A lot has occurred with the Round Rock Express since the season opened April 8. The biggest thrill so far has to be Astros legend Lance Berkman playing at the Dell Diamond as part of a two-game rehab stint. He hit three for six with three runs, three RBIs, two doubles, and a homer in his short stay – not bad for a guy coming off arthroscopic surgery on his left knee… Another big name heading Round Rock way is funny man Will Ferrell. There’ll be more cowbell as Old School‘s Frank the Tank entertains fans at the Express’ Thursday, May 6, game against the Nashville Sounds with a scheduled 7:05pm first pitch (which we’re assuming Ferrell will toss out). He’s in town to host the Will Powered Golf Classic benefiting Cancer for College taking place Friday, May 7, in Georgetown (for more, see www.cancerforcollege.org)… The Astros announced Tuesday that Andy Van Hekken (pictured), Jason Bourgeois, and Chris Shelton were named Round Rock’s Players of the Month for April, and catcher Kevin Cash (who spent the first month of the season with Round Rock) was promoted to the big leagues on Wednesday with the struggling J.R. Towles being optioned to AA Corpus Christi. Apparently highly touted catching prospect Jason Castro needs a little more fine-tuning with the Express before earning his call-up to the Show (hitting .221 for the season doesn’t help). Now’s as good a time as any (before it gets any hotter) to catch a game and grab a dog in celebration of America’s favorite pastime. Vs. Nashville: Thu., May 6, 7:05pm. Vs. Memphis: Fri.-Sat., May 7-8, 7:05pm; Sun., May 9, 2:05pm; Mon., May 10, 7:05pm. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $6-30. www.roundrockexpress.com.
This article appears in May 7 • 2010.