 3.0-inning rehab start.

LHP ZACH JACKSON (3-11, 4.99 ERA, 53 K)

2012: Allowed four runs on five hits in two innings of relief with no walks and one strikeout in April 2 exhibition game vs. Rangers ... suffered losses April 9 at Omaha, April 19 vs. Omaha, April 30 vs. New Orleans, May 18 vs. Fresno, May 23 vs. Sacramento, June 5 vs. Albuquerque, June 11 at Albuquerque, June 16 vs. Oklahoma City, June 29 vs. Nashville, July 4 at Albuquerque and July 12 vs. Memphis (relief) ... claimed wins April 24 at New Orleans, May 31 at Memphis and June 23 at Iowa (all starts) ... no-decisions April 14 vs. Iowa, May 5 vs. Memphis and May 10 at Salt Lake ... also made a relief appearance May 14 at Tacoma ... lost five of last six, seven of last nine starts ... also lost piggy-back relief outing in last appearance ... allowed three or fewer runs in nine of last 13 starts and most recent relief outing but is 2-9 in that time ... six-plus innings in 13 of 16 starts and one piggy-back relief outing, going season-high 7.1 innings June 23 at Iowa ... 2.73 ERA (10 ER/33.0 IP) through first two innings; 6.01 ERA (49 ER/73.1 IP) thereafter, including a 7.64 ERA"ˆ(15/17.2 IP) in the fifth inning ... 11.05 ERA (9 ER/7.1 IP) after the sixth inning ... 15 double plays induced ... at least one double play in four of last five outings ... averages staff-low 3.31 runs of support per start (minimum five starts) and 2.18 runs per game in 11 losses ... 2-7 with two no-decisions (one win, one loss) when starting after an Express loss ... team is 4-12 in his starts ... shouldered loss in three of Round Rock's six shutouts, allowing six runs (four earned) over 19.1 innings (1.86 ERA)"ˆin those games (two starts, one piggy-back relief) ... 0-8, 4.80 ERA (32 ER/60.0 IP) in nine starts, one piggy-back relief outing at The Dell Diamond with 33 strikeouts against 23 walks ... 11 of 14 homers surrendered were at The Dell Diamond, including season-high three homers in April 19 start vs. Omaha (loss) ... nine of 14 homers were solo shots, including seven leadoff homers.

LAST OUTING: Shouldered loss in piggy-back outing July 12 vs. Memphis at The Dell Diamond (3-0) ... allowed three runs on five hits (one homer) over 7.0 innings with three strikeouts and five walks ... utilized one double play ... surrendered Pete Kozma's leadoff homer in the sixth ... also yielded solo spots in the seventh and eighth innings ... 94 pitches, 55 strikes.

2012 vs. OMAHA: 0-2, 7.36 ERA (9 ER/11.0 IP) in two starts with eight strikeouts, four walks ... lost April 9 start at Werner Park (6-3), his first start of the season; allowed four runs on seven hits (one homer) over 6.1 innings with one strikeout and no walks ... lost April 19 start at The Dell Diamond (7-2); allowed seven runs (five earned) on six hits, including a season-high three homers, over 4.2 innings with four walks and seven strikeouts (also a season high).

CAREER"ˆvs. OMAHA: 4-5, 5.30 ERA"ˆ(41 ER/69.2 IP) in 11 starts, two relief appearances with 44 strikeouts against 17 walks ... surrendered 12 home runs, including career-high five homers April 26, 2008, at Rosenblatt Stadium ... 2-2 in six career starts with Nashville ... earned wins June 8, 2007, at Omaha and June 18, 2007, at Nashville ... made one relief appearance with Las Vegas in 2010 but did not factor in decision, working 2.0 scoreless innings ... 2-1, 5.70 ERA"ˆ(15 ER/23.2 IP) in three starts and one relief outing with Round Rock in 2011 ... won in relief June 20, 2011, at The Dell"ˆDiamond ... also won Aug. 30, 2011, start at Werner Park ... did not pitch in 2011 PCL"ˆAmerican Conference Championship Series.

NOTABLE: Began college career at Louisville (2002-2003) ... at Louisville, lettered two years as a pitcher ... had an overall record of 17-9 which ranked third all-time at Louisville ... earned Freshman All-American honors after the 2002 season ... earned All-Conference USA second team and CUSA All-Freshman team honors after the 2002 season ... played for the Hyannis Mets in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2003, earning a spot on the Cape Cod All-Star Game ... transferred to Texas A&M in 2004 ... went 10-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts his junior year prior to being drafted by Toronto ... was a community health and sport management major in college ... lettered four years at Seneca Valley High School in Cranberry Township, Pa. ... compiled a career high school record of 25-4 on the mound and hit a school-record 12 home runs ... struck out 17 batters in final high school game ... originally drafted by the White Sox in the 50th round of the 2001 June draft.

NEVER-ENDING MATH EQUATION

Round Rock scored three or fewer runs in five of seven games since the All-Star Break and lost all five games. The Express scored 13 runs in the other two games, both wins. The eight-run output in Wednesday night's game at Nashville was just the third time Round Rock scored seven-plus runs since June 4; all three occasions were on the road. The Express scored seven-plus runs only once in their last 24 home games - a 7-3 victory June 3 vs. Albuquerque. In fact, Round Rock has not scored more than four runs at The Dell Diamond since June 21, a 6-2 victory over Iowa. That is a stretch of 11 consecutive home games scoring four or fewer runs. The Express were 2-9 in that span, averaged 1.9 runs per game and were shutout four times. Brad Nelson's sixth-inning homer July 14 vs. Memphis snapped a stretch of 26.2 consecutive scoreless innings for Round Rock at home. The Express scored in four of their last 45 innings at The Dell Diamond. The July 14 game vs. Memphis also marked the first time Round Rock scored in multiple innings at home since a 4-0 win July 1 vs. New Orleans. The Express have not scored multiple runs in multiple innings at The Dell Diamond since a 6-2 win June 21 vs. Iowa (11 games).

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

Round Rock is 7-17 in series openers (5-7 at home, 2-10 on the road). ... The Express are 2-5 since the All-Star break and 4-11 since July 1. ... Round Rock has not won three straight games since a four-game run May 31-June 3. The Express are 14-26 in that span, enduring a seven-game losing streak and a pair of five-game skids in that time. ... Taylor Green's leadoff homer in the ninth inning last night at Nashville snapped a 12.2-inning scoreless streak for Round Rock's bullpen. Express relievers have a 2.51 ERA (8 ER/28.2 IP) since the All-Star break. ... Round Rock's 8-5 victory Wednesday night at Nashville was its first when allowing at least five runs since an 8-5 victory May 28 at Nashville. The Express are 8-46 when allowing at least five runs and 31-20 when scoring at least five runs. ... Of Round Rock's 91 home runs, 61 were on the road (1.17 per game). Meanwhile, Express batters average 0.65 homers per game at home (30 homers, 46 games). ... Round Rock ranks third in the PCL with a .979 fielding percentage and leads the league with 120 double plays turned. Express pitchers induced at least one double play in 21 of the last 26 games (35 double plays). ... Round Rock is 8-13 in one-run games. Seven of the 21 games were against Iowa. ... The Express are 2-47 when trailing after seven innings. Round Rock's only victories in that situation were May 2 vs. New Orleans and July 17 at Nashville. Conversely, the Express are 38-6 when leading after seven innings and 41-1 when out-scoring the opponent. ... Round Rock is 4-10 since Clint Musslewhite's departure.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

JULIO BORBON: Hit safely in 13 of his last 16 games (.317, 20-for-63) with seven multiple-hit games and eight runs scored ... stretch comes on the heels of a 2-for-41 slump ... hitting .333 (71-for-213) since May 12 ... two RBI (July 7 at Albuquerque; July 18 at Nashville) since two-run homer June 16 vs. Oklahoma City ... two extra-base hits since that homer (double, June 28 vs. Nashville; double July 12 vs. Memphis) ... hitting .351 (88-for-251) through the first six innings; hitting .158 (16-for-101) after the sixth inning.

JOEY BUTLER: Matched career-high with five hits Wednesday night at Nashville (July 16, 2010; Double-A Frisco) ... fourth career game with four-plus hits, first at Triple-A level ... first game with four-plus hits since Aug. 2, 2010, with Frisco (four hits) ... Round Rock's first five-hit game since July 31, 2011 (Esteban German, five hits at Nashville) ... riding a 10-game hitting streak (.400, 16-for-40) with three multiple-hit efforts, one homer, six RBI, five doubles and nine runs scored ... hitting .533 (16-for-30) in that time when putting the ball in play ... six RBI in last 10 games after producing only seven RBI and no multiple-RBI outings over 32 games from May 30 through July 4 ... at least one strikeout in 17 of last 22 games (26 strikeouts) ... leads PCL with 58 walks, four more than any other player ... two homers in last 38 games, 140 at bats ... one homer at The Dell Diamond (July 1 vs. New Orleans) since May 17 (30 games) ... eight of 13 home runs were solo shots ... hitting .214 (28-for-131) when batting fifth or higher in the order, .338 (69-for-204) when batting sixth or lower.

LUIS HERNANDEZ: 3-for-24 (.125) over last six-plus games ... no multiple-hit efforts since four-hit game June 29 vs. Nashville (13 games) but produced 11 RBI in that time ... one homer over last 34 games, 127 at bats (July 2 vs. New Orleans) ... four of five home runs were solo shots ... five of last eight hits produced at least one RBI ... 10 RBI in 14 July games after producing eight RBI in 26 June games ... nine walks over last 19 games after not walking in previous 28 games ... 5-for-28 (.179) with runners in scoring position and two outs but hit safely in each of last two such at bats ... 13-for-67 (.194) when leading off an inning with one homer, five walks, six strikeouts ... leads all PCL shortstops with a .980 fielding percentage (eight errors, 399 total chances).

MATT KATA: Riding a four-game hitting streak (.222, 4-for-18) ... 6-for-34 (.176) over last eight games ... one multiple-hit effort (two hits, July 7 at Albuquerque) over last 23 games ... hitting .415 (27-for-65) with runners in scoring position (38 RBI), going 11-for-23 (.478) with runners in scoring position and two outs (20 RBI) ... 47-for-216 (.218) without runners in scoring position ... 5-for-10 with bases loaded (one homer, 12 RBI) ... three walks in last 47 games, 194 plate appearances ... one homer (July 8 at Albuquerque) since May 31 grand slam at Memphis (36 games) ... hitting .370 (30-for-81) when batting first or seventh in lineup; hitting .215 (43-for-200) elsewhere in the lineup.

TOMMY MENDONCA: Snapped 0-for-16 skid with 11th-inning single July 17 at Nashville ... activated from disabled list prior to July 14 game ... saw first action since June 16 vs. Oklahoma City ... walked in first plate appearance, first since May 2 vs. New Orleans (29 games, 112 plate appearances) ... at least one strikeout in 18 of his last 21 games (28 strikeouts) ... has not gone more than two straight games without a strikeout ... each of last four extra-base hits were homers (double May 20 vs. Fresno).

GREG MICLAT: Hit safely in eight of last 11 games (.414, 12-for-29) with four multiple-hit efforts ... 10 of 21 hits were for extra bases (nine doubles, one homer) ... 3-for-15 (.200) when leading off an inning with one homer, two walks and six strikeouts ... 0-for-3 with bases loaded but walked twice.

BRAD NELSON: Hit safely in six of last seven at bats at home after enduring an 0-for-24 slump at The Dell Diamond ... Hit safely in six of seven games since the All-Star break (.435, 10-for-23) with three homers, five RBI, two doubles, four runs scored and seven walks ... three homers in last five games, 17 at bats (all solos) ... hit safely in 10 of last 12 games (.349, 15-for-43) with four multiple-hit games ... hitting .342 (53-for-155) on the road since going 0-for-4 April 21 at New Orleans ... hits roughly 80 points better on the road (.317, 60-for-189) than at home (.233, 38-for-163) ... 10 of 14 homers, 39 of 54 RBI were in road games ... at least one strikeout in 12 of last 18 games (19 strikeouts) ... at least one walk in nine of last 12 games (10 walks), including each of last three games and seven of last eight ... nine of 14 homers were solos, including five leadoff shots ... 4-for-8 with bases loaded (homer, 10 RBI).

GUILDER RODRIGUEZ: 0-for-9 over last three games ... hitless in first 12 at bats with Express after being promoted from Double-A Frisco ... 6-for-18 (.333) since, including three-hit game July 3 vs. New Orleans ... four of six hits were with bases empty ... 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position ... 0-for-2 with bases loaded.

ELIO SARMIENTO: Ninth-inning leadoff homer July 8 at Albuquerque snapped an 0-for-23 slump ... first homer since Aug. 11, 2011, with Double-A Frisco ... no multiple-hit efforts since two-hit night May 4 vs. Memphis (12 games) ... at least one strikeout in 13 of 16 games played, including 12 of last 13 games ... doubled in lone first-inning at bat.

YANGERVIS SOLARTE: 3-for-24 (.125) since All-Star break with no multiple-hit efforts ... no consecutive hitless games since June 9-10 ... hitting .304 (28-for-92) over last 26 games with eight multiple-hit games (two three-hit outings) and eight RBI ... five of six home runs, 30 of 37 RBI came after the third inning ... no homers since May 14, a span of 53 games and 204 at bats ... five of six home runs were solo shots ... 8-for-51 (.157) with runners in scoring position and fewer than two outs ... second in PCL with 13.66 plate appearances per strikeout ... one strikeout in three of last six games (24 at bats) ... has not struck out in more than two straight games since five-game stretch May 21-26 ... hitting .362 (25-for-69) in bottom third of order, .260 (75-for-288) when batting sixth or higher ... four RBI since last multiple-RBI effort June 21 vs. Iowa (22 games).

RYAN SPILBORGHS: 5-for-25 (.200) since All-Star break ... no homers since May 26, a span of 43 games and 165 at bats ... six RBI in last 28 games ... at least one strikeout in 15 of last 19 games (20 strikeouts) ... 6-for-39 (.154) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... hit safely in each of last two at bats with RISP and two outs after going 21-consecutive such at bats without a hit ... 245 career PCL games, hitting .333 (310-for-932) with 24 homers, 125 RBI and 72 doubles.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

NEAL COTTS: Stranded six of nine inherited runners, including four of last five ... allowed eight runs over last four appearances after allowing only two runs in first nine Express outings ... opponents are 2-for-15 (.133) with runners on base and two outs ... opponents are 0-for-4 with bases loaded ... allows a .615 on-base percentage (5-for-10, three walks) to leadoff batters.

WILLIE EYRE: No walks since issuing three walks June 20 in first outing with Express ... 14.0 innings, 52 batters faced since last walk ... at least one run allowed in four of 10 outings but none in last three appearances (3.0 innings) ... both inherited runners scored ... opponents are 2-for-15 (.133) when leading off an inning (no walks, three strikeouts) ... opponents are 4-for-7 (.571) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

AARON HEILMAN: Converted seven of last eight save chances ... stranded 10 of 14 inherited runners ... held opponent scoreless in 10 of last 12 outings ... opponents hitting .366 (15-for-41) with runners in scoring position ... opponents are hitless in three bases-loaded at bats (two strikeouts).

JOE ORTIZ: Held opponent scoreless in seven of 11 outings, including six of last nine ... all runs allowed scored on solo homers (four) ... no walks in 13.2 innings with Express (55 batters faced) ... one strikeout in each of last six appearances (6.2 innings).

YOSHINORI TATEYAMA: Has not allowed an earned run in 17 of 18 outings with Express ... has not allowed an earned run with the Express since April 21 at New Orleans, a span of 18.1 innings over 14 appearances ... currently has an 11.1-inning scoreless streak over nine appearances with Round Rock ... allowed four runs (one earned), all of which scored in the eighth inning ... opponents are 1-for-14 (.071) with runners in scoring position and 6-for-45 (.133) when behind in the count ... nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings over last five outings ... multiple strikeouts in seven of last 11 appearances.

JOHAN YAN: Allowed at least one run in nine of 15 outings ... four hits allowed over last seven outings (7.0 innings, 27 at bats) ... no strikeouts in last four appearances (3.0 innings) ... entered game with bases loaded three times and stranded six of the nine runners ... stranded seven of 13 inherited runners on the season ... opponents are 5-for-22 (.227) with runners in scoring position.

WHO'S NEXT

Round Rock concludes an eight-game home stand with a four-game series against the Albuquerque Isotopes (Los Angeles Dodgers). The series runs Tuesday through Friday with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch each night. This is the last of four series between the division rivals. Albuquerque leads the season series 7-5, winning five of eight at Isotopes Park and splitting a four-game series at The Dell Diamond in early June.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ103 | TUESDAY, JULY 24 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Justin Grimm (0-0, 3.86 ERA)

Isotopes: TBA

GAME"ˆ104 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Neftali Feliz (rehab) / LHP Zack Jackson (3-11, 4.99 ERA; pitches tonight)

Isotopes: TBA

GAME"ˆ105 | THURSDAY, JULY 26 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Martin Perez (5-5, 4.59 ERA; starts tomorrow)

Isotopes: TBA

GAME"ˆ106 | FRIDAY, JULY 27 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (7-6, 5.07 ERA; starts Sunday)

Isotopes: TBA

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 20, 2012


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