PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. New Orleans Zephyrs

Published on August 28, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAMES 137-138 | 28 AUGUST 2012 | 5:35 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (64-72) vs. NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS (73-63)

RADIO: 1260 AM / 104.9 FM The Horn ESPN"ˆAustin | ONLINE"ˆAUDIO: www.espnaustin.com

GAME 1 - EXPRESS: RHP Greg Reynolds (10-8, 4.94 ERA) | ZEPHYRS: RHP Omar Poveda (4-2, 4.45 ERA)

GAME 2 - EXPRESS: RHP Derek Hankins (6-7, 5.13 ERA) | ZEPHYRS: TBA

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock and New Orleans (Miami Marlins) begin a bizarre four-game series tonight with a pair of seven-inning games at The Dell Diamond. First pitch of the opener is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. CDT with the nightcap to follow approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. The Zephyrs will be the designated home team for the series, which was moved to Round Rock due to impending threat of Hurricane Isaac to the New Orleans area. The Express most recently won three of five at home against Nashville but lost Sunday night's series finale 11-5. Round Rock is 21-11 since July 26; the Express won five of their last seven games and are 34-37 at The Dell Diamond. New Orleans most recently dropped three of five at Omaha, including a 7-2 loss in Sunday afternoon's series finale. The Zephyrs have lost two straight and six of their last nine but have not lost three straight games since a four-game skid Aug. 2-5. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern Division, 12-and-a-half games behind division-leader Albuquerque. New Orleans sits three-and-a-half games behind the Isotopes, three games back in the loss column.

RADIO GA GA

Tonight's games will begin on 1260 AM ESPN Austin; 104.9 FM The Horn ESPN"ˆAustin will join the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. 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 last of four series between Round Rock and New Orleans this season. Round Rock won three of four at Zephyr Field in mid-April and three of four at The Dell Diamond the following week. The Zephyrs returned the favor June 30-July 1, winning three of four at The Dell Diamond. ... SERIES NOTES: The all-time series is tied 62-62, including a 32-32 knot in games played at The Dell Diamond. The Express won season series in 1005 (10-6), 2006 (9-7) and 2011 (10-6) with the Zephyrs taking the season series in 2007 (10-6), 2008 (9-7), 2009 (9-7) and 2010 (10-6). There have been only two series sweeps - Round Rock at home in 2006 and New Orleans at home in 2008 (three-game series). The Zephyrs lost seven of their last 12 games at The Dell Diamond. ... 2012 SERIES: Round Rock leads the season series 7-5; the teams have split eight games at The Dell Diamond. The Zephyrs won the first game of each series. Round Rock is hitting .300 (123-for-410) in the series with 15 homers, 21 doubles, one triple, seven stolen bases in seven attempts and 5.5 runs per game. Eleven different Express players have homered against the Zephyrs; Joey Butler and Yangervis Solarte homered there times each. Julio Borbon is 15-for-46 (.326) with one homer, four RBI, four walks, three stolen bases and nine runs scored in 11 games. Butler is 14-for-41 (.341) with nine RBI, three doubles, 10 walks and 10 runs scored in 12 games. Leonys Martin is 7-for-19 (.381) in five games with one homer, four RBI, two doubles, two runs scored and three stolen bases. Solarte is 19-for-44 (.432) in 12 games with five RBI, three doubles, six walks and 10 runs scored. Butler and Solarte are the only Express members to have appeared in each game of the season series. Express pitchers boast a 3.95 ERA (47 ER/107.0 IP) with 74 strikeouts against 31 walks. Two of Round Rock's four shutouts this season were against the Zephyrs. New Orleans is hitting .264 (106-for-402) with 11 homers, 17 doubles, four stolen bases and 4.3 runs per game. Zephyrs pitchers have 77 strikeouts against 45 walks with a 5.19 ERA (60 ER/104.0 IP).

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ137 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 | 5:35 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (10-8, 4.94 ERA)

Zephyrs: RHP Omar Poveda (4-2, 4.45 ERA)

GAME"ˆ138 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 | 8:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Derek Hankins (6-7, 5.13 ERA)

Zephyrs: TBA

GAME"ˆ139 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (4-4, 4.41 ERA)

Zephyrs: LHP Brad Hand (11-6, 3.65 ERA)

GAME"ˆ140 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Justin Grimm (2-3, 4.59 ERA)

Zephyrs: RHP Elih Villanueva (9-8, 3.92 ERA)

START ME UP

GAME ONE

RHP GREG REYNOLDS (10-8, 4.94 ERA, 64 K)

2012: Fifth pitcher in Express history to win 10-plus games in a season (Triple-A era) ... won six of last nine decisions, seven of last 11 ... no consecutive losses since back-to-back starts April 13 (Iowa) and April 18 (Omaha) ... makes 26th start tonight, fifth in Express history (tied for third among right-handers) ... leads staff in starts (25), wins (10); second on staff in innings (151.1); third in strikeouts (64) ... averages staff-best 5.72 runs of support per start (among pitchers active with Express) ... 9-3, two no-decisions (1-2) following Express wins ... 1-5, four no-decisions (3-1) following Express loss ... Express are 14-11 in his starts, winning six of last eight ... franchise-record 26 double plays induced ... at least one double play induced in 16 of 25 starts, including season-high four Aug. 6 vs. Las Vegas ... 11 of 19 homers surrendered were solos, including seven to leadoff an inning ... eight home runs allowed over last 15 starts after surrendering five over consecutive starts May 21-26 ... worked at least into the sixth inning in 20 of 25 starts, completing at least six innings 17 times, at least seven innings seven times ... opponents hitting .374 average (55-for-147) when leading off an inning with six home runs, seven walks, nine strikeouts (.414 on-base percentage) ... holds opponents to a .219 average (14-for-64) with two outs and RISP ... 5.40 ERA (15 ER/25.0 IP) in first inning ... 6.49 ERA (37 ER/51.1 IP) after fourth inning ... three or fewer earned runs allowed in 15 of 25 starts, including three of last four and four of last six starts ... 4-4, 5.26 ERA (38/65.0 IP) in 11 starts at The Dell Diamond with 21 walks, 26 strikeouts, 12 homers surrendered ... last won at home Aug. 1 vs. Tucson (0-1 in two starts since) ... won four of last five decisions at The Dell Diamond (three no-decisions).

LAST OUTING: No-decision in Aug. 22 start vs. Nashville at The Dell Diamond, a 7-6 Express win (11 innings) ... allowed five runs on eight hits (two homers) over 4.2 innings with two strikeouts, three walks ... also hit one batter, uncorked one wild pitch ... matched season's shortest start ... most runs allowed since July 22 vs. Omaha (seven runs) ... surrendered solo spots in each of first two innings, including Sean Halton second-inning leadoff homer ... also surrendered Halton two-out, two-run homer in fifth inning ... left game trailing 5-0 ... both bequeathed runners were stranded (Cotts) ... taken off hook when Express tied tame in ninth inning ... 80 pitches, 50 strikes ... fewest pitches since June 8 at Omaha (80 pitches).

2012"ˆvs. NEW ORLEANS: 1-1, 5.54 ERA (8 ER/13.0 IP) in two starts with three walks, four strikeouts ... won Aug. 23 start at Zephyr Field (8-1); allowed one run on six hits (Pedroza eighth-inning, two-out solo homer) over 8.0 innings with two strikeouts, no walks ... lost June 30 start at The Dell Diamond (8-3); allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits (Donnie Murphy two-run homer as part of five-run first) over 5.0 innings with three walks, two strikeouts.

CAREER"ˆvs. NEW ORLEANS: 1-2, 7.00 ERA (14 ER/18.0 IP) in three starts with six walks, seven strikeouts ... lost Aug. 16, 2011, start with Colorado Springs at Zephyr Field (8-1); allowed six runs on seven hits, three walks over 5.0 innings with three strikeouts.

NOTABLE: Gregory Adam Reynolds ... drafted second overall by Colorado in 2006 ... went 13-10, 4.11 ERA"ˆover a three-year career for the Stanford Cardinal ... highest-draft pick in school history ... led team in wins, ERA, strikeouts, innings and starts in final season ... rated by Baseball America as the fourth-best pitcher and fifth-best draft prospect overall prior to 2006 draft ... tossed complete games in three consecutive starts ahead of the draft, besting Cal's Brandon Morrow (fifth overall, Seattle) and Washington's Tim Lincecum (10th overall, San Francisco) in that span ... aided in Stanford's win at Austin Regional, tossing complete-game victory in the Cardinal's 7-2 win June 2 over North Carolina State ... earned NCAA All-Regional honors for that effort ... was named All-Pac 10 honorable mention in 2006 ... took loss in championship game of 2005 NCAA"ˆWaco Regional, striking out 10 batters over 11.0-plus innings of 4-3 loss ... Prepped at Terra Nova [Calif.] High School ... 2003 Gatorade California Baseball Player and Bay Area Athlete of the Year after going 4-3 with a 0.91 ERA ... recruited by several D-I schools as a quarterback ... drafted by Philadelphia out of high school (41st round) but did not sign.

GAME TWO

RHP DEREK HANKINS (6-7, 5.13 ERA, 40 K)

2012: Makes 34th appearance, ninth start tonight ... 3-4, 7.39 ERA (26 ER/31.2 IP) as a starter with 20 strikeouts, five walks ... seven of 11 homers allowed were in starts ... won three of last four decisions in one start (1-0), seven relief appearances (2-1) ... two homers surrendered over last eight outings (one start) ... 2-1, 3.38 ERA (4 ER/10.2 IP) over last seven relief appearances ... at least one strikeout in six of last seven games (10 strikeouts, 14.2 innings) ... opponents hitting .314 (22-for-70) when leading off an inning with two homers, three walks, nine strikeouts ... holds opponents to a .118 average (4-for-34) with two outs and runners in scoring position ... stranded 11 of 12 inherited runners (91.7 percent).

LAST OUTING: Allowed one run on three hits, two walks over 1.2 innings with no strikeouts in relief outing Aug. 23 vs. Nashville.

LAST START: Won back end of doubleheader July 29 at Memphis (8-5) ... allowed four runs on five hits (one homer) over 5.0 innings with two walks, one strikeout.

2012"ˆvs. NEW ORLEANS: Lost July 3 start at The Dell Diamond (9-4) ... allowed six runs on seven hits (Luke Montz second-inning, one-out grand slam) over 5.0 innings with season-high five strikeouts, one walk.

CAREER"ˆvs. NEW ORLEANS: 1-1, 7.62 ERA (11 ER/13.0 IP), six walks, 11 strikeouts in one start, two relief outings (both in 2011)"ˆ... earned victory in relief April 16 at New Orleans; piggy-backed Tanner Scheppers predetermined 2.0-inning start ... allowed three runs on seven hits over 5.0 innings with two walks and five strikeouts ... also worked 3.0 innings in relief July 20 at The Dell Diamond; surrendered two runs on three hits and three walks with one strikeout ... Round Rock scored eight seventh-inning runs before New Orleans plated seven ninth-inning runs for a 14-11 win (Hankins pitched innings five through seven).

NOTABLE: Gregory Adam Reynolds ... drafted second overall by Colorado in 2006 ... went 13-10, 4.11 ERA"ˆover a three-year career for the Stanford Cardinal ... highest-draft pick in school history ... led team in wins, ERA, strikeouts, innings and starts in final season ... rated by Baseball America as the fourth-best pitcher and fifth-best draft prospect overall prior to 2006 draft ... tossed complete games in three consecutive starts ahead of the draft, besting Cal's Brandon Morrow (fifth overall, Seattle) and Washington's Tim Lincecum (10th overall, San Francisco) in that span ... aided in Stanford's win at Austin Regional, tossing complete-game victory in the Cardinal's 7-2 win June 2 over North Carolina State ... earned NCAA All-Regional honors for that effort ... was named All-Pac 10 honorable mention in 2006 ... took loss in championship game of 2005 NCAA"ˆWaco Regional, striking out 10 batters over 11.0-plus innings of 4-3 loss ... Prepped at Terra Nova [Calif.] High School ... 2003 Gatorade California Baseball Player and Bay Area Athlete of the Year after going 4-3 with a 0.91 ERA ... recruited by several D-I schools as a quarterback ... drafted by Philadelphia out of high school (41st round) but did not sign.

GOOD VIBRATIONS

Round Rock is 21-11 since July 26, the PCL's best record in that time. That stretch began with a five-game winning streak, the team's longest winning streak until a six-game streak the following week. The Express lost consecutive games only three times in that span, including one three-game skid. It was Round Rock's first three-game slump since July 19-21. The Express have won five of seven games since.

PCL RECORDS SINCE JULY 26

Round Rock 21-11 .656

Sacramento 20-12 .625

Salt Lake 20-12 .625

New Orleans 19-12 .613

Tacoma 19-14 .576

Omaha 18-14 .563

Colorado Springs 18-15 .545

Nashville 16-16 .500

Albuquerque 16-17 .485

Fresno 16-17 .485

Las Vegas 15-17 .469

Reno 14-18 .438

Tucson 13-20 .394

Oklahoma City 12-20 .375

Iowa 11-21 .344

Memphis 10-23 .303

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

The Express... have won five of seven, 11 of 16 ... clubbed 10 homers over the last six games ... hit at least one homer in six of last eight games, 12 of last 16 ... are 21-11 since July 26 ... are hitting .327 (226-for-692) over last 19 games with 10-plus hits in 12 of last 16 games ... won five of last eight series, gaining a split in the other three ... are 14-0 when scoring at least seven runs since the All-Star break ... are 22-13 since scoring five ninth-inning runs to force extra-innings in an 11-inning, 8-7 victory July 22 vs. Omaha (team's first victory when trailing after eight innings) ... are 24-20 since All-Star break ... are 13-20 in series openers (9-9 at home, 4-11 on the road), winning six of last eight ... are 16-57 when allowing at least five runs, 49-24 when scoring at least five runs ... are 18-16 in one-run games, 11-4 since the All-Star break ... are 4-58 when trailing after seven innings, 3-60 when trailing after eight innings ... are 55-7 when leading after seven innings, 51-4 when leading after eight innings ... are 28-29 since Clint Musslewhite's departure, 15-20 at home in that time.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

JULIO BORBON: Needs six hits to tie Mark Saccomanno's 2008 franchise record (157) ... hit safely in 12 of last 13 games (.382, 21-for-55) ... reached safely in 13 straight games ... multiple-hits in six of last 12 games ... third in PCL with 151 hits ... fourth player in franchise history to amass at least 150 hits in a season ... 21-for-53 (.396) since snapping 0-for-15 skid with sixth-inning single Aug. 14 at Reno.

JOEY BUTLER: 14-game hitting streak (.345, 20-for-58) ... hit safely in 20 of last 22 games (27-for-84) since going hitless in consecutive games Aug. 1-2 ... 74 walks, eclipsing Esteban German's single-season franchise record established last season (72) ... tied for second in PCL in walks ... hitting .390 (135-for-346) when not striking out ... 13 of 18 home runs on the road ... 10 of 18 home runs were solo shots (three leadoff) ... seventh player in franchise history with at least 30 career homers.

ROBINZON DIAZ: Hit safely in all four games with Express, including three multiple-hit outings ... produced a run (scored or RBI) in all four games.

ALBERTO GONZALEZ: Hit safely in six of eight games with Express, including three multiple-hit efforts ... homer Aug. 22 vs. Nashville was first since June 25, 2011, while with San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta at Petco Park ... first minor-league homer since Aug. 28, 2008, with Triple-A Syracuse (Nationals).

KOYIE HILL: 2-for-20 (.100) over last five games ... at least one strikeout in nine of 10 games with Express, two strikeouts four times ... three multiple-hit outings.

MATT KATA: Franchise-record 406 career games with Express ... next multiple-hit game will break Mark Saccomanno's career Express record (114) ... needs 11 hits to tie Saccomanno's career hits franchise record ... hitting .351 (20-for-57) over last 15 games with 11 RBI ... 11 multiple-hit efforts over last 24 games ... sixth player in franchise history with at least 30 career homers.

LEONYS MARTIN: Hit safely in 24 of last 27 games with Express (.386, 44-for-114) ... at least one extra-base hit in eight of last 12 games, nine of last 14 ... at least one RBI in eight of last 12 games (15 RBI), multiple RBI in five of last 11 games ... at least one run scored in three straight games, 11 of last 12 games (18 runs), multiple runs in six of last 11 games.

BRAD NELSON: Snapped 0-for-6 skid with second-inning homer Sunday ... 23rd homer, ninth-best season total in Express history ... first player in franchise history with at least 23 homers in multiple seasons (24 last season) ... 15 of 23 homers were solos, including nine leadoff shots ... hit safely in 21 of 26 home games since All-Star break (.389, 35-for-90) ... stretch was preceded by an 0-for-24 slump at The Dell Diamond ... 48 of 78 RBI on the road ... hitting .313 (107-for-342) after All-Star break over last two seasons ... at least one strikeout in 12 of last 14 games, 17 of last 20 games (23 strikeouts).

BRANDON SNYDER: 4-for-31 (.129) since last multiple-hit outing (Aug. 15 at Reno) ... at least one strikeout six straight games (11 strikeouts), 16 of 20 games (28 strikeouts) with multiple strikeouts 10 times ... 10 strikeouts in last 19 at bats.

YANGERVIS SOLARTE: Six multiple-hit efforts in last 15 games ... hitting .329 (20-for-61) in that time ... hit into 28 double plays, most in organized baseball regardless of level ... eight of nine home runs were solo shots, seven of nine on the road ... second in PCL with 12.20 plate appearances per strikeout.

RYAN SPILBORGHS: Hit safely in 13 of last 15 games (.351, 20-for-57) ... multiple hits in four of last seven games ... six of eight homers were on the road ... has not gone consecutive games without a strikeout since five-game stretch July 18-22 ... seven RBI in last five games, 11 RBI in last 10 games.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

FABIO CASTILLO: Won last outing (Aug. 25 vs. Nashville) ... season-high three strikeouts Aug. 22 vs. Nashville ... held opponent scoreless in eight of 12 outings ... four walks over last eight appearances (10.2 innings, 45 batters faced) ... one home run surrendered with Express (68 batters faced) ... opponents are 1-for-11 (.091) when leading off an inning with three walks, four strikeouts.

NEAL COTTS: Held opponent scoreless in five of last six outings ... held opponent hitless in three of last five appearances ... 0-1, 2.65 ERA (5 ER/17.0 IP) in 13 games at The Dell Diamond ... 1-0, 8.25 ERA (11 ER/12.0 IP) in 10 road outings ... stranded 13 of 21 inherited runners (61.9 percent), including each of last four ... 21 strikeouts over last 10 outings (13.1 innings).

WILLIE EYRE: 1.42 ERA (1 ER/6.1 IP) over last four outings with eight strikeouts, one walk ... no runs allowed in five straight road outings ... 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12.0 IP) in eight road appearances ... 0-1, 5.82 ERA (11 ER/17.0 IP) in 13 games at The Dell Diamond ... holds opponents to a .077 average (2-for-26) when leading off an inning with one homer, two walks, eight strikeouts (.200 on-base percentage) ... opponents hitting .538 (7-for-13) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

DEREK HANKINS: Won three of last four decisions in one start (1-0), seven relief appearances (2-1) ... two homers surrendered over last eight outings (one start) ... 2-1, 3.38 ERA (4 ER/10.2 IP) over last seven relief appearances ... at least one strikeout in six of last seven games (10 strikeouts, 14.2 innings) ... opponents hitting .314 (22-for-70) when leading off an inning with two homers, three walks, nine strikeouts ... holds opponents to a .118 average (4-for-34) with two outs and runners in scoring position ... stranded 11 of 12 inherited runners (91.7 percent).

JOE ORTIZ: Claimed save in two of last three appearances ... held opponent scoreless in five straight outings (6.0 innings), eight of last nine games (1.46 ERA, 2 ER/12.1 IP) ... all seven runs allowed were via homers ... two-run homer surrendered Aug. 6 vs. Las Vegas was lone non-solo homer allowed ... opponents hitting .210 (21-for-100) otherwise ... at least one strikeout in 17 of 22 outings ... four strikeouts over last three outings (2.1 innings) ... stranded 12 of 15 inherited runners (80.0 percent).

BEN SNYDER: Surrendered season-high six runs in last outing (Aug. 26 vs. Nashville) ... snapped 8.2-inning scoreless streak over six outings ... 20-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio over last 12 outings (three starts) ... stranded 13 of 25 inherited runners (52.0 percent).

YOSHINORI TATEYAMA: No runs allowed in 16 games at The Dell Diamond, going 2-0 with four saves, 23 strikeouts, five walks (21.1 innings) ... no earned runs allowed in 27 of 30 outings with Express (unearned runs allowed once) ... opponents hitting .122 (9-for-74) when behind in the count ... 27 strikeouts over last 17 outings (20.0 innings) ... stranded nine of 13 inherited runners (69.2 percent).

JOHAN YAN: Six walks over last four outings (4.1 innings, 22 batters faced) ... held opponent scoreless in eight of last 11 outings (3.07 ERA; 5 ER/14.2 IP) ... stranded 12 of 20 inherited runners (60.0 percent) ... entered game with bases loaded four times; stranded seven of 12 runners (58.3 percent) ... all three homers surrendered were leadoff shots ... 23.14 ERA (5 ER/2.1 IP) in the ninth inning.

WHO'S NEXT

Round Rock concludes the season with a four-game road series against the Oklahoma RedHawks (Houston Astros). Oklahoma City leads the season series 7-5. The RedHawks won three of four at Bricktown Ballpark in late April, and the teams split both four-game series at The Dell Diamond (June 14-17, Aug. 18-21).

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ141 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 31 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Martin Perez (7-6, 4.24 ERA)

RedHawks: LHP Rudy Owens (1-3, 4.76 ERA)

GAME"ˆ142 | SATURDAY, SEPT. 1 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (7-12, 4.65 ERA)

RedHawks: RHP Jarred Cosart (1-2, 3.32 ERA)

GAME"ˆ143 | SUNDAY, SEPT. 2 | 6:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (10-8, 4.94 ERA; starts tonight)

RedHawks: RHP Jose Cisnero (3-1, 3.94 ERA; starts tonight)

GAME"ˆ144 | MONDAY, SEPT. 3 | 11:05 a.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (4-4, 4.41 ERA; starts tomorrow)

RedHawks: RHP Edgar Gonzalez (3-3, 4.96 ERA; starts tomorrow)

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 28, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central