Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Iowa Cubs
Published on May 28, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (29-19) vs. IOWA CUBS (21-27)
GAME 49 | 28 MAY ¬Ë2011 | 6:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS
TONIGHT'S GAME
Round Rock continues a 12-game home stand with the second of four games against the Iowa Cubs (Chicago-NL). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT. The Express are 5-5 in their last 10 games after winning last night's series opener 3-1. The Cubs are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
PROMOTIONS
St. David's Round Rock Express Summer Concert Series presented by Dell - Ray Benson with Asleep at the Wheel
RADIO BROADCAST INFORMATION
Tonight's game airs on 104.9 FM The Horn ESPN ¬ËRadio Austin. Online audio also is available at www.espnaustin.com
TELEVISION BROADCAST INFORMATION
Tonight's game also airs live on KBVO Austin, the sports-specific sister station of KXAN NBC Austin. KBVO is available on Time Warner Cable HD channel 1525, DirecTV channel 51, AT&T Uverse channel 7 (HD 1007), Grande channel 18 (HD 318), Suddenlink channel 15 (HD 725) and Northland Cable channel 97. KXAN Sports Director Roger Wallace handles play-by-play duties while former Major League pitcher Kirk Dressendorfer provides color analysis.
EXPRESS-CUBS SERIES
This is the third of four series between Round Rock and Iowa; the Express lead the series 5-4. The Cubs won three of four at The Dell Diamond in the season's first series, while the Express took three of four at Des Moines in early May. Four of the eight games were decided by three or fewer runs. The Express have out-scored the Cubs 59-47 in the series, including a 24-8 edge in the four games at Des Moines. The teams combined for 67 runs and 16 home runs in the April series at The Dell Diamond; the Express hit 11 home runs, including six in their lone victory of the series. Iowa hosts Round Rock again June 9-12.
GAME ¬Ë48 | FRIDAY, MAY ¬Ë27
Express 3, Cubs 1
WP: Z. Jackson (3-1). LP: J. Jackson (1-4). SV: Tucker (2).
GAME ¬Ë49 | SATURDAY, MAY ¬Ë28 | 6:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP Derek Hankins (5-2, 6.50 ERA)
Cubs: RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-2, 6.31 ERA)
GAME ¬Ë50 | SUNDAY, MAY ¬Ë29 | 1:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP Scott Feldman (1-0, 5.40 ERA)
Cubs: RHP Alberto Cabrera (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
GAME ¬Ë51 | MONDAY, MAY 30 | 12:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP ¬ËSeth McClung (2-1, 4.57 ERA)
Cubs: RHP Ramon Ortiz (2-2, 4.73 ERA)
STARTING PITCHERS
EXPRESS: RHP Derek Hankins (5-2, 6.50 ERA)
Last Outing: Took loss in May 23 start against Reno, a 9-7 Express loss ¬Â¦ Yielded seven runs - six earned - on seven hits, including two home runs, and four walks with three strikeouts over 5.0 innings.
2011: Makes 10th appearance, ninth start tonight ¬Â¦ Lone relief appearance was a win April 16 at New Orleans following Tanner Scheppers two-inning start ¬Â¦ Express are 5-3 in his starts ¬Â¦ Averages 6.63 runs of support per start ¬Â¦ 27 strikeouts against 14 walks over 44.1 innings with a .297 opponents' batting average ¬Â¦ Allowed at least one home run in eight of nine outings, including each of last four ¬Â¦ Tied for PCL wins lead ¬Â¦ 4-0, 4.18 ERA, .248 opponents' batting average in four starts, one relief outing on the road ¬Â¦ 1-2, 10.47 ERA, .368 opponents' batting average in four road starts ¬Â¦ Worked at least 5.0 innings in seven of nine outings ¬Â¦ Opponents hit .500 (13-for-26) with runners in scoring position and two outs.
2011 vs. Iowa: Earned victory May 2 at Iowa ¬Â¦ Worked 5.0 scoreless innings on two hits and one walk with three strikeouts ¬Â¦ Express won game 5-0.
2010: Split season between Altoona (AA) and Indianapolis (AAA) in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization ¬Â¦ Combined 6-5 record with a 3.05 ERA in 37 games and seven starts, all of which came at Altoona ¬Â¦ Was 1-0 in three relief outings at Indianapolis but with a 16.20 ERA, working just 1.2 innings ¬Â¦ Eastern League All-Star Game selection.
Notable: Pittsburgh Pirates 10th-round draft selection out of the University of Memphis in 2004 ¬Â¦ Signed minor league contract Dec. 23, 2010, with Texas Rangers.
CUBS: RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-2, 6.31 ERA)
Last Outing: Took loss in May 23 start against Las Vegas, a 10-5 Cubs loss ¬Â¦ Lasted 3.1 innings and allowed eight runs on 10 hits - one home run - and three walks with two strikeouts; also hit two batters ¬Â¦ Home run allowed was first since surrendering three April 13 at Albuquerque.
2011: Makes 11th appearance, seventh start tonight ¬Â¦ Started in each of season's first three outings and each of last three outings ¬Â¦ Wins April 20 against Albuquerque, May 1 at Omaha (relief) and May 16 at Reno ¬Â¦ Losses April 13 at Albuquerque and May 23 against Las Vegas ¬Â¦ 2-1, 6.57 ERA, .320 opponents' batting average in four starts, two relief outings on the road ¬Â¦ 2-2, 7.98 ERA, .339 opponents' batting average as a starter ¬Â¦ Fourth-inning ERA is 14.73 (12 ER / 7.1 IP) ¬Â¦ Worked 41.1 innings on the season with 35 strikeouts, 14 walks and a .308 opponents' batting average.
2011 vs. Round Rock: No-decision in April 8 start at Round Rock ¬Â¦ Allowed three runs on six hits - two home runs - and no walks with six strikeouts over 6.0 innings ¬Â¦ Left game trailing 3-2 ¬Â¦ Cubs won game 6-4 ¬Â¦ Pitched 4.1 scoreless innings of relief May 3 at Des Moines ¬Â¦ Scattered four hits with two strikeouts and no walks ¬Â¦ Entered game with two outs in the first ¬Â¦ Round Rock hung seven first-inning runs on starter J.R. Mathes ¬Â¦ Express won game 9-3.
2010: Split season between Dougle-A Tennessee and Iowa ¬Â¦ Made 16 starts at Tennessee, going 5-3 with a 3.27 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 85.1 innings ¬Â¦ Southern League All-Star ¬Â¦ Joined Iowa July 9 ¬Â¦ Started eight games and made five relief outings for Iowa, posting a 5-4 record and a 4.61 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 52.2 innings ¬Â¦ Won first four starts with I-Cubs.
2010 vs. Round Rock: Made one relief appearance ¬Â¦ Earned victory July 24 at The Dell Diamond ¬Â¦ Tossed 3.0 scoreless innings ¬Â¦ Did not allow a hit and walked one with two strikeouts ¬Â¦ Cubs won game 4-2 in 13 innings.
2010 vs. Oklahoma City: 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in one start, three relief outings ¬Â¦ Held RedHawks to a .244 batting average ¬Â¦ Faced Oklahoma City in second, third and fourth appearances at Triple-A level ¬Â¦ Tossed 3.0 scoreless innings on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts July 15 at Oklahoma City ¬Â¦ Allowed five unearned runs on four this and two walks with two strikeouts over 1.2 innings at Oklahoma City three days later ¬Â¦ Retired lone batter faced in relief July 22 at home ¬Â¦ Earned victory in Aug. 2 start at Oklahoma City, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 5.0 innings.
Notable: Born in Keizer, Ore. ¬Â¦ Pitched collegiately at Chemeketa [Ore.] Community College and the University of Portland ¬Â¦ Seattle Mariners 16th-round draft pick in 2006.
LAST GAME
Chris Davis blasted a tie-breaking, two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth as the Express rallied past Iowa. It was Round Rock's first victory when scoring fewer than five runs since a 2-1 win April 22 at Oklahoma City, snapping a nine-game skid in such outings. It was Davis' seventh home run in nine games with the Express and his third in five games since being optioned back to Round Rock earlier this week. Zach Jackson allowed only Bobby Scales' first-inning leadoff homer and five singles over 7.0 innings for the win, his first since April 20 at Oklahoma City. It was Round Rock's second win by a starter over the last 13 games.
EXPRESS MAINTAIN DIVISION LEAD
Round Rock (29-19, .604) picked up a game on Albuquerque (27-20, .574) in the PCL American Southern Division last night thanks to its 3-1 win over Iowa and the Isotopes' 6-3 loss at New Orleans. The Express lead the division by one-and-a-half games over Albuquerque and two-and-a-half games over New Orleans. Oklahoma City is eight games back. Round Rock has held the division lead since April 16 and outright since May 2. The Express own the PCL's third-best record behind Sacramento (31-18, .633) and Las Vegas (30-19, .612), which has won 10 of its last 11 games. Columbus (34-14, .708) of the International League has won seven straight and owns the best Triple-A record.
EXPRESS RESPONDERS
Round Rock's opponent has scored first in 27 of 48 games this season. In 13 of those cases, the Express responded with at least one run in their next at bat, tying the game twice and claiming the lead six times. However, quickly responding has not guaranteed success. Round Rock is 13-14 when the opponent scores first and 5-8 when immediately answering with at least one run, meaning the Express are 8-6 when not immediately responding to the opponent's first score of the game. Round Rock is 3-3 when allowing the opponent to score first and then immediately claiming the lead, 1-1 when immediately tying the game, and 1-4 when responding but still trailing.
HOME RUN HAPPY
The Express have homered in nine straight games, clubbing two homers five times. It is the second time this season Round Rock has homered in at least seven consecutive games (12 home runs in a seven-game stretch May 6-12). The Express have homered in 11 of their last 12 games with 20 home runs in that time. Round Rock has gone more than two straight games without a home run only once this season, a four-game spell April 18-21 during which time the Express were 4-0. Only four other times this season has Round Rock gone consecutive games without a home run. Round Rock is second in the PCL with 60 home runs, trailing only Reno (66). The Express are 20-11 when hitting at least one home run and 14-5 when hitting at least two home runs.
FIVE IS THE KEY
Round Rock is 24-8 this season when scoring at least five runs. Only five times have the Express won when scoring fewer than five runs: April 12 vs. Omaha (3-2, 13 innings), April 13 vs. Omaha (2-0), April 18 at New Orleans (3-1), April 22 at Oklahoma City (2-1) and May 27 vs. Iowa (3-1). Between April 22 and May 27, the Express lost nine consecutive games when scoring fewer than five runs. Meanwhile, Round Rock is 19-5 when allowing fewer than five runs and 10-14 when allowing at least five runs.
CLOSE CALLS
Round Rock is 9-5 in one-run games. The Express started the season 7-1 in such games and then lost four straight before winning each of their last two one-run affairs. Nashville leads the PCL with 23 one-run games, going 9-14. Round Rock is 16-11 in games decided by two runs or fewer.
EXPRESS ENJOY STRONG START
The Express have posted the second-best 48-game start in the franchise's Triple-A history (since 2005). The 2006 squad started 31-17 before a five-game losing streak. Only one other Round Rock Triple-A team was above .500 through 48 games; the 2005 team was 25-23 but lost each of its next five games.
HOME AT LAST
The Express continues a 12-game home stand tonight, the season's longest and penultimate multiple-series home stand. Round Rock played only 16 of the season's first 39 games at The Dell Diamond, playing 23 of 31 games on the road after a season-opening, eight-game home stand. The Express are 15-10 at home this season.
ROAD WARRIORS
Round Rock is 14-9 (.609) away from home, third in the PCL in road wins behind Reno (16-12, .571) and Las Vegas (15-9, .625) and tied for third in road winning percentage behind Sacramento (14-7, .667) and Las Vegas. Three other PCL teams are above .500 on road - Salt Lake (12-9, .571), New Orleans (13-11, .542) and Omaha (13-11, .542). Interestingly, Salt Lake is 10-18 at home.
TEAM NOTES
* The Express have won consecutive games for the first time since May 11-12. Round Rock has not won three straight since a five-game winning streak May 5-9.
* Round Rock has not lost three straight games, going 6-0 after consecutive losses.
* The Express have eight last-at-bat wins, including three walk-off victories.
* Round Rock is 4-1 in extra-inning games, including a 3-1 mark on the road.
* The Express are 23-7 when holding the opponent to fewer than six runs.
* Round Rock is 16-5 when scoring first and 14-5 when scoring in the first inning.
* The Express are 12-6 when allowing a first-inning run.
* Round Rock is 20-4 when out-hitting the opponent.
* The Express are 23-5 when leading after six innings, 22-2 when leading after seven innings and 22-2 when leading after eight innings. Both losses when leading after the seventh and eighth innings occurred in the last nine games.
* Round Rock has won six of 10 games when tied after eight innings.
* The Express have out-scored their opponents 133-78 in innings four through six, including a 51-25 advantage in the sixth.
* Round Rock has homered in 31 of 48 games, hitting at least two home runs 19 times. The Express are 14-5 when hitting two-plus homers.
* The Express are hitting .306 (19-for-62) with the bases loaded, producing six doubles, one triple, one grand slam and 60 RBI in that situation. Round Rock also has drawn 10 bases-loaded walks.
* Round Rock is hitting .310 (143-for-461) with runners in scoring position, including a .324 mark (70-for-216) with runners in scoring position and two outs. The Express average 2.4 two-out RBI per game.
* Express pitchers have a 6.26 ERA (29 ER / 41.2 IP) in the ninth inning. Round Rock pitchers have allowed 12 ninth-inning runs in the last six games.
* Round Rock is tied for fourth in the PCL in batting average (.290), second in fewest strikeouts (314), second in home runs (60) and first in stolen base percentage (.857, 30-of-35).
* Express base-runners have been caught stealing only twice since April 23 (32 games), successfully swiping 14 bags in that time.
* Round Rock pitchers are ninth in the PCL in staff ERA (4.77).
PLAYER NOTES
BRIAN BARDEN
* Eighth in the PCL with a .357 batting average
* Hitting 25-for-61 (.410) with eight multiple-hit outings over his last 14 games
* Leads the team with 19 two-out hits and 16 multiple-hit outings
* Hitless in each of his last two games, the first time he has gone hitless in consecutive games this season
* Currently on disabled list (right ankle)
YHENCY BRAZOBAN
* Recorded victory in three of last four appearances
* No earned runs allowed (one unearned run) in 8.1 innings over last five outings
* 15 strikeouts in 11.1 innings over last seven outings
* Holds opponents to a .160 average (4-for-25) with runners in scoring position, .143 (2-for-14) with runners in scoring position and two outs
JOEY BUTLER
* Snapped seven-game hitting streak Thursday night, going 0-for-4
* Hit .440 (11-for-25) during streak with four multiple-hit outings
* Also snapped 10-game hitting streak at The Dell Diamond (.382, 13-for-34)
* Six multiple-hit performances in his last 12 games with Round Rock
* Hit safely in 17 of his last 19 games and in 20 of 24 played with the Express
KEVIN CASH
* .302 (13-for-43) over his last 13 games
* Reached safely in 16 of his last 19 games
* Hitless in consecutive games only twice this season with no three-game skids
* 2-for-3 with three walks and nine RBI with the bases loaded, delivering a three-run double and a three-run triple
* Thrown out four of 25 would-be base stealers (16.0 percent)
LUIS CRUZ
* Hit safely in 10 of last 11 games, going 18-for-44 (.409) in that time
* Hitting .333 (31-for-93) in May after a .222 mark (20-for-90) in the season's first month
* 6-for-12 (.500) in the first inning, .263 (45-for-171) thereafter
* Hitting .377 (29-for-77) with runners on base
* 3-for-7 (.429) with the bases loaded, producing five RBI
CHRIS DAVIS
* Hit safely in eight of nine games with the Express
* At least one RBI in each game
* At least one home run in five of nine games, including three of last four
* Did not strikeout last night - first such game with Round Rock
DOUG DEEDS
* Hitless in each of last two games
* Second time this season hitless in consecutive games (April 23, 26)
* Hitting .246 (15-for-61) prior to the fifth inning and .290 (20-for-68) from the fifth inning on
* Hits .336 (12-for-36) with two outs
* 11 multiple-hit games
* Hitting .333 (5-for-15) with runners in scoring position and two outs
CODY EPPLEY
* Snapped an 11.1-inning scoreless streak Wednesday night against Reno, surrendering a two-out RBI double in the ninth
* First run allowed with Express this season in eighth appearance
* 3-for-3 in save opportunities with Round Rock
* Stranded six of nine inherited runners
ESTEBAN GERMAN
* Double last night was second extra-base hit in last 15 games (home run May 16 at Las Vegas)
* 12-for-32 (.375) with runners on base and two outs but hitless in last five such at bats
* Hitting .341 (14-for-41) with runners in scoring position and .421 (8-for-19) with runners in scoring position and two outs
* Second on the team with 13 two-out RBI
* Hitting .263 (26-for-99) at home with 15 strikeouts and seven walks
* Hitting .329 (27-for-82) on the road with 21 walks and 11 strikeouts
DEREK HANKINS
* Tied for second in the PCL with five wins
* Tied for second in league with 12 home runs allowed
* Surrendered at least one home run in eight of nine outings
* 4-0 with a 4.18 ERA and a .248 opponents' batting average in five road outings
* 1-2, with a 10.47 ERA and a .368 opponents' batting average in four appearances at The Dell Diamond
* Express are 5-3 in his starts
* Averages 6.63 runs of support
ZACH JACKSON
* Express are 7-3 in his starts
* Averages staff-best 6.90 runs of support
* 11.70 ERA (13 ER / 10.00 ERA) in the first inning but 3.00 ERA (13 ER / 39.0 IP) innings two through five
* Opposing batters hit .267 on the road, .318 at The Dell Diamond
* All six home runs allowed were at home
MATT KATA
* Hit safely in eight of nine games (.343, 12-for-35)
* Hitting .351 (26-for-74) since May 1 (19 games) with seven multiple-hit games, five three-hit outings
* Reached safely in 18 of 21 games
* Struck out looking only once in 111 at bats
* Advanced a runner with an out 17 times
* Averages team-best 8.93 plate appearances per strikeout (among active players)
SETH McCLUNG
* Express are 4-3 in his starts
* Averages 6.14 runs of support
* 2-1, 4.78 ERA, .271 opponents' batting average as starter
BRAD NELSON
* Hitting .340 (16-for-47) over last 13 games
* Scored at least one run in 11 of last 13 games
* Hitting .316 (30-for-95) since April 29 (24 games)
* 21-for-87 (.241) prior to the sixth inning, including a 1-for-15 mark in the fifth inning
* Hitting .343 (23-for-67) from the sixth inning on, going 3-for-4 in extra innings
ZACH PHILLIPS
* Leads staff with 19 appearances
* Converted three of five save opportunities
* 1.98 ERA (3 ER / 13.2 IP) and .196 opponents' batting average in 10 outings at home
* 10.03 ERA (13 ER / 11.2 IP) and .345 opponents' batting average in nine appearances on the road
OMAR QUINTANILLA
* RBI last night was first since May 9
* Hitting .357 (10-for-28) with runners on base
* 5-for-14 (.357) with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-3 with the bases loaded
* Hitting .429 (6-for-14) in the first inning but .260 (13-for-50) after the first inning
NEIL RAMIREZ
* Second among PCL starters with 9.97 strikeouts per nine innings
* Has not recorded a decision in his last four starts, posting a 6.75 ERA (12 ER / 16.0 IP) in that time
* Express are 7-2 in his starts
* Averages 6.00 runs of support
PEDRO STROP
* At least one strikeout in seven consecutive outings
* Stranded four of five inherited runners
* Opposing batters are 9-for-13 (.615) with runners in scoring position
TAYLOR TEAGARDEN
* Five of seven home runs were solo shots
* Hitting .382 (13-for-34) with bases empty
* 3-for-8 (.375) with two home runs and seven RBI when batting with two outs and runners in scoring position
* 6-for-15 (.400) when leading off an inning
* Thrown out three of 17 would-be base stealers (17.6 percent)
CHAD TRACY
* Hit safely in 10 of last 12 games, going 15-for-43 (.349) in that time with five multiple-hit outings
* Riding four-game hitting streak
* Hitting .372 (32-for-86) with runners on base but only .165 (15-for-91) with the bases empty
* Leads the team in hits with runners in scoring position (23)
* Team-best .404 average with runners is scoring position
* Tied for team lead with 19 two-out hits
* Leads the team with 17 two-out RBI - four more than any other player
* Hitting .387 (12-for-31) with runners in scoring position and two outs, producing 15 RBI and six walks
NEXT SERIES
Round Rock hits the road for a four-game series at Oklahoma City. The series runs Tuesday through Friday of next week with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch each night. The Express lead the season series 5-3, sweeping a four-game series at Oklahoma City in mid-April only to drop three of four at home to the RedHawks in the subsequent series.
GAME ¬Ë52 | TUESDAY, MAY ¬Ë31 | 7:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP Neil Ramirez (3-1, 3.74 ERA)
RedHawks: TBA
GAME ¬Ë53 | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 | 7:05 p.m. CDT
Express: LHP ¬ËZach Jackson (2-1, 6.13 ERA)
RedHawks: TBA
GAME ¬Ë54 | THURSDAY, JUNE 2 | 7:05 p.m. CDT
Express: RHP Derek Hankins (5-2, 6.50 ERA)
RedHawks: TBA
GAME ¬Ë55 | FRIDAY, JUNE 3 | 7:05 p.m. CDT
Express: TBA
RedHawks: TBA
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 28, 2011
- Sky Sox walk-off with 8-7 victory over Fresno - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Saturday's Aces Game Postponed; Doubleheader Sunday - Reno Aces
- Redbirds fly by Omaha in walk-off fashion - Memphis Redbirds
- Gamel Powers Sounds to Saturday Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Gamel Homers Twice, Sounds Down 'Hawks 8-3 - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs Top âTopes 5-4 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Martinez has Isotopes seeing double in Zephyrs' 5-4 win - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Cubs Rally Past Express, 6-4 - Iowa Cubs
- Iowa Cubs Rally Past Round Rock Express 6-4 - Round Rock Express
- C Robinson Cancel to Houston; C Brian Esposito to OKC - Oklahoma City Comets
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Iowa Cubs - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Cabrera, Coleman to Join I-Cubs Rotation - Iowa Cubs
- Aces Walk-Off with Win Over Sacramento on Ransom Grand Slam - Reno Aces
- Rainiers Drop Series Opener at Las Vegas - Tacoma Rainiers
- Buschmann Throws Complete Game - Tucson Padres
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.
