Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Astros Minor League Recaps

Monday's Games

Quad Cities over Burlington 12-2
The River Bandits put a hurtin' on Burlington early with 11 runs in the first three innings to remain undefeated for the season. So much for my theory that the QC team might struggle early in the season! Starter Joe Bircher allowed two runs on three hits in his first inning of work before settling in to shutout the Bees over the next four innings and was rewarded with the win. Vincent Velasquez faced the minimum number of batters over the last four innings while striking out six. CF Teoscar Hernandez went 4-for-6 with two doubles, an RBI and three runs scored; DH Chase Davidson was 3-for-5 with three RBI singles; and 1B Jesse Wierzbicki was 2-for-4 with five RBI, including an RBI double and a three-run home run. 2B Joe Sclafani contributed a two RBI double toward the effort to go with his three walks.

Lake Elsinore at Lancaster - Postponed due to dust. Really.

Jonas Dufek
The difference 5 minutes can make in Lancaster CA...
Embedded image permalink

Corpus Christi over Tulsa 4-3
Down 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, CF George Springer drew a bases-loaded walk to tie it and was followed with a walk-off single from DH Michael Burgess to seal the deal and get the Hooks their third straight victory. Jake Buchanan had a strong start, allowing two runs on three hits. He recorded nine ground outs and six strikeouts -- I like it! In Carlos Quevedo's first action since his promotion to Corpus, he allowed three hits (including a two-out homer) and struck out three over one and two-thirds innings. Pat Urckfitz closed it out with two and a third scoreless frames for the win. Springer was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, two walks, a run scored and a stolen base; Burgess was 3-for-5 with an RBI single; and 2B Kiké Hernandez recorded two walks, an RBI single and a stolen base. LF Austin Wates also swiped a bag. Although the Hooks only managed six hits in the game, they walked nine times including two walks each from Wates and RF Domingo Santana.

Nashville over Oklahoma City 1-0
Really great pitching from both sides as the two teams combined for only nine hits and three walks. Rudy Owens got his first start of the season and was rewarded with a loss despite allowing only one unearned run on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in five innings. Jose Cisnero allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out three in the final three frames. My man 2B Jake Elmore was 2-for-4 with a double and stole a base. The only other RedHawks hits were singles from CF Robbie Grossman and LF Trevor Crowe.

Player of the Day: Teoscar Hernandez and Chase Davidson both had terrific games for Quad Cities, but I have to send a little extra love to Jesse Wierzbicki. Wierzbicki started out a little slow this season, but really busted out on Monday with his five RBI game.

Pitcher of the Day: Vincent Velasquez simply dominated in four no-hit innings. I really expect him to start moving up the prospect rankings this season.

1 comment:

  1. Maybe Mike Foltynewicz will be traded or released soon and then Mr. Velasquez will get moved to Lancaster in his place. How's that for moving up the ladder/prospect list???
    I have nothing against Velasquez, but

    there's no way that all 16 starting piggy backing pitchers the Astro brass currently have in AA and AAA have Foltys talent. No way - If a pitcher like Folty is stonewalled because of the volume of pitchers Mr. Luehnow has obtained for the minor league system then something is seriously wrong with this organization. These kind of decisions are obvious by the current results of the big team - isn't it???

    I was thinking the 2015 starters for the Astros would be Cosart, Folty, Appel, McCullers and the 2014 first round pitcher drafted. Guys that can throw the hell out of the ball and not afraid to challenge hitters!!!

    Isn't that what Brocail has always wanted?? Don't know now!!



    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.