Well with all of the hustle and bustle of yesterday’s action, time didn’t allow us to post a preview to the series but with only one game completed, there’s still time to forecast the remaining seven games. Tonight the E-Train will look to break a season-long five-game losing streak when Ross Wolf (0-1, 1.67 ERA) takes the hill against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Round Rock lost last night 5-3, but Yangervis Solarte kept on his tear, knocking in two runs as a part of a 2-for-4 at the plate. His two RBI put him in the team-lead with 24 on the season.

The Sky Sox sit atop the Pacific Northern Division standings with a 24-14 record after last night’s victory bring with them some star power. Colorado Springs roster includes two of the top 20 organizational prospects in No. 14 prospect (MLB.com) second baseman Charlie Culberson and No. 16 prospect OF Corey Dickerson. The Sky Sox also feature 1B/C Matt McBride who finished third in the PCL with a .344 average in 2012 and played 31 games with the Rockies a season ago.

Here’s a run down of all the promotions left in the eight-game homestand that lasts through May 23:

Friday, May 17   |   7:05 p.m.   |   vs. Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Colorado Rockies)
media partners:   KASE 101 (Clear Channel Radio) | KEYE-TV 

• Budweiser Friday Fireworks – presented by Budweiser
  • Stick around after the game for an exciting post-game fireworks show!
• Budwesier Clydesdales – the Budweiser Clydesdales are making a special appearance at Dell Diamond!
• Brew at the Rock
  • Fans 21 and older (with proper ID) can enjoy samples of a wide variety of beers in the United Heritage Center Round Rock room.

Chasco Community Partner: Epilepsy Foundation CST

Saturday, May 18   |   6:05 p.m.   |   vs. Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Colorado Rockies)
media partners:   104.9 The Horn (ESPN Austin) | KXAN

• Bob Schneider post-game concert – St. David’s Summer Concert Series, presented by Dell
  • Stick around after the game for the first of four centerfield concerts throughout the 2013 season!

Chasco Community Partner: Rotary Club of Round Rock

Sunday, May 19   |   1:05 p.m.   |   vs. Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Colorado Rockies)
media partner:  Spirit 105.9 FM (Crista Communications) | KVUE

• H-E-B Kids Day
  • Enjoy inflatable interactive games and kiddie train rides before the game. Afterwards, all kids 12 and under are invited on the field to run the bases!

Chasco Community Partner: Youth in Motion Foundation

Monday, May 20   |   7:05 p.m.   |   vs. Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)
media partners:   104.9 The Horn (ESPN Radio)

• $1 Hot Dogs & Sodas – presented by Mrs Baird’s
  • Enjoy $1 hot dogs and sodas all night long!
• Tyson Foods Night

Chasco Community Partner: Round Rock El Amistad Club

Tuesday, May 21   |   7:05 p.m.   |   vs. Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)
media partners:   107.1 LA Z (Emmis Austin Radio)

• Turn Back Tuesday’s / Half-Price Tickets – presented by Cedar Park Dentistry
  • Turn back the clock and the prices. The Express will wear 1959 Austin Senators jerseys while all tickets will be on-sale for half price!

Chasco Community Partner: The Shade Project

Wednesday, May 22   |   7:05 p.m.   |   vs. Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)
media partners:   Mix 94.7 (Entercom Communications)

• Winning Wednesday – presented by the Texas State Lottery
  • Dell Diamond will feature game show style promotions throughout the night.

Chasco Community Partner: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

Thursday, May 22   |   7:05 p.m.   |   vs. Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)
media partner:  93.7 590 KLBJ AM (Emmis Austin Radio) | Univision

• The Original Thirsty Thursday – presented by Firetrol Protection Systems
  • Enjoy discounted draft beer and $1 sodas!

Chasco Community Partner: “Spot A Stroke FAST Night”

For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

Happy Friday Express Fans!

The boys are back in town for an eight-game homestand! They started their first four-game series against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox last night with a 5-3 loss. Come out tonight for some good ol’ fashioned fun at Dell Diamond with Friday Fireworks and cheer the E-train on to victory! While you’re at the ballpark be sure to take photos and use our official hashtag (#RRExpress) on Instagram or Twitter, tag us on Facebook, or email us at streetteam@rrexpress.com to be featured on our weekly Fan Friday blog!

For more information about what’s going on this series, check out Ballpark Rob’s Homestand Notes!

Happy Fan Friday!

Your Round Rock Express Street Team

Justin, Julia and Meredith

P.S. Be sure to head out to Dell Diamond early for a photo op with the legendary Budweiser Clydesdales!  They will be at the home plate entrance.

Well it’s been a rough road trip so far but hopefully the Express can turn things around tonight in the series finale with Tucson. RHP Jake Brigham will get the ball in his second start and fourth appearance with Round Rock this season. It also looks like we will get a new player entering tonight’s contest and no, he won’t be suiting up in a uniform. Cade will be joining the “Player-to-Watch” contest with his first pick coming tonight.

Express Lineup:

TBA

Padres Lineup:

TBA

Last Night’s “Pacific Star Star of the Game”:

The nod goes to Greg Miclat for last night after going 1-for-4 with two RBI in a tough loss for the Express.

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

My pick tonight is OF Joey Butler. He’s gotten a hit in each of his three games since returning from the DL, going 3-12 with two RBI and four runs. He seems to be seeing the ball really well since coming back from his hammy issue. He’s also hitting .316 on the season against RHP, which fits Tucson’s starter tonight. On the flip side, RH batters are hitting .393 against Tucson’s Eddie Bonine which is looking good for Butler. Here’s to a great game, Mr. Butler…

Marty’s Pick:

I think RHP Jake Brigham is due for a nice night on the mound. He had a rough outing two night’s ago, failing to record an out while surrendering three runs on one hit to the Padres but I think he’s able to clear the slate and come up big tonight. In his only start at the Triple-A level, Brigham logged 4.1 innings of one-hit ball and allowed one run in Las Vegas on May 7.

Cade’s Pick:

OF Jim Adduci is my pick because he is riding the confidence of a seven game hitting streak and does well against righties. He has a higher average, SLG % and OPS against righties and the Padres starting pitcher Boscan has struggled some against lefties. Adduci has also raised his average from .218 (May 7) to .258 (May 13) during the current road trip.

Tonight the Express goes for its first win against the Padres after dropping last night’s heartbreaker, 7-6. LHP Ryan Feierabend will get the ball in search of his second win after picking up his first victory his last time out at Las Vegas.

Express Lineup:

TBA

Padres Lineup:

TBA

Last Night’s “Pacific Star Star of the Game”:

After going 2-for-4 with two RBI and his sixth double, third baseman Yangervis Solarte earns our Pacific Star Star of the Game. He’s been right in the middle of the action and has raised his average to .252 entering tonight’s game.

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

TBA

Marty’s Pick:

I hate to double up but I’m going to go with Solarte to win it again tonight. He’s been catching fire lately with three multi-hit games over his last five contests. Over the past week, he’s raised his average from .240 (May 4) to .252 after last night’s performance. The switch-hitter is dangerous from both sides of the plate but he’s got three homers and 18 RBI hitting from the left side and will see a right-hander on the the bump tonight. That’s my pick and I’m sticking with it.

INF Yangervis Solarte

LHP Richard Bleier

ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Texas Rangers have announced a roster move that will impact their Triple-A affiliate, Round Rock Express. LHP Richard Bleier has been transferred to Double-A Frisco RoughRiders.

In eight appearances for the Express, Bleier is 1-1 with a 3.79 ERA (19.0ip/8er). He made two spot starts, throwing 4.0 innings and 3.2 innings. In 19.0 innings, he’s allowed seven walks and fanned eight batters.

There is no corresponding move at this time, putting the Express active roster at 24 with two on the disabled list and one major lea

gue rehab.

The Express continues an eight-game road trip tonight with game three of four at Tucson before coming home for an eight-game homestand starting Thursday, May 16. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

—-

This means the E-Train is down to two left-handed relievers in Neal Cotts and Nate Robertson. Bleier filled in as a spot starter a

nd was a long-inning reliever when needed. Now the Express is missing that role. Robertson, a former starter, could fill in for extended innings and has this year…but his longest outing has only been 2.0 innings on two different occasions (46p/25k, 25p/18k). Bleier’s longest start this season was 4.0ip (56p/35k), but his longest outing by pitches was a 3.2 inning effort (70p/49k). Robertson’s last start was July 21, 2012 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate the Las Vegas 51′s. He went 1.0ip, 4h, 3r, 3er, 1bb, 1k — 26p/15k. His other outing with the 51′s was just as memorable (7/16)… 2.0ip, 6h, 4r, 3er, 1k — 42p/26k.

Round Rock still has a roster spot open since there was no corresponding move today. With Martin Perez getting optioned to Double-A Frisco yesterday, it will be interesting to see what the move to fill the roster spot will be. We’re still carrying Balester on the DL, too. 

I don’t know what it is, but the E-Train cannot seem to win back-to-back games on the road. It just doesn’t happen. Last night was another devastating loss after starter Ross Wolf threw a 6.2 inning gem. He gave up just one run on seven hits. Tonight’s starter Josh Lindblom has yet to give up a run on the road, tossing 13.0 innings and giving up just four hits. Here’s to another attempt at a road win streak…

Express Lineup:

TBA

Padres Lineup:

TBA

Last Night’s “Pacific Star Star of the Game”:

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

My pick for tonight is going to be OF Jim Adduci. He’s been seeing the ball really well lately, going 10-for-21 (.476) over his last five games. He’s hit a double in each of his last two games and scored a run in two of his last three. He’s also hitting a solid .288 (17-59) on the road in 15 games compared to .232 (16-69) in 19 games at Dell Diamond.

Marty’s Pick:

TBA

After last night’s thrilling comeback win, the Express opens a four-game set in Tucson tonight against the Padres Triple-A affiliate. RHP Ross Wolf (0-1, 1.77 ERA) will get the ball tonight for the E-Train as the Express looks to improve its road record. Round Rock salvaged a series split with the 51′s after last night’s victory, getting at least one hit from each starter in the batting order and multiple hits from eight different players.

Express Lineup:

1. CF Engel Beltre

2. 2B Jurickson Profar

3. 1B Chris McGuiness

4. 3B Yangervis Solarte

5. DH Aaron Cunningham

6. LF Joey Butler

7. RF Jim Adduci

8. SS Greg Miclat

9. C Eli Whiteside

Padres Lineup:

1. 2B Dean Anna

2. RF Daniel Robertson

3. 1B Brandon Allen

4. 3B James Darnell

5. LF Jonathan Galvez

6. SS Gregorio Petit

7. C Rene Rivera

8. DH Cody Decker

9. CF Jaff Decker

Last Night’s “Pacific Star Star of the Game”:

After going 4-for-6 with four RBI and cranking his second homer of the season, Aaron Cunningham gets the nod as the Pacific Star Star of the Game. The left fielder posted season-high’s in hits and RBI along with playing an integral roll in the win from an offensive standpoint.

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

My pick tonight is the newly activated OF Joey Butler. Butler was named the Rangers Minor League Player of the Month for April. He just tore it up. He had three separate five-game hitting streaks and only failed to get on base in three of 25 games. He’s entering tonight on a five-game hitting streak. He’s coming off a hamstring injury and I think he’s ready to get back to tearing the ball apart.

Marty’s Pick:

Tonight I’m going to go with starter Ross Wolf. He’s been on fire this season but his number don’t reflect it. He has tossed two quality starts and has not allowed more than two runs in any of his four starts. He has also gone over 6.0 innings twice, yet pitched to a 0-1 record. He’s due to get a win tonight and I think he does it in style with a light’s out performance on the hill. Wolf walked a season-high four in his last start and was pulled after just 3.2 innings of work, his shortest start of the season. I think he’s going to bounce back and find the strike zone tonight and when he does that, I think he earns a big “W.” By the way, if you’re keeping score at home, after last night’s point for correctly picking Cunningham, I’m in the lead 3-1.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos has been recalled to the Texas Rangers after A.J. Pierzynski was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 6, announced Friday by the Rangers.

Chirinos will be the third Express player to join the Rangers this season after pitchers Nick Tepesch and Justin Grimm joined the parent club earlier in the season. Chirinos has spent time at the major league level, playing in 20 games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011 (.218, 1 HR, 7 RBI). He missed the entire 2012 campaign after suffering a concussion in spring training while with the Rays. Chirinos was dealt to the Rangers on April 8 in exchange for cash considerations after being designated for assignment by Tampa Bay.

The right-handed hitting catcher batted .295 with two home runs and 14 RBI in 23 games with the Express in 2013.

C Robinson Chirinos

Tonight is the series finale with the 51′s as the Express look to salvage a split in Vegas. Last night was rough, coming all the way back to take the lead, only to have Las Vegas retake the reins in the bottom of the eighth. If you missed the action, check out the recap at roundrockexpress.com here: http://atmilb.com/15wOAcC

Enough about the past, it’s on to the present and tonight LHP Brad Mills will put his perfect 4-0 record on the line in an attempt to become the first Express pitcher to reach five wins.

Game Notes: 5/10 at Las Vegas

Express Lineup:

1. CF Engel Beltre

2. SS Jurickson Profar

3. 1B Chris McGuiness

4. 3B Yangervis Solarte

5. LF Aaron Cunningham

6. RF Jim Adduci

7. 2B Greg Miclat

8. DH Alex Buchholz

9. C Jose Felix

LHP Brad Mills

51′s Lineup:

1. RF Kirk Nieuwenhuis

2. CF Collin Cowgill

3. 1B Josh Satin

4. 2B Wilmer Flores

5. LF Zach Lutz

6. 3B Eric Campbell

7. C Landon Powell

8. DH Kai Gronauer

9. SS Brian Bixler

RHP D.J. Mitchell

Last Night’s “Pacific Star Star of the Game”:

Going to have to be first baseman Chris McGuiness after his monster game at the plate. McGuiness slammed a three-run triple (the second of his career) in the bottom of the seventh as a part of a five-run inning that gave the E-Train a brief lead. With my prediction yesterday, that makes the score Marty-2, Jill-1. Please, hold your applause.

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick: I was going with a wild card tonight in not picking an offensive player to watch.  I was really leaning towards starter Brad Mills as he’s been dominate all season long. Then I looked at Las Vegas’ right/left splits. They can hit southpaws, .304 to .266 vs. righties. So back to square one… I hate to stick with the same guy I picked last night, but again, after going over Engel Beltre’s stats, I have to pick him again tonight. Maybe I’m just secretly hoping if I pick him enough, he has to have a career night one of those times. I know there’s a wild-card I’m overlooking in our lineup and I’m going to kick myself after tonight’s game when I realize who it is. For tonight at least, I’m thinking Beltre will be our man. Like I said last night, he’s due for a big night and here’s to tonight being his time…

Marty’s Pick: Tonight’s pick is LF Aaron Cunningham. I think the right-handed hitting outfielder is going to be in the middle of the action again after going 2-for-4 with a run scored last night. He’s quietly been heating up, going 5-for-11 (.455) with four runs scored over his last three games. Cunningham is a career .301 hitter in the minors so he’s not just riding a hot streak. Also, lately he’s been batting in the five spot, a position in the order that he’s hitting .333 (7-for-21) with two doubles, two RBI and five runs scored. With Joey Butler still on the DL, Cunningham is being relied more upon in big situations, a challenge that he’s welcomed.

OF Aaron Cunningham

Howdy Express fans!

The team is currently in Las Vegas  for the conclusion of a four-game homestand against the 51s (Triple-A Affiliate of the NY Mets). After an E-train victory tonight (fingers crossed!) they’ll head to Arizona to duel with the Tucson Padres (Triple-A Affiliate of the San Diego Padres) before coming back to Dell Diamond for an eight game homestand. Despite the team’s absence in Round Rock, we stumbled on a lot of great photos from the last homestand. As always, our fans are the best! Keep the photos coming!

This week’s Fan Friday features an interesting pick. We’d like to send a shout out to our fan who used the hashtag #adventures_of_frog_and_duck in addition to #RRExpress that helped us find this gem. It looks like you had great seats and good company!

If you’d like the chance to be featured on our weekly Fan Friday post, use the hashtag #RRExpress on Instagram or Twitter, tag us on Facebook, or email your photos to streetteam@rrexpress.com!

Happy Fan Friday!

The Round Rock Express Street Team

Justin, Julia and Meredith

P.S. We’re flattered that one of you tagged a photo of us celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Dell Diamond!