PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Omaha Storm Chasers

Published on July 23, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 102 | 23 JULY 2012 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (42-59) vs. OMAHA STORM CHASERS (60-42)

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

EXPRESS: LHP Chad Bell (3-2, 4.15 ERA) | STORM CHASERS: LHP Ryan Verdugo (6-2, 3.58 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock continues an eight-game home stand with the finale of a four-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. Round Rock is 3-7 since the All-Star break after last night's 8-7 win. The Express are 22-27 at home, snapping a seven-game skid at The Dell Diamond last night. The Storm Chasers, who owned the PCL's best record at the All-Star break, are 4-7 since the break. Omaha is 24-23 on the road, winning four of seven at The Dell Diamond. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern division, 17 games behind division leader Albuquerque. Omaha leads the American Northern Division by 14-and-a-half games, the league's largest division lead.

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 last of four series between the two teams. Omaha leads the season series 12-3, sweeping both four-game series at Werner Park and winning four of seven games at The Dell Diamond. ... SERIES HISTORY: Omaha holds a 69-60 advantage in the all-time series, which has been dominated by the home team. The Storm Chasers are 40-25 against the Express in Nebraska but 29-35 at The Dell Diamond. The Express won season series in 2006 (10-6), 2009 (11-5) and 2011 (11-5). The Storm Chasers won season series in 2005 (6-10), 2008 (6-10), 2010 (4-12) and have clinched this year's series. The teams split a rare 18-game season series in 2007 with the home team going 6-3 in each location. There have been seven series sweeps - Round Rock at home in 2006, Omaha at home in 2008 (three games), Round Rock at Omaha in 2009, Omaha at home in 2010, Round Rock at home in 2011 and Omaha at home twice this season. ... 2012 SERIES: Nine of the 15 meetings were decided by three or fewer runs, including a trio of two-run games and five one-run games of which Omaha won three. The Storm Chasers won the April 10 game 9-8 in 16 innings, the longest game in Express history both in terms of innings and time of game (5:24). Round Rock is hitting .228 (120-for-526) with 11 homers, 22 doubles and 4.0 runs per game. Joey Butler is the only Express players hitting .300 or better against Omaha; he is 17-for-53 (.321) with a solo homer, two doubles and 10 runs scored in 13 games; however, he also has 17 strikeouts. Yangervis Solarte is 17-for-59 (.288) in 15 games with seven RBI, four doubles and seven walks. Round Rock pitchers have a 5.70 ERA (87 ER/137.1 IP) with 78 strikeouts against 53 walks. The Express also surrendered 12 unearned runs and converted two of five save opportunities. Omaha is hitting .309 (172-for-556) with 15 homers, 29 doubles, five triples, 21 stolen bases and 6.6 runs per game. Tony Abreu is 25-for-61 (.410) in 14 games with two homers, 14 RBI, four doubles, one triple and 14 runs scored. Irving Falu is 21-for-55 (.382) in 14 games with three homers, 15 RBI, four doubles, 11 runs scored and three stolen bases. Anthony Seratelli is 16-for-40 (.400) with four homers, 13 RBI, three doubles, nine runs scored and three stolen bases in 12 games. Storm Chasers pitchers have a 3.38 ERA with 119 strikeouts against 56 walks; Omaha relievers suffered their first blown save in seven opportunities last night.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ99 | FRIDAY, JULY 20

Storm Chasers 10, at Express 4

WP: Adcock (5-3). LP: Feliz (0-1). SV: None.

GAME"ˆ100 | SATURDAY, JULY 21

Storm Chasers 4, at Express 2

WP: Dwyer (1-1). LP: Jackson (3-12). SV: Colon (6).

GAME"ˆ101 | SUNDAY, JULY 22

at Express 8, Storm Chasers 7 (11 innings)

WP: Hankins (4-6). LP: Sisk (3-2). SV: None.

GAME"ˆ102 | MONDAY, JULY 23 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (3-2, 4.15 ERA)

Storm Chasers: LHP"ˆRyan Verdugo (6-23.58 ERA)

START ME UP

LHP CHAD BELL (3-2, 4.15 ERA, 17 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 starts July 6 at Albuquerque and July 13 vs. Memphis ... averages 3.20 runs of support per start ... Express scored one run total in two losses ... opponents are 11-for-31 (.355) with runners in scoring position and 6-for-15 (.400) with two outs and runners in scoring position ... opponents hitting .074 (2-for-27) when leading off an inning with four walks and four strikeouts ... has not allowed a first-inning run ... opponents are 8-for-39 (.205) when behind in the count ... five of eight extra-base hits (all doubles) were surrendered with an even count ... eight double plays induced, all in last four starts ... 1-1, 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12.0 IP) in two starts at The Dell Diamond.

LAST START: Won July 18 start at Nashville (8-5) ... allowed five runs on nine hits, including one home run, over 7.0 innings with three strikeouts against one walk ... utilized one double play ... yielded one run in the second inning, three runs in the third inning ... surrendered Corey Patterson one-out solo homer in the sixth inning ... matched longest outing of career ... longest outing since consecutive 7.0-inning starts with short-season Spokane in 2010 (July 23-29), his final short-season starts ... left game leading 8-5 ... 87 pitches, 59 strikes.

2012 vs. OMAHA: First meeting.

CAREER"ˆvs. OMAHA: 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.

MORELAND BEGINS REHAB

Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland begins a rehab assignment with the Express tonight. He is expected to play first base and bat in the leadoff spot, garnering three plate appearances. Moreland is expected to DH in Tuesday's game.

COME BACK

Last night's five-run deficit was the largest ninth-inning comeback en route to a victory in Round Rock's Triple-A history (since 2005). It was the largest deficit overcome by Round Rock this season at any point in a game; the previous largest was three runs twice. It was the largest deficit overcome by an Express squad since Aug. 9, 2010, when the Express erased a 6-0, second-inning deficit against Sacramento en route to an 11-7 win. The last time Round Rock overcame a deficit of at least five runs later than the seventh inning was Sept. 1, 2006, when the E-Train scored two runs in the eighth and five runs in the ninth to erase a 5-0 hole at Nashville. The Express claimed their second victory in 52 games when trailing after eight innings; both wins came in the last six games. It was Round Rock's first walk-off win since May 21 vs. Sacramento (Yangervis Solarte two-out RBI single) and the squad's sixth last-at-bat win this season, two of which came in the last six games.

BEEN DOWN SO LONG

Round Rock broke several trends last night's 8-7 victory. Not only did the Express snap a three-game losing streak and a seven-game skid at home, the E-Train scored more than four runs at home for the first time since June 21 (6-2 vs. Iowa), snapping a 13-game skid. Consider: Round Rock scored more runs in last night's ninth inning (five) than in any of their previous 13 home games. It also marked the first time Round Rock scored at least eight runs at home since May 22 (11-5 vs. Sacramento.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

The Express are 3-7 since the All-Star break and 5-13 since July 1. ... Round Rock is 7-18 in series openers (5-8 at home, 2-10 on the road). ... Round Rock has not won three straight games since a four-game run May 31-June 3. The Express are 15-28 in that span, enduring a seven-game losing streak and a pair of five-game skids in that time. ... The Express are 9-47 when allowing at least five runs and 32-20 when scoring at least five runs. ... Of Round Rock's 95 home runs, 61 were on the road (1.17 per game). Meanwhile, Express batters average 0.69 homers per game at home (33 homers, 48 games). ... Round Rock is fourth in the PCL with a .978 fielding percentage and leads the league with 122 double plays turned. Express pitchers induced at least one double play in 22 of the last 29 games (37 double plays). ... Round Rock is 9-13 in one-run games. Seven of the 22 games were against Iowa. ... The Express are 3-48 when trailing after seven innings and 2-50 when trailing after eight innings. Conversely, the Express are 38-6 when leading after seven innings and 37-3 when leading after eight innings. ... Round Rock is 6-16 since Clint Musslewhite's departure, going 3-10 at home in that time.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

JULIO BORBON: Hitless in last 15 at bats ... 1-for-18 over last four games ... hitting .320 (71-for-222) since May 12 ... two RBI (July 7 at Albuquerque; July 18 at Nashville) 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) ... hitting .342 (88-for-257) through the first six innings; hitting .154 (16-for-104) after the sixth inning.

JOEY BUTLER: Riding a 12-game hitting streak (.417, 20-for-48) with five multiple-hit efforts, one homer, six RBI, five doubles and 10 runs scored ... hitting .571 (20-for-35) in that time when putting the ball in play ... hit safely in 11 of last 12 at bats when not striking out ... 11-for-18 (.611) over last four games ... six RBI in last 12 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 19 of last 24 games (29 strikeouts) with two strikeouts in four of last seven games ... leads PCL with 58 walks ... two walks over last eight games ... two homers in last 40 games, 148 at bats ... one homer at The Dell Diamond (July 1 vs. New Orleans) since May 17 (32 games) ... eight of 13 home runs were solo shots ... hitting .230 (32-for-139) when batting fifth or higher in the order, .338 (69-for-204) when batting sixth or lower.

LUIS HERNANDEZ: 4-for-36 (.111) over last nine-plus games ... no multiple-hit efforts since four-hit game June 29 vs. Nashville (16 games) but produced 12 RBI in that time ... two homers over last 37 games, 138 at bats (both solos) ... five of six home runs were solo shots ... six of last nine hits produced at least one RBI ... 12 RBI in 17 July games after producing eight RBI in 26 June games ... 11 walks over last 22 games after not walking in previous 28 games ... 5-for-29 (.172) with runners in scoring position and two outs but hit safely in two of last three such at bats ... 14-for-72 (.194) when leading off an inning with two homers, five walks, nine strikeouts ... leads all PCL shortstops with a .980 fielding percentage (eight errors, 403 total chances).

MATT KATA: 7-for-42 (.167) over last 10 games ... one multiple-hit effort (two hits, July 7 at Albuquerque) over last 25 games ... hitting .409 (27-for-66) with runners in scoring position (38 RBI), going 11-for-23 (.478) with runners in scoring position and two outs (20 RBI) ... 48-for-223 (.215) without runners in scoring position ... 5-for-10 with bases loaded (one homer, 12 RBI) ... three walks in last 49 games, 202 plate appearances ... one homer (July 8 at Albuquerque) since May 31 grand slam at Memphis (38 games) ... hitting .370 (30-for-81) when batting first or seventh in lineup; hitting .212 (44-for-208) elsewhere in the lineup.

LUIS MARTINEZ: Hit safely in seven of last eight games (.333, 10-for-30) with four RBI, four runs scored, three multiple-hit games and two multiple-RBI outings ... hit safely in 16 of his last 19 games (.303, 20-for-66) with four multiple-hit efforts ... four RBI since May 29 at Memphis, all coming in consecutive games at Albuquerque (July 4, 7) ... three extra-base hits since June 9 (two doubles, homer) ... 19-for-44 (.432) 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).

TOMMY MENDONCA: 1-for-22 (.045) over last six-plus games ... one walk in last 33 games, 128 plate appearances ... at least one strikeout in 19 of last 22 games (32 strikeouts) ... nine strikeouts in four games since July 14 activation from disabled list ... at least three strikeout 11 times (three games with four strikeouts) ... has not gone more than two straight games without a strikeout ... each of last four extra-base hits were homers (double May 20 vs. Fresno).

GREG MICLAT: Hit safely in 10 of last 14 games (.341, 14-for-41) with four multiple-hit efforts ... at least one strikeout in eight of last 10 games (10 strikeouts) ... at least one walk in five of last six games (seven walks) ... 10 of 23 hits were for extra bases (nine doubles, one homer) ... 3-for-19 (.158) when leading off an inning with one homer, two walks, eight strikeouts ... 0-for-3 with bases loaded; two walks and one sacrifice fly.

BRAD NELSON: Hit safely in eight of 10 games since All-Star break (.387, 12-for-31) with five homers, nine RBI, two doubles, seven runs scored and 12 walks ... five homers in last eight games, 25 at bats (three solos, two two-run) ... at least one walk in six straight games (eight walks) and 10 of last 11 games (13 walks) ... hit safely in 12 of last 15 games (.333, 17-for-51) with four multiple-hit games ... hit safely in eight of last 14 at bats at home after enduring an 0-for-24 slump at The Dell Diamond ... hitting .342 (53-for-155) on the road since going 0-for-4 April 21 at New Orleans ... hits roughly 80 points better on the road (.317, 60-for-189) than at home (.234, 40-for-171) ... 10 of 16 homers, 39 of 58 RBI were in road games ... at least one strikeout in 14 of last 21 games (22 strikeouts) ... nine of 16 homers were solos, including five leadoff shots ... 4-for-8 with bases loaded (homer, 10 RBI).

GUILDER RODRIGUEZ: Snapped 0-for-11 skid with last night's fourth-inning single ... hitless in first 12 at bats with Express after being promoted from Double-A Frisco ... 7-for-23 (.304) since, including three-hit game July 3 vs. New Orleans ... five of seven hits with bases empty ... 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position ... 1-for-6 when leading off an inning.

ELIO SARMIENTO: Hitless in last 10 at bats ... 1-for-19 (.053) since All-Star break; lone hit was a home run (July 18 at Nashville) ... no multiple-hit efforts since two-hit night May 4 vs. Memphis (14 games) ... at least one strikeout in 15 of 18 games played, including 14 of last 15 games ... doubled in lone first-inning at bat.

YANGERVIS SOLARTE: 7-for-37 (.189) since All-Star break with one multiple-hit effort ... no consecutive hitless games since June 9-10 ... hitting .305 (32-for-105) over last 29 games with nine multiple-hit games (two three-hit outings) and eight RBI ... five of six home runs, 30 of 37 RBI came after the third inning ... no homers since May 14, a span of 56 games and 217 at bats ... five of six home runs were solo shots ... 10-for-53 (.189) with runners in scoring position and fewer than two outs ... second in PCL with 13.19 plate appearances per strikeout ... one strikeout in five of last nine games (37 at bats) ... has not struck out in more than two straight games since five-game stretch May 21-26 ... hitting .356 (26-for-73) in bottom third of order, .263 (78-for-297) when batting sixth or higher ... four RBI since last multiple-RBI effort June 21 vs. Iowa (25 games).

RYAN SPILBORGHS: Three RBI last night most since three-RBI effort May 14 at Tacoma ... 9-for-36 (.250) since All-Star break ... one homer in last 46 games and 176 at bats ... three of five homers were solos, including two leadoff shots ... nine RBI in last 11 games after producing one RBI in previous 20 games ... no strikeouts in last five games after striking out at least once in 15 of previous 16 games (20 strikeouts) ... longest stretch without a strikeout since joining Express May 5 ... 7-for-41 (.171) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... hit safely in three of last four at bats with runners in scoring position and two outs after going 21-consecutive such at bats without a hit ... 248 career PCL games, hitting .333 (314-for-943) with 25 homers, 129 RBI and 72 doubles.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

NEAL COTTS: No runs allowed in last three outings (4.2 innings) ... stranded eight of 11 inherited runners, including six of last seven ... season-high four strikeouts in last outing (July 22 vs. Omaha) ... opponents are 2-for-17 (.118) with runners on base and two outs ... opponents are 0-for-4 with bases loaded ... allows a .600 on-base percentage (6-for-12, three walks) to leadoff batters ... 2.89 ERA (3 ER/9.1 IP) at home; 7.56 ERA (7 ER/8.1 IP) on the road.

WILLIE EYRE: No walks since issuing three walks June 20 in first outing with Express ... 15.0 innings, 58 batters faced since last walk ... one run allowed over four outings since All-Star break (4.0 innings, 2.25 ERA) ... two of four inherited runners scored ... opponents are 2-for-16 (.125) when leading off an inning (no walks, four strikeouts) ... opponents are 4-for-8 (.500) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

DEREK HANKINS: Allowed at least one home run in six of last eight appearances (seven homers) ... 2-2, 3.34 ERA (12 ER/32.1 IP) in 19 relief appearances ... 2-4, 7.43 ERA (22 ER/26.2 IP) in seven starts ... 2-3, 10.06 ERA (19 ER/17.0 IP) in last six outings (four starts) ... leadoff batters hitting .304 (17-for-56) with two homers ... opponents are 1-for-26 (.038) with runners in scoring position and two outs but 17-for-46 (.370) with runners in scoring position and fewer than two outs.

AARON HEILMAN: No runs allowed in last three appearances (4.1 innings) ... season-high five strikeouts in last outing (July 22 vs. Omaha) ... matched strikeout total from nine games combined ... converted seven of last eight save chances ... stranded 10 of 14 inherited runners ... held opponent scoreless in 11 of last 13 outings ... opponents hitting .357 (15-for-42) with runners in scoring position ... opponents are hitless in three bases-loaded at bats (two strikeouts).

JOE ORTIZ: Held opponent scoreless in eight of 12 outings, including seven of last 10 ... all runs allowed scored on solo homers (four) ... no walks in 14.1 innings with Express (58 batters faced) ... one strikeout in nine of 12 outings ... opponents are 1-for-7 with two outs and runners in scoring position.

BEN SNYDER: 1-1, 2.25 ERA (4 ER/16.0 IP) in last five outings (two starts) ... 1-0, 3.00 ERA (7 ER/21.0 IP) in 15 appearances at The Dell Diamond (all relief) ... holds opponents to a .208 average (11-for-53) when leading off an inning with no homers and nine strikeouts against three walks ... opponents are 9-for-29 (.310) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

YOSHINORI TATEYAMA: Has not allowed an earned run in 18 of 19 outings with Express ... has not allowed an earned run with the Express since April 21 at New Orleans, a span of 20.0 innings over 15 appearances ... currently has a 13.0-inning scoreless streak over 10 appearances with Round Rock ... 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 7-for-49 (.143) when behind in the count ... 10 strikeouts in 7.0 innings over last six outings ... multiple strikeouts in seven of last 12 appearances ... at least one strikeout in six consecutive appearances, nine of last 10.

JOHAN YAN: Allowed at least one run in 10 of 17 outings ... entered game with bases loaded three times and stranded six of nine runners ... stranded eight of 14 inherited runners ... opponents are 13-for-37 (.351) with runners on base.

WHO'S NEXT

Round Rock concludes an eight-game home stand with a four-game series against the Albuquerque Isotopes (Los Angeles Dodgers). The series runs Tuesday through Friday with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch each night. This is the last of four series between the division rivals. Albuquerque leads the season series 7-5, winning five of eight at Isotopes Park and splitting a four-game series at The Dell Diamond in early June.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ103 | TUESDAY, JULY 24 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Justin Grimm (0-0, 3.86 ERA)

Isotopes: LHP Derrick Loop (9-2, 4.53 ERA)

GAME"ˆ104 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Neftali Feliz (0-1, 5.40 ERA: rehab) / LHP Martin Perez (5-5, 4.59 ERA)

Isotopes: RHP Fernando Nieve (5-6, 5.81 ERA)

GAME"ˆ105 | THURSDAY, JULY 26 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (3-12, 4.98 ERA)

Isotopes: RHP Will Savage (10-3, 5.57 ERA)

GAME"ˆ106 | FRIDAY, JULY 27 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (7-6, 5.34 ERA)

Isotopes: RHP Stephen Fife (8-5, 4.31 ERA)

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 23, 2012


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