5 players to watch in this week’s 51s-Round Rock Express series
The 51s will look to snap their eight-game losing streak as the Round Rock Express come to Cashman Field for a four-game series Tuesday. Here are five players to watch:
Brandon Nimmo, OF, Las Vegas
Though the 51s outfielder said he hasn’t felt completely locked in at the plate since he was sent down, he has eight hits in the past three games.
After going hitless in his first game down, Nimmo had two hits both Saturday and Sunday before going 4-for-6 on Monday against New Orleans.
At .341, Nimmo’s batting average tops the Pacific Coast League among active players. (Third baseman T.J. Rivera is first at .349, but he is currently in the majors with the Mets.)
Joey Gallo, 3B, Round Rock
The Henderson native returns to Las Vegas hitting .252 with 23 home runs and 59 RBIs for the Express. He’s also struck out 115 times in 356 plate appearances.
Gallo was recently up with the Rangers near the end of July and got just one hit in his 14 at-bats.
But he returns home to Las Vegas as the No. 11 prospect overall.
51s starters
In the past three games, 51s starters have given up 22 runs in 13.1 innings pitched.
Poor starting pitching has been a big reason why the 51s have been reeling.
Sean Gilmartin will take the ball in the first game of the series, looking to rebound from a three-inning, six-run outing — his first since coming back from the disabled list.
Robert Gsellman will start Wednesday and the last time through the rotation, he was the only starter to toss a quality start.
Michael Roth, LHP, Round Rock
Roth leads the Express with a 2.59 ERA in 23 games — 18 starts.
The lefty is 9-4 on the season, which he has mostly spent in Round Rock.
He made one appearance with the Rangers and got shelled by the Red Sox, giving up six runs in 3 2/3 innings.
He’ll start Thursday’s game opposite Darin Gorski.
Johnny Monell, C, Las Vegas
Monell enters the series riding a six-game hitting streak.
During that time, he’s been 8-for-15 (.533) with four RBIs and a pair of doubles.
Monell reached base four times in Tuesday’s game — a loss to New Orleans — collecting two hits and walking twice.
Lately, the catcher has been splitting time behind the plate and at first as the 51s have three catchers on the active roster.
Betsy Helfand can be reached at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @BetsyHelfand
