PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. New Orleans Zephyrs

Published on August 30, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 140 | 30 AUGUST 2012 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (67-72) vs. NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS (73-66)

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

EXPRESS: LHP Martin Perez (7-6, 4.24 ERA) | ZEPHYRS: RHP Elih Villanueva (9-8, 3.92 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock and New Orleans (Miami Marlins) conclude a bizarre four-game series tonight at The Dell Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT. The Zephyrs are the designated home team for the series, which was moved to Round Rock due to Hurricane Isaac. The Express won each of the first three games, including a 10-6 victory last night. Round Rock won eight of 10 and 24 of 35 since July 26, both league-best marks. The Zephyrs have lost five straight; tonight's is their 12th consecutive game away from New Orleans. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern Division, 10 games behind division-leader Albuquerque. New Orleans sits four games behind the Isotopes and one-and-a-half game behind Oklahoma City.

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 Round Rock and New Orleans this season. Round Rock won three of four at Zephyr Field in mid-April and three of four at The Dell Diamond the following week. The Zephyrs returned the favor June 30-July 1, winning three of four at The Dell Diamond. ... SERIES NOTES: Round Rock leads the all-time series 65-62, including a 35-32 edge in games played at The Dell Diamond. The Express won season series in 2005 (10-6), 2006 (9-7) and 2011 (10-6) with the Zephyrs taking the season series in 2007 (10-6), 2008 (9-7), 2009 (9-7) and 2010 (10-6). There have been only two series sweeps - Round Rock at home in 2006 and New Orleans at home in 2008 (three-game series). The Zephyrs lost 10 of their last 15 games at The Dell Diamond. ... 2012 SERIES: The Express lead the season series 10-5, winning seven of 11 games The Dell Diamond. Round Rock is hitting .300 (151-for-504) in the series with 20 homers, 24 doubles, one triple, eight stolen bases in eight attempts and 5.6 runs per game. Twelve different Express players have homered against the Zephyrs; Joey Butler and Yangervis Solarte homered four times each, while Leonys Martin and Brad Nelson each homered twice. Julio Borbon is 18-for-55 (.327) with one homer, five RBI, five walks, three stolen bases and 10 runs scored in 13 games. Butler is 15-for-45 (.333) with 12 RBI, three doubles, 13 walks and 12 runs scored in 14 games. Matt Kata is 16-for-52 (.308) in 14 games with one homer, nine RBI, two doubles, a triple, four walks and 11 runs scored. Martin is 11-for-33 (.308) in eight games with five RBI, three doubles, seven runs scored and four stolen bases. Solarte is 24-for-56 (.429) in 15 games with seven RBI, three doubles, seven walks and 12 runs scored. Express pitchers boast a 4.02 ERA (58 ER/130.0 IP) with 101 strikeouts against 41 walks. Two of Round Rock's four shutouts this season were against the Zephyrs. New Orleans is hitting .258 (126-for-489) with 13 homers, 20 doubles, four stolen bases and 4.1 runs per game. Zephyrs pitchers have 93 strikeouts against 56 walks with a 5.31 ERA (75 ER/127.0 IP).

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ137 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 28

Express 5, Zephyrs 4 (7 innings)

WP: Reynolds (11-8). LP: Poveda (4-3). SV: Scheppers (10).

GAME"ˆ138 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 28

Express 3, Zephyrs 1 (7 innings)

WP: Cotts (2-1). LP: Martin (6-9). SV: Tateyama (6).

GAME"ˆ139 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29

Express 10, Zephyrs 6

WP: Bell (5-4). LP: Hand (11-7). SV: None.

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

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

Zephyrs: RHP Elih Villanueva (9-8, 3.92 ERA)

START ME UP

LHP MARTIN PEREZ (7-6, 4.24 ERA, 66 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 decision (three starts) ... 2.25 ERA (6 ER/24.0 IP) over last three starts ... worked at least 7.0 innings in each of last three starts with one complete game ... 2-1, 3.44 ERA (14 ER/36.2 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 eight outings (seven starts) and three or fewer runs in nine of last 12 outings (11 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) ... 6.75 ERA (15 ER/20.0 IP) in first inning; also allowed six unearned runs with 18 walks, 11 strikeouts ... did not allow a first-inning run in eight of last 10 starts ... 3.17 ERA (25 ER/71.0 IP) since June 1 ... induced at least one double play in nine of last 12 outings after not inducing a double play in each of season's first nine appearances ... opponents are 28-for-107 (.262) when leading off an inning with two homers, 16 walks, 16 strikeouts ... opponents hitting .269 (32-for-119) with runners in scoring position, .273 (15-for-55) with two outs and RISP ... opponents are 4-for-11 (.364) with bases loaded, no homers, two walks, one sacrifice fly ... opponents hitting .155 (23-for-148) with no homers when behind in the count ... averages 5.35 runs of support per start ... Express are 9-11 in his starts ... 6-3 with three no-decision (all losses) when starting after an Express loss ... 4-3, 3.14 ERA (23 ER/66.0 IP) in 10 starts, one relief outing at The Dell Diamond with 29 walks, 38 strikeouts ... 2-0, 2.31 ERA (10 ER/39.0 IP), .191 opponents' average (26-for-136) over six outings (five starts) at The Dell Diamond since last home loss (June 4 vs. Albuquerque) ... fifth in PCL with .253 opponents' average.

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: No-decision in Aug. 25 start vs. Nashville, a 6-5 Express win ... allowed five runs on nine hits (one homer), two walks over 7.0 innings with four strikeouts ... induced two double plays ... surrendered three first-inning runs; most first-inning runs allowed since May 25 at Nashville (four runs) ... first time allowing more than two runs in any inning since June 10 at Omaha, ending a stretch of 49.2 innings (six starts, one relief appearance) ... surrendered two-run homer to Sean Halton; first multiple-run homer allowed since June 10 at Omaha (Tony Abreu, two runs) ... left game tied 5-5 ... 105 pitches, 71 strikes.

2012 vs. NEW ORLEANS: 0-1, 7.48 ERA (9 ER/10.1 IP) in two starts with nine walks, five strikeouts ... lost April 21 start at Zephyr Field (8-5); allowed five runs on six hits, five walks over 5.0 innings with three strikeouts ... no-decision in May 2 start at The Dell Diamond, a 10-5 Express win; allowed four runs on three hits (one homer), four walks over 5.1 innings with two strikeouts.

CAREER vs. NEW ORLEANS: 0-3, 10.34 ERA (18 ER/15.2 IP) in four starts with 12 walks, seven strikeouts ... lost July 21, 2011, start at The Dell Diamond (7-3); allowed six runs (three earned) on 11 hits, two walks over 3.1 innings with one strikeout ... lost Aug. 21, 2011, start at The Dell Diamond (7-5); allowed six runs on eight hits, one walks over 2.0 innings with one strikeout.

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

GOOD VIBRATIONS

Round Rock is 24-11 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 won eight of 10 games since.

PCL RECORDS SINCE JULY 26

Round Rock 24-11 .686

Sacramento 21-13 .618

Salt Lake 20-14 .588

New Orleans 19-15 .559

Omaha 19-15 .559

Colorado Springs 19-16 .543

Tacoma 19-16 .543

Nashville 18-16 .529

Fresno 18-17 .514

Las Vegas 17-17 .500

Albuquerque 16-19 .457

Tucson 15-20 .429

Reno 14-20 .412

Oklahoma City 14-20 .412

Iowa 11-23 .324

Memphis 11-24 .314

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

The Express... have won eight of 10, 14 of 19 ... clubbed 15 homers over last nine games ... hit at least one homer in nine of last 11 games, 15 of last 19 ... are 24-11 since July 26 ... are hitting .323 (254-for-786) over last 22 games with 10-plus hits in 14 of last 19 games ... won six of last nine series, gaining a split in other three ... are 15-0 when scoring at least seven runs since the All-Star break ... are 25-13 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 27-20 since All-Star break ... are 14-20 in series openers (10-9 at home, 4-11 on the road), winning seven of last nine ... are 17-57 when allowing at least five runs, 51-24 when scoring at least five runs ... are 19-16 in one-run games, 12-4 since the All-Star break ... are 4-58 when trailing after seven innings, 3-60 when trailing after eight innings ... are 58-7 when leading after seven innings, 52-4 when leading after eight innings ... are 31-29 since Clint Musslewhite's departure, 18-20 at The Dell Diamond in that time.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

MIKE BIANUCCI: Placed on disabled list following July 3 game ... activated prior to Tuesday night's second game ... last homered June 19, hitting two vs. Iowa ... hit safely in five of last six games ... hitting .351 (20-for-57) with two homers when leading off an inning.

JULIO BORBON: Three hits shy of Mark Saccomanno's 2008 franchise record (157) ... five-game hitting streak (.273, 6-for-22) ... hit safely in 14 of last 15 games (.381, 24-for-63) ... reached safely in 15 straight games ... multiple-hits in seven of last 14 games ... third in PCL with 154 hits ... fourth player in franchise history to amass at least 150 hits in a season.

JOEY BUTLER: Snapped 15-game hitting streak last night, going 0-for-1 with two walks, two sacrifice flies ... hit .344 (21-for-61) during streak ... tied for seventh-longest in franchise history ... second 15-game streak, third of at least 10 games ... hit safely in 21 of last 24 games (.318, 28-for-88) since going hitless in consecutive games Aug. 1-2 ... second in PCL with 77 walks, a franchise record ... fifth in league with 89 runs ... hitting .390 (136-for-349) when not striking out ... 11 of 19 home runs were solo shots (four leadoff) ... seventh player in franchise history with at least 30 career homers.

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

ALBERTO GONZALEZ: Hit safely in seven of 10 games with Express, including four multiple-hit efforts ... three RBI last night; first game with at least three RBI since July 30, 2011, with San Diego Padres vs. Colorado ... first season with multiple homers since hitting six with three different teams in 2008 ... homer Aug. 22 vs. Nashville was first since June 25, 2011, with Padres vs. Atlanta at Petco Park ... first minor-league homer since Aug. 28, 2008, with Triple-A Syracuse (Nationals).

LUIS HERNANDEZ: Spent three games with Rangers while Michael Young was on paternity leave (Aug. 24-26) ... accepted designation for assignment to Round Rock after that stint ... hit safely in 17 of last 19 games with Express (.415, 34-for-82), a stretch that included a 16-game hitting streak ... hit .446 (33-for-74) during streak ... tied for fifth-longest streak in Express history (tied for third-longest this season) ... multiple hits in 11 of last 19 games ... one RBI in last nine games, none in last seven games.

KOYIE HILL: 3-for-24 (.125) over last seven games ... at least one strikeout in 10 of 12 games with Express, two strikeouts four times ... three multiple-hit outings.

MATT KATA: Franchise-record 409 career games with Express ... produced 115th career multiple-hit game with Express last night, breaking Mark Saccomanno's franchise record ... seven hits shy of Saccomanno's career hits franchise record (424) ... hitting .364 (24-for-66) over last 18 games with 14 RBI ... 12 multiple-hit efforts over last 27 games ... sixth player in franchise history with at least 30 career homers.

LEONYS MARTIN: Five-game hitting streak (.348, 8-for-23) ... hit safely in 27 of last 29 games with Express (.375, 48-for-128) ... at least one extra-base hit in nine of last 15 games, 10 of last 17 ... at least one RBI in nine of last 15 games (16 RBI), multiple RBI in five of last 14 games ... at least one run scored in six straight games (eight runs), 14 of last 15 games (23 runs) ... multiple runs in eight of last 14 games.

BRAD NELSON: Clubbed 24th homer Tuesday night, matching 2011 total ... tied for sixth in Express history ... first player in franchise history with at least 23 homers in multiple seasons ... 48 career homers with Express, fifth in franchise history ... 16 of 24 homers were solos, including nine leadoff shots ... hit safely in 22 of 27 home games since All-Star break (.371, 36-for-97) ... stretch was preceded by an 0-for-24 slump at The Dell Diamond ... 48 of 79 RBI on the road ... hitting .309 (108-for-349) after All-Star break over last two seasons ... at least one strikeout in 14 of last 16 games, 19 of last 22 games (25 strikeouts).

BRANDON SNYDER: 2-for-4 in Tuesday night's opener - first multiple-hit outing since Aug. 15 at Reno ... snapped streak of seven straight games with at least one strikeout in last night's second game (12 strikeouts) ... multiple strikeouts in 10 of 22 games with Express.

YANGERVIS SOLARTE: Five-game hitting streak (.421, 8-for-19) ... multiple hits in eight of last 18 games ... hitting .342 (25-for-73) in that time ... hit into 28 double plays, most in organized baseball regardless of level ... eight of 10 home runs were solo shots ... second in PCL with 12.57 plate appearances per strikeout.

RYAN SPILBORGHS: Snapped six-game hitting streak last night, going 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly ... hit .500 (11-for-22) during streak with four multiple-hit efforts, seven RBI, four doubles ... hit safely in 14 of last 17 games (.349, 22-for-63) ... multiple hits in five of last nine games ... 11 RBI in last 12 games.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

FABIO CASTILLO: Season-high four runs allowed in last start (Aug. 29 vs. New Orleans) ... season-high three strikeouts Aug. 22 vs. Nashville ... six strikeouts over last three outings (4.1 innings) ... held opponent scoreless in eight of 13 outings ... opponents are 1-for-13 (.077) when leading off an inning with three walks, six strikeouts.

NEAL COTTS: Held opponent scoreless in six of last seven outings ... held opponent hitless in three of last six appearances ... stranded 13 of 21 inherited runners (61.9 percent), including each of last four ... 23 strikeouts over last 11 outings (14.1 innings).

WILLIE EYRE: 1.08 ERA (1 ER/8.1 IP) over last six outings with 11 strikeouts, one walk ... holds opponents to a .071 average (2-for-28) when leading off an inning with one homer, two walks, 10 strikeouts (.188 on-base percentage) ... opponents hitting .538 (7-for-13) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

DEREK HANKINS: Season-high seven strikeouts in last start (start, Aug. 28 vs. New Orleans) ... won three of last four decisions in two starts (1-0), seven relief appearances (2-1) ... two homers surrendered over last nine outings (two starts) ... 2-1, 3.38 ERA (4 ER/10.2 IP) over last seven relief appearances ... at least one strikeout in seven of last eight games (17 strikeouts, 18.2 innings) ... opponents hitting .306 (22-for-72) when leading off an inning with two homers, five walks, 11 strikeouts ... holds opponents to a .114 average (4-for-35) with two outs and runners in scoring position ... stranded 11 of 12 inherited runners (91.7 percent).

JOE ORTIZ: Held opponent scoreless in six straight outings (7.2 innings), nine of last 10 games (1.29 ERA, 2 ER/14.0 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 .215 (23-for-107) otherwise ... four strikeouts, no walks over last four outings (4.0 innings) ... stranded 13 of 16 inherited runners (81.3 percent).

TANNER SCHEPPERS: Began season with Express ... promoted to Rangers following June 5 outing ... returned to Express prior to Aug. 26 game ... 10 saves with Express, tied for sixth-best season total in franchise history ... stranded seven of 11 inherited runners (63.6 percent).

BEN SNYDER: Surrendered season-high six runs in last outing (Aug. 26 vs. Nashville) ... snapped 8.2-inning scoreless streak over six outings ... 20-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio over last 12 outings (three starts) ... stranded 13 of 25 inherited runners (52.0 percent).

YOSHINORI TATEYAMA: No runs allowed in 17 games at The Dell Diamond, going 2-0 with five saves, 25 strikeouts, five walks (22.1 innings) ... no earned runs allowed in 28 of 31 outings with Express (unearned runs allowed once) ... opponents hitting .117 (9-for-77) when behind in the count ... 29 strikeouts over last 18 outings (21.0 innings) ... stranded nine of 13 inherited runners (69.2 percent).

WHO'S NEXT

Round Rock concludes the season with a four-game road series against the Oklahoma RedHawks (Houston Astros). Oklahoma City leads the season series 7-5. The RedHawks won three of four at Bricktown Ballpark in late April, and the teams split both four-game series at The Dell Diamond (June 14-17, Aug. 18-21).

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ141 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 31 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Martin Perez (7-6, 4.24 ERA)

RedHawks: LHP Rudy Owens (1-3, 4.76 ERA)

GAME"ˆ142 | SATURDAY, SEPT. 1 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (7-12, 4.65 ERA)

RedHawks: RHP Jarred Cosart (1-2, 3.32 ERA)

GAME"ˆ143 | SUNDAY, SEPT. 2 | 6:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (11-8, 4.98 ERA)

RedHawks: RHP Jose Cisnero (3-1, 3.28 ERA)

GAME"ˆ144 | MONDAY, SEPT. 3 | 11:05 a.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (5-4, 4.36 ERA)

RedHawks: RHP Edgar Gonzalez (4-3, 4.37 ERA)

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 30, 2012


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