PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Tacoma Rainiers

Published on August 8, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (68-48) vs. TACOMA RAINIERS (58-58)

GAME 117 | 8 AUGUST ‚¬Ë†2011 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

TONIGHT'S GAME

Round Rock continues an eight-game home stand with the second of four games against the Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. The Express are 6-4 in their last 10 games after dropping last night's series opener 12-7. The Rainiers are 6-4 in their last 10 games and are 3-2 on their current eight-game road trip. Round Rock is 37-24 at The Dell Diamond, while Tacoma is 33-27 on the road.

PROMOTIONS

* $1 Hot Dogs and Sodas, compliments of Mrs Baird's

* Kids Express Caps for all kids age 12 and under, compliments of Gatti-Land

RADIO BROADCAST INFORMATION

Tonight's game airs on 104.9 FM The Horn ESPN ‚¬Ë†Radio Austin. Online audio also is available at www.espnaustin.com. Express Director of Broadcasting Mike Capps handles play-by-play duties, while former Major Leaguer Jerry Grote provides color analysis.

EXPRESS-RAINIERS SERIES

Tacoma leads the series 1-0 after last night's 12-7 victory. The series continues Tuesday and Wednesday with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch each night. SERIES NOTES: This is Tacoma's first visit to The Dell Diamond since the 2009 season. Round Rock - then the Houston Astros Triple-A affiliate - lost all four games in the series. Last season, the Express lost three of four at Tacoma. Oklahoma City - then the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate - won two of three in a rain-shortened series at Tacoma last season.

GAME ‚¬Ë†116 | SUNDAY, AUG. 7

Rainiers 12, Express 7

WP: Ramirez (2-0). LP: Tomko (5-5). SV: None.

GAME ‚¬Ë†117 | MONDAY, AUG. 8 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Eric Hurley (6-0, 3.65 ERA)

Rainiers: LHP Nate Robertson (3-5, 7.20 ERA)

GAME ‚¬Ë†118 | TUESDAY, AUG. 9 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Ryan Tucker (2-4, 5.06 ERA)

Rainiers: RHP Forrest Snow (0-1, 5.60 ERA)

GAME ‚¬Ë†119 | WEDNESDAY, AUG. 10 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Martin Perez (3-2, 5.76 ERA)

Rainiers: LHP Anthony Vasquez (4-2, 3.43 ERA)

EXPRESS STARTER

RHP Eric Hurley (6-0, 3.65 ERA)

Last Outing: No-decision in Aug. 3 start vs. Salt Lake, a 3-2 Express win ‚¬Â¦ Allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks over 6.0 innings with four strikeouts ‚¬Â¦ Both runs scored on Rian Kiniry two-out single in the fourth ‚¬Â¦ All six hits allowed were singles ‚¬Â¦ Left game tied 2-2 ‚¬Â¦ Used 100 pitches, 61 strikes.

2011: Makes 12th start tonight ‚¬Â¦ Express are 10-1 in his starts, winning 10 straight ‚¬Â¦ Logged 56.2 innings with 33 strikeouts against 21 walks and a .288 opponents' average ‚¬Â¦ Supported with 7.36 runs per start ‚¬Â¦ No-decision in season's first start April 8 vs. Iowa ‚¬Â¦ Missed second scheduled start April 13 vs. Omaha due to a viral infection ‚¬Â¦ Sustained small skull fracture after taking a comebacker just above right temple on fourth pitch of April 18 start at New Orleans ‚¬Â¦ Placed on disabled list April 20 ‚¬Â¦ Returned to the mound June 20 vs. Omaha (no-decision) ‚¬Â¦ Earned first victory since July 14, 2008, (Double-A Frisco) in June 26 start vs. Oklahoma City ‚¬Â¦ No-decision in July 2 start vs. Nashville, a 9-7 Express victory ‚¬Â¦ Won each of last five decisions (six starts) - July 7 vs. Memphis, July 14 at Memphis, July 19 vs. New Orleans, July 24 at Omaha and July 29 vs. Memphis ‚¬Â¦ 2.68 ERA (11 ER / 37.0 IP) over last six starts ‚¬Â¦ Worked at least 6.0 innings in five of last six starts, going 7.0 innings twice ‚¬Â¦ Season high seven strikeouts in season's first outing; has not struck out more than five in any start since, eclipsing three strikeouts only three times ‚¬Â¦ 4-0, 4.57 ERA, .312 opponents' average in eight starts at The Dell Diamond ‚¬Â¦ Express are 4-0 when he starts following a team loss ‚¬Â¦ 3-0, 1.80 ERA (5 ER / 25.0 IP) in four starts following an Express loss ‚¬Â¦ 2.61 first-inning ERA (3 ER / 10.1 IP) ‚¬Â¦ 3.10 ERA (17 ER / 49.1 IP) through fifth inning - 7.36 ERA (6 ER / 7.1 IP) thereafter ‚¬Â¦ All six home runs allowed were solo shots at The Dell Diamond ‚¬Â¦ Opponents are 9-for-51 (.176) with runners in scoring position (.160, 4-for-25 with two outs).

2010: Missed entire season due to injury.

Notable: Rangers 2004 first-round draft pick (30th overall) out of Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Fla. ... 2004 first-team High School All-American ... MLB debut June 12, 2008, vs. Kansas City ... Missed each of last two seasons due to injury.

LAST NIGHT'S GAMES

Carlos Peguero's two-run double capped a four-run sixth inning and propelled the Rainiers to a 12-7 victory over the Express. Round Rock trailed 6-0 entering the bottom of the second but battled back with a pair of runs in the second and a Joey Butler leadoff homer in the fourth. The Express tied the game in the fifth on Butler's two-run triple and Matt Kata's RBI single, both of which came with two outs. But the Rainiers quickly answered and never relinquished the lead. Johan Limonta drew a bases-loaded walk to snap the 6-6 tie, and Alex Liddie followed with a run-scoring fielder's choice. Butler, Kata, Brad Nelson and Leonys Martin all had two-hit nights for the Express; Nelson clubbed his 19th homer.

ROUND ROCK AMONG TOP PCL TEAMS

The Express (68-48, .586) own the PCL's second-best record behind Sacramento (70-46, .603). Round Rock is four-and-a-half games ahead of Omaha (63-52, .548) in the overall American Conference standings. Only six of 16 PCL teams are above .500, four of which are in the American Conference.

DIVISION STANDINGS UPDATE

Round Rock (68-48, .586) maintained its nine-game lead over Albuquerque (59-57, .509) in the American Southern Division standings last night. While the Express fell to Tacoma 12-7, the Isotopes dropped an 11-8 decision to Salt Lake. It marked only sixth time in the last 19 games that Round Rock and Albuquerque had the same result. The Express are 31-17 since June 18, during which time Albuquerque is 20-28. Round Rock has at least shared the division lead following 94 of 116 games this season and has led the division outright since June 25. New Orleans (57-59, .491) trails Round Rock by 11 games, while Oklahoma City (51-65, .440) is 19 games back.

JONES APPROACHING MILESTONE

Express manager Bobby Jones enters tonight's game with 1,497 career managerial wins - all of which have come in the Texas Rangers organization. His tally includes stints with Class-A Charlotte (1988-1990), Double-A Tulsa (1991-1992, 1996-2000), Triple-A Oklahoma City (1993-1994, 2002-2010) and Round Rock. Jones' most successful season at the Triple-A level was 2004 when he led Oklahoma City to 81 wins and the PCL American Southern Division title. He owns 12 division titles and guided the 1998 Tulsa squad to a Texas League championship.

TEAM NOTES

* The Express have surpassed Round Rock's wins total from 2007 (61), 2008 (64), 2009 (63) and 2010 (57).

* Round Rock has lost more than two consecutive games only once, dropping four straight. The Express are 13-2 following consecutive losses.

* The Express are in a stretch of 54 games in 54 days, going 16-10 to this point.

* Round Rock posted the PCL's best July record at 18-11.

* The Express are 37-24 at The Dell Diamond, winning 20 of 28 games since June 18.

* Round Rock is 31-24 on the road, the PCL's second-best road record (Sacramento, 37-19).

* Express pitchers tallied 12 strikeouts Friday night - it was their first 12-strikeout game since May 21 vs. Colorado Springs when they struck out 16 - it was their seventh 12-strikeout game of the season, the first five occurred in April

* The Express recorded their first shutout since May 2 Friday night - it was their third of the year

* With 148 home runs, the Express have surpassed season totals from 2007 (134), 2009 (97) and 2010 (108). The Express are tied for third in the league with Sacramento, trailing only Reno (158) and Albuquerque (149).

* Round Rock is on pace to hit 188 home runs. The franchise Triple-A era record is 170 (2006).

* The Express have homered in 74 of 116 games, going 50-24 in those games. However, they are 18-24 when failing to hit a home run.

* Round Rock averages 6.35 runs per game (470 total) when hitting at least one home run but only 3.57 runs per game (150 total) when failing to hit at least one home run.

* The Express failed to hit a home run Aug. 2 - Aug. 4, just the third time going more than two consecutive games without a home run - the others were a four-game stretch in April and a three-game stretch in July.

* Round Rock has scored more than six runs without the benefit of a home run only once since June 3 - a 10-1 victory over Memphis (July 29).

* The Express are 34-11 when hitting at least two home runs, winning 15 of their last 18 such games. Round Rock is 12-3 when hitting multiple homers on the road.

* Round Rock is 17-2 when hitting at least three home runs and 7-0 when hitting at least four.

* The Express are 22-6 this season when scoring at least four runs in an inning and 5-21 when allowing an inning of at least four runs.

* The Express have 37 comeback wins (trailing at some point in the game). They have won 15 times when trailing after five innings, nine times when trailing after six innings, nine times when trailing after seven innings and five times when trailing entering the ninth.

* Round Rock is 54-15 when scoring at least five runs.

* The Express have 33 triples, tied for the third-best total in franchise history (Triple-A era).

* Joey Butler's triple last night was the first since Matt Kata's against Memphis on July 10

* The Express have stranded 158 runners over the last 19 games despite hitting .322 (66-for-205) with runners in scoring position during that stretch.

* The Express are 21-12 in one-run games and 35-21 in games decided by two runs or fewer.

* Opponents have scored first in 64 of 117 games this season. The Express are 31-33 in those games, going 13-13 when responding with at least one run in their next at bat.

* Round Rock has produced at least 15 hits 19 times.

* The Express have produced at least 10 hits in 13 of their last 20 games.

* Round Rock is hitting .302 (250-for-829) over the last 22 games.

* The Express have 18 last-at-bat wins, including nine walk-off victories and three game-ending homers.

* Round Rock is 9-3 in extra-inning games, including a 4-0 mark at The Dell Diamond.

* The Express are 52-15 when holding the opponent to fewer than six runs.

* Round Rock is 36-14 when scoring first and 27-13 when scoring in the first inning.

* The Express are 23-16 when allowing a first-inning run.

* Round Rock is 44-10 when out-hitting the opponent.

* The Express are 52-7 when leading after six innings, 50-6 when leading after seven innings and 51-4 when leading after eight innings.

* Round Rock has won eight of 12 games when tied after eight innings.

* The Express have out-scored their opponents 295-206 in innings four through six, including a 112-68 advantage in the sixth.

PLAYER NOTES

JOEY BUTLER

* 7-for-23 (.304) with 11 strikeouts over last six games

* 16 strikeouts with no walks over last nine games

* Hitless in consecutive games only twice with no three-game hitless streaks

* Has not gone hitless in consecutive games since June 16-17

* Nine hitting streaks of at least five games, four of at least nine games, two of at least 10 games

* Nine multiple-hit games in the last 14 games - one multiple-hit outing in previous 12 games

* Second on team with 31 multiple-hit games

* Hit safely in 25 of last 28 games (.364, 39-for-107)

* Recorded at least one hit in 15 of 17 games with at least five at bats

* Hit safely in 76 of 87 games with at least one at bat

* Hitting .362 (59-for-163) at The Dell Diamond with hits in 41 of 45 games

* Five of eight home runs were hit in the sixth inning

* Reached 100-plus hits for third consecutive season

* 62 of 110 hits (56.4 percent) have come with bases empty

* Posted averages of .321 or better in each of last three months - May (.321), June (.364) and July (.339)

KEVIN CASH

* Has gone 1-for-13 over the last five games

* Hit safely in 13 of last 18 games (.375, 24-for-64) with nine multiple-hit games

* Raised average 50 points over last 18 games

* Reached safely in 18 of last 20 games

* Scored 11 runs over last 14 games

* At least one run scored in four of last nine games

* 6-for-33 (.182) with runners in scoring position and less than two outs but 12-for-37 (.324) with runners in scoring position and two outs, producing 14 RBI

* Three of five home runs were leadoff shots

* .714 on base percentage with bases loaded, going 2-for-4 with three walks and nine RBI

ROBINZON DIAZ

* Collected at least one hit in 21 of 29 games with the Express

* 11 multiple-hit games

* Hit safely in nine of 12 games with at least one plate appearance at The Dell Diamond

* Hitting .383 (18-for-47) at home

* Each of first 16 hits with Express were singles

* Hitting .328 (19-for-58) when batting ninth; .268 (15-for-56) elsewhere in the order

CODY EPPLEY

* 10 walks against 13 strikeouts over last 11 appearances

* At least one walk in 16 of last 19 outings, including nine walks in last eight

* Converted nine of 10 save opportunities

* Six of nine saves were on the road

* Stranded 11 of 18 inherited runners, including nine of 11 at home

* Issued nine leadoff walks against six strikeouts

* Opponents hitting .179 (5-for-28) with runners in scoring position and two outs

ESTEBAN GERMAN

* Hit safely in 13 of last 17 games (.319, 23-for-72) with seven multiple-hit outings

* Scored 14 runs in last 15 games

* Tied Express single-game record with three stolen bases July 28 vs. Memphis

* Second in PCL with 34 stolen bases

* Second on Express single-season stolen base list (Triple-A era) - six shy of tying record

* Successful on 16 of last 19 stolen base attempts

* Leads team with 32 multiple-hit games, 13 games of three-plus hits, and three games of four-plus hits

* Hitting .237 (9-for-38) after eighth inning

NICK GREEN

* Hit .208 (64-for-308) with 10 home runs and 46 RBI in 87 games with Norfolk Tides (International League)

* Acquired July 19 from Baltimore Orioles for Zach Phillips in waiver trade

* Singled in first Express at bat July 21

* Clubbed first home run with Express (solo) July 23 at Omaha

* Hitting .293 (12-for-41) over last 10 games

* 5-for-11 (.455) in the third inning

MARK HAMBURGER

* One earned run allowed over last seven outings (12.1 innings) with eight strikeouts against two walks in that time

* 5-1, 2.43 ERA (9 ER / 33.1 IP) since June 6

* Allowed three-plus earned runs five times - 1.66 ERA (7 ER / 38.0 IP) in other 20 appearances

* One home run allowed (solo) in last 19 appearances (33.2 innings)

* Holds opponents to a .213 average at The Dell Diamond, .302 on the road

* Opponents are 8-for-41 (.195) leading off an inning with one home run

ERIC HURLEY

* Express are 10-1 in his starts, winning 10 straight

* Won six of last eight starts - five of last six

* 3.10 ERA (17 ER / 49.1 IP) through fifth inning - 7.37 ERA (6 ER / 7.1 IP) thereafter

* 2-0, 0.68 ERA, .196 opponents' average in three road starts

* Holds opponents to a .160 mark (4-for-25) with runners in scoring position and two outs

* All six home runs allowed were solo shots

ZACH JACKSON

* Won eight of last 11 decisions

* Express are 15-5 in his starts, best of any pitcher on staff

* Round Rock has won 10 of his last 12 starts

* Averages staff-best 6.65 runs of support

* Opposing batters hit .284 on the road, .310 at The Dell Diamond

* 10 of 15 home runs allowed were at home

* All five home runs allowed on the road were solo shots

BEAU JONES

* 18 strikeouts, 13.0 innings over last nine outings

* At least one walk in 7 of last 8 outings

* Allowed more than one earned run five times

* 1.73 ERA (7 ER / 36.1 IP) in other 23 outings

* Opponents are 3-for-17 (.176) with runners in scoring position and two outs

MATT KATA

* Matched career high with 11 home runs

* Most home runs in season since hitting 10 between Arizona (seven) and Tucson (three) in 2003

* Hitting .363 (33-for-91) since All-Star break with six home runs and 27 RBI in 24 games

* Nine multiple-hit outings in last 21 games, including four three-hit outings

* 11 multiple-hit performances in last 29 games after going 18 straight games without a multiple-hit outing

* Has not gone hitless in consecutive games since June 1-2

* Hit safely in 33 of last 38 games (.350, 50-for-143)

* 12 multiple-RBI outings in last 36 games with 35 RBI in that time

* Reached safely in 23 of last 25 games, 49 of last 54 games,

* Struck out looking three times in a seven-at-bat stretch July 22-24 at Omaha after striking out looking only twice in season's first 256 at bats

* Hitting .356 (44-for-131) when second or eighth in the lineup - hitting .268 (49-for-183) elsewhere

* Hitting .186 (13-for-70) when leading off an inning

* Produced 23 of 59 RBI with runners on base and two outs, hitting .418 (23-for-55) in that situation

* Hitting .385 (15-for-39) with runners in scoring position and two outs

MICHAEL KIRKMAN

* Optioned to Round Rock from Texas prior to July 3 game

* Third stint with Express this season

* 16 of 35 runs allowed were in two outings - April 7 vs. Iowa (10), July 5 at Albuquerque (6)

* 2.88 ERA (16 ER / 50.0 IP) in other 17 appearances

* Allowed 11 walks in 9.1 innings over last five outings

* Averaging 14.02 strikeouts per nine innings (40 K / 25.2 IP) as a reliever

* 11 strikeouts over last 5.1 innings pitched - 20 strikeouts over last 11.1 innings pitched

VAL MAJEWSKI

* Began season with York of the Independent Atlantic League

* Earned Midseason All-Star honors with York

* Signed to minor league contract July 25 and joined Express following day

* Also played for Express as a member of Astros organization in 2008

* Hit safely (double) in third at bat with Express

* First Triple-A hit (double) since Aug. 30, 2008, with Express

* Home run July 27 was first at Triple-A level Aug. 21, 2008, also with Express

* Hit safely in each of first seven Express games with four multiple-hit outings

* Hit safely in 11 of 12 games - hitting .413 (19-for-46)

* Reached safely in 12 straight

* 5-for-10, two home runs leading off an inning

LEONYS MARTIN

* Signed as a non-drafted free agent May 4, 2011

* Hit .348 with four homers and 10 stolen bases in 29 games with Double-A Frisco

* Assigned to Express prior to July 9 game

* Eight multiple-hit games, including one three-hit game and one four-hit game

* Hitting .157 (8-for-51) over last 12 games after hitting .395 (17-for-43) in first 10 games with Express

* Hitting .464 (13-for-28) with runners in scoring position

* 10-for-16 (.625) with runners in scoring position and two outs, producing 11 RBI

* 4-for-29 (.138) when leading off an inning

BRAD NELSON

* Has not gone hitless in three straight games since June 5-7

* 11 strikeouts over last 10 games with at least one strikeout in seven of the 10

* Eight home runs in last 68 at bats after hitting two in previous 122 at bats

* Hitting .298 (36-for-121) as designated hitter, .261 (63-for-241) when playing in the field

* 9-for-53 (.170) with runners in scoring position and two outs

* Hitting .333 (11-for-33) after the eighth inning

* Third on team with 29 multiple-hit games

MARTIN PEREZ

* Widely considered to prospect in Rangers organization

* Began season with Double-A Frisco

* 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 16 starts and one relief appearance with RoughRiders

* Tallied 83 strikeouts against 36 walks over 88.1 innings with a .245 opponents' average at Frisco

* Pitched in 2011 MLB Futures Game

* Assigned to Round Rock prior to July 14 game

* Earned victory in first career Triple-A start July 16 at Memphis

* 2-0, 4.50 ERA (5 ER / 10.0 IP) in two road starts

* 1-2, 6.60 ERA (11 ER / 15.0 IP) in three starts at The Dell Diamond

* Holds opponents to a .111 average (2-for-18) with runners in scoring position and two outs

* Season-high eight strikeouts in Friday night's shutout win - went 6.2 innings allowing four hits and two walks

GUILDER RODRIGUEZ

* Began season with Double-A Frisco

* Assigned to Round Rock prior to July 9 game

* Recorded first Triple-A hit this season July 10 vs. Memphis (single)

* Hitting .250 (7-for-28) over last nine games

* Seven walks against three strikeouts in last 11 games

PEDRO STROP

* 2.21 ERA (5 ER / 20.2 IP) in 16 road outings - 5.09 ERA (10 ER / 17.2 IP) in 17 home appearances

* Allowed four earned runs in 19.2 innings over last 18 outings (1.83 ERA)

* 1.86 ERA (2 ER / 9.2 IP) in eight outings since All-Star break

* At least one strikeout in 10 of last 11 outings

* Stranded nine of 16 inherited runners

* Two home runs allowed over 83.0 innings at the Triple-A level since surrendering two homers May 3, 2009

* Opponents hitting .340 (17-for-50) with runners in scoring position

BRETT TOMKO

* Credited with win in four of last six decisions

* Express are 7-3 in his last 10 outings

* At least one home run allowed in 13 of 16 appearances

* Opponents are hitting .370 (27-for-73) when leading off an inning

* At least three runs allowed in eight consecutive outings

* Opponents are hitting .346 (28-for-81) with runners in scoring position

CHAD TRACY

* Hitting .130 (3-for-23) in last six games

* Tied for fourth in PCL with 87 RBI

* Tallied eight RBI since four-RBI game July 19 vs. New Orleans

* Tied for fourth on Express single-season RBI list (Triple-A era)

* Seven home runs, 40 RBI with runners on base and two outs

* Leads the team in hits with runners in scoring position (50)

* Also leads team with 41 two-out hits and 46 two-out RBI

* Fourth on team with 28 multiple-hit games

* Leads team with 26 multiple-RBI games

RYAN TUCKER

* Has not allowed more than one run in any of last nine relief appearances

* 1.98 ERA (3 ER / 13.2 IP) with 11 strikeouts against two walks in those outings

* Three of four home runs allowed were solo shots

* Opponents are 3-for-6 with six RBI with bases loaded

* Win July 25 at Omaha was first since April 25

NEXT SERIES

Round Rock begins an eight-game road trip with a four-game series at the Sacramento River Cats (Oakland Athletics). The series begins Friday with a 9:05 p.m. CDT first pitch; the series continues Saturday at 9:05 p.m., Sunday at 3:05 p.m. and Monday at 9:05 p.m.

GAME ‚¬Ë†120 | FRIDAY, AUG. 12 | 9:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (10-4, 5.65 ERA)

River Cats: LHP Josh Outman (7-2, 3.84 ERA)

GAME ‚¬Ë†121 | SATURDAY, AUG. 13 | 9:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Brett Tomko (5-5, 6.96 ERA)

River Cats: RHP Travis Banwart (6-8, 5.07 ERA)

GAME ‚¬Ë†122 | SUNDAY, AUG. 14 | 3:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Eric Hurley (starts tonight)

River Cats: LHP Carlos Hernandez (starts tonight)

GAME ‚¬Ë†123 | MONDAY, AUG. 15 | 9:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Ryan Tucker (starts tomorrow)

River Cats: RHP Tyson Ross (starts tomorrow)

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 8, 2011


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