After last night’s 6-0 victory, the Express looks to take game two tonight in Iowa at 7:05 p.m. Round Rock regained sole possession of first place and now leads the Oklahoma City RedHawks by 1.0 game.

Express Lineup:

1. Engel Beltre, CF

2. Robinson Chirinos, 1B

3. Aaron Cunningham, LF

4. Yangervis Solarte, SS

5. Mike Olt, 3B

6. Joey Butler, RF

7. Mike Bianucci, DH

8. Greg Miclat, 2B

9. Eli Whiteside, C

SP: LHP Martin Perez

I-Cubs Lineup:

1. Brent Lillibridge, 2B

2. Brian Bogusevic, CF

3. Brett Jackson, LF

4. Donnie Murphy, SS

5. Steve Clevenger, 3B

6. Junior Lake, RF

7. Brad Nelson, 1B

8. Darnell McDonald, DH

9. Luis Flores, C

SP: LHP Chris Rusin

 

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

With his go-ahead three-run home run, Yangervis Solarte earns our nod as the Star of the Game.

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

There are a handful of guys I want to select for tonight’s player of the game. I think starting pitcher Martin Perez is going to have a great game. His last two starts have been quality starts and he’s allowed just two runs over those starts (13.0ip). I think 3B Mike Olt might have a standout night. You can tell he’s back offensively. His approach at the plate looks great and he just looks comfortable. I know he was excited to get back and I think he still has a lot to show us, offensively and defensively. I really think DH Mike Bianucci is due for a stellar night. He hasn’t really had one since he joined the Express back in May from extended spring training. This one’s a toss-up as I really have a hard time going for starting pitchers for player to watch for, but Perez, like Josh Lindblom and Brad Mills, is just dominate on the mound. So with that, I pick you Perez as the player to watch tonight. Have a game…

Marty’s Pick:

I’m going to see if I can ride the hot streak Solarte is posting so he’ll be my pick for tonight’s game. In one month, he’s raised his average from .237 to .302 entering tonight’s game and has homered in two straight contests. Hopefully he will be able to keep up his tear and lead the E-Train to its third consecutive victory.

Happy Friday Express Fans!

We’re excited to bring you another fantastic Fan Friday! The team is out of town this weekend, but they will be back on Monday for a 7:05 p.m. start against the Albuquerque Isotopes. It’s Mrs Baird’s dollar hotdog and soda night so be sure to come out for some good ol’ fashioned fun!

If you would like a chance to be featured on our weekly Fan Friday post, email us at streetteam@rrexpress.com, use our official hashtag (#RRExpress) on Twitter or Instagram, or tag us on Facebook!

Have a great weekend,

The Round Rock Express Street Team

Julia, Meredith and Westin

The Express opens a five-game road trip tonight in Iowa at 7:05 p.m. After taking 3-of-4 from Nashville at Dell Diamond, Round Rock enters tonight’s game tied atop the American Southern Division standings with Oklahoma City (32-25). Iowa currently sits in second place in the American Northern Division, 5.5 games back of Memphis.

Express Lineup:

1. CF Engel Beltre

2. C Robinson Chirinos

3. LF Aaron Cunningham

4. SS Yangervis Solarte

5. 3B Mike Olt

6. RF Joey Butler

7. 1B Jim Adduci

8. DH Mike Bianucci

9. 2B Greg Miclat

LHP Brad Mills

Cubs Lineup:

1. 2B Logan Watkins

2. RF Brian Bogusevic

3. CF Brett Jackson

4. LF Dave Sappelt

5. C Steve Clevenger

6. 3B Junior Lake

7. 1B Brad Nelson

8. DH Darnell McDonald

9. SS Donnie Murphy

RHP Guillermo Moscoso

Tuesday’s “Pacific Star Star of the Game”:

Tuesday night’s star was catcher Robinson Chirinos after he knocked in two as a part of a 1-for-4 night at the plate and also scored a run.

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

TBA

Marty’s Pick:

I’m taking a Cub crusher in Aaron Cunningham. Despite hitting just .238 against the I-Cubs this season, Cunningham entered 2013 with a lifetime .333 average against Iowa. To date, he has hit two homers, knocked in seven runs and scored 14 more over three seasons against the I-Cubs. Cunningham will also take a .294 average into tonight’s game against Iowa over 14 career games.

Tonight the Express looks to secure a series victory after taking the first two games of a four-game set with the Sounds. Round Rock clipped Nashville last night, 3-2, despite a drama-filled ninth inning. Right-hander Josh Lindblom picked up his team-leading sixth win while Cory Burns saved the game for the 13th time this season. Right-hander Scott Richmond (1-0, 2.40 ERA) will get the ball tonight in game three against the Sounds.

Express Lineup:

1. CF Engel Beltre

2. C Robinson Chirinos

3. 1B Chris McGuiness

4. SS Yangervis Solarte

5. LF Aaron Cunningham

6. DH Joey Butler

7. 3B Mike Olt

8. RF Jim Adduci

9. 2B Greg Miclat

RHP Scott Richmond

Sounds Lineup:

1. SS Blake Davis

2. 2B Hainley Statia

3. RF Caleb Gindl

4. LF Khris Davis

5. DH Hunter Morris

6. 1B Blake Lalli

7. CF Josh Prince

8. 3B Stephen Parker

9. C Anderson De La Rosa

RHP Johnnie Lowe

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

We had a tie last night for the Star of the Game, both Josh Lindblom and Chris McGuiness earned our honor for their integral play in the victory. Lindblom tossed seven innings of one-run ball, scattering four hits and striking out five. McGuiness went 2-for-4 with a RBI and made a game-saving play in the top of the ninth, erasing the runner from third with a fielder’s choice.

 Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

Tonight I’m going with 3B Mike Olt... he just came back to the team today and he’s excited to be here. He looked great at BP and I think he’ll have a stellar first night back.

Marty’s Pick:

My pick is going to be CF Engel Beltre. At the top of the order, he’s sure to be a spark plug and three of his 10 RBI on the season have come against the Sounds. Over his last five games, Beltre batting .333 (6-18) and has scored three runs.

With the win last night, the Express has now won six of its last seven including 4-of-5 against the Sounds. Tonight, Josh Lindblom takes the mound in search of his sixth victory, putting his undefeated record on the line.

Express Lineup:

1. CF Engel Beltre

2. C Robinson Chirinos

3. 1B Chris McGuiness

4. 2B Yangervis Solarte

5. DH Aaron Cunningham

6. LF Joey Butler

7. RF Jim Adduci

8. SS Greg Miclat

9. 3B Mark Teahen

RHP Josh Lindblom

Sounds Lineup:

1. 2B Scooter Gennett

2. RF Caleb Gindl

3. LF Khris Davis

4. 3B Stephen Parker

5. CF Josh Prince

6. 1B Hunter Morris

7. DH Sean Halton

8. C Blake Lalli

9. SS Blake Davis

LHP Zach Kroenke

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

First baseman Chris McGuiness gets our nod as the Pacific Star Star of the Game after going 2-for-4 with two doubles, a RBI and two runs scored. The first baseman has raised his average from .239 (May 5) to .279 entering tonight’s game after going 31-for-96 (.323) over that 27-game span.

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

I know I’m taking a gamble here, but I’m going with 1B Chris McGuiness. I only say it’s a gamble because he was our star of the game last night, but the kid is hitting .533 over his last five games… 8-for-15 with a home run, three doubles and four RBI. Over his last 10 games? He’s batting .379 (11-for-29). He’s put together a solid effort lately and has been a key part to the team’s recent play — winning six of their last seven. He’s also hitting .375 against Nashville… that’s 6-for-16 with four doubles, three RBI, six walks… See what I’m getting at?

Marty’s Pick:

Tonight I’m going with the obvious choice in Josh Lindblom. He’s 5-0 this season and has been lights out, tossing two straight quality starts in his last two appearances at the Triple-A level. His last time out, he allowed two runs through 7.0 innings at Memphis, earning his fifth win of the season.

The Express wraps up an eight-game road trip tonight in hopes of completing a four-game sweep of the New Orleans Zephyrs. Southpaw Brad Mills will put his undefeated record on the line when he toes the rubber at 7:00 p.m.

Express Lineup:

1. CF Engel Beltre

2. SS Greg Miclat

3. 1B Chris McGuiness

4. 2B Yangervis Solarte

5. DH Aaron Cunningham

6. C Robinson Chirinos

7. LF Joey Butler

8. RF Jim Adduci

9. 3B Mark Teahen

LHP Brad Mills

Zephyrs Lineup:

1. CF Kevin Mattison

2. RF Bryan Petersen

3. SS Gil Velazquez

4. DH Kevin Kouzmanoff

5. LF Jake Smolinski

6. 2B Matt Downs

7. C Kyle Skipworth

8. 1B Ben Lasater

9. 3B Chris Gutierrez

RHP Doug Mathis

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

Even though Ryan Feierabend took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, the nod has to got to Yangervis Solarte who finished the night 3-for-6 with two homers and four RBI, accounting for the majority of the Express offense.

Tonight’s Player-to-Watch:

It’s hard not to go with Solarte after the numbers he has been posting lately. With last night’s games, he has raised his average to .305 and leads the team with 31 RBI. For no other reason than he is the hottest bat in the lineup right now, he’s our Player-to-Watch tonight.

Happy Friday Express Fans!

The E-train is rolling back in town tomorrow for a 6:05 p.m. start against the Nashville Sounds and we couldn’t be more excited about kicking off June at Dell Diamond! Immediately following the game fans will be invited onto the field for a post-game concert featuring The Caboose! Thanks again for posting photos of the fun you’re having at the ballpark. Keep it up!

If you would like a chance to be featured on “Fan Friday” use our official hashtag, #RRExpress, on Instagram and Twitter, tag us on Facebook or email us at streetteam@rrexpress.com.

Happy Fan Friday!

The Round Rock Express Street Team

Julia, Meredith and Westin

After last night’s rain out, the Express will play two tonight in Metairie, La. against the Zephyrs. Round Rock knocked off New Orleans in the series opener, 3-2 behind a pair of home runs off the bat of Aaron Cunningham and a solid pitching performance by Josh Lindblom.

Express Lineup (Game Two):

1. CF Engel Beltre

2. SS Greg Miclat

3. 1B Chris McGuiness

4. RF Aaron Cunningham

5. 2B Yangervis Solarte

6. LF Mike Bianucci

7. DH Jose Felix

8. 3B Mark Teahen

9. C Eli Whiteside

RHP Jake Brigham

Zephyrs Lineup (Game Two):

1. CF Kevin Mattison

2.LF Gorkys Hernandez

3. RF Bryan Petersen

4. DH Kevin Kouzmanoff

5. SS Matt Downs

6. 1B Ben Lasater

7. 3B Paul Gran

8. C Kyle Skipworth

9. 2B Chris Gutierrez

RHP Matt Neil

Express Lineup (Game One):

1. CF Engel Beltre

2. SS Greg Miclat

3. 1B Chris McGuiness

4. LF Aaron Cunningham

5. 2B Yangervis Solarte

6. C Robinson Chirinos

7. RF Jim Adduci

8. DH Joey Butler

9. 3B Mark Teahen

LHP Ryan Feierabend

Zephyrs Lineup Game One:

1. CF Gorkys Hernandez

2. SS Gil Velazquez

3. RF Bryan Petersen

4. 1B Kevin Kouzmanoff

5. LF Jake Smolinski

6. 2B Matt Downs

7. C Koyie Hill

8. DH Ben Lasater

9. 3B Paul Gran

RHP Jacob Turner

Tuesday’s “Pacific Star Star of the Game”:

Aaron Cunningham earns the honor after blasting a pair of homers and knocking in all three RBI in the series opener.

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

TBA

Marty’s Pick:

In game one, I’m going to go with first baseman Chris McGuiness. He’s got hits in four of his last five games and had the night off on Tuesday which makes me think he’ll be fresh for tonight’s game. He also only has one extra-base hit in his last seven games, making him due for a big night at the plate. In game two, the only sure starter I know is Jake Brigham so I’ll take him as my player-to-watch. Brigham has gotten back on track lately after his rough road trip. The right-hander has allowed just one run over his last 7.2 innings of work (two appearances, one start). I think he’s going to carry his momentum and confidence into game two tonight.

Tonight, the Express looks to snap not only a six-game road losing streak but an 18.0 innings scoreless streak that has lasted over the first two games in Memphis. Southpaw Brad Mills will make his first start since being placed on the DL as he puts his 5-0 record on the line.

Express Lineup:

TBA

Redbirds Lineup:

TBA

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

After going 3-for-4 and the only Express player to record multiple hits, Yangervis Solarte earns the honor for the second straight game.

Tonight’s Players-to-Watch:

Jill’s Pick:

TBA
Marty’s Pick:

I’m going to go with the obvious and pick Solarte tonight. He’s been the player of the game for the first two games of this four-game set. That alone is enough to pick him, but the switch hitter also has five multi-hit games over his last six and has posted a combined five hits through the first two games in Memphis. I think he’s seeing the ball very well and is extremely comfortable at the plate at AutoZone Park.