Express Blank Zephyrs, 2-0
June 10, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
METAIRIE, La. - Josh Banks tossed 8.1 scoreless innings, and Jason Castro delivered a game-winning RBI single in the eighth as the Round Rock Express blanked the New Orleans Zephyrs 2-0 in Thursday night's series opener at Zephyr Field. The Express (29-31) have won four straight - their longest winning streak of the season - after posting their first shutout since April 20. The Zephyrs (27-31) fall to two games behind Round Rock in the Pacific Coast League American South Division.
Edwin Maysonet and Brian Bogusevic opened the inning with back-to-back singles but remained at second and first, respectively, as Brett Sinkbeil struck out the next two Express batters. However, Castro went with Sinkbeil's full-count pitch to left field, dropping a single off the glove of a diving John Raynor. The Express added an insurance run in the eighth as Drew Locked led off with a double and later scored on a Maysonet sacrifice fly.
Meanwhile, Banks (7-4) handcuffed the Zephyrs most of the night. He scattered three hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 8.1 innings, working into the ninth inning for the second consecutive outing. He has won six of his last seven decisions and moved into a tie for second in the PCL in wins.
Banks issued a pair of walks around a fly out before exiting the game in the ninth. Roy Corcoran induced a comebacker from Hector Luna, starting a double play that ended the game. It did not come easily, though, as first baseman Matt Kata had to scoop Maysonet's low throw for the game clinching out. Corcoran picked up his third save in as many tries.
Kata's play was one of several defensive gems on the night for Round Rock. None was more crucial than the play made by Oswaldo Navarro to cap the eighth. After the Express took a 1-0 lead in the top of the eighth, Banks found himself facing pinch-hitter and long-time Major Leaguer Mike Lamb with a runner at third and two outs. Lamb hit a sharp grounder up the middle, but Navarro back-handed the ball and got Lamb at first by a step.
Sinkbeil (0-2) took the loss for the Zephyrs, allowing one run on three hits and no walks with two strikeouts in 1.0 inning of relief work. Starter Tom Mastny tossed 5.0 scoreless innings on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
Bogusevic, Castro and Locked all enjoyed two-hit nights. Castro has reached safely in 29 consecutive games, two games shy of the PCL's longest on-base streak this season. Jason Bourgeois was 0-for-2 and left the game in the bottom of the second inning with tightness in his left hamstring, snapping his 17-game hitting streak.
Round Rock and New Orleans continue their four-game series Friday with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch at Zephyr Field. It will be dueling southpaws as Polin Trinidad (3-3, 4.84 ERA) starts for the Express opposite New Orleans lefty Sean West (1-0, 0.00 ERA).
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