PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Nashville Sounds

Published on June 29, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 82 | 29 JUNE 2012 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (37-44) vs. NASHVILLE SOUNDS (32-49)

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

EXPRESS: LHP Zach Jackson (3-8, 5.09 ERA) | SOUNDS: RHP Brian Baker (1-3, 6.00 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock continues a seven-game home stand with the finale of a three-game series against the Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. Round Rock won last night's game 4-2, knotting both the current and season series. The Express, 6-4 over their last 10 games, are 20-18 at The Dell Diamond. The Sounds, 4-6 over their last 10 games, are 14-31 on the road and have not won consecutive road games since May 23-24 at Las Vegas. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern Division, 10 games back of Albuquerque and five games behind third-place New Orleans. Nashville is third in the PCL's American Northern Division, 18 games behind division-leader Omaha and one game behind second-place Iowa.

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 second of four series between the two teams. The teams split a four-game series May 25-28 at Nashville. The Express return to Herschel Greer Stadium for a four-game series July 16-19, and the Sounds revisit The Dell Diamond for a five-game series Aug. 22-26. ... SERIES NOTES: The all-time series is tied 59-59 with the Express holding a 33-25 advantage at The Dell Diamond. Nine of the last 22 meetings were one-run affairs. Nashville snapped an 11-game skid at The Dell Diamond with Wednesday night's win, the Sounds' first victory at Round Rock since June 5, 2010. The Sounds are 3-15 at The Dell Diamond since the beginning of the 2010 season. Round Rock claimed the season series in 2005 (9-7), 2006 (11-5) and 2011 (11-5). Nashville won the season series in 2007 (12-4), 2008 (9-7) and 2009 (10-6). The teams split the 2010 with the home team winning six times at each location. There have been three sweeps in the series, all by the home team - Nashville in 2007 and Round Rock twice last season. ... 2012 SERIES: The season series is tied 3-3. Round Rock posted a 19-3 victory May 27 at Nashville, establishing franchise records for runs and hits (24). The Express also won the lone extra-inning game 8-5 in 10 innings the following day. Round Rock is hitting .306 (67-for-219) with 10 homers, 11 doubles, 23 walks and 6.7 runs per game. Mike Bianucci is 8-for-22 (.364) with one home run, 10 RBI and three doubles in six games. Julio Borbon is 8-for-20 (.400) with three stolen bases in five games. Matt Kata is 8-for-19 (.421) with one homer, two RBI and two runs score in four games. Brad Nelson is 8-for-25 (.320) with three homers, nine RBI and seven runs scored in six games. Ryan Spilborghs is 12-for-24 (.500) in six games with two homers, six RBI, two doubles and eight runs scored. Express pitchers have allowed 24 earned runs over 53.0 innings (4.08 ERA) with 40 strikeouts and 19 walks. Nashville is hitting .276 with eight homers, five doubles, 19 walks, 40 strikeouts, five stolen bases and 4.7 runs per game. Jeff Bianchi is 9-for-21 (.429) in five games with two stolen bases. Eric Farris is 7-for-19 (.368) with two doubles and three runs scored in five games.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ80 | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27

Sounds 4, at Express 0

WP: Peralta (3-8). LP: Holland (0-1). SV: None.

GAME"ˆ81 | THURSDAY, JUNE 28

at Express 4, Sounds 2

WP: Hankins (3-4). LP: Rogers (3-5). SV: Heilman (6).

GAME"ˆ82 | FRIDAY, JUNE 29 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (3-8, 5.09 ERA)

Sounds: RHP Brian Baker (1-3, 6.00 ERA)

START ME UP

LHP ZACH JACKSON (3-8, 5.09 ERA, 45 K)

2012: Allowed four runs on five hits in two innings of relief with no walks and one strikeout in April 2 exhibition game vs. Rangers ... suffered losses April 9 at Omaha, April 19 vs. Omaha, April 30 vs. New Orleans, May 18 vs. Fresno, May 23 vs. Sacramento, June 5 vs. Albuquerque, June 11 at Albuquerque and June 16 vs. Oklahoma City (all starts) ... claimed wins April 24 at New Orleans, May 31 at Memphis and May 23 at Iowa (all starts) ... no-decisions April 14 vs. Iowa, May 5 vs. Memphis and May 10 at Salt Lake ... also made a relief appearance May 14 at Tacoma ... lost five of last seven starts ... allowed three or fewer runs in eight of last 11 starts but is 2-6 in that time ... six-plus innings in 11 of 14 starts, going season-high 7.1 innings June 23 at Iowa ... 2.25 ERA (7 ER/28.0 IP) through first two innings; 6.55 ERA (42 ER/57.2 IP) thereafter, including a 8.36 ERA (13 ER/14.0 IP) in the third inning ... opponents hitting .309 (25-for-81) when leading off an inning with six homers, six strikeouts and 11 walks (.391 on-base percentage) ... 12 double plays induced ... three double plays since May 5 (eight starts, one relief appearance) ... averages staff-low 3.64 runs of support per start (minimum five starts), including 2.75 runs per game in eight losses ... 2-6 with two no-decisions (one win, one loss) following an Express loss ... team is 4-10 in his starts ... 0-6, 5.40 ERA"ˆ(28 ER/46.2 IP) in eight starts at The Dell"ˆDiamond.

LAST START: Won June 23 start at Iowa (4-2) ... held Cubs to two runs on seven hits (one homer) over 7.1 innings with two walks and five strikeouts ... uncorked one wild pitch ... induced one double play ... surrendered Brett Jackson first-inning leadoff homer ... left game leading 4-2 with no bequeathed runners ... 100 pitches, 65 strikes.

2012 vs. NASHVILLE: First meeting.

CAREER"ˆvs. NASHVILLE: 1-0, 5.75 ERA"ˆ(13 ER/20.1 IP), 10 walks, seven strikeouts ... made two relief appearances with Las Vegas in 2010, allowing one run over 1.0 inning Aug. 8 and three runs over 2.0 innings the following day ... 1-0, 4.67 ERA"ˆ(9 ER/17.1 IP)"ˆin three starts with Round Rock in 2011 ... Express won all three starts ... allowed three earned runs each start ... won Aug. 1 start at Nashville, allowing four runs (one unearned) over 6.0 innings; Express won 9-4.

NOTABLE: Began college career at Louisville (2002-2003) ... at Louisville, lettered two years as a pitcher ... had an overall record of 17-9 which ranked third all-time at Louisville ... earned Freshman All-American honors after the 2002 season ... earned All-Conference USA second team and CUSA All-Freshman team honors after the 2002 season ... played for the Hyannis Mets in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2003, earning a spot on the Cape Cod All-Star Game ... transferred to Texas A&M in 2004 ... went 10-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts his junior year prior to being drafted by Toronto ... was a community health and sport management major in college ... lettered four years at Seneca Valley High School in Cranberry Township, Pa. ... compiled a career high school record of 25-4 on the mound and hit a school-record 12 home runs ... struck out 17 batters in final high school game ... originally drafted by the White Sox in the 50th round of the 2001 June draft.

BUFFALO SOLDIER

Joey Butler was selected to the 2012 PCL All-Star Team, the league office announced Thursday. Butler, a 2011 PCL Postseason All-Star, is the lone Express representative on the 30-member team. The 25th-Annual Triple-A All-Star Game is July 11 at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, N.Y., and pits the PCL All-Stars against the International League All-Stars. The team consists of 13 elected players who received the most votes from ballots submitted by the league's field and general managers (one-third), media members (one-third) and online fan voting (one-third). The elected members are joined by 17 players selected by the league office. Each of the 16 PCL clubs will be represented in Buffalo.

BRING IT ON HOME

Round Rock is in the midst of a seven-game home stand tonight, and the Express have faired significantly better at The Dell Diamond than on the road. While Round Rock's bats have been more potent on the road (.284, 55 homers, 5.8 runs per game) than at home (.264, 26 homers, 4.3 runs per game), the Express pitching staff has been strikingly better at home (20-18, 4.10 ERA) than on the road (17-26, 5.57 ERA). Round Rock is 10-8 at The Dell Diamond since suffering its first home sweep in three years May 17-20 vs. Fresno.

COME AS YOU ARE

Round Rock leads the PCL in attendance by a substantial margin. Express fans have filled The Dell Diamond at a rate of 8,339 fans per game - nearly 900 fans per game more than second-place Sacramento (7,449). In fact, the gap between Round Rock and Sacramento (890) is larger than the gap between Sacramento and fifth-place Iowa (6,660). Round Rock led the PCL in attendance last season with 8,587 fans per game.

WHAT'S GOING ON

Despite sitting 10 games back (fourth place) in the division standings, Round Rock is 13-10 against division foes. Albuquerque, which leads the division by a half game, is 18-13 against the division but 3-4 against the Express (1-2 at home). Oklahoma City is second but 11-16 against the division (5-3 vs. Express, 3-1 at home), while New Orleans (five games behind Albuquerque) is 12-15 against division foes (3-5 vs. Express, 1-3 at home). Round Rock's schedule is quite favorable in the season's second half (72 games), playing only 12 games against non-division teams currently above .500 - four against Omaha (home), four against Las Vegas (home) and four against Reno (road).

RAMBLIN' MAN

Brad Nelson hit safely in 29 of his last 31 road games, going 44-for-120 (.367) on the road since an 0-for-4 night April 21 at New Orleans. That stretch included a 21-game road hitting streak that is the PCL's longest this season. His lone hitless outings over the last 31 road games were June 8 at Omaha (0-for-1 as pinch hitter) and June 26 at Iowa (0-for-2, two walks). Nelson is hitting nearly 100 points better on the road (.331, 51-for-154) than at home (.237, 32-for-135). Nine of his 11 homers and 34 of his 47 RBI were in road games; six of his 13 RBI at The Dell Diamond came in the last home stand. Six of his 11 homers were solos, including four leadoff shots. Nelson snapped a five-game hitting streak Tuesday at Iowa; he is 1-for-9 over his last three games but has drawn three walks.

UNDER PRESSURE

Matt Kata is hitting .442 (23-for-52) with runners in scoring position (32 RBI), going 9-for-20 (.450) with runners in scoring position and two outs (18 RBI). However, he is 39-for-162 (.241) without runners in scoring position. Kata is 4-for-6 with the bases loaded (one homer, 11 RBI); he is 3-for-3 with the bases loaded since delivering a game-winning, three-run double May 24 vs. Sacramento. Furthermore, Kata is hitting .340 (17-for-50) after the seventh inning (10 RBI). He is 34-for-104 (.327) over his last 27 games with two homers, 17 RBI, four doubles, a triple, 10 multiple-hit outings and four multiple-RBI games. However, he is 3-for-19 (.158) over his last five games with no multiple-hit games and no extra-base hits.

WALK THIS WAY

Two Express players snapped lengthy streaks without walks in Tuesday's series finale at Iowa. Matt Kata walked for the first time since May 13 (27 games, 110 plate appearances), while Luis Hernandez walked for the first time since May 19 - 33 games, 147 plate appearances). Hernandez walked twice last night, his first multiple-walk game since drawing two free passes May 15 at Tacoma; he walked in three of his last 10 plate appearances. Tommy Mendonca (currently on the DL) last walked May 2, a span of 29 games and 112 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Joey Butler leads the PCL with 49 walks.

FIVE TO ONE

The Express are 30-7 when holding the opposition to fewer than five runs but 7-37 when allowing at least five runs, losing 11 straight in that situation. Conversely, Round Rock is 10-24 when scoring fewer than five runs; three of the 10 wins were shutouts.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

Mike Bianucci snapped a five-game hitting streak (.500, 9-for-18) last night, going 0-for-3; he produced two hits in four of the five games during the streak. He is 18-for-46 (.391) over his last 13 games with six multiple-hit games. Bianucci's two-homer game June 19 vs. Iowa was his first multiple-homer game since the 2011 season opener (April 7) with Double-A Frisco. The homers came in back-to-back bats after going 133 at bats with only three homers. He has gone nine games and 33 at bats since his last homer. Bianucci has two walks over his last 24 games (96 plate appearances). He is 4-for-12 (.333) with the bases loaded (two doubles, two walks, 10 RBI) and 21-for-42 (.500) in the fourth inning (four homers, nine RBI). ... Julio Borbon snapped an 0-for-29 skid with his first-inning single Wednesday night. It was his first hit since a third-inning single June 17 vs. Oklahoma City. It was his longest hitless stretch of the season both in terms of games (seven) and at bats. Despite the slump, Borbon is 51-for-144 (.354) since May 12, a stretch that included a career-best, 21-game hitting streak. He is hitting .402 (33-for-82) in the middle innings (three homers, 17 RBI, six doubles). ... Dusty Brown is riding a four-game hitting streak (.385, 5-for-13). He hit safely in seven of his last eight games (.348, 8-for-23) with two doubles, one homer, four RBI and five walks; he was 2-for-47 (.043) over his previous 20 games. Brown is 2-for-24 (.083) with runners in scoring position; both hits came with two outs. He owns a .455 on-base percentage when leading off an inning, hitting .308 (8-for-26) with one homer and seven walks against six strikeouts. Brown has three walks and two sacrifice flies in six bases-loaded plate appearances. ... Joey Butler snapped an 0-for-12 skid with his fourth-inning double last night. It was his first extra-base hit since a June 22 double at Iowa. Butler is 3-for-19 (.158) over his last six games. Six of his 11 home runs were solo shots. He has not homered since June 1 at Memphis, a span of 23 games and 82 at bats. Butler has not homered at The Dell Diamond since May 17 vs. Fresno (21 games). He is 13-for-27 (.481) in the fifth inning with four homers and nine RBI; he also has 10 eighth-inning RBI. ... Luis Hernandez is hitless in his last four games and 13 at bats, walking three times in that span. It is his longest skid since a four-game stretch (0-for-13) May 17-20. Hernandez has no extra-base hits since a double June 16 vs. Oklahoma City. Three of his four home runs were solo shots. Hernandez leads all PCL shortstops with a .985 fielding percentage (five errors, 335 chances). He is 2-for-5 with the bases loaded (eight RBI) but 3-for-21 (.143) with runners in scoring position and two outs. ... Luis Martinez snapped an eight-game hitting streak Sunday; it was his longest streak this season. He has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games (.294, 10-for-34) with seven walks and five runs scored. Martinez is 14-for-35 (.400) in the third and fourth innings but 20-for-102 (.196) the rest of the game. He is 3-for-24 (.125) with runners in scoring position and two outs, and he is 0-for-5 with the bases loaded (one walk, one hit-by-pitch, one sacrifice fly). ... Yangervis Solarte hit safely in eight of his last 10 games (.371, 13-for-35) with four multiple-hit games (one three-hit outing) and five RBI. Five of his six home runs and 29 of his 36 RBI came after the third inning. Solarte has not homered since May 14, a span of 37 games and 144 at bats. Five of his six home runs were solo shots. He is 16-for-47 (.340) when leading off an inning with one home run and four walks (.392 on-base percentage). He is 6-for-43 (.140) with runners in scoring position and fewer than two outs. ... Ryan Spilborghs has not homered since May 26, a span of 28 games and 106 at bats. He is 12-for-72 (.167) over his last 19 games, and five of the 12 hits were in two games; his average dropped from .400 to .308 in that time. Spilborghs' double last night was his second extra-base hit since June 15 (13 games). He is 22-for-53 (.415) during the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. He is 5-for-30 (.167) with runners in scoring position and two outs; he is hitless in each of his last 13 such at bats. Spilborghs has played 231 career PCL games, hitting .334 (292-for-873) with 24 homers, 120 RBI and 66 doubles.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Neal Cotts, who has battled injuries over the past three seasons, made his Texas Rangers organizational debut June 12 at Albuquerque. It was his first outing since June 24, 2009, with the Iowa Cubs. Cotts stranded five of seven inherited runners and has not allowed a run in each of his last six appearances (5.0 innings). He walked one batter in each of his first four outings but none in his last three. Opponents are 1-for-10 (.100) with runners in scoring position. ... Aaron Heilman has a 1.47 ERA (3 ER/18.1 IP) over his last 14 outings, going 1-0 with six saves (all of which came in his last nine appearances). He is riding a 9.0-inning scoreless streak over his last seven outings. Opponents are 4-for-28 (.143) over his last seven appearances; he has not allowed multiple hits in any of those seven outings. Heilman has 29 strikeouts in his last 28.2 innings. Four of 11 inherited runners scored, and opponents are hitting .361 (13-for-36) with runners in scoring position. ... Ben Snyder is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA (6 ER/15.0 IP) in 12 outings at The Dell Diamond but 0-3 with a 5.00 ERA (15 ER/27.0 IP) in 14 road games. He has 18 strikeouts over 18.0 innings with eight walks in his last 11 appearances. ... Yoshinori Tateyama has not allowed an earned run in 15 of 16 outings. He has not allowed an earned run with the Express since April 21 at New Orleans, a span of 16.1 innings over 12 appearances. He currently has a 9.1-inning scoreless streak over seven appearances. Tateyama has allowed four runs (one earned), all of which scored in the eighth inning. Opponents are 1-for-14 (.071) with runners in scoring position and 6-for-42 (.143) when behind in the count. ... Johan Yan tossed 1.1 scoreless innings June 26 at Iowa, his first scoreless outing since June 3 (vs. Albuquerque) and only his third in nine appearances with the Express. He stranded the bases loaded (all inherited runners) upon entering the game after stranding only two of five inherited runners in his first eight outings. Opponents are 2-for-5 with the bases loaded.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

The Express are 7-13 in series openers, going 5-5 at The Dell Diamond. ... Of Round Rock's 81 home runs, 55 were on the road (1.28 per game). Meanwhile, Express batters average 0.66 homers per game at home (25 homers, 38 games). ... Round Rock is hitting .325 (26-for-80) with the bases loaded, including two grand slams, going 16-for-42 (.381) since May 21. Opponents are 30-for-75 (.400). ... Round Rock leads the PCL with 98 double plays turned, 11 more than any other team (Las Vegas). Express pitchers induced at least one double play in eight of the last nine games (13 double plays). ... Round Rock is 7-11 in one-run games. Seven of the 18 games were against Iowa. ... The Express are 1-35 when trailing after seven innings, dropping 23 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 35-5 when leading after seven innings and 37-1 when out-scoring the opponent.

WHO'S NEXT

The Express continue a seven-game home stand - the final home stand before the All-Star Game break - with a four-game series against the New Orleans Zephyrs (Miami Marlins). The series runs Saturday through Tuesday with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch each night. Round Rock leads the season series 6-2. The Express won three of four April 21-24 at Metairie, La., and repeated the feat April 30-May 3 at The Dell Diamond. Round Rock returns to Zephyr Field for a four-game series Aug. 27-30.

GAME"ˆ83 | SATURDAY, JUNE 30 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (7-5, 4.39 ERA)

Zephyrs: LHP Brad Hand (5-4, 4.18 ERA)

GAME"ˆ84 | SUNDAY, JULY 1 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (1-0, 1.59 ERA)

Zephyrs: RHP Wade LeBalnc (5-5, 3.74 ERA)

GAME"ˆ85 | MONDAY, JULY 2 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Derek Holland (0-1, 3.00 ERA)

Zephyrs: RHP Tom Koehler (7-7, 3.79 ERA)

GAME"ˆ86 | TUESDAY, JULY 3 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Derek Hankins (3-4, 4.14 ERA)

Zephyrs: RHP Elih Villanueva (4-3, 4.13 ERA)

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 29, 2012


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