PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes at Albuquerque Isotopes

Published on July 4, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 87 | 4 JULY 2012 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (38-48) at ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES (48-38)

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

EXPRESS: LHP Zach Jackson (3-9, 4.84 ERA) | ISOTOPES: RHP Francisco Nieve (3-6, 6.97 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock begins a five-game road series against the Albuquerque Isotopes (Los Angeles Dodgers). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at Isotopes Park. Round Rock most recently dropped three of four at home against New Orleans, including last night's series finale 9-4. The Express lost four of their last five and are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Round Rock is 17-26 on the road but won five of its last six away from The Dell Diamond. Albuquerque most recently lost three of four at Omaha, salvaging last night's series finale 11-7 to snap a four-game losing streak. The Isotopes are 5-5 in their last five games and 29-14 at home, winning six of their last seven at Isotopes Park. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern Division, 11-and-a-half games back of Oklahoma City and seven games behind third-place New Orleans. Albuquerque trails Oklahoma City by one-and-a-half games.

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 third of four series between the two teams. Albuquerque returns to The Dell Diamond for a four-game series July 24-27, closing Round Rock's antepenultimate home stand. ... SERIES NOTES: Albuquerque leads the all-time series 62-57, but Round Rock has won eight of the last 11 meetings. The series has been dominated by the home team with the Express leading the series 36-24 at The Dell Diamond and the Isotopes leading 38-21 in Albuquerque. Round Rock won season series in 2006 (10-6) and 2008 (9-7). Albuquerque won series in 2005 (9-7), 2007 (10-6), 2009 (10-6) and 2010 (9-7). The Express swept four-game series at home in 2008 and last season, and a three-game home series in 2006. The Isotopes swept four-game series at home in 2005 and 2007. ... 2012 SERIES: Round Rock leads the season series 4-3; the home team won three of the seven games. The teams split a four-game series June 2-5 at The Dell Diamond, and the Express won two of three games at Isotopes Park the following week. Round Rock is hitting .307 (75-for-244) with four homers (Mike Bianucci and Tommy Mendonca two each), 16 doubles, two triples and 4.3 runs per game. Luis Hernandez is 8-for-24 (.333) with three RBI, two doubles and a triple in six games. Matt Kata is 7-for-20 (.350) in five games, and Ryan Spilborghs is 9-for-24 (.375) with two walks, three runs scored and two stolen bases in six games. Express pitchers have a 3.19 ERA (22 ER/62.0 IP) with 38 strikeouts against 17 walks. Albuquerque is hitting .259 (60-for-232) with three homers, 14 doubles, three triples and 4.0 runs per game. Isotopes pitchers have a 3.84 ERA (26 ER/61.0 IP) with 49 strikeouts against 12 walks.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ87 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (3-9, 4.84 ERA)

Isotopes: RHP Francisco Nieve (3-6, 6.97 ERA)

GAME"ˆ88 | THURSDAY, JULY 5 | 8:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (7-6, 4.81 ERA)

Isotopes: RHP Will Savage (10-3, 5.38 ERA)

GAME"ˆ89 | FRIDAY, JULY 6 | 8:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (2-0, 0.77 ERA)

Isotopes: RHP Stephen Fife (6-5, 4.88 ERA)

GAME"ˆ90 | SATURDAY, JULY 7 | 8:05 p.m. CDT

Express: TBA

Isotopes: RHP John Ely (8-5, 3.15 ERA)

GAME"ˆ91 | SUNDAY, JULY 8 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Derek Hankins (3-4, 4.14 ERA; starts tonight)

Isotopes: LHP Derrick Loop (6-2, 4.43 ERA; starts tonight)

START ME UP

LHP ZACH JACKSON (3-9, 4.84 ERA, 47 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 and June 29 vs. Nashville (all starts) ... claimed wins April 24 at New Orleans, May 31 at Memphis and May 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 six of last eight starts ... allowed three or fewer runs in nine of last 12 starts but is 2-7 in that time ... six-plus innings in 12 of 15 starts, going season-high 7.1 innings June 23 at Iowa ... 2.10 ERA (7 ER/30.0 IP) through first two innings; 6.14 ERA (43 ER/63.0 IP) thereafter, including a 7.80 ERA (13 ER/15.0 IP) in the third inning and an 8.04 ERA"ˆ(14/15.2 IP) in the fifth inning ... 14 double plays induced ... at least one double play in each of last three starts, four of last five ... averages staff-low 3.40 runs of support per start (minimum five starts), including 2.44 runs per game in nine losses ... 2-6 with two no-decisions (one win, one loss) following an Express loss ... team is 4-11 in his starts ... started in two of the four times Round Rock was shutout, allowing three runs (one earned) over 12.1 innings (0.73 ERA)"ˆin those starts ... 3-2, 4.73 ERA"ˆ(21 ER/40.0 IP) in six starts, one relief appearance on the road; 17 strikeouts, 10 walks, three home runs allowed.

LAST START: Lost June 29 start vs. Nashville at The Dell Diamond (2-0) ... allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks over 6.1 innings with two strikeouts ... utilized two double plays ... held Sounds hitless in five at bats with runners in scoring position ... surrendered Edwin Maysonet fifth-inning sacrifice fly (earned)"ˆ... left game trailing 1-0 with bases loaded ... one bequeathed runner scored (unearned) by virtue of two errors, including one of his own ... 104 pitches, 65 strikes.

2012 vs. ALBUQUERQUE: 0-2, 5.84 ERA"ˆ(8 ER/12.1 IP) in two starts with three walks, three strikeouts ... lost June 5 start at The Dell Diamond (2-0); held Isotopes to one unearned run on three hits and two walks over 6.0 innings with two strikeouts ... lost June 11 start at Isotopes Park (12-5); surrendered season highs of 11 runs (eight earned) and 15 hits over 6.1 innings with one walk and one strikeout.

CAREER"ˆvs. ALBUQUERQUE: 3-7, 6.64 ERA (47 ER/63.2 IP) in 11 starts and one relief outing with 25 strikeouts against 28 walks ... 1-2, 7.84 ERA (18 ER/20.2 IP) in three starts with eight strikeouts and seven walks in 2011 ... made one relief appearance with Las Vegas in 2010 ... 1-1, 6.23 ERA (9 ER/13.0 IP) in three starts with Nashville in 2007 ... 1-2, 5.51 ERA (10 ER/16.1 IP) in three starts with Nashville in 2006 ... allowed one run on five hits over seven innings June 29, 2007, with Nashville for victory ... tossed six shutout innings Aug. 21, 2006, and earned win with Nashville.

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.

BUFFALO SOLDIER

Joey Butler was selected to the 2012 PCL All-Star Team, the league office announced last week. Butler, a 2011 PCL Postseason All-Star, is the lone Express representative on the 30-member team. The 25th-Annual Triple-A All-Star Game is July 11 at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, N.Y., and pits the PCL All-Stars against the International League All-Stars. The team consists of 13 elected players who received the most votes from ballots submitted by the league's field and general managers (one-third), media members (one-third) and online fan voting (one-third). The elected members are joined by 17 players selected by the league office. Each of the 16 PCL clubs will be represented in Buffalo.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Round Rock is 17-26 on the road this season; however, the Express won six of their last seven away from The Dell Diamond. Express batters have been significantly more productive in 43 road games (.284, 55 homers, 5.8 runs per game) than in 43 home games (.262, 28 homers, 4.1 runs per game). However, Round Rock pitchers have struggled on the road, posting a 5.57 ERA (230 ER/371.1 IP). Greg Reynolds (5-3, 4.70 ERA) and Zach Jackson (3-2, 4.73 ERA) provided eight of Round Rock's 17 wins on the road; the rest of the staff is 9-21 with a 5.90 ERA (177 ER/270.0 IP).

THE THRILL IS GONE

Round Rock scored six or fewer runs in 20 straight games, last reaching seven runs June 12 in a 9-2 victory at Albuquerque. The Express were shutout twice in their last six games. Round Rock eclipsed six runs only once in its last 21 home games - a 7-3 victory June 3 vs. Albuquerque. The Express scored fewer than six runs in each of their last 12 games, averaging 2.6 runs per game in that time (32 runs). Additionally, Express batters have three homers in the last nine games.

SAY IT AIN'T SO

The recent lack of scoring has been costly to the Express pitching staff. Round Rock has allowed a total of 40 runs over the last 10 games (4.0 per game) but managed only a 4-6 record. Express pitchers have allowed more than four runs only four times in the last 16 games (8-8) and held the opponent to four or fewer earned runs in 22 of the last 33 games (16-17).

RAMBLIN' MAN

Brad Nelson hit safely in 29 of his last 31 road games, going 44-for-120 (.367) on the road since an 0-for-4 night April 21 at New Orleans. That stretch included a 21-game road hitting streak that is the PCL's longest this season. His lone hitless outings over the last 31 road games were June 8 at Omaha (0-for-1 as pinch hitter) and June 26 at Iowa (0-for-2, two walks). Nelson hits more than 100 points better on the road (.331, 51-for-154) than at home (.206, 32-for-155). Nine of his 11 homers and 34 of his 47 RBI were in road games. Nelson was 1-for-27 (.037) in the most recent home stand, going hitless in each of the last six games.

UNDER PRESSURE

Matt Kata is hitting .434 (23-for-53) with runners in scoring position (32 RBI), going 9-for-21 (.429) with runners in scoring position and two outs (18 RBI). However, he is 41-for-174 (.236) without runners in scoring position. Kata is 4-for-6 with the bases loaded (one homer, 11 RBI); he is 3-for-3 with the bases loaded since delivering a game-winning, three-run double May 24 vs. Sacramento. Furthermore, Kata is hitting .340 (18-for-53) after the seventh inning (10 RBI).

WALK THIS WAY

Joey Butler leads the PCL with 53 walks, six more than any other player. Meanwhile, Tommy Mendonca (currently on the disabled list) last walked May 2, a span of 29 games and 112 plate appearances. Earlier this season, Luis Hernandez endured a stretch of 33 games and 147 plate appearances without a walk. Matt Kata walked in his final plate appearance Sunday night, just his second free pass since May 13 (35 games, 140 plate appearances).

FIVE TO ONE

The Express are 31-8 when holding the opposition to fewer than five runs but 7-40 when allowing at least five runs, losing 14 straight in that situation. Conversely, Round Rock is 11-28 when scoring fewer than five runs; four of the 11 wins were shutouts.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

The Express are 7-14 in series openers, going 2-8 on the road. ... Of Round Rock's 83 home runs, 55 were on the road (1.28 per game). Meanwhile, Express batters average 0.63 homers per game at home (27 homers, 43 games). ... Round Rock is hitting .321 (27-for-84) with the bases loaded (two grand slams), going 17-for-46 (.370) since May 21. Opponents are 32-for-82 (.390) with seven grand slams. ... Round Rock leads the PCL with 106 double plays turned, 15 more than any other team (Las Vegas). Express pitchers induced at least one double play in seven straight games and in 13 of the last 14 games (21 double plays). ... Round Rock is 7-11 in one-run games. Seven of the 18 games were against Iowa. ... The Express are 1-39 when trailing after seven innings, dropping 27 straight in that situation. Round Rock's lone win was May 2 thanks to a six-run eighth to rally past New Orleans 10-5. Conversely, the Express are 36-5 when leading after seven innings and 38-1 when out-scoring the opponent.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

MIKE BIANUCCI: Hit safely in each of his last four games, all one-hit efforts ... 22-for-64 (.344) over his last 18 games with six multiple-hit games ... no multiple-hit efforts since four straight two-hit outings June 23-26 ... 14 games, 51 at bats since hitting homers in back-to-back at bats June 19 vs. Iowa ... four RBI since last multiple-RBI game (four RBI, June 19 vs. Iowa), a span of 14 games ... double last night was first extra-base hit since June 24 (double at Iowa) ... 22-for-46 (.478) in the fourth inning (four homers, nine RBI) ... no more than 11 hits in any other inning ... hitting .364 (20-for-55) when leading off an inning with three walks (.417 OBP).

JULIO BORBON: Riding a four-game hitting streak (.438, 7-for-16) ... hit safely in six of last seven games (.321, 9-for-28) with three multiple-hit games ... stretch comes on the heels of an 0-for-29 slump ... scored in three of last four games ... hitting .354 (58-for-164) since May 12 ... no RBI since two-run homer June 16 vs. Oklahoma City (15 games) ... one extra-base hit since that homer (double, June 28 vs. Nashville) ... 36-for-87 (.414) during middle innings with 17 of 32 RBI.

DUSTY BROWN: Hitless in last nine at bats ... hit safely in seven of eight games prior to current two-game skid ... was 2-for-47 (.043) over his previous 20 games ... at least one strikeout in six straight games (eight strikeouts, no walks) ... 2-for-27 (.074) with runners in scoring position; both hits came with two outs ... hitless in last 12 at bats with runners in scoring position ... owns a .429 on-base percentage when leading off an inning, hitting .286 (8-for-28) with one homer and seven walks against seven strikeouts ... three walks and two sacrifice flies in six bases-loaded plate appearances.

JOEY BUTLER: 3-for-29 (.103) over his last eight-plus games ... two multiple-hit games since June 10 ... 5-for-34 (.147) over his last 11 games ... at least one strikeout in 10 of last 11 games (15 strikeouts) ... leads PCL with 53 walks ... two walks Monday night; first multiple-walk game since three-walk outing June 14 vs. Oklahoma City ... home run Sunday night vs. New Orleans was first since June 1 at Memphis (25 games, 90 at bats) ... first homer at The Dell Diamond since May 17 vs. Fresno (23 games) ... seven of 12 home runs were solo shots ... 13-for-29 (.448) in the fifth inning (four homers, nine RBI) ... 10 RBI in the eighth inning ... no multiple-RBI efforts since three-RBI outing May 29 at Memphis with seven RBI in that time.

LUIS HERNANDEZ: Hit safely in four of last five games (.389, 7-for-18) with five RBI ... home run Monday night vs. New Orleans was first since June 7 at Omaha (21 games, 83 at bats) ... first extra-base hit since June 16 vs. Oklahoma City (double) ... three-run double last night matched RBI total from previous 16 games ... first multiple-RBI effort since two-RBI outing May 21 vs. Sacramento ... four of five home runs were solo shots ... leads all PCL shortstops with a .981 fielding percentage (seven errors, 364 total chances) ... one error in three of last seven games ... 3-for-22 (.136) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

MATT KATA: No multiple-hit efforts since two-hit game June 22 vs. Iowa ... 7-for-40 (.175) since then with no extra-base hits and one RBI ... two walks in last 35 games, 140 plate appearances ... one extra-base hit (triple, June 30 vs. New Orleans) since June 23, a span of 10 games ... three extra-base hits (double, two triples) since last home run (grand slam May 31 at Memphis).

LUIS MARTINEZ: Hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games (all one-hit efforts) with eight walks, six runs scored ... no RBI since May 29 at Memphis ... no extra-base hits (double) or multiple-hit games since June 12 at Albuquerque (2-for-4, double) ... 15-for-38 (.395) in the third and fourth innings; 21-for-107 (.196) the rest of the game ... 3-for-24 (.125) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... 0-for-5 with bases loaded (one walk, one hit-by-pitch, one sacrifice fly).

GREG MICLAT: Activated from disabled list prior to last night's game ... saw first action since June 19 ... hit safely in each of last three games with more than one at bat (two hits in each game) ... no walks since May 1 (nine games).

BRAD NELSON: Hitless in last six games, 23 at bats ... longest hitless stretch since July 28-Aug. 6, 2010, with Tacoma (seven games, 24 at bats) ... 1-for-29 (.034) over last eight games ... no extra-base hits since June 24 grand slam at Iowa ... no multiple-hit efforts since June 22 vs. Iowa (two hits) ... snapped streak of five consecutive games with at least one strikeout last night (seven strikeouts) ... six of 11 homers were solos, including four leadoff shots ... 4-for-7 with bases loaded (homer, 10 RBI).

GUILDER RODRIGUEZ: Hitless in first 12 at bats with Express after being promoted from Double-A Frisco prior to June 23 game ... 4-for-4 since, including three-hit game last night.

YANGERVIS SOLARTE: Hit safely in 11 of his last 15 games (.347, 17-for-49) with five multiple-hit games (one three-hit outing) and six RBI ... double last night was first extra-base hit since double June 26 at Iowa ... five of six home runs, 29 of 36 RBI came after the third inning ... no homers since May 14, a span of 42 games and 158 at bats ... five of six home runs were solo shots ... 6-for-44 (.136) with runners in scoring position and fewer than two outs ... second in PCL with 13.35 plate appearances per strikeout ... strikeout last night was first since June 24 at Iowa, snapping an eight-game stretch (28 plate appearances).

RYAN SPILBORGHS: Matched season high with four hits Monday night (May 27 at Nashville) ... first game with three-plus hits since June 13 at Albuquerque ... tallied nine hits in 16 games between June 13 three-hit game and last night's four-hit effort ... no homers since May 26, a span of 32 games and 121 at bats ... 18-for-87 (.207) over his last 23 games ... 11 of the 18 hits came in four games ... average dropped from .400 to .315 in that time ... one RBI (June 28 vs. Nashville) since two-RBI effort June 13 at Albuquerque ... 24-for-58 (.414) during the fifth, sixth and seventh innings ... 5-for-32 (.156) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... hitless in each of his last 15 such at bats ... 234 career PCL games, hitting .336 (298-for-888) with 24 homers, 120 RBI and 67 doubles.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

NEAL COTTS: Stranded five of seven inherited runners ... snapped 5.0-inning, six-outing scoreless streak in last outing (July 2 vs. New Orleans) ... walked one batter in each of first four outings but none in last four appearances ... opponents are 2-for-13 (.154) with runners in scoring position, 0-for-3 with bases loaded ... six of eight hits allowed were with bases empty.

WILLIE EYRE: No runs allowed in last three outings (6.0 innings) ... opponents are 1-for-19 (.053) in that time ... opponents are 0-for-8 when leading off an inning (no walks, one strikeout).

AARON HEILMAN: 1.40 ERA (3 ER/19.1 IP) over last 15 outings, going 1-0 with six saves (all of which came in his last 10 appearances) ... riding a 10.0-inning scoreless streak over his last eight outings ... opponents are 5-for-32 (.156) over last eight appearances ... allowed no more than one hit in any of those eight outings ... 30 strikeouts in his last 29.2 innings ... stranded seven of 11 inherited runners ... opponents hitting .361 (13-for-36) with runners in scoring position.

BEN SNYDER: 1-0, 3.00 ERA (6 ER/18.0 IP) in 14 outings at The Dell Diamond ... 0-3 with a 5.00 ERA (15 ER/27.0 IP) in 14 road games ... 19 strikeouts over last 20.0 innings with nine walks in his last 13 appearances.

JOHAN YAN: Allowed at least one run in seven of 11 outings ... entered game with bases loaded in three of last four outings and stranded six of those nine runners ... stranded seven of 11 inherited runners on the season.

WHO'S NEXT

Following the All-Star Game break, the Express return to The Dell Diamond for a four-game series against the Memphis Redbirds. The series begins Thursday, July 12, with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch and continues July 13 (7:05 p.m.), July 14 (6:05 p.m.) and July 15 (7:05 p.m.).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 4, 2012


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.

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