PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers)

Published on August 25, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 135 | 25 AUGUST 2012 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (63-71) vs. NASHVILLE SOUNDS (62-72)

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

EXPRESS: LHP Martin Perez (7-6, 4.11 ERA) | SOUNDS: RHP Claudio Vargas (6-1, 3.58 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock continues the season's final home series with the penultimate of five games against the Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. The Express snapped a four-game winning streak last night, falling 5-2. Round Rock is 6-4 over the last 10 games and 20-10 since July 26 - the Pacific Coast League's best record in that time. The Express are 33-36 at The Dell Diamond. The Sounds are 5-5 over their last 10 games and have not won or lost more than two straight games since a three-game winning streak July 30-Aug. 1. Nashville is 28-42 on the road, splitting each of their last four road series since winning four of five July 4-8 at Memphis. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern Division, 13 games behind division-leader Albuquerque. Nashville is second in the American Northern Division; the Sounds sit 16 games behind Omaha, which already has clinched its third straight division title.

RADIO GA GA

Tonight's game airs on 104.9 FM The Horn 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. The teams split a four-game series May 25-28 at Nashville, and the Sounds won two of three June 27-29 at The Dell Diamond. The teams split another four-game series July 16-19 at Nashville. ... SERIES NOTES: The all-time series is tied 63-63. Round Rock holds a 35-27 edge at The Dell Diamond, winning 11 of 14 over the past two seasons and 17 of 22 since the beginning of the 2010 season. The Express claimed the season series in 2005 (9-7), 2006 (11-5) and 2011 (11-5). Nashville won the season series in 2007 (12-4), 2008 (9-7) and 2009 (10-6). The teams split the 2010 with the home team winning six times at each location. There have been three sweeps in the series, all by the home team "" Nashville in 2007 and Round Rock twice last season. ... 2012 SERIES: The season series is tied 7-7; the road team won seven times, including four Express wins at Nashville. Round Rock posted a 19-3 victory May 27 at Nashville, establishing franchise records for runs and hits (24). The Express won both extra-inning meetings. Round Rock is hitting .277 (138-for-498) with 16 homers, 23 doubles, 52 walks and 5.1 runs per game. Julio Borbon is 16-for-53 (.302) with one homer, two RBI, three doubles, three runs scored and six stolen bases in 13 games. Joey Butler is 16-for-44 (.364) in 13 games with a homer, six RBI, two doubles and 10 runs scored. Matt Kata is 16-for-52 (.308) in 12 games with two homers, six RBI and six runs scored. Brad Nelson, who played for Nashville earlier in his career, is 15-for-54 (.278) with five homers, 13 RBI and 11 scored in 14 games. Ryan Spilborghs is 23-for-51 (.451) in 14 games with three homers, 14 RBI, six doubles, 11 runs scored, seven walks and two stolen bases. Express pitchers boast a 3.76 ERA (53 ER/127.0 IP) with 90 strikeouts against 40 walks. Nashville is hitting .265 (126-for-475) with 13 homers, 25 doubles, three triples and 4.1 runs per game. Sounds pitchers have 102 strikeouts against 52 walks with a 4.48 ERA (64 ER/128.2 IP).

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ132 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22

Express 7, Sounds 6 (11 innings)

WP: Snyder (3-5). LP: Kintzler (0-1). SV: None.

GAME"ˆ133 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 23

Express 5, Sounds 1

WP: Bell (4-4). LP: Thornburg (1-2). SV: None.

GAME"ˆ134 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 24

Sounds 5, Express 2

WP: Grimm (2-3). LP: Burgos (1-2). SV: Wooten (5).

GAME"ˆ135 | SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Martin Perez (7-6, 4.11 ERA)

Sounds: RHP Claudio Vargas (6-1, 3.58 ERA)

GAME"ˆ136 | SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 | 6:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (6-12, 4.69 ERA; starts tonight)

Sounds: RHP Wily Peralta (6-10, 4.75 ERA; starts tonight)

START ME UP

LHP MARTIN PEREZ (7-6, 4.11 ERA, 62 K)

2012: Began season with Express, slotting second in rotation ... promoted to Texas in late June ... made MLB debut June 27 vs. Detroit ... optioned to Round Rock in mid-July but returned to Rangers one week later.

ROUND ROCK: Won each of last two starts (0.53 ERA; 1 ER/17.0 IP) ... worked at least 8.0 innings in each of last two starts with one complete game ... 2-1, 2.73 ERA (9 ER/29.2 IP) since All-Star break ... won four of last five decisions with Express after going more than a month without a win ... allowed two or fewer runs in six of last seven outings (six starts) and three or fewer runs in nine of last 11 outings (10 starts) ... held Memphis to one run on four hits over 7.0 innings May 7 ... 0-3, 7.48 ERA"ˆ(23 ER/27.2 IP), 15 walks, 15 strikeouts, .370 opponents' average (44-for-119) over next six starts ... Express lost each start ... won next two starts with a 1.13 ERA (2 ER/16.0 IP) ... combined with Mark Hamburger on four-hit shutout June 15 vs. Oklahoma City at The Dell Diamond (2-0) ... tossed first nine-inning complete game of professional career June 21 vs. Iowa; held Cubs to two runs on three hits (one homer) and two walks with four strikeouts ... enjoyed an 8.2-inning hitless streak during which time opponents were 0-for-25 (June 15-21) ... 5.68 ERA (12 ER/19.0 IP) in first inning; also allowed six unearned runs with 17 walks, 11 strikeouts ... did not allow a first-inning run in eight of last nine starts ... 2.81 ERA (20 ER/64.0 IP) since June 1 ... induced at least one double play in eight of last 11 outings after not inducing a double play in each of season's first nine appearances ... opponents are 26-for-101 (.257) when leading off an inning with two homers, 15 walks, 15 strikeouts ... opponents hitting .263 (30-for-114) with runners in scoring position, .269 (14-for-52) with two outs and RISP ... opponents are 4-for-11 (.364) with bases loaded, no homers, two walks, one sacrifice fly ... opponents hitting .161 (22-for-137) with no homers when behind in the count ... averages 5.32 runs of support per start ... Express are 8-11 in his starts ... 5-3 with three no-decision (all losses) when starting after an Express loss ... 4-3, 2.75 ERA (18 ER/59.0 IP) in nine starts, one relief outing at The Dell Diamond with 27 walks, 34 strikeouts ... 2-0, 1.41 ERA (5 ER/32.0 IP), .157 opponents' average (17-for-108) over five outings (four starts) at The Dell Diamond since last home loss (June 4 vs. Albuquerque) ... fifth in PCL with .249 opponents' average ... ERA since All-Star break ranks fifth in PCL.

TEXAS: 1-1, 4.05 ERA (9 ER/20.0 IP) in three starts, three relief appearances with 10 strikeouts, eight walks ... made MLB debut June 27 vs. Detroit ... won first career major league start June 30 vs. Oakland; held Athletics to two runs on six hits (one homer) and one walk over 5.1 innings with five strikeouts ... optioned to Round Rock in mid-July but returned to Rangers one week later ... held Boston to one run on five hits and two walks over 6.0 innings with one strikeout in no-decision July 24 at Arlington ... surrendered one run on seven hits over 8.0 innings in last three outings (one start) ... again optioned to Round Rock following July 31 game.

LAST OUTING: Won Aug. 20 start vs. Oklahoma City at The Dell Diamond (2-1) ... tossed second career complete game (June 21 vs. Iowa) ... allowed one unearned run on six hits, no walks over 9.0 innings with five strikeouts ... retired 11 of final 13 batters after taking comebacker off leg ... used 23 pitches (20 strikes) against final 13 batters ... worked around leadoff doubles in fifth and seventh innings ... 97 pitches, 71 strikes ... 23/32 first-pitch strikes, including each of last eight and 10 of last 11 ... batters were 0-for-7 with three strikeouts when falling behind 0-2 and 0-for-2 on full counts.

2012 vs. NASHVILLE: No-decision in May 25 start at Nashville, a 7-6 Sounds win ... allowed six runs (three earned) over 4.0 innings on four hits (one homer), two walks, one hit batter with four strikeouts.

CAREER vs. NASHVILLE: 1-0, 7.00 ERA (7 ER/9.0 IP) in two starts with four walks, seven strikeouts ... won July 31, 2011, start at Nashville (8-4) ... allowed four runs on eight hits, two walks over 5.0 innings with three strikeouts.

NOTABLE: Martin Jimenez Perez ... born April 4, 1991 ... began season as youngest active player in Triple-A.

GOOD VIBRATIONS

Round Rock is 20-10 since July 26, the PCL's best record in that time. That stretch began with a five-game winning streak, the team's longest winning streak until a six-game streak the following week. The Express lost consecutive games only three times in that span, including one three-game skid. It was Round Rock's first three-game slump since July 19-21. The Express have won four of five games since.

PCL RECORDS SINCE JULY 26

Round Rock 20-10 .667

Sacramento 19-10 .655

New Orleans 19-10 .655

Salt Lake 18-11 .621

Colorado Springs 17-13 .567

Tacoma 16-14 .533

Las Vegas 15-14 .517

Omaha 15-14 .517

Albuquerque 15-15 .500

Fresno 15-15 .500

Nashville 14-15 .483

Reno 12-17 .414

Tucson 11-19 .367

Iowa 10-19 .345

Oklahoma City 10-19 .345

Memphis 9-21 .300

AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER

Leonys Martin is hitting .390 (30-for-77) with six homers, 18 RBI, six doubles and 22 runs scored in August. In that timeframe, he ranks third in the PCL in batting average, tied for first in runs, tied for fifth in hits, tied for third in extra-base hits (13), third in total bases (56), tied for fourth in homers, tied for 10th in RBI, ninth in on-base percentage (.447), third in slugging percentage (.727) and third in OPS (1.174). Meanwhile, Luis Hernandez leads the PCL with 36 hits this month; he also is sixth in batting average (.379), tied for 11th in runs (16), tied for seventh in extra-base hits (11), tied for fifth in total bases (51), tied for fourth in doubles (8), tied for sixth in triples (2) and tied for sixth in RBI (19). Julio Borbon leads the PCL with four triples in August; he also is tied for 11th in runs (16), tied for eighth in hits (29), tied for 12th in extra-base hits (10) and seventh in total bases (47).

HELLO OLD FRIEND(S)

Brad Nelson was a member of the sounds from 2005 to 2008, hitting .264 (230-for-895) in 262 games. Zach Jackson was 16-21 with a 4.93 ERA (183 ER/334.0 IP) in 69 appearances (52 starts) over three seasons (2006-2008) with Nashville. He was the Sounds opening-day starter in 2007 and 2008. Matt Kata never played for the Sounds, but he was an All-SEC performer at Nashville's Vanderbilt University (1997-1999). Nashville infielder Edwin Maysonet played for the Express during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons. He hit .257 (230-for-895) in 262 games with nine homers, 84 RBI, 49 doubles and 109 runs. He ranks sixth in Express Triple-A history in games, seventh in at bats and seventh in walks (95). Sounds catcher Humberto Quintero played for the Express during the 2005 through 2009 seasons. He hit .292 (230-for-788) with 20 homers, 109 RBI, 49 doubles and 61 runs scored in 223 games. Maysonet and Quintero are tied for 10th on Round Rock's Triple-A career hits list. Quinitero's batting average ranks third among players with at least 700 at bats with the Express entering this season, while Maysonet's average ranks sixth among those with at least 800 at bats.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

The Express... have won four of five, 10 of 14 ... clubbed eight homers over the last four games ... hit at least one homer in four of last six games, 10 of last 14 ... are 20-10 since July 26 ... are hitting .324 (201-for-621) over the last 17 games with 10-plus hits in nine of the last 14 games ... won four of last seven series, gaining a split in the other three ... are 14-0 when scoring at least seven runs since the All-Star break ... are 21-12 since scoring five ninth-inning runs to force extra-innings in an 11-inning, 8-7 victory July 22 vs. Omaha (team's first victory when trailing after eight innings) ... are 23-19 since the All-Star break ... are 13-20 in series openers (9-9 at home, 4-11 on the road), winning six of last eight ... are 15-56 when allowing at least five runs, 48-23 when scoring at least five runs ... are 17-16 in one-run games, going 10-4 since the All-Star break ... are 4-58 when trailing after seven innings, 3-60 when trailing after eight innings ... are 55-7 when leading after seven innings, 50-4 when leading after eight innings ... are 27-28 since Clint Musslewhite's departure, going 14-19 at home in that time.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

JULIO BORBON: Hit safely in 10 of last 11 games (.413, 19-for-46) ... reached safely in 11 straight games ... 10 homers, eclipsing career minor-league total entering season ... two homers in last six games ... multiple-hits in six of last 10 games ... third in PCL with 149 hits ... 19-for-44 (.432) since snapping 0-for-15 skid with sixth-inning single Aug. 14 at Reno ... 45-for-129 (.349) with 15 multiple-hit efforts over last 30 games on heels of an 0-for-19 skid.

JOEY BUTLER: 12-game hitting streak (.333, 17-for-51) ... hit safely in 18 of last 20 games (24-for-77) since going hitless in consecutive games Aug. 1-2 ... 72 walks, tying Esteban German's single-season franchise record established last season ... third in PCL in walks (sixth in Triple-A) ... fifth in PCL with 86 runs (also fifth in Triple-A) ... hitting .388 (132-for-340) when not striking out ... 13 of 17 home runs on the road ... 10 of 17 home runs were solo shots (three leadoff).

ROBINZON DIAZ: Hit safely in all four games with Express, including three multiple-hit outings ... produced a run (scored or RBI) in all four games.

ALBERTO GONZALEZ: Left game Thursday night after being hit by pitch ... hit safely in five of seven games with Express, including three multiple-hit efforts ... homer Wednesday night was first since June 25, 2011, while with San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta at Petco Park ... first minor-league homer since Aug. 28, 2008, with Triple-A Syracuse (Nationals).

KOYIE HILL: Hitless in last 12 at bats ... at least one strikeout in each of eight games with Round Rock (11 strikeouts) ... homered in Express debut (Aug. 15 at Reno).

MATT KATA: Hitting .340 (17-for-50) over last 13 games with 10 RBI ... 10 multiple-hit efforts over last 22 games ... 7-for-38 (.184) over last 12 home games ... one game shy of Mark Saccomanno's franchise Triple-A record (405 games) ... 113 multiple-hit games during Express career, one shy of Saccomanno's franchise record ... homer Thursday night was ninth of season, third since May 31 grand slam at Memphis ... first homer at The Dell Diamond since May 7 vs. Memphis.

LEONYS MARTIN: Hitless in last seven at bats ... hitless in consecutive games with Express for first time since April 19-20 ... snapped 12-game hitting streak Thursday night, going 0-for-4 ... hit .444 (24-for-54) during streak with five multiple-hit efforts in last seven games ... hit safely in 22 of last 25 games with Express (.381, 40-for-105) ... at least one extra-base hit in seven of last 10 games, eight of last 12 ... at least one RBI in seven of last 10 games (14 RBI), multiple RBI in five of last nine games ... at least one run scored in nine of last 10 games (16 runs), multiple runs in six of last nine games ... at least one strikeout in nine of last 10 games, 12 of last 14.

BRAD NELSON: Snapped five-game hitting streak last night, going 0-for-3 with a walk ... hit .381 (8-for-21) during streak ... tied for sixth in PCL with 22 homers (tied for 11th in Triple-A) ... ninth-best season total in Express history (Triple-A era) ... joins Brooks Conrad and Mark Saccomanno as the only players in franchise history with at least 22 homers in multiple seasons ... 14 of 22 homers were solos, including eight leadoff shots ... fourth in PCL with 231 total bases (sixth in Triple-A) ... tied for sixth in PCL with 52 extra-base hits (tied for 10th in Triple-A) ... ninth in PCL with 76 RBI (11th in Triple-A) ... eighth in PCL with 62 walks (11th in Triple-A) ... four multiple-hit efforts in last nine games ... hit safely in 20 of 24 home games since All-Star break (.381, 32-for-84) ... stretch was preceded by an 0-for-24 slump at The Dell Diamond ... 48 of 76 RBI on the road ... hitting .310 (104-for-336) after All-Star break over last two seasons ... at least one strikeout in 11 of last 12 games, 16 of last 18 games (21 strikeouts).

BRANDON SNYDER: Hitless in last 13 at bats ... hitting .053 (1-for-19) over last six games, .074 (2-for-27) since third-inning single Aug. 15 at Reno ... at least one strikeout 14 of 18 games (25 strikeouts) with multiple strikeouts nine times ... seven strikeouts in last 12 at bats.

YANGERVIS SOLARTE: Six multiple-hit efforts in last 14 games ... hitting .339 (19-for-56) in that time ... drew two walks last night, first multiple-walk outing since May 25 at Nashville (two walks) ... hit into 28 double plays, most in organized baseball regardless of level ... eight of nine home runs were solo shots, seven of nine on the road ... second in PCL with 12.16 plate appearances per strikeout.

RYAN SPILBORGHS: Hit safely in 11 of last 13 games (.327, 16-for-49) ... multiple hits in three of last five games ... six of eight homers were on the road ... has not gone consecutive games without a strikeout since five-game stretch July 18-22 ... three extra-base hits since Aug. 3 (two homers, one double) ... five RBI in last three games, nine RBI in last eight games.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

FABIO CASTILLO: Season-high three strikeouts in last outing (Aug. 22 vs. Nashville) ... held opponent scoreless in seven of 11 outings ... three walks over last seven appearances (9.2 innings, 41 batters faced) ... one home run surrendered with Express (64 batters faced) ... opponents are 1-for-10 (.100) when leading off an inning with three walks, three strikeouts.

NEAL COTTS: Held opponent scoreless in five of last six outings ... held opponent hitless in three of last five appearances ... 0-1, 2.65 ERA (5 ER/17.0 IP) in 13 games at The Dell Diamond ... 1-0, 8.25 ERA (11 ER/12.0 IP) in 10 road outings ... stranded 13 of 21 inherited runners (61.9 percent), including each of last four ... 21 strikeouts over last 10 outings (13.1 innings).

WILLIE EYRE: 1.42 ERA (1 ER/6.1 IP) over last four outings with eight strikeouts, one walk ... no runs allowed in five straight road outings ... 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12.0 IP) in eight road appearances ... 0-1, 5.82 ERA (11 ER/17.0 IP) in 13 games at The Dell Diamond ... holds opponents to a .077 average (2-for-26) when leading off an inning with one homer, two walks, eight strikeouts (.200 on-base percentage) ... opponents hitting .538 (7-for-13) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

DEREK HANKINS: Won three of last four decisions in one start (1-0), seven relief appearances (2-1) ... two homers surrendered over last eight outings (one start) ... 2-1, 3.38 ERA (4 ER/10.2 IP) over last seven relief appearances ... at least one strikeout in six of last seven games (10 strikeouts, 14.2 innings) ... opponents hitting .314 (22-for-70) when leading off an inning with two homers, three walks, nine strikeouts ... holds opponents to a .118 average (4-for-34) with two outs and runners in scoring position ... stranded 11 of 12 inherited runners (91.7 percent).

JOE ORTIZ: Held opponent scoreless in four straight outings (5.0 innings), seven of last eight games (1.59 ERA, 2 ER/11.1 IP) ... all seven runs allowed were via homers ... two-run homer surrendered Aug. 6 vs. Las Vegas was lone non-solo homer allowed ... opponents hitting .208 (20-for-96) otherwise ... at least one strikeout in 16 of 21 outings ... stranded 12 of 15 inherited runners (80.0 percent).

BEN SNYDER: No runs allowed in last six outings, all relief (8.1 innings) ... opponents are 5-for-29 (.172) during that stretch ... 20-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over last 11 outings (three starts) ... stranded 13 of 25 inherited runners (52.0 percent).

YOSHINORI TATEYAMA: No runs allowed in 16 games at The Dell Diamond, going 2-0 with four saves, 23 strikeouts, five walks (21.1 innings) ... no earned runs allowed in 27 of 30 outings with Express (unearned runs allowed once) ... opponents hitting .122 (9-for-74) when behind in the count ... 27 strikeouts over last 17 outings (20.0 innings) ... stranded nine of 13 inherited runners (69.2 percent).

JOHAN YAN: Five walks over last three outings (2.1 innings, 14 batters faced) ... held opponent scoreless in seven of last 10 outings (3.55 ERA; 5 ER/12.2 IP) ... stranded 12 of 20 inherited runners (60.0 percent) ... entered game with bases loaded four times and stranded seven of 12 runners (58.3 percent) ... all three homers surrendered were leadoff shots ... 23.14 ERA (5 ER/2.1 IP) in the ninth inning.

WHO'S NEXT

Round Rock embarks on a season-ending, eight-game road trip, beginning with a four-game series against the New Orleans Zephyrs (Miami Marlins). The Express lead the season series 7-5, winning three of four at New Orleans in mid-April. Round Rock won three of four at home April 30-May 3, but the Zephyrs won three of four at The Dell Diamond one month later.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ137 | MONDAY, AUGUST 27 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (10-8, 4.94 ERA)

Zephyrs: RHP J.D. Martin (6-8, 6.15 ERA)

GAME"ˆ138 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (4-4, 4.41 ERA)

Zephyrs: RHP Alex Sanabia (6-7, 4.06 ERA)

GAME"ˆ139 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Justin Grimm (2-3, 4.59 ERA)

Zephyrs: LHP Brad Hand (11-6, 3.65 ERA)

GAME"ˆ140 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Martin Perez (7-6, 4.11 ERA; starts tonight)

Zephyrs: RHP Elih Villanueva (9-7, 3.82 ERA; starts tonight)

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 25, 2012


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