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Round Rock Express

Express Flip New Orleans 4-2

August 22, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Joey Butler homered and drove in all four runs as the Round Rock Express defeated the New Orleans Zephyrs 4-2 in Monday night's Pacific Coast League action at The Dell Diamond. The Express (78-52) reduced their magic number to three with the win, their sixth in the last seven games. Albuquerque trails Memphis 16-5 in the eighth inning; if the Isotopes lose, Round Rock would clinch at least a tie of the division title with its next win or another Albuquerque loss.

Butler blasted a two-run homer off the baggy beyond the centerfield wall with no outs in the second; it was his 12th homer of the season and fifth in 18 games this month. Butler added a two-out RBI double in the third and an RBI fielder's choice in the fifth.

Meanwhile, Express starter Mark Hamburger handled the Zephyrs (64-66), who were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss. Hamburger (7-4) held New Orleans scoreless until Vinny Rottino's one-out, two-run homer in the sixth. That was the first run allowed by Hamburger since July 21, coincidentally against New Orleans at The Dell Diamond. It snapped a 23.2-inning scoreless streak over eight appearances for Hamburger, who made his third career start Monday night after moving into the Express rotation nine days ago.

Hamburger finished with four strikeouts, allowing four hits and one walk. He rebounded nicely after the Rottino home run, striking out each of the next two batters looking. He then gave way to Cody Eppley, who faced the minimum in 2.0 innings with a strikeout and an inning-ending double play after a one-out single in the eighth. Pedro Strop retired the side in order in the ninth for his 11th save. Round Rock's bullpen has allowed only one unearned run over its last 10.0 innings worked.

Butler and Esteban German both had two-hit nights. Kevin Cash walked three times. German also stole a base.

Ramon Vazquez had two of New Orleans' five hits.

Round Rock and New Orleans conclude their four-game series Tuesday with a 7:05 p.m. CDT first pitch at The Dell Diamond. Right-hander Brett Tomko (7-5, 6.42 ERA) takes the mound for the Express, while right-hander Alex Sanabia (0-1, 7.50 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Zephyrs.

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