Results tagged ‘ alberto gonzalez ’
Express Dominate Zephyrs
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS 10, NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS 6
29 August 2012 | The Dell Diamond | Round Rock, Texas
Records: Express (67-72), Zephyrs (73-66)
- Round Rock leads series 3-0
- Round Rock leads season series 10-5
- Series finale Thursday at 7:05 p.m. CDT
- Thursday’s scheduled starters: RR – LHP Martin Perez (7-6, 4.24 ERA); NEW – RHP Elih Villanueva (9-8, 3.92 ERA)
ROUND ROCK clinched series … won six of last nine series (split other three) … won eight of last 10 games, 14 of last 19 … improved to league-best 24-11 since July 26 … improved to 15-0 since All-Star break when scoring seven-plus runs … won 10 of last 15 vs. New Orleans at The Dell Diamond … at least one homer in nine of last 11 games, 15 of last 19 … 15 homers over last nine games.
CHAD BELL won second straight start … allowed three runs over last three starts (16.0 innings, 1.69 ERA) … improved to 2-0 in two starts vs. New Orleans.
JULIO BORBON (2-for-5, walk) five-game hitting streak (6-for-22) … three hits shy of Mark Saccomanno’s 2008 franchise record (157) … hit safely in 14 of last 15 games (.381, 24-for-63) … reached safely in 15 straight games … multiple hits in seven of last 14 games.
YANGERVIS SOLARTE (2-for-5, walk) five-game hitting streak (.421, 8-for-19) … multiple hits in eight of last 18 games.
LEONYS MARTIN (1-for-6) five-game hitting streak (.348, 8-for-23) … hit safely in 27 of last 29 games with Express … at least one run scored in six straight games, 14 of last 15.
JOEY BUTLER (0-for-1, two walks, two sac flies) snapped 15-game hitting streak (21-for-61).
RYAN SPILBORGHS (0-for-3, sac fly) snapped six-game hitting streak (11-for-22)
MATT KATA (2-for-3, walk) produced 115th career multiple-hit game with Express, breaking Mark Saccomanno’s franchise record … seven hits shy of Saccomanno’s franchise career record (424).
ALBERTO GONZALEZ (3-for-5) hit safely in seven of 10 games with Express … fourth multiple-hit effort.
KOYIE HILL (0-for-2, three walks) dropped to 3-for-24 (.125) over last seven games … at least one strikeout in 10 of 12 games with Express.
Express vs. Nashville (Aug. 24)
Silenced: Sounds win 5-2.
So Far, It’s Not Working: If you read our players to watch post earlier today, well… so far, our efforts are not working. Brandon Snyder is 0-for-2 with a strikeout, Koyie Hill is 0-for-2 including an inning-ending double play, and Justin Grimm has yielded four runs on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts through five innings. Sounds lead 4-0 going to sixth.
Deja Blue All Over Again… Again… Again: Round Rock is wearing blue jerseys for the fifth consecutive game. The Express won each of the previous four games. If it ain’t broke…
Short Stop: Matt Kata is starting at shortstop tonight; it’s his first start at the position since May 13 at Tacoma. Luis Hernandez was added to the Rangers 40-man roster this afternoon and is with the parent club while Michael Young is on paternity leave. Alberto Gonzalez left last night’s game after being hit by a pitch. All that necessitates Kata’s fill-in at shortstop.
First Pitch: We’re underway at 7:08 p.m. CDT. Temperature at first pitch was 93 degrees – that’s 34 degrees in Mzuzu, Malawi.
Express vs. Nashville (Aug. 22)
Ryan’s Hope: Ryan Spilborghs delivered a walk-off single down the third-base line. Express win 7-6. HALF-PRICE PAPA JOHN’S TOMORROW!!!
Gimme Five: Leonys Martin led off the bottom of the 11th with a single – his fifth hit of the night (four singles, one double). It is his first career five-hit game.
Still Tied: We’re headed to the bottom of the 11th tied 6-6. Up for the Express: Leonys Martin, Luis Hernandez and Matt Kata. Game is now four hours old.
What the…?: The bottom of the ninth inning was so bizarre, we’ll just say this: Round Rock tied the game on a Matt Kata RBI fielder’s choice. Everything beyond that was just too mind-boggling to explain. We’re tied 6-6 in the 10th.
Leonys Laser: Leonys Martin just threw out a runner at home to end the top of the ninth on an Humberto Quintero single. Jordan Brown was trying to score from second. Martin’s throw was so strong that catcher Koyie Hill dropped the ball and still had time to pick it up and tag out Brown, who didn’t even arrive in time to bother with a slide. Wow! … Sounds lead 6-5 going to the bottom of the ninth. Leading off for the Express? Martin.
Spil-ling Over: Ryan Spilborghs clubbed a two-run homer in the eighth, cutting Nashville’s lead to 6-5. It was his eighth of the year and second in his last six games. However, it was only his second at The Dell Diamond (July 21 vs. Omaha).
Boom Boom Borbon: Julio Borbon blasted a two-out solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning, his 10th of the season. That eclipses his career minor league total entering this season. Borbon has homered in two of his last four games.
Are You Kidding Me? Yangervis Solarte has hit into 26 double plays this season. That’s four more than any other player in Triple-A or Major League Baseball this season. Miguel Cabrera leads the American league with 22, Ryan Zimmerman leads the National League with 17, and three players lead the International League with 17 each.
Alberto Gonzo: Alberto Gonzalez clubbed a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth. It was his first homer since June 25, 2011, at Petco Park against the Atlanta Braves while a member of the San Diego Padres. The Express went on to load the bases with no outs, but Yangervis Solarte grounded into a home-to-first double play, and Ryan Spilborghs struck out to end the threat. 5-2 Sounds going to the sixth.
Rough Outing: Greg Reynolds exited two batters after Halton’s homer, allowing a single and a walk to the subsequent batters. Neal Cotts struck out former Express member Humberto Quintero to end the inning, stranding both of Reynolds’ bequeathed runners. Reynolds allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.2 innings – matching his shortest of 25 starts. Sounds lead 5-0 going to the bottom of the fifth.
Halton Does It Again: Sean Halton blasted his second homer of the game in the fifth inning – this one a three-run shot into the Express bullpen. It is his third two-homer game of the season, all of which were on the road (June 23 at Albuquerque, July 23 at New Orleans).
Multi-Tasking: Leonys Martin singled in the bottom of the third, giving him multiple-hit efforts in four of his last five games and five of his last seven. Express trail 2-0 heading to the fourth inning.
Halton Right There: Sean Halton blasted a leadoff homer in the top of the second, pushing Nashville’s lead to 2-0. It was his 13th homer of the season and first since Aug. 4 at Fresno. That was his 10th homer on the road.
That Didn’t Take Long: Leonys Martin extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a first-inning double. He is hitting .408 (20-for-49) during the streak – now the longest of his career at any level. Martin has hit safely in 22 of his last 23 games with the Express.
Sounds Strike First: Eric Farris led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Khris Davis (eh, not Chris Davis). That marks the first time Round Rock pitchers have allowed a first-inning run since Colorado Springs plated three runs in the bottom of the first Aug. 13, snapping an eight-game streak.
Deja Blue All Over Again: Round Rock is wearing blue jerseys for the third straight game.
First Pitch: We’re underway at 7:07 p.m. CDT. It’s 90 degrees at first pitch – that’s 32 degrees in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Express vs. Oklahoma City (Aug. 21)
Fit To Be Tied: Round Rock closes out the 4-1 win, gaining a split in the four-game series. The Express have not lost a series since July 20-23, going 4-0-3 in series since then.
Justin Sayin’: Our pregame players to watch? Zach Jackson (7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K … in line for the win). Leonys Martin (415-foot, two-run homer). Alberto Gonzalez (3-for-4, RBI).
Zach Attach: Zach Jackson exited the game after one of his best starts this season. He held Oklahoma City to one run on seven hits and no walks with seven strikeouts over seven innings. Jackson matched his season high in strikeouts; he also had seven Ks in his third start (April 19 vs. Omaha). It was his first start without a walk since his first start (April 9 at Omaha). If the Express hold the lead, Jackson will move to 4-0 with a 3.16 ERA (13 ER/37.0 IP) over his last six starts.
Long-Ball Leonys: Leonys Martin crushed the first pitch he saw from Oklahoma City reliever Enerio Del Rosario over the RedHawks bullpen in right-center, a two-run shot that pushed Round Rock’s lead to 4-1. It was Martin’s 11th homer with the Express. He’s homered in five of his last six games in an Express uniform.
Long Time Coming: Joey Butler homered on the first pitch of the bottom of sixth inning, giving the Express a 2-1 lead. It was his 17th homer of the season but only his fourth at The Dell Diamond. In fact, it was his first homer at the Big Mouse Pad since July 1 against New Orleans.
Walk This Way: Joey Butler‘s fourth-inning walk was his 72nd of the season, tying Esteban German’s Express single-season record from last year. Butler later scored on an Alberto Gonzalez two-out single, giving the Express a 1-0 lead.
Tangled Up In Blue: Round Rock is wearing blue jerseys for tonight’s game… as chosen by Express fans through a Facebook/Twitter vote during last night’s game.
First Pitch: We’re underway at 7:07 p.m. Temperature at first pitch is 79 degrees – that’s 23 degrees in Quatre Bornes, Seychelles.
Players to Watch (Aug. 21 vs. Oklahoma City)
Leonys Martin returns to the Express lineup after a brief weekend hiatus with the Texas Rangers. He left Reno last Thursday with a 10-game hitting streak intact and hits in 20 of his last 21 Triple-A games. Look for him to continue that trend tonight.
Alberto Gonzalez had a short night Monday; he was ejected in the second inning after expressing displeasure with a check-swing call. We’re angling that the early night will produce motivated dividends tonight.
Zach Jackson arguably has pitched better this season than last year when he tied the franchise record with 13 wins. Nonetheless, he is 6-12 this season, including a 1-9 mark at The Dell Diamond. Those records are as much if not more about lack of run support as they are about how Jackson has pitched. He recently quickened and compacted his windup, and it has proved beneficial. Round Rock won each of his last five starts, during which time he is 3-0. Look for Jackson to notch win No. 7 tonight.
Express vs. Oklahoma City (Aug. 20)
Job Complete: Martin Perez tossed his second complete game, giving the Express a 2-1 win.
Rub Some Dirt On It: Martin Perez took a comebacker off the leg with one out in the sixth inning. The result was an RBI single for Jimmy Paredes, cutting Round Rock’s lead to 2-1. Perez stayed in the game and has been nearly perfect since, retiring eight of nine batters on 16 pitches. He used five pitches in the seventh and six pitches in the eighth. Express still lead 2-1 going to the bottom of the eighth.
So Much For a Night Off: Alberto Gonzalez was ejected by first-base umpire Joel Hospodka after expressing displeasure with Hospodka’s ruling of his check swing on a third strike. Ryan Spilborghs has replaced Gonzalez in the lineup, playing left field. Brandon Snyder moves from left field to third base.
Sweet 16: Luis Hernandez ripped a one-out double in the bottom of the first, extending his hitting streak to 16 games. That ties for the fifth-longest in Express history (Triple-A era); Ryan Spilborghs also had a 16-game streak earlier this season. Matt Kata followed with a double of his own, giving the Express a 1-0 lead after one inning.
First Pitch: Underway at 7:06 p.m.
Express Outlast Aces in Extras
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS 9, at RENO ACES 8 (10 innings)
16 August 2012 | Aces Ballpark | Reno, Nev.
Records: Express (59-67), Aces (71-55)
- Julio Borbon leadoff triple in 10th inning … scored on errant pickoff throw from Reno catcher Ryan Budde
- Round Rock leads series 3-0
- Clinched second straight series … improved to 4-0-2 in last six series
- Express riding six-game winning streak
- Series finale Friday at 9:05 p.m. CDT
- Friday’s scheduled starters: RR – RHP Greg Reynolds (10-7, 4.90 ERA); RENO – RHP Trevor Bauer (4-1, 2.85 ERA)
ROUND ROCK won 16 of last 22 (league-best record during that time) … improved to 18-8 since five-run, ninth-inning rally July 22 vs. Omaha … won 12 of last 15 road games … season-best, six-game road winning streak … improved to 20-15 since All-Star break … extended franchise record with fifth straight nine-plus run game … eight of nine starters hit safely … 56 runs, 85 hits over last five games … 10-plus hits in six straight games … nine-plus hits in nine straight games (.352, 125-for-355) … improved to 13-0 since All-Star break when scoring at least seven runs … improved to 15-15 in one-run games, 8-3 since All-Star break … fourth straight victory in one-run games … improved to 6-4 in extra-inning games (3-1 on the road).
ZACH JACKSON (no-decision) left game leading 5-3 … held opponent to three or fewer earned runs in nine of last 10 starts (4-4) … allowed three or fewer earned runs in sixth straight start … second no-decision in last 16 outings (15 starts) … Express won his fifth straight start.
JOE ORTIZ earned first career Triple-A win.
JOHAN YAN earned first career Triple-A save.
JULIO BORBON (4-for-6) three-game hitting streak (.467, 7-for-15) … second straight multiple-hit game … first four-hit game since July 25 vs. Albuquerque (fourth of season) … seventh triple, tying for second-best season total in Express history.
LUIS HERNANDEZ (4-for-5, walk) extended hitting streak to 12 games (.482, 27-for-56) … 10th multiple-hit outing during streak … second four-hit game of season (June 29 vs. Nashville) … scored in fifth straight game.
JOEY BUTLER (3-for-6) five-game hitting streak (.346, 9-for-26) … first game with three-plus hits since five-hit effort July 18 at Nashville … hit safely in 11 of last 13 games (18-for-56) … at least one strikeout in 10 straight games (14 strikeouts) … sixth straight multiple-strikeout game, seventh in last eight games.
BRAD NELSON (0-for-6) hitless with at least five at bats for only second time this season (July 2 vs. New Orleans) … first 0-for-6 game since July 2, 2011 vs. Nashville.
RYAN SPILBORGHS (1-for-4, walk) six-game hitting streak (.320, 8-for-25) … first home run since July 30 at Memphis (12 games, 46 at bats) … third homer in last 67 games, 254 at bats … first game with four-plus RBI since Aug. 22, 2011 vs. Salt Lake (with Colorado Springs).
BRANDON SNYDER (1-for-5) extended hitting streak to eight games (.353, 12-for-34) … first homer with Express … scored in fifth straight game … hit safely in 11 of 12 games with Express.
YANGERVIS SOLARTE (1-for-4, walk) hit safely in six of last seven games (12-for-31).
ALBERTO HERNANDEZ (3-for-5) first game with Express … first three-hit game since May 30 with Rangers (vs. Seattle).
KOYIE HILL (1-for-5) hit safely in each of first two games with Express.
Express Get MLB Vets Hill, Gonzalez
This today from the Rangers and Express:
RANGERS SIGN CATCHER KOYIE HILL TO MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT
Major league veteran reports to Round Rock
New York, NY—The Texas Rangers today announced the signing of catcher Koyie Hill to a minor league contract. Hill will join Triple-A Round Rock of the Pacific Coast League tonight at Reno.
Hill, 33, was released by the Washington Nationals on August 3 after hitting .163 with 2 homers and 9 RBI in 31 games at Triple-A Syracuse. The switch-hitter signed as a minor league free agent last winter with St. Louis before being released on March 25. Hill signed with the Cincinnati organization on April 28 and hit .195 in 14 games at Double-A Peninsula before being traded to the Chicago Cubs on May 19. He batted .179 (7-39) with one RBI in 11 games with the Cubs before being designated for assignment on June 14 and granted free agency on June 17. Hill signed with Washington on June 19.
Hill has a career major league average of .210 with 8 homers and 76 RBI in 313 games with the Dodgers (2003), the Diamondbacks (2004-05), and Cubs (2007-12). He set career highs with 83 games with Chicago in 2009.
Also joining the E-Train is infielder Alberto Gonzalez. The 29-year-old has been with the Rangers all season until he was designated for assignment this weekend. He hit .241 with four RBI in just 24 games with Texas.
To make room, C Elio Sarmiento has been placed on the seven-day disabled list and IF Guilder Rodriguez has been assigned to Double-A Frisco.
Mark Lowe Recalled to Rangers
This today from the Rangers:
RANGERS REINSTATE RHP MARK LOWE FROM 15-DAY DISABLED LIST;
DESIGNATE INF ALBERTO GONZALEZ FOR ASSIGNMENT
Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced this afternoon that the club has reinstated right-handed pitcher Mark Lowe from the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the active roster for Lowe, the team has designated infielder Alberto Gonzalez for assignment.
Lowe was placed on the disabled list on June 29, retroactive to June 26, with a strained right intercostal muscle. He pitched 5 times on rehabilitation assignments with Frisco (AA) and Round Rock (AAA), allowing 4 runs in 6.0 innings while holding opposition to a .182 (4-22) average with 2 walks and 10 strikeouts. He had multiple strikeouts in all 5 outings, and tossed 4.0 scoreless frames over his final 3 appearances in the minors.
Lowe has a 2.30 ERA (8 ER/31.1 IP) over 26 relief appearances for Texas this season, holding opponents to a .198 average. He is seeking his first big league appearance since June 25 vs. Detroit, when he tossed 3.0 scoreless innings in what was the previous series opener against the Tigers here in Arlington this season.
Gonzalez has been on the 25-man roster for the entire season, batting .241 (13-54) with 2 doubles, a triple, and 4 RBI in 24 games for Texas. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Gonzalez to the minor leagues.
With these moves, the Rangers now have 39 players on the club’s 40-man roster.
