PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Tucson Padres

Published on August 3, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


GAME 114 | 3 AUGUST 2012 | 7:05 P.M. CDT | THE DELL DIAMOND | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS

ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (50-63) vs. TUCSON PADRES (43-69)

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

EXPRESS: RHP Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.57 ERA) | PADRES: RHP Jorge Reyes (0-4, 6.75 ERA)

TONIGHT, TONIGHT

Round Rock continues an eight-game home stand with the penultimate 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 teams split the series' first two games with the Padres winning 2-0 last night. The Express won seven of their last nine and eight of their last 11, the season's most-successful stretch. Round Rock is 26-30 at The Dell Diamond, winning four of the last six and five of the last eight at home. The Padres snapped a three-game losing streak with last night's win. Tucson is 21-33 on the road but won six of 10 road games since the All-Star break. Round Rock is fourth in the PCL's American Southern Division, 15 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 21-9, including a 10-4 advantage at The Dell Diamond. Tucson snapped a six-game losing streak at The Dell Diamond last night. 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

Padres 2, Express 0

WP: Werner (1-0). LP: Bell (3-4). SV: None.

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)

DON'T FEAR THE REAPER

RHP JUSTIN GRIMM (0-0, 3.86 ERA, 7 K)

2012: Assigned to Frisco (AA) to begin the season ... 8-3, 1.80 ERA (16 ER/80.0 IP) in 14 starts with RoughRiders ... 68 strikeouts, 14 walks ... eight-plus strikeouts three times, including 10 whiffs over 5.1 innings in season's first start (April 5 at Springfield) ... did not allow a run in four of last five starts with Frisco ... promoted to Rangers following June 10 start ... made MLB debut June 16 at Houston ... earned win, allowing three runs on six hits over 6.0 innings with seven strikeouts and no walks ... lost June 25 start vs. Detroit; surrendered six runs on eight hits and a walk over 1.0 inning ... worked 3.0 innings in relief July 3 at Chicago-AL and allowed three runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts ... optioned to Frisco after that outing ... made predetermined 3.0-inning start July 9 with Frisco vs. Arkansas; did not allow a run on two hits and no walks with one strikeout ... transferred to Round Rock when Express returned from All-Star break July 12.

ROUND ROCK: No-decision in first two starts with Express ... also did not factor in decision in July 24 piggy-back outing (Neftali Feliz) against Albuquerque ... allowed three or fewer runs in all four outings, including one run on three occasions ... 0.56 ERA (1 ER/16.0 IP) through first five innings ... five of six runs (lone home run) allowed scored in sixth inning ... opponents are 0-for-11 with runners on base and two outs, going 0-for-8 with two outs and runners in scoring position ... allows a .316 average (6-for-19) with four doubles, three walks and one strikeout to leadoff batters (.409 on-base percentage) ... lone home run surrendered was solo.

LAST OUTING: Earned first Triple-A victory in July 29 start at Memphis (4-2) ... worked 6.0 innings of seven-inning game (first game of doubleheader) ... allowed one run on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts ... most strikeouts with Express ... most strikeouts since June 10 with Frisco (eight vs. Midland) ... fourth outing this season (all levels) with eight-plus strikeouts ... lone run scored on Matt Adams sixth-inning RBI double ... 105 pitches, 69 strikes.

CAREER: Split 2011, his first pro season, between Class-A Hickory and Class A-Advanced Myrtle Beach ... combined to go 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA (53 ER/140.2) and 127 strikeouts over 25 starts ... began 2012 with Frisco (AA) where he went 8-3 with a 1.80 ERA in 80.0 innings ... made MLB debut June 16, 2012.

2011: Split season between Hickory and Myrtle Beach ... tabbed the 18th-best prospect in the Carolina League by Baseball America ... combined to go 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA (53 ER/140.2) and 127 strikeouts over 25 starts ... opened season with Hickory, completing at least 6.0 inning in four of first seven starts ... registered a career-best 11 strikeouts May 1 vs. Kannapolis ... averaged 9.7 strikeouts per 9.0 innings with the Crawdads ... promoted to Myrtle Beach May 27 ... posted sixth-lowest ERA (3.39) in Carolina League from May 22 until the end of the season ... logged nine quality starts and completed at least 6.0 innings in 11 of his 16 starts ... 2-0, 0.95 ERA (2 ER/19.0 IP) over his final three starts, including a victory in Sept. 7 at Kinston in the opener of the Carolina League Division Series.

NOTABLE: Drafted out of the University of Georgia, where he was the Bulldogs' number one starter as a junior ... entered the 2010 draft rated as the 59th-best right-hander and 109th-best prospect overall by Baseball America ... selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 13th round of the 2007 June draft but did not sign ... 2012 Texas League Mid-Season All-Star ... made MLB debut June 16, 2012 and earned the win allowing three runs in six innings with seven strikeouts.

COMING BACK TO LIFE

Round Rock won eight of its last 11 games, the best such stretch of the season. Express batters are hitting .298 (113-for-379) in that time with 10 home runs and 4.8 runs per game. Meanwhile, Express pitchers boast a 3.42 ERA (38 ER/100.0 IP) over the last 11 games with four saves and 89 strikeouts against 33 walks. Two of the three losses in the last 11 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. The other defeat was last night's 2-0 loss to Tucson. Julio Borbon has wielded the hottest bat over the last 11 games, going 21-for-49 (.429) with one homer, eight RBI and seven runs scored. Brad Nelson is 14-for-42 (.333) with two homers, five RBI and nine runs scored. Joey Butler and Yangervis Solarte each contributed two homers, and Matt Kata is 11-for-34 (.324). 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 11 games.

I CAN'T EXPLAIN

The Express were shutout for the seventh time last night; all seven shutouts were at The Dell Diamond. Round Rock averages 3.9 runs per game at home this season after scoring at a rate of 6.3 runs per game last season. Express batters have been much more potent on the road in 2012, averaging 5.7 runs and 1.2 homers per game. Chad Bell shouldered the loss last night, his fourth loss with the Express; Round Rock scored no more than one run in any of his four losses (two shutouts). Zach Jackson can empathize with Bell; the Express were shutout in three times and averaged 2.1 runs per game in Jackson's 12 losses.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

Round Rock won seven of its last nine games, eight of its last 11. ... The Express are 11-11 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 0.66 homers per game at home (37 homers, 56 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 3-51 when trailing after seven innings and 2-53 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 14-20 since Clint Musslewhite's departure, going 7-13 at home in that time.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

JULIO BORBON: Hit safely in seven of last eight games (.467, 14-for-30) with six multiple-hit efforts, one homer, six RBI, four doubles, two triples, five runs scored ... 21-for-49 (.429) over last 11 games since snapping 0-for-19 skid ... multiple hits in eight of last 11 games ... 10 multiple-hit games since All-Star break (21 games) ... hitting .335 (92-for-275) since May 12 ... seven RBI over last seven games after producing three RBI with no multiple-RBI efforts in previous 35 games ... at least one extra-base hit six of last eight games (four doubles, two triples, one homer) after producing one extra-base hit in previous 35 games ... hitting .350 (103-for-294) through the first six innings; hitting .185 (22-for-119) 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 last eight at bats ... hitless in seven of last 11 games since ending 12-game hitting streak, going 5-for-39 (.128) in that time ... three-run homer July 31 at Memphis was first multiple-run homer since May 30 at Memphis ... four RBI July 31 at Memphis were most since season-high five May at Salt Lake ... three strikeouts over last 10 games with no multiple-strikeout games ... third in PCL with 66 walks ... two homers in last five games after one homer in previous 21 games ... one homer at The Dell Diamond (July 1 vs. New Orleans) since May 17 (38 games) ... nine of 15 home runs were solo shots, including two leadoff homers ... hitting .207 (35-for-169) 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: Snapped six-game hitting streak (.391, 9-for-23) last night, going 0-for-4 ... hit safely in eight of last 10 games (.289, 11-for-38) with four RBI, seven runs scored ... multiple hits in three of last five 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 48 games, 179 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 33 games after not walking in previous 28 games ... 6-for-33 (.182) with runners in scoring position and two outs ... 14-for-76 (.184) 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 nine games (.324, 11-for-34) ... multiple hits in three of last four games, four of last seven games after one multiple-hit game over a 28-game span ... each of last seven hits were singles ... 18-for-78 (.231) over last 20 games ... hitting .397 (31-for-78) with runners in scoring position (41 RBI), going 13-for-31 (.419) with runners in scoring position and two outs (22 RBI) ... 55-for-246 (.224) without runners in scoring position ... 5-for-10 with bases loaded (one homer, 12 RBI) ... one walk since All-Star break (19 games, 76 plate appearances) ... four walks in last 59 games, 240 plate appearances ... one homer (July 8 at Albuquerque) since May 31 grand slam at Memphis (48 games) ... hitting .348 (31-for-89) when batting first or seventh in lineup; hitting .234 (55-for-235) elsewhere in the lineup.

LEONYS MARTIN: Nine-game hitting streak with Express (.382, 13-for-34) ... snapped streak of eight consecutive games with at least one RBI last night (12 RBI) ... scored in seven of last nine games (seven runs) ... homered in two of last three games with Round Rock ... 13-for-36 (.361) when leading off an inning with three homers, three walks, four strikeouts ... hitting .394 (13-for-33) with runners in scoring position (16 RBI).

LUIS MARTINEZ: Hitless in last 11 at bats ... hitless in last three 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 16 games (.288, 17-for-59) 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-50 (.400) 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: Five-game hitting streak (.389, 7-for-18) ... hit safely in 18 of 22 games since All-Star break (.364, 28-for-77) with eight homers, 15 RBI, four doubles, one triple, 17 runs scored, 16 walks ... leads PCL with eight homers since break, second with 58 total bases ... eight homers in last 19 games, 66 at bats (six solos, two two-run) ... at least one walk in 14 of last 22 games (17 walks) ... hit safely in 18 of last 43 at bats at home (.419) 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 three 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 six games after going 61 consecutive games without a homer ... hit safely in seven of last nine games (.294, 10-for-34) with three multiple-hit outings ... 17-for-79 (.215) 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 .326 (30-for-92) 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 (35 games).

RYAN SPILBORGHS: Five-game hitting streak (.316, 6-for-19) with five RBI after enduring 1-for-20 slump over previous five games ... triple last night was first since June 13 at Albuquerque ... 17-for-78 (.218) since All-Star break ... two homers in last 57 games, 218 at bats ... three of six homers were solos, including two leadoff shots ... 16 RBI in last 22 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 .364 (51-for-140) elsewhere in the lineup (cleanup through seventh) ... 259 career PCL games, hitting .327 (322-for-985) with 26 homers, 136 RBI and 73 doubles.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

FABIO CASTILLO: Held opponent scoreless in five of seven outings ... no walks over last three appearances (3.1 innings, 13 batters faced) ... no homers allowed with Express (37 batters faced) ... opponents are 1-for-7 with runners on base and two outs ... surrendered a two-run single in lone bases-loaded situation.

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.

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 (3-4, 4.28 ERA)

51s: RHP Shawn Hill (6-1, 4.50 ERA)

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

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

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

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 3, 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.

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