PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Tucson Padres

Published on August 2, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 113 | 2 AUGUST 2012 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (50-62) vs. TUCSON PADRES (42-69)

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

EXPRESS: LHP Chad Bell (3-3, 4.61 ERA) | PADRES: LHP Andrew Werner (0-0, 11.81 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock continues an eight-game home stand with the second of four games against the Tucson Padres (San Diego Padres). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at The Dell Diamond. The Express won seven of their eight seven and eight of their last 10 after last night's 7-6 victory. Round Rock is 26-29 at The Dell Diamond, winning four of the last five and five of the last seven at home. The Padres have lost three straight and five of their last seven. Tucson is 20-33 on the road but won five of nine road games since the All-Star break. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern Division, 14 games behind division-leader Albuquerque. Tucson is fourth in the Pacific Southern Division, 24-and-a-half games behind division-leader Sacramento.

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 lone meeting between Round Rock and Tucson this season. The teams split a four-game series at Tucson last season. The Padres were the Portland Beavers prior to relocating to Tucson prior to the 2011 season. ... SERIES NOTES: Round Rock leads the all-time series 21-8, including a 10-3 advantage at The Dell Diamond where the Express have won six straight in the series. This is the first visit to The Dell Diamond by the Padres Triple-A affiliate as the Tucson Padres. The teams last met at Round Rock in 2009 when the Express swept a four-game series. Round Rock also swept the 2010 series at Portland. The Express have never lost a series against the Padres/Beavers, splitting series in 2007, 2008 and last year. ... 2011 SERIES: The teams split a hotly contested series at Kino Stadium in mid-May. Tucson won the opener 11-8 thanks to a three-run eighth inning. Round Rock responded with a 10-inning, 7-5 victory the following night and a 10-8 victory in game three. The Padres salvaged a split with a 3-2 victory in the series finale, winning on Cedric Hunter's two-out RBI single in the ninth. Round Rock hit .270 (40-for-148) in the series with three homers, three doubles, a triple and 6.8 runs per game. Matt Kata was 7-for-17 (.412) with two RBI, a double and three runs scored in four games. Brad Nelson was 2-for-12 (.167) with a homer, two RBI, two runs scored, two walks and a stolen base in three games. Kata and Nelson were the lone current Express position players to participate in the series. Express pitchers compiled a 6.06 ERA (24 ER/35.2 IP) and surrendered three home runs. Derek Hankins won his start in the series despite surrendering six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 5.0 innings. Luis Martinez played 11 games with the Portland Beavers in 2009 and 58 games with Tucson last season while a member of the Padres organization. He was 6-for-12 (.500) in four games against Round Rock last season with three RBI, a double and two runs scored.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ112 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1

Express 7, Padres 6

WP: Reynolds (9-6). LP: Bay (2-6). SV: Tateyama (4).

GAME"ˆ113 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 2 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (3-3, 4.61 ERA)

Padres: LHP Andrew Werner (0-0, 11.81 ERA)

GAME"ˆ114 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

Padres: RHP Jorge Reyes (0-4, 6.75 ERA)

GAME"ˆ115 | SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP"ˆMartin Perez (5-5, 4.59 ERA)

Padres: RHP Matt Palmer (6-7, 6.32 ERA)

START ME UP

LHP CHAD BELL (3-3, 4.61 ERA, 24 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.

ROUND ROCK: 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 ... also won July 18 start at Nashville ... lost starts July 6 at Albuquerque, July 13 vs. Memphis, July 23 vs. Omaha ... averages 3.57 runs of support per start ... Express scored two runs total in three losses ... 1-1, one no-decision (win) in starts following team win ... Express are 4-3 in his starts ... no first- or fourth-inning runs allowed in seven starts ... holds opponents to a .132 average (5-for-38) when leading off an inning with no homers, five walks, six strikeouts ... opponents hitting .366 (15-for-41) with runners in scoring position, .409 (9-for-22) with two outs and RISP ... surrendered two home runs in 41.0 innings, 185 batters faced (one solo, one two-run) ... three-plus walks in four of seven starts ... 1-2, 4.00 ERA (8 ER/18.0 IP) in three starts at The Dell Diamond with four walks, seven strikeouts, one home run allowed.

LAST OUTING: No-decision in July 28 start at Memphis, an 8-4 Express win ... allowed three runs on eight hits and four walks over 4.2 innings with two strikeouts ... also hit one batter ... surrendered two third-inning runs, erased by Round Rock's three-run fourth ... yielded game-tying run in fifth inning ... left game with bases loaded; all three runners stranded ... 108 pitches, 64 strikes.

CAREER"ˆvs. TUCSON: First career 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.

SOUTHBOUND

The Texas Rangers optioned Brandon Snyder to Round Rock following last night's game. Snyder has spent the entire season with the Rangers, hitting .281 (18-for-64) in 38 games with three homers, nine RBI, two doubles and 11 runs scored. He is not related to Round Rock left-hander Ben Snyder. The move corresponds with the Rangers purchasing the contract of Frisco infielder Mike Olt, who leads all Double-A players in home runs (28). Meanwhile, Tommy Mendonca was transferred to Frisco from Round Rock following last night's game.

COMING BACK TO LIFE

Round Rock won eight of its last 10 games, the best such stretch of the season. Express batters are hitting .310 (108-for-348) in that time with 10 home runs and 5.3 runs per game. Meanwhile, Express pitchers boast a 3.56 ERA (36 ER/91.0 IP) over the last 10 games with four saves and 79 strikeouts against 29 walks. Both losses in the last 10 games were one-run affairs - a 13-inning, 6-5 loss July 25 vs. Albuquerque and a 5-4 loss July 30 at Memphis; the Express also won three one-run games in that time. Julio Borbon has wielded the hottest bat over the last 10 games, going 19-for-45 (.422) with one homer, eight RBI and seven runs scored. Brad Nelson is 13-for-38 (.342) with two homers, five RBI and nine runs scored. Joey Butler and Yangervis Solarte each contributed two homers, and Matt Kata is 11-for-31 (.355). Greg Reynolds and Zach Jackson - mainstays in the Express rotation this season - are a combined 4-0 with a 3.51 ERA (10 ER/25.2 IP) over the last 10 games.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

Round Rock won seven of its last eight games, eight of its last 10. ... The Express are 11-10 since the All-Star break. ... Round Rock is 10-18 in series openers (7-8 at home, 3-10 on the road). The Express won each of their last three series openers after a six-game skid in such games. ... Six of Round Rock's last 12 games were one-run affairs (4-2). ... The Express are 11-49 when allowing at least five runs and 38-21 when scoring at least five runs. ... Of Round Rock's 106 home runs, 69 were on the road (1.21 per game). Meanwhile, Express batters average 0.67 homers per game at home (37 homers, 55 games). ... Round Rock is 12-15 in one-run games, going 5-3 since the All-Star break. Seven of the 27 one-run games were against Iowa. ... The Express are 3-50 when trailing after seven innings and 2-52 when trailing after eight innings. Conversely, the Express are 45-6 when leading after seven innings and 42-3 when leading after eight innings. ... Round Rock is 14-19 since Clint Musslewhite's departure, going 7-12 at home in that time.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

JULIO BORBON: Hit safely in six of last seven games (.462, 12-for-26) with five multiple-hit efforts, one homer, six RBI, four doubles, two triples, five runs scored ... 19-for-45 (.422) over last 10 games since snapping 0-for-19 skid ... multiple hits in seven of last 10 games ... nine multiple-hit games since All-Star break (20 games) ... hitting .332 (90-for-271) since May 12 ... seven RBI over last six games after producing three RBI with no multiple-RBI efforts in previous 35 games ... at least one extra-base hit six of last seven games (four doubles, two triples, one homer) after producing one extra-base hit in previous 35 games ... hitting .351 (102-for-291) through the first six innings; hitting .178 (21-for-118) after the sixth inning ... hitting .315 (52-for-165) when leading off inning with two homers, eight walks, 22 strikeouts ... leads team with 15 bases-loaded at bats (five hits, 10 RBI).

JOEY BUTLER: Hitless in six of last 10 games since ending 12-game hitting streak, going 5-for-36 (.139) in that time ... three-run homer Tuesday night at Memphis was first multiple-run homer since May 30 at Memphis ... four RBI Tuesday night at Memphis were most since season-high five May at Salt Lake ... three strikeouts over last nine games with no multiple-strikeout games ... third in PCL with 66 walks ... two homers in last four games after one homer in previous 21 games ... one homer at The Dell Diamond (July 1 vs. New Orleans) since May 17 (37 games) ... nine of 15 home runs were solo shots, including two leadoff homers ... hitting .211 (35-for-166) when batting fifth or higher in the order, .333 (71-for-213) when batting sixth or lower ... 17-for-76 (.224) when leading off an inning with two homers, 12 walks, 21 strikeouts.

LUIS HERNANDEZ: Six-game hitting streak (.391, 9-for-23) ... hit safely in eight of last nine games (.324, 11-for-34) with four RBI, seven runs scored ... multiple hits in three of last four games after no multiple-hit efforts in previous 22 games ... four extra-base hits since All-Star break (two homers, two doubles) ... three homers over last 47 games, 175 at bats (all solos) ... six of seven home runs were solo shots ... 10 of last 20 hits produced at least one RBI ... 13 walks over last 32 games after not walking in previous 28 games ... 6-for-33 (.182) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... 14-for-75 (.187) when leading off an inning with two homers, six walks, 10 strikeouts ... 4-for-9, one homer, two RBI in extra innings.

MATT KATA: Hit safely in seven of last eight games (.355, 11-for-31) ... multiple hits in three straight games, four of last six games after one multiple-hit game over a 28-game span ... each of last seven hits were singles ... 18-for-74 (.243) over last 19 games ... hitting .403 (31-for-77) with runners in scoring position (41 RBI), going 13-for-30 (.433) with runners in scoring position and two outs (22 RBI) ... 55-for-244 (.225) without runners in scoring position ... 5-for-10 with bases loaded (one homer, 12 RBI) ... one walk since All-Star break (18 games, 72 plate appearances) ... four walks in last 58 games, 236 plate appearances ... one homer (July 8 at Albuquerque) since May 31 grand slam at Memphis (47 games) ... hitting .360 (31-for-86) when batting first or seventh in lineup; hitting .234 (55-for-235) elsewhere in the lineup.

LEONYS MARTIN: Eight-game hitting streak with Express (.400, 12-for-30) ... at least one RBI in each of last eight games (12 RBI) ... scored in seven of last eight games (seven runs) ... homered in each of last two games with Round Rock ... 13-for-34 (.382) when leading off an inning with three homers, three walks, three strikeouts ... hitting .394 (13-for-33) with runners in scoring position (16 RBI).

LUIS MARTINEZ: Hitless in last eight at bats ... hitless in last two games after six-game hitting streak (.348, 8-for-23) ... first consecutive hitless games since three-game stretch June 3-5 ... hit safely in 12 of last 15 games (.304, 17-for-56) with eight RBI, five runs scored, six multiple-hit games, three multiple-RBI outings ... RBI double July 29 at Memphis was first RBI vs. team other than Albuquerque since May 29 at Memphis (seven vs. Albuquerque in meantime) ... five extra-base hits since June 9 (four doubles, homer) ... 20-for-49 (.408) in the third and fourth innings ... 4-for-32 (.125) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... 1-for-7 with bases loaded (one walk, one hit-by-pitch, one sacrifice fly) ... lone bases-loaded hit was three-run double July 27 vs. Albuquerque.

BRAD NELSON: Four-game hitting streak (.429, 6-for-14) ... hit safely in 17 of 21 games since All-Star break (.370, 27-for-73) with eight homers, 15 RBI, four doubles, one triple, 17 runs scored, 16 walks ... leads PCL with eight homers since break, second with 57 total bases ... eight homers in last 18 games, 62 at bats (six solos, two two-run) ... at least one walk in 14 of last 21 games (17 walks) ... hit safely in 17 of last 39 at bats at home (.436) after enduring an 0-for-24 slump at The Dell Diamond ... hitting .343 (59-for-172) on the road since going 0-for-4 April 21 at New Orleans ... 11 of 19 homers, 40 of 64 RBI were in road games ... 12 of 19 homers were solos, including seven leadoff shots ... no strikeouts in last two games after enduring six straight games with at least one strikeout (10 strikeouts) ... 4-for-8 with bases loaded (homer, 10 RBI).

GUILDER RODRIGUEZ: 7-for-19 (.368) over last six games ... two hits in each of last two games ... at least one RBI in five of last seven games (six RBI) ... hitless in first 12 at bats with Express after being promoted from Double-A Frisco ... 13-for-39 (.333) since, including three-hit game July 3 vs. New Orleans ... eight of 13 hits with bases empty ... 3-for-12 (.250) with runners in scoring position ... 1-for-7 when leading off an inning.

ELIO SARMIENTO: Five-game hitting streak (.500, 8-for-16) ... stretch comes on heels of 0-for-10 skid ... multiple hits, multiple runs scored in two of last three games ... scored in three straight games (five runs) ... 3-for-8 over last three home games after enduring 0-for-21 slump at The Dell Diamond ... three of four multiple-hit efforts were against Memphis ... at least one strikeout in 17 of 23 games played.

YANGERVIS SOLARTE: Homered in two of last five games after going 61 consecutive games without a homer ... hit safely in seven of last eight games (.323, 10-for-31) with three multiple-hit outings ... 17-for-76 (.224) since All-Star break with four multiple-hit efforts ... home run July 29 at Memphis was first since May 14 at Tacoma, ending a span of 61 games, 239 at bats ... seven of eight home runs were solo shots ... seven of eight homers were on the road ... has not struck out in more than two straight games since five-game stretch May 21-26 ... hitting .337 (30-for-89) in bottom third of order, .263 (84-for-320) when batting sixth or higher ... seven RBI since last multiple-RBI effort June 21 vs. Iowa (34 games).

RYAN SPILBORGHS: Four-game hitting streak (.313, 5-for-12) with five RBI after enduring 1-for-20 slump over previous five games ... 16-for-75 (.213) since All-Star break ... two homers in last 56 games and 215 at bats ... three of six homers were solos, including two leadoff shots ... 16 RBI in last 21 games after producing one RBI in previous 20 games ... 8-for-45 (.178) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... hit safely in four of last eight at bats with two outs and runners in scoring position after going 21-consecutive such at bats without a hit ... hitting .227 (35-for-154) when batting third; hitting .365 (50-for-137) elsewhere in the lineup (cleanup through seventh) ... 258 career PCL games, hitting .327 (321-for-982) with 26 homers, 136 RBI and 73 doubles.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

NEAL COTTS: Three runs allowed in 3.0 innings over last two outings after snapping 7.0-inning scoreless streak ... streak ended July 29 at Memphis on Pete Kozma's solo homer ... first homer allowed since July 8 at Albuquerque ... only home runs surrendered in 22.2 innings with Express ... stranded nine of 14 inherited runners(64.3 percent), including seven of last 10 ... 13 strikeouts against two walks in 7.1 innings over last four outings, including season-high four strikeouts twice (July 22 vs. Omaha; Aug. 1 vs. Tucson) ... opponents are 3-for-22 (.136) with runners on base and two outs ... opponents are 1-for-6 with bases loaded ... allows a .474 on-base percentage (6-for-16, one homer, three walks, seven strikeouts) to leadoff batters ... 0-1, 3.38 ERA (5 ER/13.1 IP), one save at home; 1-0, 7.71 ERA (8 ER/9.1 IP), two saves on the road.

WILLIE EYRE: Did not walk a batter in 12 of 14 outings (three June 20 vs. Iowa, two July 23 vs. Omaha) ... one run allowed over seven outings since All-Star break (8.0 innings, 1.13 ERA) ... two of four inherited runners scored ... opponents are 2-for-19 (.105) when leading off an inning (one walk, five strikeouts) ... opponents are 4-for-8 (.500) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... opponents hitting .043 (1-for-23) when behind in the count.

DEREK HANKINS: Won two of last three decisions in one start (1-0) and two relief appearances (1-1) ... surrendered at least one home run in five of last seven, eight of last 12 outings after allowing one homer over season's first 16 appearances ... opponents hitting .333 (21-for-63) when leading off an inning with two homers, two walks, seven strikeouts ... holds opponents to a .067 average (2-for-30) with two outs and runners in scoring position ... opponents are 1-for-6 (home run) with bases loaded.

AARON HEILMAN: Held opponent scoreless in four of last five outings (2.84 ERA, 2 ER/6.1 IP) ... eight strikeouts over last three appearances (4.0 innings), including season-high five strikeouts July 22 vs. Omaha ... converted eight of last nine save chances ... stranded 10 of 14 inherited runners ... held opponent scoreless in 16 of last 20 outings, allowing two earned runs in each of other four games ... opponents hitting .362 (17-for-47) with runners in scoring position ... opponents are 1-for-7 with bases loaded (four strikeouts).

JOE ORTIZ: All five runs allowed were by way of solo homers ... opponents hitting .206 (14-for-68) otherwise ... no walks in 19.0 innings with Express (74 batters faced) ... five strikeouts over last three outings (4.2 innings) ... at least one strikeout in 12 of 15 outings ... opponents hitting .368 (7-for-19) when leading off an inning with no walks, four strikeouts ... opponents are 1-for-8 with two outs and runners in scoring position.

BEN SNYDER: Started four of last five, five of last eight appearances ... 1-3, 4.33 ERA (13 ER/27.0 IP) in five starts ... five homers allowed over last four outings, including two in each of last two appearances ... 13-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over last four outings (three starts) ... opponents hitting .169 (11-for-65) when leading off inning with no home runs, four walks, 12 strikeouts ... opponents hitting .323 (10-for-31) with two outs and RISP (two homers, 13 RBI) ... allowed three hits, one walk in six bases-loaded situations.

YOSHINORI TATEYAMA: Allowed one run (homer July 29 at Memphis) in 18.1 innings over last 14 outings ... opponents are 1-for-11 with eight strikeouts in last three appearances ... four of five runs allowed scored on home runs ... no runs allowed in 12 games at The Dell Diamond, going 1-0 with three saves in three opportunities and 17 strikeouts against three walks over 16.1 innings ... no earned runs allowed in 21 of 23 outings with Express (unearned runs allowed once) ... opponents are 2-for-17 (.118) with runners in scoring position, 7-for-60 (.117) when behind in the count ... 19 strikeouts in 12.1 innings over last 10 outings ... season-high three strikeouts on five occasions ... multiple strikeouts in 10 of last 16 appearances ... at least one strikeout in 10 consecutive appearances, 13 of last 14 ... two of seven inherited runners scored, both July 23 vs. Omaha.

JOHAN YAN: No runs allowed in last four outings (6.1 innings) ... opponents hitting .136 (3-for-22) in that time with one walk (intentional), eight strikeouts ... stranded 11 of 17 inherited runners ... entered game with bases loaded three times and stranded six of nine runners ... opponents hitting .421 (8-for-19) when leading off inning with three homers, two walks, three strikeouts and one hit-by-pitch (.500 on-base percentage) ... has not allowed a non-leadoff homer.

WHO'S NEXT

Round Rock continues an eight-game home stand with a four-game series against the Las Vegas 51s (Toronto Blue Jays). The series opens Sunday with a 6:05 p.m. CDT first pitch and continues Monday through Wednesday with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch each night.

SERIES"ˆINFORMATION

GAME"ˆ116 | SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 | 6:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Zach Jackson (5-12, 4.84 ERA)

51s: LHP Bill Murphy (5-5, 5.23 ERA)

GAME"ˆ117 | MONDAY, AUGUST 6 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Greg Reynolds (9-6, 5.14 ERA)

51s: RHP Sean O'Sullivan (11-5, 4.50 ERA)

GAME"ˆ118 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: LHP Chad Bell (3-3, 4.61 ERA; starts tonight)

51s: RHP Shawn Hill (6-0, 3.96 ERA; starts tonight)

GAME"ˆ119 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 | 7:05 p.m. CDT

Express: RHP Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.57 ERA; starts tomorrow)

51s: RHP Scott Richmond (7-6, 6.20 ERA; starts tomorrow)

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 2, 2012


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