PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Memphis Redbirds

Published on July 7, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (50-36) vs. MEMPHIS (46-40)

GAME 87 | 7 JULY ‚¬Ë†2011 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

TONIGHT'S GAME

Round Rock opens a four-game series against the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals) at The Dell Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT. This is the final series prior to the All-Star Game break for both teams. The Express are 7-3 in their last 10 games but dropped the final two games of a three-game series at Albuquerque. The Redbirds are 6-4 in their last 10 games after dropping two of three at Nashville, salvaging last night's series finale with a 6-5 victory in 13 innings.

PROMOTIONS

* Thirsty Thursday, presented by Firetrol

* KXAN-TV Fan Drive benefitting Family Eldercare - each person who donates a fan will receive two general admission tickets for tonight's game (located at home-plate entrance)

RADIO BROADCAST INFORMATION

Tonight's game airs on 104.9 FM The Horn ESPN ‚¬Ë†Radio Austin. Online audio also is available at www.espnaustin.com. Express Director of Broadcasting Mike Capps handles play-by-play duties, while former Major Leaguer Jerry Grote provides color analysis.

EXPRESS-REDBIRDS SERIES

This is the second of four series between the Express and Redbirds. Round Rock dropped two of three in a rain-shortened series April 28-30 at Memphis. All three games were decided by three runs or fewer, including a pair of one-run, extra-inning games. Memphis won the opener 6-5 in 10 innings and the third game 10-7. Round Rock won the second game 5-4 in 13 innings, the season's longest game to date. The series finale was postponed due to inclement weather and will be made up as part of a July 15 doubleheader.

GAME ‚¬Ë†87 | THURSDAY, JULY 7 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Eric Hurley (1-0, 5.49 ERA)

Redbirds: RHP P.J. Walters (7-4, 4.25 ERA)

GAME ‚¬Ë†88 | FRIDAY, JULY 8 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (6-2, 5.61 ERA)

Redbirds: Brian Broderick (2-1, 4.79 ERA)

GAME ‚¬Ë†89 | SATURDAY, JULY 9 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Brett Tomko (4-3, 7.24 ERA)

Redbirds: RHP Adam Ottavino (3-5, 3.91 ERA)

GAME ‚¬Ë†90 | SUNDAY, JULY 10 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Scott Feldman (2-1, 4.29 ERA)

Redbirds: LHP Nick Addition (2-4, 3.38 ERA)

EXPRESS STARTER

RHP Eric Hurley (1-0, 5.49 ERA)

Last Outing: Suffered season's least effective start in a July 2 no-decision vs. Nashville ‚¬Â¦ Express won game 9-7 in 12 innings ‚¬Â¦ Allowed six runs on seven hits, including one home run, with three walks and two strikeouts over 5.1 innings ‚¬Â¦ Left game trailing 5-4; one bequeathed runner scored ‚¬Â¦ Made use of two double plays ‚¬Â¦ Used 83 pitches, 47 strikes.

2011: Makes sixth start tonight ‚¬Â¦ No-decision in season's first start April 8 vs. Iowa ‚¬Â¦ Allowed two runs on six hits over 5.0 innings with one walk and seven strikeouts ‚¬Â¦ Left game tied 2-2 ‚¬Â¦ Iowa won game 6-4 ‚¬Â¦ Missed second scheduled start April 13 vs. Omaha due to a viral infection ‚¬Â¦ Sustained small skull fracture after taking a comebacker just above right temple on fourth pitch of April 18 start at New Orleans ‚¬Â¦ Placed on disabled list April 20 ‚¬Â¦ Returned to the mound June 20 vs. Omaha (no-decision) ‚¬Â¦ Earned first victory since July 14, 2008, (Double-A Frisco) in June 26 start vs. Oklahoma City ‚¬Â¦ Held RedHawks to one unearned run on three hits and two walks over 5.0 innings with three strikeouts ‚¬Â¦ Opponents are 1-for-11 with runners on base and two outs, going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and two outs.

2011 vs. Memphis: First meeting.

2010: Missed entire season due to injury.

Notable: Rangers 2004 first-round draft pick (30th overall) out of Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Fla. ... 2004 first-team High School All-American ... MLB debut June 12, 2008, vs. Kansas City ... Missed each of last two seasons due to injury.

LAST NIGHT'S GAME

Albuquerque built a 5-0 lead through the first two innings and never looked back en route to an 11-3 victory in the three-game series finale at Isotopes Park. The Express managed just six hits with no multiple-hit performances two nights after establishing a franchise record with 23 hits against Albuquerque. Jerry Sands led the way for the Isotopes, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and five RBI. Meanwhile, Dana Eveland picked up his league-leading eighth win, holding the Express to two runs - one earned - on five hits and a walk over 8.0 innings with seven strikeouts.

DIVISION STANDINGS UPDATE

Round Rock (50-36, .581) left Albuquerque (45-41, .523) with a five-game lead in the PCL's American Southern Division - one game less than the Express had entering the three-game series. The Express are 13-5 since June 18, during which time the Isotopes are 6-12. Round Rock has at least shared the division lead following 64 of 86 games this season. New Orleans (40-47, .460) has lost 10 of 12 after a 5-4 loss to Omaha last night and trails Round Rock by 10-and-a-half games. Oklahoma City (37-50, .425) defeated Iowa 3-2 last night; the RedHawks are 13-and-a-half games back. The Express are 17-14 against their division foes.

ROUND ROCK vs. AMERICAN NORTHERN DIVISION

The Express are 26-13 against American Northern Division teams this season. Round Rock has completed its season series against Iowa, winning nine of 16 meetings. The Express are 7-1 against Omaha - all at The Dell Diamond - and 9-3 against Nashville. Round Rock dropped two of three at Memphis in a rain-shortened series April 28 through May 1.

MEMPHIS vs. AMERICAN SOUTHERN DIVISION

The Redbirds are 22-16 against American Southern Division foes, including winning two of three against the Express. Memphis has concluded its season series against New Orleans, winning seven of 16 meetings. The Redbirds are 11-1 against Oklahoma City and 3-5 against Albuquerque. Memphis has won eight straight against American Southern Division teams, sweeping home series against New Orleans and Oklahoma City most recently. The Redbirds currently are one-and-a-half games behind division-leading Omaha in the American Northern Division.

ROUND ROCK PERFECT FOLLOWING CONSECUTIVE LOSSES

The Express have not lost three straight games this season, going 11-0 following consecutive losses. Round Rock wins in that situation were April 9 vs. Iowa, April 25 vs. Oklahoma City, April 29 at Memphis, May 15 at Las Vegas, May 19 vs. Colorado Springs, May 24 vs. Reno, June 1 at Oklahoma City, June 9 at Iowa, June 15 at Nashville, June 18 vs. Omaha and June 24 at New Orleans.

BIG-FLY GUYS

The Express enter tonight's game with 116 home runs on the season. Round Rock - the first PCL team to 100 home runs this season - currently is tied with Reno for the league lead. Albuquerque is the next closest American Conference team with 105 homers. Round Rock clubbed 32 homers over the last 18 games after being shutout in consecutive games. In fact, the Express have at least one home run in 20 of their last 28 games with 48 in that time and were shutout in three of the eight homerless games. Round Rock already has eclipsed the franchise's season totals from 2009 (97) and 2010 (108). The Express hit 170 home runs in 2006, an average of 1.18 per game and still the club's Triple-A era (since 2005) record. The 2011 Express average 1.35 home runs per game and are on pace to hit 194 on the season.

OFFENSE STRUGGLES WITHOUT HOMERS

The Express have homered in 57 of 86 games this season, going 38-19 in those games. However, Round Rock is just 12-17 when failing to hit at least one home run. Furthermore, the Express average 3.82 runs per game (107 total) when failing to homer. Meanwhile, Round Rock averages 6.07 runs per game when hitting at least one home run. The Express have homered in 20 of their last 28 games and scored a total of 16 runs in the other eight games, getting shutout three times and scoring one run twice.

MORE HOME-RUN NUMBERS

Round Rock snapped a 12-game winning streak when hitting at least one home run last night. ‚¬Â¦ The Express have gone more than two straight games without a home run only once this season - a four-game stretch April 18-21. ‚¬Â¦ Round Rock has homered at least twice 34 times, going 26-8 in those games. Twelve of the 34 games were on the road, and the Express were 9-3 in those games. ‚¬Â¦ The Express are 14-2 when hitting at least three home runs and 6-0 when hitting at least four home runs. ‚¬Â¦ Round Rock has two five-homer games (June 18 vs. Omaha, June 19 vs. Omaha), two five-homer games (May 15 at Las Vegas, June 28 vs. Oklahoma City) and one six-homer game (April 9 vs. Iowa). ‚¬Â¦ The six-homer game was the second-best game total in franchise history, a single-game Dell Diamond record and one homer shy of the club record set at Albuquerque in 2006.

ROUND ROCK MULTIPLE-HOMER GAMES

PLAYER HR DATE OPPONENT

Chris Davis 3 April 9 Iowa

Taylor Teagarden 3 May 8 Nashville

Luis Cruz 2 April 22 at Oklahoma City

Brian Barden 2 May 15 at Las Vegas

Chad Tracy 2 May 19 Colorado Springs

Chris Davis 2 June 18 Omaha

Chris Davis 2 June 20 Omaha

Chris Davis 2 June 26 Oklahoma City

Chris Davis 2 June 28 Oklahoma City

Esteban German 2 June 28 Oklahoma City

DAVIS CONTINUES TORRID PACE

Chris Davis is tied for fourth in the PCL with 20 home runs despite playing only 37 games. Each of the other players in the league's top five has played at least 22 more game and logged at least 80 more at bats than Davis. He averages one homer every 7.40 at bats - a rate nearly four at bats per home run lower than anyone else in the league - and has five multiple-homer outings, including four in the his 15 games. If Davis were to have played the entire season with the Express, played 10 of every 11 games and homered at his current pace, he would have hit 70 home runs. Over the last 15 games, Davis is hitting .441 (26-for-59) with 10 multiple-hit games, 10 homers, 23 RBI and 16 runs scored.

PCL HOME RUN LEADERS

PLAYER, TEAM HR G AB HR/G AB/HR

*Bryan LaHair, Iowa 24 81 289 0.30 12.04

*Cody Ransom, Reno 23 81 304 0.28 13.22

Wily Mo Pena, Reno 21 63 237 0.33 11.29

*Mike Carp, Tacoma 20 59 228 0.34 11.40

*Chris Davis, Round Rock 20 37 148 0.54 7.40

*Trayvon Robinson, Albuquerque 20 81 303 0.25 15.15

Mat Gamel, Nashville 18 76 293 0.24 16.39

*Chad Tracy, Round Rock 18 80 314 0.23 17.44

*Brandon Allen, Reno 17 79 286 0.22 16.82

*Jeff Baisley, Salt Lake 17 80 318 0.21 18.71

*Jai Miller, Sacramento 17 61 215 0.28 12.65

*Clint Robinson, Omaha 17 83 314 0.20 18.47

* - currently on team's active roster

NO LATE LOSSES AS OF LATE

The Express have won 14 straight when leading after seven innings and 15 straight when leading after eight innings. Round Rock is 38-3 this season when leading after eight innings; all three losses came in a 12-game span in the second half of May. The last time Round Rock lost when leading after eight innings was May 28 when Iowa posted three ninth-inning runs for a 6-4 win at The Dell Diamond.

BIG-INNING THEORY

Round Rock is 18-4 this season when scoring at least four runs in an inning and 32-31 when failing to do such. However, the difference in record is even more pronounced based upon what the opponent does. The Express are 45-21 when not allowing an inning of at least four runs but 5-15 when the opponent posts such an inning. Round Rock posted an inning of at least four runs in three of the five victories when allowing an inning of at least four runs.

COMEBACK KIDS

The Express have 28 comeback wins this season (trailing at any point in the game). Round Rock has won nine times when trailing after five innings, seven times when trailing after six innings, seven times when trailing after seven innings and four times when trailing entering the ninth inning.

FIVE IS THE KEY

Round Rock is 42-11 this season when scoring at least five runs. Only eight times have the Express won when scoring fewer than five. Meanwhile, Round Rock is 29-11 when allowing fewer than five runs and 21-24 when allowing at least five runs.

EXPRESS LEAD PCL IN ATTENDANCE

Round Rock leads the PCL in attendance, averaging 8,476 fans per game. Sacramento is second with a 7,810 per-game average, while Albuquerque (7,603) is third. The Express have finished second or third in the PCL each season since joining the league in 2005.

TEAM NOTES

* Round Rock has not lost three straight games, going 11-0 after consecutive losses.

* The Express are 16-9 in one-run games and 26-16 in games decided by two runs or fewer.

* Opponents have scored first in 49 of 86 games this season. The Express are 23-26 in those games, going 9-11 when responding with at least one run in their next at bat.

* Five of Round Rock's 13 games this season with at least 15 hits were against Iowa.

* The Express have 15 last-at-bat wins, including seven walk-off victories.

* Round Rock is 7-2 in extra-inning games, including a 5-2 mark on the road.

* The Express are 36-12 when holding the opponent to fewer than six runs.

* Round Rock is 27-10 when scoring first and 23-10 when scoring in the first inning.

* The Express are 20-13 when allowing a first-inning run.

* Round Rock is 35-6 when out-hitting the opponent.

* The Express are 38-6 when leading after six innings, 37-3 when leading after seven innings and 38-3 when leading after eight innings.

* Round Rock has won eight of 12 games when tied after eight innings.

* The Express have out-scored their opponents 216-152 in innings four through six, including an 83-51 advantage in the sixth.

* Round Rock averages 2.1 two-out RBI per game.

PLAYER NOTES

JULIO BORBON

* Hitting .429 (18-for-42) over last 10 games with four games of at least three hits and two four-hit games

* Six multiple-hit outings in last 14 games, hitting .362 (21-for-58) in that time

* Hitless in consecutive games only twice with no three-game spells

* Has stolen third seven times

* Hitting .204 (11-for-54) prior to the fourth inning, .343 (24-for-70) thereafter

JOEY BUTLER

* Hit safely in six of last seven games (.296, 8-for-28)

* Hitless in consecutive games only twice with no three-game hitless streaks

* Hit safely in 51 of 60 games with Round Rock (played one game without a plate appearance)

* Hitting .349 (38-for-109) at The Dell Diamond with hits in 27 of 30 home games

* Hitting .476 (10-for-21) in the fourth inning

* Three of five home runs were hit in the sixth inning

* Hitting .335 (59-for-176) in 47 games since May 1 after hitting .265 (13-for-49) in April

KEVIN CASH

* Multiple hits in each of last two - second time this season (May 10, 12)

* 5-for-9 in last two games after going hitless in previous nine at bats

* Season-high three hits in first game of Albuquerque series - first multiple-hit game since June 10

* 16 of 37 hits (43.2 percent) have been for extra bases (12 doubles, one triple, three home runs)

* Two of five leadoff hits were homers

* Hitting .266 (17-for-64) after the sixth inning

CHRIS DAVIS

* Missed last two games (sore groin)

* Tied for fourth in PCL with 20 home runs, three shy of league lead

* Hitting .433 (26-for-60) over last 15 games with 10 home runs, 23 RBI and 10 multiple-hit outings

* Snapped longest RBI drought of season last night (three games)

* Hitting .418 (38-for-91) through the fifth inning, .298 (17-for-57) after the fifth

* Second on team with 16 multiple-RBI outings

* 17 of 20 home runs came prior to the seventh inning

* 17 of 20 home runs, 44 of 55 RBI at The Dell Diamond

* Hitting .406 (41-for-101) at home, .298 (14-for-47) on the road

DOUG DEEDS

* Hitless in last three games, longest slump of season

* Hitting .177 (11-for-62) over last 16 games

* 14 multiple-hit games

* One multiple-hit game since May 30

* Four of seven home runs were solo shots

ROBINZON DIAZ

* Hit safely in 16 of 20 games with Round Rock, including two five-game streaks

* Nine multiple-hit games

* Each of first 16 hits with Express were singles

* Hitting .409 (18-for-44) when batting ninth; .237 (9-for-38) elsewhere in the order

CODY EPPLEY

* Converted all seven save opportunities

* Five of seven saves were on the road

* Stranded 10 of 14 inherited runners

* Issued six leadoff walks

ESTEBAN GERMAN

* Multiple hits in four of last 10 games, going 14-for-39 (.359) in that time

* Hitless in consecutive games twice with no three-game skids

* Second on team with 20 two-out RBI

* Hitting .185 (5-for-27) after eighth inning

* Tied for team lead with 23 multiple-hit games, tops among active players

* Leads Express with 10 games of three-plus hits, including a pair of four-hit games

MARK HAMBURGER

* Won each of last three decisions, including each of last two outings

* Has not allowed a run since June 9 (seven outings, 12.1 innings)

* 0.54 ERA (1 ER / 16.2 IP) over last nine appearances

* 3-0, 1.96 ERA (4 ER / 18.1 IP) since June 1

DEREK HANKINS

* Tied for third in league with 17 home runs allowed

* Surrendered at least one home run in 11 of 16 outings, multiple homers five times

* Express are 6-7 in his starts, losing six of the last seven

* Averages 5.31 runs of support

ZACH JACKSON

* Won four of last five decisions

* Express are 11-4 in his starts, best of any pitcher on staff

* Averages staff-best 6.40 runs of support

* Opposing batters hit .255 on the road, .330 at The Dell Diamond

* Eight of 11 home runs allowed were at home

MATT KATA

* Riding an 11-game hitting streak, nine of which were one-hit outings

* Hitting .333 (14-for-42) during current streak

* Multiple hits in two of last three games after going 20 consecutive games without a multiple-hit outing

* Nine RBI in last eight games - three multiple-RBI outings

* Reached safely in 25 of last 26 games, including 12 straight

* Struck out looking only twice in 208 at bats

MICHAEL KIRKMAN

* Optioned to Round Rock from Texas prior to July 3 game

* Third stint with Express this season

* 16 of 30 runs allowed were in two outings - April 7 vs. Iowa, July 5 at Albuquerque

* 3.21 ERA (12 ER / 33.2 IP) in other nine appearances

SETH McCLUNG

* Express are 6-5 in his starts

* Averages 5.55 runs of support per start

* 1-0, 3.79 ERA, .243 opponents' average in seven road appearances (six starts)

* Has not allowed a home run since May 30 (seven outings, 28.2 innings, 131 batters faced)

BRAD NELSON

* Two home runs in last 111 at bats

* Hitting .115 (3-for-26) in the fifth inning

* Hitting .301 (31-for-103) as designated hitter, .234 (36-for-154) when playing in the field

ZACH PHILLIPS

* Leads staff with 32 appearances

* Allowed seven earned runs in 20.0 innings (3.15 ERA) over last 15 outings

* Has not allowed a home run since May 12 at Tucson - 24.1 innings over 18 appearances)

* Surrendered one earned run in 9.2 innings of work in the ninth inning (0.93 ERA)

* 2.49 ERA (6 ER / 21.2 IP) and .262 opponents' average in 17 home outings

* 6.55 ERA (16 ER / 22.0 IP) and .307 opponents' average in 15 road appearances

OMAR QUINTANILLA

* Hit safely in nine of last 10 games (.463, 19-for-41) with four multiple-hit outings

* Established Express single-game record with six hits July 4 at Albuquerque

* All five home runs were solo shots

* Hitting .197 (12-for-61) after the sixth inning

* Three of nine hits after the seventh inning were game-winning hits

PEDRO STROP

* 1.88 ERA (3 ER / 14.1 IP) in 10 road outings - 6.57 ERA (9 ER / 12.1 IP) in 11 home appearances

* Allowed one earned run in 8.0 innings over last seven outings (1.13 ERA)

* Six strikeouts in last seven appearances after 22 strikeouts in previous 10 appearances

* Stranded seven of 11 inherited runners

* Four extra-base hits allowed in 107 at bats

BRETT TOMKO

* Credited with win in each of last three decisions

* Express are 5-1 in his last six outings (four starts)

* At least one home run allowed in eight of 10 appearances, including each of last five outings

CHAD TRACY

* Tied for seventh in league with 18 home runs

* Hit safely in six of last seven games, going 9-for-30 (.300) in that time

* Six of 18 home runs were with two outs and at least one runner on base

* Fifth in PCL with 67 RBI

* Hitting .192 (15-for-78) over last 21 games, going hitless 11 times

* Leads the team in hits with runners in scoring position (35)

* Also leads team with 33 two-out hits and 28 two-out RBI

* Leads team with 21 multiple-RBI games - five more than any other player (Chris Davis)

NEXT SERIES

Following the All-Star Game break, Round Rock travels to Memphis for a five-game series July 14-17. The Express and Redbirds will play a doubleheader July 15, making up the May 1 postponement (inclement weather). Round Rock lost two of three in its previous visit to AutoZone Park.

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 7, 2011


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.

OurSports Central