Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Memphis Redbirds

Published on July 27, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Source: Round Rock Express News Release

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (60-44) vs. MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (52-51)

GAME 105 | 27 JULY ¬Ë2011 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

TONIGHT'S GAME

Round Rock continues a four-game series against the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. The Express are 5-5 in their last 10 games after dropping Tuesday night's series opener. The Redbirds are 3-7 in their last 10 games, snapping a four-game losing streak with last night's win. Round Rock is 31-22 at The Dell Diamond, while the Redbirds are 22-30 on the road.

PROMOTIONS

* Kids Eat Free compliments of Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union - all kids age 12 and under receive a voucher good for a hot dog, chips and small soft drink

* Express radio color analyst Jerry Grote will throw out tonight's ceremonial first pitch (6:50 p.m.). Grote was a member of 1969 (New York Mets) and 1981 (Los Angeles Dodgers)

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. 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 fourth and final series between Round Rock and Memphis; the Express lead the series 7-6. Round Rock dropped two of three in a rain-shortened series April 28-30 at Memphis, and the teams split a four-game series at The Dell Diamond leading into the All-Star break. The teams played a five-game series at Memphis immediately following the All-Star break; the Express won four of those five games. SERIES NOTES: Memphis has not won consecutive games against Round Rock this season. ¬Â¦ Only two of the 13 meetings were decided by more than three runs. The teams have played five one-run games, two of which were extra-inning games. ¬Â¦ Neither team has scored more than six runs in nine of the 13 meetings with both teams scoring more than six runs only once. ¬Â¦ Memphis has scored more than six runs three times, plating 10 runs in all three games. ¬Â¦ Round Rock batters have 12 homers against Memphis pitchers, including two each from Joey Butler, Matt Kata, Brad Nelson and Chad Tracy. ¬Â¦ Kata is hitting .229 (8-for-35) against Memphis, but five of his eight hits have been for extra bases and he has 12 RBI in 10 games. ¬Â¦ Butler leads the Express with 16 hits against Redbirds pitching after last night's three-hit outing; he is hitting .372 (16-for-43) in 12 games against the Redbirds with eight walks and a .481 on base percentage. ¬Â¦ Nelson, Tracy and Esteban German all have 14 hits against Memphis. ¬Â¦ Round Rock is 11-for-12 in stolen bases against Memphis. German is 6-for-6. ¬Â¦ Eric Hurley is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA (2 ER / 12.0 IP) in two starts against the Redbirds. ¬Â¦ Pedro Strop has four saves in four opportunities against Memphis. ¬Â¦ Redbirds catcher Bryan Anderson has tortured Express pitching to the tune of a .417 average (15-for-36) with two doubles, while outfielder Nick Stavinoha has five homers and 17 RBI in 13 games against Round Rock.

GAME ¬Ë104 | TUESDAY, JULY 26

Redbirds 10, Express 4

WP: Broderick (4-3). LP: Perez (1-2). SV: None.

GAME ¬Ë105 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (7-4, 5.95 ERA)

Redbirds: RHP Blaine Boyer (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

GAME ¬Ë106 | THURSDAY, JULY 28 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Brett Tomko (5-3, 6.56 ERA)

Redbirds: RHP Brandon Dickson (4-9, 4.28 ERA)

GAME ¬Ë107 | FRIDAY, JULY ¬Ë29 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Eric Hurley (5-0, 3.94 ERA)

Redbirds: RHP Adam Ottavino (3-7, 4.22 ERA)

EXPRESS STARTER

LHP Zach Jackson (7-4, 5.95 ERA)

Last Outing: Suffered loss in July 22 start at Omaha, a 10-4 Storm Chasers win ¬Â¦ Allowed seven runs on 10 hits, including one home run, over 5.0 innings with two walks and two strikeouts ¬Â¦ Surrendered five of seven runs in the fifth inning; game was tied 2-2 prior to that inning ¬Â¦ Home run surrendered was a third-inning solo to David Lough ¬Â¦ Used 96 pitches, 57 strikes.

2011: Makes 21st appearance, 18th start tonight ¬Â¦ Express are 12-5 in his starts - best on staff ¬Â¦ Round Rock has won eight of his last 11 outings ¬Â¦ Express had won each of his last four starts before loss in most recent start ¬Â¦ Averages 6.35 runs of support per start ¬Â¦ Logged 107.1 innings with 55 strikeouts against 35 walks and a .307 opponents' average ¬Â¦ Express are 7-2 in his last nine starts ¬Â¦ Worked at least into the sixth inning in 14 of 17 starts, going at least 7.0 innings three times ¬Â¦ Carried no-hitter into the eighth inning April 20 at Oklahoma City; bid broken up on first pitch of eighth inning ¬Â¦ Wins April 9 vs. Iowa, April 20 at Oklahoma City, May 27 vs. Iowa, June 1 at Oklahoma City, June 12 at Iowa, June 20 vs. Omaha and July 17 at Memphis ¬Â¦ Losses May 16 at Las Vegas, June 6 vs. Albuquerque, July 8 vs. Memphis and July 22 at Omaha ¬Â¦ 11.34 ERA in four losses (21 ER / 16.2 IP) ¬Â¦ 3.83 ERA in seven wins (18 ER / 42.1 IP) ¬Â¦ 3-2, 5.95 ERA, .331 opponents' average in 11 outings, eight starts at The Dell Diamond ¬Â¦ Nine of 13 home runs allowed at home ¬Â¦ Eight of 13 home runs allowed were solo shots, including seven of last nine ¬Â¦ First-inning ERA is 8.47 (16 ER / 17.0 IP) ¬Â¦ 2.94 ERA (17 ER / 52.0 IP) during innings two through four ¬Â¦ Opponents hitting .222 (10-for-45) with runners in scoring position and two outs with two home runs, three walks and nine strikeouts ¬Â¦ Allowed three hits, a walk and two sacrifice flies with one double play in 10 bases-loaded situations ¬Â¦ Opponents hit .346 (36-for-104) with three home runs, eight walks and seven strikeouts when leading off an inning.

2011 vs. Memphis: 1-1, 5.74 ERA (10 ER / 15.2 IP), .281 opponents' average (18-for-64) in three appearances, two starts ¬Â¦ No-decision in April 30 start at Memphis ¬Â¦ Allowed four runs on six hits over 6.1 innings with one walk and four strikeouts ¬Â¦ Also hit three batters (season high) ¬Â¦ Book closed leading 5-4; Express lost 10-7 ¬Â¦ Suffered loss in defeat July 8 at The Dell Diamond, a 3-1 Redbirds win ¬Â¦ Allowed two runs on six hits, including one home run, over 3.2 innings with one walk, one hit batter and two strikeouts ¬Â¦ Entered game to start the fourth inning with the Express trailing 1-0 in relief of starter Neil Ramirez; Express tied game in fifth ¬Â¦ Both runs allowed scored on Tyler Greene's seventh-inning homer (last batter faced) ¬Â¦ Earned victory in July 17 start at Memphis, an 8-5 Express win ¬Â¦ Allowed five runs - four earned - on six hits, three walks and two hit batters over 5.2 innings with three strikeouts ¬Â¦ Lone start in last four in which he did not surrender a home run.

2010: Spent entire season with Triple-A Las Vegas in the Toronto Blue Jays organization ¬Â¦ 2-3 with a 5.64 ERA in 35 games, five starts; 49 strikeouts over 81.1 innings.

Notable: Drafted by Chicago White Sox in 50th round of 2001 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of high school but did not sign ¬Â¦ LaTrobe, Pa., native began collegiate career at Louisville before transferring to Texas A&M ¬Â¦ Toronto Blue Jays first-round pick in 2004 after one season at Texas A&M ¬Â¦ MLB debut June 4, 2006, with Blue Jays vs. Washington Nationals ¬Â¦ Also spent time in Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians organizations ¬Â¦ Was part of the July 7, 2008, trade that sent C.C. Sabathia from Milwaukee from Cleveland ¬Â¦ Signed minor league contract with Rangers in January.

LAST NIGHT'S GAMES

Nick Stavinoha was 3-for-4 with a home run and six RBI, leading the Redbirds to a 10-4 victory over the Express. Stavinoha's sacrifice fly capped a two-run top of the first for Memphis, and the Redbirds never relinquished that lead. The Express got a run back in the bottom of the first on Matt Kata's sacrifice fly, but they could get no closer. Stavinoha added an RBI single in the third, and his three-run homer put the finishing touches on a five-run fourth. He added an RBI single in the sixth for good measure. Meanwhile, Memphis starter Brian Broderick kept the Express bats in check most of the night; he allowed three runs on seven hits over 7.0 innings with three walks and two strikeouts. Joey Butler had three hits for the Express.

ROUND ROCK AMONG TOP PCL TEAMS

At 60-44 (.577), Round Rock owns the PCL's third-best record behind Reno (62-41, .602) and Sacramento (62-42, .596). Sacramento has won four straight. The Express are four-and-a-half games ahead of Omaha (55-48, .534) in the overall American Conference standings.

DIVISION STANDINGS UPDATE

Round Rock (60-44, .577) surrendered a game to Albuquerque (55-49, .529) in the American Southern Division standings last night but still lead the Isotopes by five games. While the Express lost 10-4 to Memphis, Albuquerque rallied for a 6-4 win at Omaha thanks to Russell Mitchell's two-run homer in the top of the ninth. The teams have had the opposite result each of the last seven games with the Isotopes gaining three games in that time. Nonetheless, Round Rock is 23-13 since June 18, during which time Albuquerque is 16-20. The Express have at least shared the division lead following 82 of 104 games this season and have led the division outright since June 25. Round Rock's largest division lead was eight games at the start of play July 20. New Orleans (50-54, .481) trails Round Rock by 10 games, while Oklahoma City (46-58, .442) is 14 games back.

ROUND ROCK vs. AMERICAN NORTHERN DIVISION

The Express are 34-19 against the American North Division so far this season. Round Rock has not lost a series to a cross-division foe since dropping three of four at Nashville in mid-June. Since then, the Express have won three series (Omaha, Nashville, at Memphis) and split two series (Memphis, at Omaha) for a 15-7 record in that time. The Express have clinched the season series against Omaha (9-3) and Nashville (9-3) with four games remaining in each series. Round Rock has concluded its season series against Iowa, winning nine of 16 games. The Express lead the Memphis series 7-6. After this series, Round Rock travels to Nashville for a four-game series. The Express play their final series against an American Northern Division foe Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at Omaha.

JONES APPROACHING MILESTONE

Express manager Bobby Jones enters tonight's game with 1,489 career managerial wins - all of which have come in the Texas Rangers organization. His tally includes stints with Class-A Charlotte (1988-1990), Double-A Tulsa (1991-1992, 1996-2000), Triple-A Oklahoma City (1993-1994, 2002-2010) and Round Rock. Jones' most successful season at the Triple-A level was 2004 when he led Oklahoma City to 81 wins and the PCL American Southern Division title. He owns 12 division titles and guided the 1998 Tulsa squad to a Texas League championship.

HURLEY COMEBACK STORY REMARKABLE

Eric Hurley lost his first start of the season April 8 vs. Iowa and missed his next scheduled start due to a viral infection. He sustained a skull fracture on the fourth pitch of his second start April 18 at New Orleans and spent the next two months on the disabled list. Hurley is 5-0 in seven starts since his return to the mound June 20 against Omaha. Furthermore, the Express have won each of his last eight starts, including the game in which he sustained the skull fracture. Hurley has pitched at least into the sixth inning in five consecutive starts, going seven innings in each of the last two.

TRACY TRACKING RECORDS

Chad Tracy is fourth in the PCL with 81 RBI, a tally that ranks seventh on Round Rock's single-season list (Triple-A era). Mike Coolbaugh (2005) was the only Express player to reach triple digits in RBI; he had 101 in 2005 - Round Rock's first as a PCL member. Tracy is tied for 11th among all minor leaguers in RBI, and he is tied for 28th among all minor leaguers with 20 home runs.

NO REST FOR THE WEARY

The Express continue a 29-game, 28-day stretch tonight. With only one off-day between the All-Star break and the end of the regular season, Round Rock will play 54 games in 54 days. The Express are 8-6 in that time.

HOME SWEET HOME

After struggling at The Dell Diamond early in the season, the Express have been strong at home over the past month. Round Rock is 31-22 at home, winning 14 of 20 home games since June 18. The Express have won five home series, lost three and split five. Round Rock has swept three home series (Omaha once, Nashville twice) and has not been swept at home.

EXPRESS STRONG ON THE ROAD, AS WELL

Round Rock (29-22, .560) owns the best road record in the American Conference and the PCL's second-best road record behind only Sacramento (33-15, .688). The Express and Omaha (25-25, .500) are the only American Conference teams at or above .500 on the road; in fact, each of the other six American Conference teams is at least seven games under .500 on the road. Round Rock has won five road series, lost four and split four. Two of the four road series losses were three-game sets (1-2 in each); the Express swept a four-game series at Oklahoma City in mid-April and have not been swept on the road.

BIG-FLY GUYS

The Express enter today's game with 138 home runs on the season - second in the league behind only Reno (143). Round Rock was the first PCL team to 100 home runs this season and has nine more homers than any other American Conference team (Albuquerque). The Express clubbed 55 homers over the last 36 games after being shutout in consecutive games.

EXPRESS ON RECORD HOMER PACE

Round Rock already has eclipsed the franchise's season home-run totals from 2007 (134), 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 1.33 home runs per game and are on pace to hit 191 on the season. Since the Express joined the PCL in 2005, only one team has eclipsed 190 homers in a season - Albuquerque hit 197 in 2008. Tacoma led the PCL with 185 home runs last season despite finishing 15th out of 16 teams in the league in team batting average (.264).

OFFENSE STRUGGLES WITHOUT HOMERS

The Express have homered in 68 of 104 games this season, going 45-23 in those games. However, Round Rock is 15-21 when failing to hit at least one home run. The Express average 3.72 runs per game (134 total) when failing to homer. Round Rock has not scored more than six runs in a game without a home run since an 8-4 win June 3 at Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, Round Rock averages 6.21 runs per game (422 total) when hitting at least one home run. The Express have homered in 31 of their last 46 games and scored a total of 43 runs in the other 15 games (2.87 runs per game), getting shutout three times and scoring one run three times.

MORE HOME-RUN NUMBERS

Only twice this season has Round Rock gone more than two straight games without a home run - a four-game stretch in mid-April, and a three-game stretch earlier this month. ¬Â¦ The Express have won 18 of their last 23 games when hitting at least one home run. ¬Â¦ Round Rock has homered at least twice 41 times, going 31-10 in those games. The Express have won 13 of their last 15 games when hitting multiple homers. ¬Â¦ Round Rock has homered multiple times in 14 road games, going 11-3 in those games. ¬Â¦ The Express are 17-2 when hitting at least three home runs and 7-0 when hitting at least four home runs. ¬Â¦ Round Rock has four four-homer games (June 18 vs. Omaha, June 19 vs. Omaha, July 2 vs. Nashville and July 28 vs. New Orleans), 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.

BIG-INNING THEORY

Round Rock is 20-6 this season when scoring at least four runs in an inning and 40-38 when failing to do such. However, the difference in record is even more pronounced based upon what the opponent does. The Express are 55-24 when not allowing an inning of at least four runs but 5-20 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. Likewise, the opponent had an inning of at least four runs in four of Round Rock's six losses with an inning of at least four runs.

COMEBACK KIDS

The Express have 32 comeback wins this season (trailing at any point in the game). Round Rock has won 12 times when trailing after five innings, eight times when trailing after six innings, eight times when trailing after seven innings and four times when trailing entering the ninth inning.

FIVE IS THE KEY

Round Rock is 49-14 this season when scoring at least five runs, going 11-30 when scoring fewer than five runs. Meanwhile, Round Rock is 37-13 when allowing fewer than five runs and 23-31 when allowing five or more. The Express have lost four straight and seven of nine when allowing at least five runs.

ROUND ROCK ECLIPSES 2010 WIN TOTAL

The Express have surpassed last season's win total; the 2010 Express - then the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros - posted their 57th and final victory Sept. 4 in the season's antepenultimate game. Round Rock has finished above .500 only twice since joining Triple-A in 2005. The Express won the American Southern Division title in 2006 with an 85-59 record and finished 74-70 in 2005. Round Rock did not reach 65 wins in any of the last four seasons, winning 61 games in 2007, 64 games in 2008 and 63 games in 2009.

EXPRESS LEAD PCL IN ATTENDANCE

Round Rock leads the PCL in attendance, averaging 8,500 fans per game. Sacramento is second with an 8,045 per-game average, while Albuquerque (7,862) 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 surpassed last year's season wins total (57).

* The Express have 32 triples, tied for the third-best total in franchise history (Triple-A era). However, no Express batter has tripled since July 10.

* Round Rock has lost more than two consecutive games only once, dropping four straight. The Express are 13-2 following consecutive losses.

* The Express have stranded 70 runners over the last seven games.

* Round Rock has lost seven straight when allowing more than six runs.

* The Express are 19-11 in one-run games and 31-20 in games decided by two runs or fewer.

* Opponents have scored first in 57 of 104 games this season. The Express are 26-31 in those games, going 10-13 when responding with at least one run in their next at bat.

* Round Rock has produced at least 15 hits 19 times, including three times in the last seven games.

* The Express have produced at least 10 hits in six of their last eight games.

* Round Rock is hitting .324 (133-for-410) over the last 11 games.

* The Express have 16 last-at-bat wins, including eight walk-off victories and three walk-off homers.

* Round Rock is 8-3 in extra-inning games, including a 5-3 mark on the road.

* The Express are 45-14 when holding the opponent to fewer than six runs.

* Round Rock is 33-13 when scoring first and 24-13 when scoring in the first inning.

* The Express are 21-15 when allowing a first-inning run.

* Round Rock is 40-9 when out-hitting the opponent.

* The Express are 46-7 when leading after six innings, 44-6 when leading after seven innings and 44-4 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 266-188 in innings four through six, including a 105-59 advantage in the sixth.

PLAYER NOTES

JOEY BUTLER

* Riding five-game hitting streak with multiple hits in each of last four games

* Hitting .524 (11-for-21) during the streak

* Eighth streak of at least five games

* Also has two streaks of 10-plus games

* Hit safely in 16 of last 18 games (.353, 24-for-68)

* Five multiple-hit outings in last nine games

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

* Has not gone hitless in consecutive games since June 16-17 immediately following 16-game hitting streak

* Recorded at least one hit in 14 of 15 games with at least five at bats (July 14 at Memphis)

* Hit safely in 66 of 77 games with at least one at bat

* Hitting .350 (48-for-137) at The Dell Diamond with hits in 34 of 38 games

* Five of seven home runs were hit in the sixth inning

* 55 of 95 hits (55.6 percent) have come with bases empty

* Tied for second on team with 26 multiple-hit games

KEVIN CASH

* Hit safely in eight of last nine games (.444, 16-for-36) with seven multiple-hit games

* Hitless in nine consecutive at bats prior to last nine games

* Two hits in each of last four games

* Reached safely in 11 straight games

* Hitting .324 (11-for-34) with runners in scoring position and two outs, producing 13 RBI

* .714 on base percentage with bases loaded, going 2-for-4 with three walks and nine RBI

CODY EPPLEY

* Eight walks against six strikeouts over last seven appearances

* At least one walk in 14 of last 15 outings, including seven walks in last four

* Converted eight of nine save opportunities

* Six of eight saves were on the road

* Stranded 10 of 17 inherited runners, allowing each of last three to score

* Issued eight leadoff walks against six strikeouts

* Opponents hitting .192 (5-for-26) with runners in scoring position and two outs

ESTEBAN GERMAN

* Hit safely in five straight and six of last seven games after season's first three-game skid

* Fourth in PCL with 27 stolen bases

* Tied for second on Express single-season stolen base list (Triple-A era)

* Successful on last 10 stolen base attempts

* Leads with 28 multiple-hit games

* Leads Express with 12 games of three-plus hits, including a pair of four-hit games

* Hitting .212 (7-for-33) after eighth inning

NICK GREEN

* Hit .208 (64-for-308) with 10 home runs and 46 RBI in 87 games with Norfolk Tides of the International League

* Acquired July 19 from Baltimore Orioles for Zach Phillips in waiver trade

* Singled in first Express at bat July 21

* Hit safely in each of first six games with Express with four multiple-hit outings

* Clubbed first home run with Express (solo) July 23 at Omaha

MARK HAMBURGER

* Allowed eight earned runs in 8.0 innings over last six outings after a seven-outing, 12.1-inning scoreless streak

* Yielded only one run in 16.2 innings over nine outings prior to last five appearances

* Allowed three-plus earned runs five times - 2.10 ERA (7 ER / 30.0 IP) in other 17 appearances

* 4-1, 3.20 ERA (9 ER / 25.1 IP) since June 6

DEREK HANKINS

* One win since May 12 (at Memphis, July 15)

* Tied for fourth in PCL with 18 home runs allowed

* At least one home run surrendered in 12 of 20 appearances

* Has not allowed a home run over last three outings

* Opponents hitting .395 (15-for-38) with runners in scoring position and two outs

ERIC HURLEY

* Express are 8-1 in his starts

* Won five of last six starts

* Opponents are 5-for-29 (.172) with runners on base and two outs

* 3.20 ERA (14 ER / 39.1 IP) through fifth inning - 8.53 ERA (6 ER / 6.1 IP) thereafter

* 2-0, 0.68 ERA, .196 opponents' average in three road starts

* Holds opponents to a .133 mark (2-for-15) with runners in scoring position and two outs

* All six home runs allowed were solo shots

ZACH JACKSON

* Won five of last eight decisions

* Express are 12-5 in his starts, best of any pitcher on staff

* Averages staff-best 6.35 runs of support

* Opposing batters hit .278 on the road, .331 at The Dell Diamond

* Nine of 13 home runs allowed were at home

* All four home runs allowed on the road were solo shots

BEAU JONES

* 13 strikeouts over 8.2 innings in last six outings

* Multiple strikeouts 10 times in 26 appearances

* Allowed more than one earned run five times

* 1.97 ERA (7 ER / 32.0 IP) in other 21 outings

* Opponents are 3-for-16 (.188) with runners in scoring position and two outs

MATT KATA

* Hit safely in 12 of last 14 games (.420, 21-for-50)

* Five multiple-hit outings in last 10 games, including a trio of three-hit outings

* Seven multiple-hit performances in last 18 games after going 18 straight games without a multiple-hit outing

* Hit safely in 24 of last 27 games (.346, 36-for-104)

* At least one RBI in 11 of last 14 games with four two-RBI games and a pair of three-RBI game

* Nine multiple-RBI outings in last 25 games with 28 RBI in that time

* Reached safely in 40 of last 43 games, including 14 straight

* Struck out looking three times in a seven-at-bat stretch during Omaha series after striking out looking only twice in season's first 256 at bats

* Hitting .325 (37-for-114) when second or eighth in the lineup - hitting .264 (42-for-159) elsewhere

* 20-for-62 (.323) with 15 RBI after the seventh inning

* Hitting .197 (12-for-61) when leading off an inning

* Produced 18 of 49 RBI with runners on base and two outs, hitting .435 (20-for-46) in that situation

MICHAEL KIRKMAN

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

* Third stint with Express this season

* 16 of 35 runs allowed were in two outings - April 7 vs. Iowa (10), July 5 at Albuquerque (6)

* 3.22 ERA (16 ER / 44.2 IP) in other 14 appearances

* Allowed 10 walks in 4.0 innings over last two outings

* Averaging 12.84 strikeouts per nine innings (29 K / 20.1 IP) as a reliever

VAL MAJEWSKI

* Began season with York of the Independent Atlantic League

* Earned Midseason All-Star honors with York

* Signed to minor league contract July 25 and joined Express following day

* Also played for Express as a member of Astros organization in 2008

* Hit safely (double) in third at bat with Express

* First Triple-A hit (double) since Aug. 30, 2008, with Express

* Last homered at Triple-A level Aug. 21, 2008, also with Express

LEONYS MARTIN

* Signed as a non-drafted free agent May 4, 2011

* Hit .348 with four homers and 10 stolen bases in 29 games with Double-A Frisco

* Assigned to Express prior to July 9 game

* Six multiple-hit games, including one three-hit game and one four-hit game

* Snapped 10-at-bat hitless skew with second inning single in Monday's series finale at Omaha

* Hit .071 (1-for-14) in final three games of Omaha series after four-hit game in opener

BRAD NELSON

* Hit safely in eight of last nine games (.324, 12-for-37) with three multiple-hit outings

* Has not gone three straight games without a hit since June 5-7

* Five home runs in last 58 at bats after hitting two in previous 122 at bats

* Hitting .300 (33-for-110) as designated hitter, .255 (55-for-216) when playing in the field

* 8-for-48 (.167) with runners in scoring position and two outs

* Hitting .355 (11-for-31) after the eighth inning

* Tied for second on team with 26 multiple-hit games

DARREN O'DAY

* Appeared in five games with Express on a rehab assignment June 22-30

* Returned to the Express prior to July 14 game

* No runs allowed in nine of 10 appearances with the Express

* Only runs allowed were on Brett Carroll's two-run homer June 30 vs. Nashville

* Lone walk issued was against first batter faced in first outing with Express (June 22 at New Orleans)

* Opponents are 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position (0-for-5 with two outs)

MARTIN PEREZ

* Widely considered to prospect in Rangers organization

* Began season with Double-A Frisco

* 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 16 starts and one relief appearance with RoughRiders

* Tallied 83 strikeouts against 36 walks over 88.1 innings with a .245 opponents' average at Frisco

* Pitched in 2011 MLB Futures Game

* Assigned to Round Rock prior to July 14 game

* Earned victory in first career Triple-A start July 16 at Memphis

* Lost each of last two starts, posting an 11.88 ERA (11 ER / 8.1 IP) and a .500 opponents' average (22-for-44)

NEIL RAMIREZ

* Currently on the disabled list (shoulder stiffness)

* Express are 9-8 in his starts, going 1-7 in last eight starts

* Averages 4.94 runs of support

* Opponents hitting .194 (6-for-31) with runners in scoring position and two outs

* Leads staff with 85 strikeouts and 10.43 strikeouts per nine innings

* 1.06 ERA in the first inning (3 ER / 17.0 IP)

* Five of six home runs allowed were at The Dell Diamond

* Four of six homers surrendered were solo shots, including three leadoff homers

GUILDER RODRIGUEZ

* Began season with Double-A Frisco

* Assigned to Round Rock prior to July 9 game

* Recorded first Triple-A hit this season July 10 vs. Memphis (single)

* Hit safely in five of last six games with at least one at bat, going 9-for-24 (.375) with three multiple-hit outings in that time

* Did not register an at bat in four plate appearances last night, walking three times and delivering a sacrifice fly

PEDRO STROP

* 1.96 ERA (4 ER / 18.1 IP) in 14 road outings - 5.74 ERA (10 ER / 15.2 IP) in 15 home appearances

* Allowed three earned runs in 15.1 innings over last 15 outings (1.76 ERA)

* At least one strikeout in seven straight appearances and 12 of 13

* Four walks over 2.0 innings in last two outings

* Stranded seven of 14 inherited runners, allowing four of last five to score

* One home run allowed over 79.2 innings at the Triple-A level since surrendering two homers May 3, 2009

* Opponents hitting .370 (17-for-46) with runners in scoring position

TAYLOR TEAGARDEN

* At least one strikeout in 21 consecutive games with Express (32 in that time)

* Struck out at least once in 30 of 37 games with Round Rock

* Homer in Monday's series finale at Omaha was first since June 1 (16 games, 61 at bats)

* Three-hit game Sunday at Omaha was first since three-homer game May 8 vs. Nashville

* Reached safely in 22 of last 26 games with Round Rock

* Seven of 10 home runs were solo shots

* Hitting .327 (36-for-110) when batting in bottom third of order, 2-for-25 (.080) when higher in the order

* 13-for-67 (.194) with runners on base; hitting .368 (25-for-68) with bases empty

BRETT TOMKO

* Credited with win in each of last four decisions

* Express are 7-2 in his last nine outings (six starts)

* Express have won four of last five starts

* At least one home run allowed in 10 of 13 appearances but snapped a seven-outing streak in last start

CHAD TRACY

* Riding eight-game hitting streak (.303, 10-for-33)

* Tied for ninth in league with 20 home runs

* Fourth in PCL with 81 RBI

* Seventh on Express single-season RBI list (Triple-A era)

* Tied for 11th among all minor leaguers in RBI

* Two RBI in last seven games

* Tied for 28th among all minor leaguers with 20 home runs

* 11 walks in last 17 games - five walks in previous 25 games

* Seven home runs, 35 RBI with runners on base and two outs

* Leads the team in hits with runners in scoring position (45)

* Also leads team with 38 two-out hits and 42 two-out RBI

* Tied for second on team with 26 multiple-hit games

* Leads team with 25 multiple-RBI games

RYAN TUCKER

* Has not allowed more than one run in any of last nine relief appearances

* 1.98 ERA (3 ER / 13.2 IP) with 11 strikeouts against two walks in those outings

* Three of four home runs allowed were solo shots

* Opponents hitting .212 (7-for-33) with runners on base and two outs

* Earned first win since April 25 in last start (July 25 at Omaha)

NEXT SERIES

Round Rock travels to Nashville for a four-game series against the Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers). The series begins Saturday at 6:35 p.m. CDT and continues Sunday at 6:35 p.m., Monday at 7:05 p.m. and Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. This is the fourth and final series between the two teams. The Express lead the series 9-3, sweeping both series at The Dell Diamond but losing three of four at Herschel Greer Stadium in mid-June.

GAME ¬Ë108 | SATURDAY, JULY 30 | 6:35 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Ryan Tucker (2-2, 4.75 ERA)

Sounds: RHP Josh Butler (6-5, 4.70 ERA)

GAME ¬Ë109 | SUNDAY, JULY 31 | 6:35 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Martin Perez (1-2, 8.10 ERA)

Sounds: LHP Sam Narron (4-4, 4.45 ERA)

GAME ¬Ë110 | MONDAY, AUG. 1 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (starts tonight)

Sounds: RHP Amaury Rivas (starts tonight)

GAME ¬Ë111 | TUESDAY, AUG. 2 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Brett Tomko (starts tomorrow)

Sounds: RHP Frankie De La Cruz (starts tomorrow)

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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