The Express Down the O Royals

I just got back from Rosenblatt Stadium where the Round Rock Express defeated the Omaha Royals 6-1. Juan Gutierrez for the Express tossed seven shut out innings against the Royals, the included this line up:

1. Joey Gathright, DH
2. Angel Berroa, 3B
3. Shane Costa, RF
4. Billy Butler, LF
5. Mike Aviles, SS
6. Mitch Maier, CF
7. Justin Huber, 1B
8. Fernando Cortez, 2B
9. Paul Phillips, C

The Royals managed just four hits for the game, and like the big league club, many of the O. Royals are struggling at the plate. Gathright got a hit, but he's hitting just .217. Justin Huber was 0-for-3 and is now hitting .160. And Paul Phillips was 0-for-3 and is hitting .091.

Here's a photo of Gathright's first at bat:


Billy Butler was 1-for-3 with a walk. By the way, today is his 21st birthday.

Angel Berroa was 0-for-4, and he looks like the same old Berroa--during one at bat in the sixth inning, he swung at a pitch that bounced in the dirt for strike two and then he swung and missed a pitch that was way up out of the strike zone. I have no idea what he's doing playing third base, but here's a photo of him in action:

Dewon Brazelton pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits. He changed speeds relatively well and he had five strike outs. The Royals just couldn't get their bats going to support him.