PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Memphis Redbirds

Published on July 14, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 94 | 14 JULY 2012 | 6:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (39-54) vs. MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (34-59)

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

EXPRESS: RHP Justin Grimm (0-0, 0.00 ERA) | REDBIRDS: RHP Shelby Miller (4-8, 6.17 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock continues a four-game home series against the Memphis Redbirds. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. The Express dropped eight of their last nine, including last night's 5-0 loss. Round Rock is 21-24 at The Dell Diamond, losing four straight and six of their last seven at home. Memphis has won consecutive games for the first time since June 29-30, going 3-7 over its last 10 games. The Redbirds are 17-29 on the road, winning consecutive road games for the first time since June 20-21 at Omaha. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern Division, 14-and-a-half games back of Oklahoma City and nine 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 67-54, including a 32-30 edge at The Dell Diamond. The teams have split six games at The Dell Diamond 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 season series is tied 5-5 with the home team winning five times. The Express won three of four at The Dell Diamond in early May, and the teams split a four-game series May 30-June 1 at AutoZone Park. Round Rock is hitting .258 (85-for-330) with seven homers, 20 doubles, two triples and 4.4 runs per game. Joey Butler is 6-for-33 (.182) but half his hits were for extra bases (two homers, double); he has five RBI, nine walks and six runs in 10 games. Matt Kata is 11-for-38 (.289) with two homers, 10 RBI and two runs scored in eight games. Luis Martinez is 7-for-22 (.318) with three doubles and two RBI in six games. Brad Nelson is 11-for-32 (.344) with a homer, four RBI, three doubles and seven runs scored in nine games. Ryan Spilborghs is 9-for-30 (.300) with three doubles, three RBI, seven runs scored, eight walks and three stolen bases in nine games. Round Rock boasts a 3.12 ERA (31 ER/89.1 IP) with 55 strikeouts against 47 walks and five home runs surrendered. Greg Reynolds claimed 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 five losses were by pitchers no longer with the Express - Sean Green, Mark Hamburger and Neil Ramirez (Frisco). Memphis is hitting .226 (71-for-314) with five homers, 15 doubles and 3.2 runs per game. Redbirds pitchers have a 3.89 ERA (38 ER/88.0 IP) with 66 strikeouts against 41 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

Redbirds 5, Express 0

WP: Lyons (1-4). LP: Bell (2-2). SV: None.

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

RHP JUSTIN GRIMM (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0 K)

2012: Assigned to Frisco (AA) to begin the season ... 8-3, 1.80 ERA (16 ER/80.0 IP) in 14 starts with RoughRiders ... 68 strikeouts, 14 walks ... eight-plus strikeouts three times, including 10 whiffs over 5.1 innings in season's first start (April 5 at Springfield) ... did not allow a run in four of last five starts with Frisco ... promoted to Rangers following June 10 start ... made MLB debut June 16 at Houston ... earned win, allowing three runs on six hits over 6.0 innings with seven strikeouts and no walks ... lost June 25 start vs. Detroit; surrendered six runs on eight hits and a walk over 1.0 inning ... worked 3.0 innings in relief July 3 at Chicago-AL and allowed three runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts ... optioned to Frisco after that outing ... made predetermined 3.0-inning start July 9 with Frisco vs. Arkansas; did not allow a run on two hits and no walks with one strikeout ... transferred to Round Rock when Express returned from All-Star break July 12.

LAST START: No-decision in predetermined 3.0-inning start July 9 with Frisco vs. Arkansas, a 1-0 RoughRiders loss ... yielded two singles with one strikeout and no walks.

CAREER: Split 2011, his first pro season, between Class-A Hickory and Class A-Advanced Myrtle Beach ... combined to go 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA (53 ER/140.2) and 127 strikeouts over 25 starts ... began 2012 with Frisco (AA) where he went 8-3 with a 1.80 ERA in 80.0 innings ... made MLB debut June 16, 2012.

2011: Split season between Hickory and Myrtle Beach ... tabbed the 18th-best prospect in the Carolina League by Baseball America ... combined to go 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA (53 ER/140.2) and 127 strikeouts over 25 starts ... opened season with Hickory, completing at least 6.0 inning in four of first seven starts ... registered a career-best 11 strikeouts May 1 vs. Kannapolis ... averaged 9.7 strikeouts per 9.0 innings with the Crawdads ... promoted to Myrtle Beach May 27 ... posted sixth-lowest ERA (3.39) in Carolina League from May 22 until the end of the season ... logged nine quality starts and completed at least 6.0 innings in 11 of his 16 starts ... 2-0, 0.95 ERA (2 ER/19.0 IP) over his final three starts, including a victory in Sept. 7 at Kinston in the opener of the Carolina League Division Series.

NOTABLE: Drafted out of the University of Georgia, where he was the Bulldogs' number one starter as a junior ... entered the 2010 draft rated as the 59th-best right-hander and 109th-best prospect overall by Baseball America ... selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 13th round of the 2007 June draft but did not sign ... 2012 Texas League Mid-Season All-Star ... made MLB debut June 16, 2012 and earned the win allowing three runs in six innings with seven strikeouts.

NEVER-ENDING MATH EQUATION

Round Rock scored seven-plus runs twice in its last 26 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 23 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 10 consecutive home games scoring four or fewer runs. The Express were 2-8 in that span, averaged 1.8 runs per game and were shutout four times.

NOBODY HOME

Round Rock suffered its second straight shutout last night. It marked the first time the Express were shutout in consecutive games since June 16-17, 2011 (1-0 at Nashville, 4-0 vs. Omaha), and the first time Round Rock suffered consecutive shutouts at home since June 13-14, 2009 (3-0, 4-0 vs. Albuquerque). The Express were shutout six times this season, all at The Dell Diamond and four in the last 10 home games. Zach Jackson was saddled with the loss in three of those four games, despite posting a 1.40 ERA (3 ER/19.1 IP) in those games. Round Rock is scoreless in its last 21 innings at home; the Express have scored in two of their last 36 innings at The Dell Diamond.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

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 0.62 homers per game at home (28 homers, 45 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 118 double plays turned, 18 more than any other team (Las Vegas). Express pitchers induced at least one double play in 19 of the last 21 games (33 double plays). ... Round Rock is 7-12 in one-run games. Seven of the 19 games were against Iowa. ... The Express are 1-44 when trailing after seven innings, dropping 32 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 six-game hitting streak (.391, 9-for-23) with three multiple-hit outings ... hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games (.364, 16-for-44) with six multiple-hit games and seven runs scored ... stretch comes on the heels of a 2-for-41 slump ... hitting .350 (67-for-192) 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-95 (.411) during middle innings with 17 of 33 RBI ... reached safely in five of last eight plate appearances (three 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 six-game hitting streak (.292, 7-for-24) ... one multiple-hit effort (two hits, July 8 at Albuquerque) since three-hit night June 21 vs. Iowa ... three multiple-hit games since June 10 ... five RBI in last six 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 15 of last 18 games (22 strikeouts) ... leads PCL with 57 walks, five more than any other player ... two homers in last 35 games, 124 at bats ... one homer at The Dell Diamond (July 1 vs. New Orleans) since May 17 (29 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 .214 (28-for-131) when batting fifth or higher in the order, .319 (60-for-188) when batting sixth or lower.

LUIS HERNANDEZ: Hitless in last eight at bats ... no multiple-hit efforts since four-hit game June 29 vs. Nashville (11 games) ... one homer over last 30 games, 111 at bats (July 2 vs. New Orleans) ... seven RBI in first 10 July games after producing eight RBI in 26 June games ... eight walks over last 15 games after not walking in previous 28 games ... four of five home runs were solo shots ... 3-for-25 (.120) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... 12-for-63 (.190) when leading off an inning with one homer, five walks, six strikeouts ... leads all PCL shortstops with a .980 fielding percentage (eight errors, 398 total chances) ... four of eight errors were in last 14 games.

MATT KATA: Hitting .433 (26-for-60) with runners in scoring position (36 RBI), going 11-for-23 (.478) with runners in scoring position and two outs (20 RBI) ... 43-for-195 (.221) 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 .333 (20-for-60) after the seventh inning (12 RBI) ... one multiple-hit effort (two hits, July 7 at Albuquerque) since June 23 ... three walks in last 42 games, 172 plate appearances ... one homer (July 8 at Albuquerque) was first since May 31 grand slam at Memphis (32 games).

LUIS MARTINEZ: Snapped a six-game hitting streak (.429, 9-for-21) last night, going 0-for-4 ... four RBI, three runs scored, three multiple-hit games and two multiple-RBI outings during streak ... Hit safely in 15 of his last 18 games (.311, 19-for-61) with four multiple-hit efforts ... four RBI since May 29 at Memphis, all coming in consecutive games at Albuquerque (July 4, 7) ... two extra-base hits since June 9, both at Albuquerque (double, homer) ... 19-for-43 (.442) 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 six of last seven games (.526, 10-for-19) with four multiple-hit efforts ... 0-for-1 in lone hitless game ... nine of 19 hits were for extra bases (eight doubles, one homer) ... 6-for-18 (.333) with runners in scoring position ... 2-for-11 (.182) when leading off an inning with one homer, no walks and five strikeouts.

BRAD NELSON: Snapped an 0-for-24 slump at The Dell Diamond with fourth-inning single Thursday night ... hit safely in six of last seven games (.320, 8-for-25) with two multiple-hit games ... six of eight hits were singles (two doubles) ... 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 (.219, 35-for-160) ... nine of 11 homers, 36 of 49 RBI were in road games ... at least one strikeout in nine of last 13 games (13 strikeouts) ... at least one walk in five of last seven games (six walks) ... 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 seven of last nine games (.324, 12-for-37) with four multiple-hit efforts, including a three-hit night July 8 at Albuquerque ... Hitting .342 (26-for-76) over last 22 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 49 games and 188 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 14.04 plate appearances per strikeout ... two strikeouts over last 16 games, 64 plate appearances (July 3 vs. New Orleans; July 12 vs. Memphis) ... hitting .369 (24-for-65) in bottom third of order, .268 (74-for-276) when batting sixth or higher.

RYAN SPILBORGHS: Snapped a six-game hitting streak (.429, 12-for-28) last night, going 0-for-4 ... three multiple-hit efforts, three doubles, two RBI and four runs scored during streaks ... hit safely in eight of last 11 games (.326, 15-for-46) ... 11-for-68 (.162) over previous 17 games ... no homers since May 26, a span of 38 games and 148 at bats ... three RBI in last 23 games ... at least one strikeout in each of last four games, 13 of last 14 games (17 strikeouts) ... 26-for-67 (.388) during the fifth, sixth and seventh innings ... 5-for-36 (.139) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... hitless in each of his last 19 such at bats ... 240 career PCL games, hitting .334 (306-for-915) 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 (2-11, 5.60 ERA)

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

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

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

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 14, 2012


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