Astros Minor League Recaps

Friday's Games

DSL Astros 6, DSL Royals 4

The DSL Astros turned five hits, two walks and an error in the fourth inning into six runs. Outside of the fourth inning they only had two other hits and scored no runs, but the offense in the fourth was enough to take the win. Elieser Hernandez (1-0) started on the mound and threw five innings, allowing three hits, a run, a walk and struck out a quartet to earn his first win. Harold Arauz came on for the last out of the eighth and after facing nine batters in the ninth, escaped with his second save of the season. Arauz recorded a hit, two runs, a walk, a HBP, a walk and a K in his time on the hill. None of the runs scored against the DSL Astros in this game were earned. Victor Tavarez (2X4 R) and Brian Pena (2X4 R RBI SO) both had multi-hit games on Friday while Jarico Reynoso and Luis Payano both stole their second base of the season so far.

Quad Cities River Bandits 6, Cedar Rapids Kernels 1

The River Bandits shut down their opponents in this commanding win on the road to take the series. Daniel Minor pitched the first three innings and allowed a run in the first and four hits overall, while walking two and striking out one. After Minor left the game, Quad Cities would not allow another hit through the next six shutout innings. Mitchell Lambson worked the fourth in perfecto fashion, striking out every batter he faced. Lance McCullers (3-4) pitched the fifth through eighth and walked a pair as he tallied five Ks and picked up the win. John Neely closed out the game and faced just three batters even though he hit the second he faced with a pitch. Neely had already struck out the first before the second took his base and the third batter up hit into a double play to end the game. At the plate, the River Bandits were working hard too, making the most of some timely extra base hits (four of their six runs were products of extra-base hits). Jordan Scott (1X3 R 3B 2RBI BB) got the scoring started in the third inning with a massive triple that scored Ariel Ovando (1X4 R 2SO) and Teoscar Hernandez (1X3 R 2B BB SO). Carlos Correa (2X5 R 2B RBI) hit a double later in the same inning to bring Scott home and Jesse Wierzbicki (1X5 R 2B RBI) hit a double in the fifth inning that scored Correa.

Lancaster JetHawks 4, San Jose Giants 8

After getting on the board first in the third, the JetHawks allowed seven runs (including a grand slam) in the fourth inning Friday and it proved to be too much to overcome for the win. Kyle Hallock (3-1) started on the mound and took the loss after allowing those seven runs (6ER), three hits, three walks and a strikeout in his three innings of work. Theron Geith pitched the fourth and gave up another run on two hits and struck out one before yielding the mound to Luis Cruz, who finished out the game for Lancaster. Cruz kept his four frames scoreless and allowed a pair of hits, while walking one and K-ing five. Cruz retired the first ten batters he faced in order and ended up facing two over the minimum. Delino DeShields had a good night swinging the bat, ending up three-for-five with a strikeout and two RBI on a single in the sixth inning. Nolan Fontana went two-for-five with a strikeout and Matt Duffy went two-for-four with a run scored.

Midland Rock Hounds 0, Corpus Christi Hooks 5

The Hooks didn't score outside of the second inning on Friday, but five runs there combined with the work on the mound was more than enough for the win. Mainly because David Martinez and Mike Foltynewicz were true to form at home yesterday, combining this time for a two-hit shutout. Martinez (9-0) was on the mound for the first five innings and allowed just a hit, walked one struck out five in route to his ninth win of the season. Folty followed for the next three and picked up his third save after allowing one hit, walking two and striking out a trio. Together the faced five over the minimum (Folty also had a HBP). Jose Martinez hit one-for-four in the game with a two RBI single in the second that capped off the Hooks' scoring. George Springer went one-for-four too, with a strikeout, run scored and RBI double. Jonathan Meyer finished one-for-two with a run scored, double and two walks. 

Oklahoma City RedHawks 5, Omaha Storm Chasers 2

The RedHawks rode a tie into the sixth inning Friday before breaking ahead for the lead and eventually the win. Brett Oberholtzer (4-4) picked up the win to even out his record after throwing the first six innings. Oberholtzer had a nice outing, allowing just a run and three hits as he walked three and struck out seven. Rhiner Cruz came on for the last out of the eighth and sent all four batters he saw down in order, picking up his first save. Jonathan Villar (2X4 2RBI SO) and Brandon Laird (2X4 R 2B RBI BB) were productive at the plate Friday for Oklahoma City, combining to bat in three of their five runs. Villar also stole second twice in the game; he now has 19 swiped bags on the season.

Player of the Day: Villar gets the honors today because he played hard yesterday. The two bags he swiped yesterday were enough to push him into the lead in the Pacific Coast League in that category (he already led OKC). Hard work always pays off, boys and girls.

Pitcher of the Day: What a pickle picking today's honor is. There's the six no-hit innings by Quad Cities, Martinez and Folty combining for a two-hit shutout in Corpus, even Rhiner earned his first save. It was definitely a day full of great pitching and all those guys are worthy of accolades. I'm going to go the tough luck route though and give the honors today to Luis Cruz. Here's a guy that was down seven runs when he entered in the fifth and was absolutely unfazed. Cruz stepped onto the rubber and into the zone, retiring the first ten batters he saw in order. To put it simply, that's tough personified. Well done, Cruz.