PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Memphis Redbirds

Published on July 13, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 93 | 13 JULY 2012 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (39-53) vs. MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (33-59)

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

EXPRESS: LHP Chad Bell (2-1, 2.60 ERA) | REDBIRDS: LHP Tyler Lyons (0-4, 6.18 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock continues a four-game home series against the Memphis Redbirds. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. The Express dropped seven of their last eight after last night's 3-0 loss in the series opener. Round Rock is 21-23 at The Dell Diamond, losing three straight and five of their last six at home. Memphis snapped a three-game losing streak with last night's win, their second in their last nine games. The Redbirds are 16-29 on the road, dropping five of their last seven road games. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern Division, 14-and-a-half games back of Oklahoma City and eight games behind third-place New Orleans. Memphis is fourth in the American Northern Division, 23 games behind division-leading Omaha.

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 this season. The teams meet again for a four-game series July 28-31 at AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tenn. ... SERIES NOTES: Memphis leads the all-time series 66-54, including a 31-30 edge at The Dell Diamond. Round Rock won six of the last nine games at The Dell Diamond, including three of five this season. The Express won season series in 2005 (9-7), 2007 (9-7) and 2011 (10-6) with the Redbirds winning season series in 2006 (9-7), 2008 (9-6), 2009 (12-4) and 2010 (12-4). There have been three series sweeps, all by Memphis and all at AutoZone Park (one in 2009, two in 2010). ... 2012 SERIES: The Express lead the season series 5-4, winning three of four at The Dell Diamond in early May and splitting a four-game series May 30-June 1 at AutoZone Park. Round Rock is hitting .265 (79-for-298) with seven homers, 18 doubles, two triples and 4.9 runs per game. Joey Butler is 5-for-29 (.172) but two of his five hits were homers; he has five RBI, nine walks and six runs in nine games. Matt Kata is 11-for-34 (.324) with two homers, 10 RBI and two runs scored in seven games. Luis Martinez is 7-for-18 (.389) with three doubles and two RBI in five games. Brad Nelson is 10-for-30 (.333) with a homer, four RBI, two doubles and seven runs scored in eight games. Ryan Spilborghs is 9-for-26 (.346) with three doubles, three RBI, seven runs scored, eight walks and three stolen bases in eight games. Round Rock boasts a 2.91 ERA (26 ER/80.1 IP) with 51 strikeouts against 44 walks and five home runs surrendered. Greg Reynolds owns two of the five wins; he owns a 0.69 ERA (1 ER/13.0 IP) in two starts against the Redbirds. Three of the four losses were by pitchers no longer with the Express "" Sean Green, Mark Hamburger and Neil Ramirez. Memphis is hitting .221 (62-for-281) with five homers, 13 doubles and 3.0 runs per game. Redbirds pitchers have a 4.33 ERA (38 ER/79.0 IP) with 60 strikeouts against 38 walks.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ92 | THURSDAY, JULY 12

Redbirds 3, Express 0

WP: Gast (7-2). LP: Jackson (3-11). SV: Sanchez (7).

GAME"ˆ93 | FRIDAY, JULY 13 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (2-1, 2.60 ERA)

Redbirds: LHP Tyler Lyons (0-4, 6.18 ERA)

GAME"ˆ94 | SATURDAY, JULY 14 | 6:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Justin Grimm (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Redbirds: RHP Shelby Miller (4-8, 6.17 ERA)

GAME"ˆ95 | SUNDAY, JULY 15 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Neftali Feliz (rehab) / RHP Greg Reynolds (7-6, 5.01 ERA)

Redbirds: RHP Brandon Dickson (4-8, 3.58 ERA)

START ME UP

LHP CHAD BELL (2-1, 2.60 ERA, 11 K)

2012: Began season with Class A-Advanced Myrtle Beach, going 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA (2 ER/11.1 IP) and 12 strikeouts against four walks in four relief outings ... assigned to Double-A Frisco prior to April 25 game ... moved into the RoughRiders rotation May 19 ... 2-2 with a 2.84 ERA (16 ER/50.2 IP) and 40 strikeouts against 13 walks in seven starts and six relief appearances with Frisco ... Texas League Mid-Season All-Star ... assigned to Round Rock prior to June 22 game ... made first career Triple-A appearance June 26 at Iowa (start) ... won each of first two Triple-A starts "" June 26 at Iowa, July 1 vs. New Orleans ... allowed one run on nine hits over 11.2 innings in those two starts ... lost July 6 start at Albuquerque ... averages 2.67 runs of support per start ... opponents are 1-for-8 (.125) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... allowed five of 18 leadoff batters to reach base (two hits, three walks) with four strikeouts ... four of five earned runs allowed scored in the third inning (12.00 ERA) ... opponents are 2-for-21 (.095) when behind in the count ... all four extra-base hits (all doubles) were surrendered with an even count.

LAST START: Lost July 6 start at Albuquerque (10-1) ... allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and five walks over 5.2 innings with three strikeouts ... also hit one batter ... utilized three double plays ... left game trailing 4-1 ... both bequeathed runners scored ... 103 pitches, 56 strikes.

2012 vs. MEMPHIS: First meeting.

CAREER"ˆvs. MEMPHIS: First meeting

NOTABLE: Chadwick Bell ... Rangers 14th-round draft pick in 2009 out of Walters State [Tenn.] Community College ... 8-1, 2.08 (15 ER/65.0 IP) with five complete games, one shutout, 78 strikeouts in 12 starts as a sophomore at Walters State ... garnered Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year honors and was first-team all-TCCAA ... NJCAA third-team All-America in 2009 ... committed to University of Tennessee but signed with Rangers rather than attending Tennessee ... 4-1, 1.51 (9 ER/53.2 IP) with 51 strikeouts for Cotuit of Cape Cod League in summer of 2009 ... tossed a no-hitter July 12 ... drafted in the 37th round by Cleveland in the 2008 June Draft ... TBCA Todd Helton Player of the Year as a senior at South Doyle High School in Knoxville, Tenn. ... selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 25th round of the 2007 draft.

I AIN'T SUPERSTITIOUS

Tonight is Round Rock's 12th all-time game on Friday the 13th. The Express are have lost three straight such games and are 2-5 on Friday the 13th since joining the Pacific Coast League in 2005. This is the second time Round Rock played at home on Friday the 13th twice in the same season. In 2001, the then-Double-A Express defeated El Paso 7-1 April 13 and lost to San Antonio 7-1 July 13. In 2007, Round Rock played two Friday the 13th games on the road, losing 4-1 April 13 at Iowa and falling 9-8 in 12 innings July 13 at Oklahoma City.

April 13, 2001 "" def. El Paso 7-1

July 13, 2001 "" lost to San Antonio 7-1

June 13, 2003 "" won at Arkansas 7-2

Aug. 13, 2004 "" vs. El Paso (result not available)

May 13, 2005 "" def. Tacoma 12-5

April 13, 2007 "" lost at Iowa 4-1

July 13, 2007 "" lost at Oklahoma City 9-8 (12 innings)

June 13, 2008 "" def. Memphis 9-7

Aug. 13, 2010 "" lost at Tacoma 7-3

May 13, 2011 "" lost at Tucson 3-2

April 13, 2012 "" lost to Iowa 6-5

NEVER-ENDING MATH EQUATION

Round Rock scored seven-plus runs twice in its last 25 games "" July 5 at Albuquerque (9-2), snapping a streak of 21-game stretch, and July 8 at Albuquerque (10-12). Furthermore, the Express eclipsed six runs only once in their last 22 home games "" a 7-3 victory June 3 vs. Albuquerque. Round Rock has not scored more than four runs at The Dell Diamond since June 21, a 6-2 victory over Iowa. That is a stretch of nine consecutive home games scoring four or fewer runs. The Express were 2-7 in that span, averaged 2.0 runs per game and were shutout three times.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

Round Rock has been shutout five times, all at home and three times in the last eight home games. Zach Jackson pitched in three of the five shutouts. ... The Express are 7-16 in series openers (5-7 at home). ... Of Round Rock's 88 home runs, 60 were on the road (1.25 per game). Meanwhile, Express batters average 0.64 homers per game at home (28 homers, 44 games). ... Round Rock is hitting .322 (29-for-90) with the bases loaded (three grand slams). Opponents are 35-for-93 (.376) with seven grand slams. ... Round Rock leads the PCL with 115 double plays turned, 16 more than any other team (Nashville). Express pitchers induced at least one double play in 18 of the last 20 games (30 double plays). ... Round Rock is 7-12 in one-run games. Seven of the 19 games were against Iowa. ... The Express are 1-43 when trailing after seven innings, dropping 31 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 37-6 when leading after seven innings and 39-1 when out-scoring the opponent.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

JULIO BORBON: Riding a five-game hitting streak (.421, 8-for-19) with three multiple-hit outings ... hit safely in nine of his last 10 games (.375, 15-for-40) with six multiple-hit games and seven runs scored ... stretch comes on the heels of a 2-for-41 slump ... hitting .351 (66-for-188) since May 12 ... one RBI (July 7 at Albuquerque) since two-run homer June 16 vs. Oklahoma City ... two extra-base hits since that homer (double, June 28 vs. Nashville; double July 12 vs. Memphis) ... 39-for-94 (.415) during middle innings with 17 of 33 RBI ... reached safely in each of last four plate appearances (two hits, one walk, one hit by pitch).

DUSTY BROWN: 1-for-16 over last four-plus games ... lone hit in that span was grand slam July 5 at Albuquerque ... each of last two hits were homers (June 28 vs. Nashville) ... one multiple-hit effort (June 23 at Iowa) since May 9 ... at least one strikeout in eight straight games (10 strikeouts, no walks) ... 3-for-30 (.100) with runners in scoring position; both hits came with two outs ... snapped 0-for-12 runners-in-scoring-position skid with July 5 grand slam ... owns a .405 on-base percentage when leading off an inning, hitting .267 (8-for-30) with one homer and seven walks against seven strikeouts ... hitless in each of last six leadoff at bats ... one grand slam, three walks and two sacrifice flies in seven bases-loaded plate appearances (nine RBI).

JOEY BUTLER: Riding a five-game hitting streak (.300, 6-for-20) ... two-hit game July 8 at Albuquerque was first multiple-hit effort since three-hit night June 21 vs. Iowa ... 8-for-50 (.160) between multiple-hit outings ... three multiple-hit games since June 10 ... five RBI in last five games after producing only seven RBI and no multiple-RBI outings over 32 games from May 30 through July 4 ... at least one strikeout in 14 of last 17 games (20 strikeouts) ... leads PCL with 57 walks, six more than any other player ... two homers in last 34 games, 120 at bats ... one homer at The Dell Diamond (July 1 vs. New Orleans) since May 17 (28 games) ... eight of 13 home runs were solo shots ... 13-for-31 (.419) in the fifth inning (four homers, nine RBI) ... 10 RBI in the eighth inning ... hitting .213 (27-for-127) when batting fifth or higher in the order, .319 (60-for-188) when batting sixth or lower.

LUIS HERNANDEZ: Hit safely in eight of last 11 games (.289, 11-for-38) ... each of last seven were one-hit outings ... one homer over last 29 games, 107 at bats (July 2 vs. New Orleans) ... seven RBI in first nine July games after producing eight RBI in 26 June games ... eight walks over last 14 games after not walking in previous 28 games ... four of five home runs were solo shots ... 3-for-23 (.130) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... 12-for-63 (.190) when leading off an inning with one homer, four walks, six strikeouts ... leads all PCL shortstops with a .980 fielding percentage (eight errors, 392 total chances) ... four of eight errors were in last 13 games.

MATT KATA: Riding a three-game hitting streak (.308, 4-for-13) ... hitting .441 (26-for-59) with runners in scoring position (36 RBI), going 11-for-23 (.478) with runners in scoring position and two outs (20 RBI) ... 43-for-192 (.224) without runners in scoring position ... 5-for-9 with the bases loaded (one homer, 12 RBI) ... 4-for-6 with the bases loaded since delivering a game-winning, three-run double May 24 vs. Sacramento ... hitting .339 (20-for-59) after the seventh inning (12 RBI) ... one multiple-hit effort (two hits, July 7 at Albuquerque) since June 23 ... three walks in last 41 games, 168 plate appearances ... homer July 8 at Albuquerque was first since May 31 (grand slam at Memphis).

LUIS MARTINEZ: Riding a six-game hitting streak (.429, 9-for-21) with four RBI, three runs scored, three multiple-hit games and two multiple-RBI outings ... Hit safely in 15 of his last 17 games (.333, 19-for-57) with four multiple-hit efforts ... two-run single July 4 at Albuquerque produced first RBI since May 29 at Memphis ... two extra-base hits since June 9, both at Albuquerque (double, homer) ... 19-for-42 (.452) in the third and fourth innings ... 4-for-29 (.138) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... 0-for-6 with bases loaded (one walk, one hit-by-pitch, one sacrifice fly).

GREG MICLAT: Hit safely in five of last six games (.500, 8-for-16) ... was 0-for-1 in lone hitless game ... nine of 17 hits were for extra bases (eight doubles, one homer) ... 6-for-18 (.333) with runners in scoring position ... 1-for-10 (.100) when leading off an inning with no walks and five strikeouts ... lone leadoff hit was a homer.

BRAD NELSON: Snapped an 0-for-24 slump at The Dell Diamond with fourth-inning single last night ... hit safely in five of last six games (.304, 7-for-23) with two multiple-hit games ... six of seven hits were singles ... hitting .350 (49-for-140) on the road since going 0-for-4 April 21 at New Orleans ... hits more than 100 points better on the road (.322, 56-for-174) than at home (.215, 34-for-158) ... nine of 11 homers, 36 of 49 RBI were in road games ... at least one strikeout in eight of last 12 games (12 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 ... 6-for-14 since, including three-hit game July 3 vs. New Orleans ... scored in three of last five games ... four of six hits were with bases empty ... 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position ... 0-for-2 with bases loaded.

ELIO SARMIENTO: Ninth-inning leadoff homer July 8 at Albuquerque snapped an 0-for-23 slump ... first hit since double May 11 at Salt Lake ... first homer since Aug. 11, 2011, with Double-A Frisco ... at least one strikeout in 10 of 12 games played, including each of last nine games (14 strikeouts).

YANGERVIS SOLARTE: No consecutive hitless games since June 9-10 ... hit safely in six of last eight games (.324, 11-for-34) with four multiple-hit efforts, including a three-hit night July 8 at Albuquerque ... Hitting .342 (25-for-73) over last 21 games with eight multiple-hit games (two three-hit outings) and seven RBI ... five of six home runs, 30 of 37 RBI came after the third inning ... no homers since May 14, a span of 48 games and 185 at bats ... five of six home runs were solo shots ... 7-for-48 (.146) with runners in scoring position and fewer than two outs ... second in PCL with 13.89 plate appearances per strikeout ... two strikeout over last 15 games, 60 plate appearances (July 3 vs. New Orleans; July 12 vs. Memphis) ... hitting .369 (24-for-65) in bottom third of order, .267 (73-for-273) when batting sixth or higher.

RYAN SPILBORGHS: Riding a six-game hitting streak (.429, 12-for-28) with three multiple-hit efforts, three doubles, two RBI and four runs scored ... hit safely in eight of last 10 games (.357, 15-for-42) ... 11-for-68 (.162) over previous 17 games ... no homers since May 26, a span of 37 games and 144 at bats ... three RBI in last 22 games ... at least one strikeout in 12 of last 13 games (16 strikeouts) ... 26-for-66 (.394) during the fifth, sixth and seventh innings ... 5-for-35 (.143) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... hitless in each of his last 18 such at bats ... 239 career PCL games, hitting .336 (306-for-911) with 24 homers, 122 RBI and 70 doubles.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

NEAL COTTS: Stranded five of seven inherited runners ... allowed six runs in last outing (July 8 at Albuquerque) after allowing only two runs in first nine Express outings ... opponents are 2-for-11 (.182) with runners on base and two outs ... opponents are 0-for-4 with bases loaded.

WILLIE EYRE: At least one run allowed in four of eight outings ... both inherited runners scored ... opponents are 2-for-13 (.154) when leading off an inning (no walks, three strikeouts) ... opponents are 4-for-7 (.571) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

AARON HEILMAN: Converted seven of last eight save chances ... Jerry Sands two-run homer July 5 at Albuquerque snapped 10.1-inning scoreless streak over seven-plus outings ... first run allowed since coughing up three runs June 9 at Omaha ... first home runs surrendered since May 23 vs. Sacramento ... two runs allowed in each of last two outings (18.00 ERA, 4 ER/2.0 IP) ... 1.40 ERA (3 ER/19.1 IP) over previous 15 outings ... opponents are 8-for-41 (.195) over last 10 appearances ... allowed more than one hit once in those 10 outings (two hits, July 7 at Albuquerque) ... 31 strikeouts in his last 31.0 innings ... stranded 10 of 14 inherited runners ... opponents hitting .366 (15-for-41) with runners in scoring position.

BEN SNYDER: 1-0, 3.00 ERA (6 ER/18.0 IP) in 14 outings at The Dell Diamond ... 1-3 with a 4.22 ERA (15 ER/32.0 IP) in 15 road games ... holds opponents to a .200 average (9-for-45) when leading off an inning with nine strikeouts against three walks ... opponents are 3-for-5 with bases loaded.

JOHAN YAN: Allowed at least one run in eight of 13 outings ... two hits allowed over last five outings (6.0 innings, 21 at bats) ... entered game with bases loaded in three of last five outings and stranded six of those nine runners ... stranded seven of 11 inherited runners on the season ... opponents are 3-for-19 (.158) with runners in scoring position.

WHO'S NEXT

Round Rock returns to the road for a four-game series against the Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers). The series runs Monday through Thursday with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch each night. This is the third of four series between the Express and Sounds. Nashville leads the season series 4-3, splitting a four-game series at Herschel Greer Stadium in late May and winning two of three at The Dell Diamond in late June. The Sounds return to The Dell Diamond for a five-game series Aug. 22-26, Round Rock's final home series.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ96 | MONDAY, JULY 16 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Ben Snyder (2-3, 3.78 ERA)

Sounds: RHP Mark Rogers (4-6, 5.18 ERA)

GAME"ˆ97 | TUESDAY, JULY 17 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zack Jackson (3-11, 4.99 ERA)

Sounds: RHP Brian Baker (2-3, 5.33 ERA)

GAME"ˆ98 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: TBA

Sounds: RHP Seth McClung (2-10, 5.17 ERA; starts tonight)

GAME"ˆ99 | THURSDAY, JULY 19 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Justin Grimm (0-0, 0.00 ERA; pitches tomorrow)

Sounds: RHP Claudio Vargas (3-1, 4.89 ERA; starts tomorrow)

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 13, 2012


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