Thursday, June 30, 2016

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Let's play two in Troy!

Fresno was off

The Grizzlies will begin a 4-game series in Salt Lake City tonight at 7:05 Mountain. Joe Musgrove will face Kyle Kendrick.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks will begin life after Alex Bregman and Teoscar Hernandez with a 3-game series against Springfield at 7:05. Cy Sneed will take on J.C. Sulbaran.

Lancaster 6, High Desert 2

W- Brock Dykxhoorn (5-2)
L- Tyler Davis (3-3)

Lancaster home runs: Jason Martin (13, 2-run in 4th)

The JetHawks swept the series as the bats came alive to support a strong outing from Brock Dykxhoorn.

Dykxhoorn is the first JetHawks starter to pitch into the 8th inning this year; the big Canadian allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Kevin Comer worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 9th.

Jason Martin's 2-run home run in the 4th put Lancaster on the scoreboard and tied the game at 2. Lancaster took control of this game in the 6th inning as Jamie Ritchie smacked a 2-run double and Keach Ballard followed with an RBI double. Ballard drove in the final run of the evening with an RBI single in the 8th.

Martin, Ritchie, and Ballard all had 2 hits and 2 RBI; Ritchie also stole his 2nd base of the season. Bryan Muñiz finished 3-5 with a double and scored 3 runs. Martin (2) and Ramon Laureano (1) scored the other 3 Lancaster runs.

Tonight, Josh James will get the start as Lancaster kicks off a 4-game series in Lake Elsinore. He'll take on Enyel De Los Santos at 7:00 Pacific.

Quad Cities 4, Cedar Rapids 2

W- Jose Luis Hernandez (1-2)
L- Miles Nordgren (3-4)
S- Adam Whitt (5)

QC home runs: None.

Both teams had 10 hits in this game, but the Banditos doubled up the Kernels in the column that matters.

Jose Luis Hernandez went 7 innings and allowed 2 runs on 10 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Adam Whitt pitched 2 perfect innings to get the save, striking out 2.

Arturo Michelena opened the scoring with an RBI infield single in the 2nd inning. Anthony Hermelyn hit an RBI single in the 3rd, Kristian Trompiz smacked an RBI double in the 6th, and Connor Goedert ripped an RBI double of his own in the 8th inning. Hermelyn finished 3-3 and scored all but one of the River Bandits' runs in this game. Goedert's 2 hits were both doubles, and Michelena also finished with 2 hits.

Yoanys Quiala will start the series finale. He'll face Eduardo Del Rosario at 7:00.

Game 1: Williamsport 8, Tri-City 5

W- Ranger Suarez (1-0)
L- Luis Ramirez (1-1)
S- Grant Dyer (1)

TC home runs: Stephen Wrenn 2 (5; solo in 4th, solo in 7th)

The ValleyCats led 4-3 after the 4th inning, but the Crosscutters finished this game on a 5-1 run.

Alex DeGoti hit a 2-run single in the 2nd inning to put Tri-City on the board. Carmen Benedetti added an RBI single in the 3rd, and Stephen Wrenn whacked his first of two solo shots in the 4th inning. Wrenn went deep again in the 7th.

Brett Adcock faced two hitters and allowed hits to both of them before he left with an injury. To add insult to injury, they both scored after he left. Kevin Hill did not allow any runs of his own in 2 innings of work, but the two runners he inherited from Adcock both scored. Hill allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2. Luis Ramirez pitched 3 innings and allowed 4 runs on 4 hits and walked 3, and Howie Brey allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 2 innings.

How did the ValleyCats fare in game 2?

Game 2: Williamsport 7, Tri-City 3

W- Seranthony Dominguez (1-1)
L- Austin Nicely (1-1)

TC home runs: None.

Tri-City got swept in the twinbill as they fell behind 6-0 after the 3rd inning and were held to just 2 hits in the second game.

In the 5th inning, Rodrigo Ayarza hit an RBI groundout, and Jake Rogers reached on an error that allowed Stephen Wrenn to reach base. Rogers hit an RBI single in the 6th. The ValleyCats' other hit in game 2 was a single from Randy César.

Austin Nicely went 3 innings and allowed 6 runs on 9 hits (2-run homer) and walked 1. Nick Hernandez threw 3 innings and struck out 4; the only hit he allowed was a solo home run. Chris Cotton struck out the side in order in the 7th inning.

Tri-City will look to avoid the sweep tonight at 7:00 Eastern.

Greeneville 14, Princeton 3

W- Patrick Sandoval (1-0)
L- Resly Linares (0-1)
S- Diogenes Almengo (1)

Greeneville home runs: Miguelangel Sierra (2, 2-run in 3rd), Connor MacDonald (1, solo in 4th), Frankeny Fernandez (1, solo in 4th), Spencer Johnson (2, 2-run in 6th)

The Appy Astros broke a 4-game losing streak in emphatic fashion with an offensive explosion.

Bryan De La Cruz hit a double with 1 out in the 2nd and came around to score the first run of the evening on an error following a Jonathan Arauz strikeout. Miguelangel Sierra bashed a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning. Gabriel Bracamonte hit an RBI single in the 4th, and later in the inning, Connor MacDonald and Frankeny Fernandez hit back-to-back solo homers.

Tyler Wolfe hit a 2-run single in the 5th, and Spencer Johnson clubbed a 2-run home run in the 6th inning. Wolfe drove in another run with a groundout in the 7th, and MacDonald and Fernandez followed by hitting back-to-back RBI triples. Fernandez scored Greeneville's final run of the evening on an error that allowed Sierra to reach and advance to 2nd.

MacDonald had a monster night as he hit for the cycle and scored 4 runs. He singled to lead off the 3rd, homered in the 4th, doubled in the 6th, and finished off the first cycle in Greeneville's history with the RBI triple in the 7th inning. Everyone in the lineup had a hit; Fernandez (3B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R), De La Cruz (2B, 3 R), and Bracamonte (2B, RBI, R) all had 2 hits in the game. Arauz and Fernandez scored 2 runs apiece.

Patrick Sandoval pitched 5.2 innings, and the only blemish on his line was a 3-run homer in the 4th inning. He allowed 5 other hits and struck out 4. Diogenes Almengo walked 2 and struck out 1 in 3.1 scoreless innings to get the save.

Game 2 of this series is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros were off

The Kissimmee Stros will take on the Cardinals today at noon Eastern.

DSL Royals 4, DSL Astros Blue 3

W- Francis Chavez (2-0)
L- Juan Cuevas (4-1)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team dropped their first game to a team other than the Red Sox 1. They scored 3 in the 1st inning but were unable to add to that, and they ended up walking off with a loss.

Alfredo Angarita singled to begin the game and Ronny Jimenez joined him on the basepaths after getting plunked. Angarita scored the first run of the day on an RBI single from Jose Benjamin. Jimenez, who advanced to 3rd on the play, scored on a Samir Caraballo groundout, and Benjamin scored on an Orlando Marquez strikeout that was also ruled a wild pitch. Jimenez finished 2-3.

Felipe Tejada failed to get out of the 1st inning; he allowed 2 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him), a sacrifice fly, walked 4, and struck out 1. Robert Corniel pitched 3.1 innings and allowed a single that scored one of Tejada's runners and walked 1. Carlos Perdomo walked 2, hit a batter, and struck out 1 over 3 scoreless innings, and Juan Cuevas allowed 2 runs on 5 hits in 1.1 innings.

The Blue team will take on the Rays 1 today. First pitch is at 10:30 AM Eastern.

DSL Rangers2 7, DSL Astros Orange 3

W- Reiver Sanmartin (1-0)
L- Diosward Gonzalez (1-1)

Orange home runs: Renaigel Martis (2, 2-run in 5th)

The Orange team was doomed by a 6-run 3rd inning from the Rangers 2.

Renaigel Martis hit a 2-run home run in the 5th inning to put Team Orange on the board. Jose Abel Hernandez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 9th. Martis' homer was their only extra-base hit of the game.

Diosward Gonzalez went 4 innings and allowed 6 runs, all of which came in the 3rd inning, and all of which were unearned. He allowed 3 hits, 2 of which were home runs (solo and grand slam), and struck out 8. Jacques Sambo went 2 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Kilvio Peralta allowed 2 hits and walked 1 over 3 scoreless innings.

The Orange team will take on the Rays 2 today. First pitch is coming up shortly.

Wednesday's Stars



Photo from MiLB.com
Stephen Wrenn, OF, Tri-City
2-3, 2 solo HR (5) in game 1 of doubleheader


Photo by Bryan Green
Connor MacDonald, 1B, Greeneville
4-4, solo HR (1), 2 RBI, 4 R; hit for cycle

Anthony Hermelyn, C, Quad Cities
3-3, 2B, RBI, 3 R

Brock Dykxhoorn, RHP, Lancaster
W (5-2), 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K

Jason Martin, OF, Lancaster
2-4, 2-R HR (13), 2 R

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Lancaster JetHawks: Photos and Video

As always, I took way too many photos during my California trip earlier this month, but I finally have all the photos labeled and tagged and you can see all of them for the Lancaster portion of the trip here if you're brave enough to wade through them all. In the meantime, here are a few of my favorites ...

Aaron Mizell out of the box

Brooks Marlow tries on
Kaboom's hat for size


Luis Reynoso and Friends

Bryan Muniz says 'Hey!'


Ramon Laureano gets out of the way





Brothers from another mother




In addition, I took a little bit of video. I previously posted video interviews with Garrett Stubbs and Ramon Laureano as well as video of a 3-pitch strikeout from Jacob Dorris, but I've uploaded a few BP videos as well. You can find all of them on my YouTube channel. And here is video of JetHawks RHP Rogelio Armenteros striking out Drew Weeks.



I hope to have all of my Fresno videos uploaded soon as well.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Fresno 5, Tacoma 3

W- César Valdez (5-1)
L- Zach Lee (7-6)
S- James Hoyt (19)

Fresno home runs: Tyler Heineman (3, solo in 8th)

The Tacos earned the split as Brendan McCurry and James Hoyt locked the Rainiers down.

Tony Kemp doubled to lead off the bottom of the 1st and scored the first run of the evening on an RBI triple from Colin Moran. Preston Tucker drove Moran in with an RBI double, and Jon Kemmer finished off the scoring in the opening frame with an RBI single. After Matt Duffy led off the 3rd inning with a double, Kemmer added another RBI single to his ledger. Tyler Heineman provided a crucial insurance run in the 8th inning by launching a solo homer, his 3rd of the season. Kemp (2B, R, SB[5]), Moran (3B, RBI, R), and Kemmer (2 RBI) all finished 2-5 on the night.

César Valdez went 6 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits and struck out 4. Brendam McCurry was the first man out of the Fresno bullpen, and in 2 scoreless innings, he allowed a hit and struck out 2. James Hoyt struck out the side in order in the 9th to record his 19th save of the season.

After a day off, the Grizzlies will begin a 4-game series in Salt Lake City on Thursday.

Texas League All-Star Game

The South topped the North 8-5. Alex Bregman terrorized the Texas League one last time as he opened the scoring with a 2-run home run in the 1st inning. Bregman finished 2-3 and exited the game in the 6th inning. Teoscar Hernandez, who is also moving up to Fresno, got the start in right field and finished 1-4 with 2 runs scored. Derek Fisher got the start in center field and hit an RBI single in the 3rd inning. J.D. Davis entered the game in the 6th and finished 1-2 with a run scored.

Keegan Yuhl got the start and allowed a hit in a scoreless 1st. Evan Grills allowed a run on 3 hits in the 4th, and Edison Frias worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 5th inning.

The Hooks will return to action on Thursday when they begin a 3-game series with Springfield.

Lancaster 6, High Desert 3

W- Dean Deetz (4-3)
L- Ariel Jurado (6-2)
S- Gonzalo Sañudo (1)

Lancaster home runs: Keach Ballard (2, 3 season; 2-run in 6th)

High Desert hasn't exactly been welcoming to the JetHawks, but they clinched the series with this victory.

Bryan Muñiz finished 4-4, and his RBI single in the 1st inning opened up the scoring. Lancaster scored 3 in the 4th, thanks to a 2-run double from Jamie Ritchie, who later scored on an error that allowed Brooks Marlow to reach. The Mavericks scored a run in the 6th to get within 1, but Keach Ballard clubbed a 2-run home run in the 6th inning to create some separation. Johnny Sewald and Ramon Laureano both finished 2-5.

Akeem Bostick and Dean Deetz both pitched 4 innings. Bositck allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2, while Deetz allowed an unearned run on 4 hits and struck out 2. Gonzalo Sañudo got 3 flyball outs to record the save. He also struck out 1, but his victim managed to reach base safely.

Brock Dykxhoorn will be on the mound for Lancaster tonight as they look for the sweep. He'll take on Tyler Davis at 7:05 Pacific.

Cedar Rapids 8, Quad Cities 5

W- Sam Clay (5-4)
L- Elieser Hernandez (3-2, 4-6 season)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos scored 2 in the 1st inning, but the Kernels quickly turned the tables on them by putting up 5 in the 2nd inning.

Kyle Tucker opened the scoring with a sac fly in the 1st, and Anthony Hermelyn added an RBI single later in the inning. Pat Porter ripped a 2-run double in the 6th, and Tucker added an RBI single to his ledger in the 9th inning.

Little Tuck and Hermelyn both finished with 2 hits in the game, while Myles Straw went 3-5 with 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases (9).

Elieser Hernandez allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 1.2 innings. Makay Nelson was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen, and in 3.2 innings, he allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. David Schmidt allowed 2 runs, an RBI double, and walked 4 in 2.2 innings, and Ralph Garza struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Jose Luis Hernandez will start game 3 of this series. He'll face Miles Nordgren at 7:00.

Tri-City and Williamsport was postponed


Due to rain. These two teams will play a doubleheader today, with game 1 starting at 4:30 Eastern. Brett Adcock will take on Ranger Suarez in that game, and in the nightcap, Dustin Hunt will face Seranthony Dominguez.

Bristol 8, Greeneville 7

W- Geoff Hartlieb (2-0)
L- Colin McKee (0-1)

Greeneville home runs: Spencer Johnson (1, 2-run in 2nd)

The Appy Astros were swept out of Bristol as their bullpen faltered late.

Frankeny Fernandez hit a 1-out single in the 1st inning. He then stole 2nd and scored the first run of the evening on an error that allowed Bryan De La Cruz to reach.

In the 2nd inning, Miguelangel Sierra smacked an RBI double, and Fernandez followed with a 2-run double. Spencer Johnson led Division I with 24 home runs in the spring, and he followed those two run-producing doubles by whacking his first home run as a pro. Johnson's 2-run shot put Greeneville up 6-0 at that point.

Unfortunately, the Pirates erased their lead with a 6-run 7th inning. Luis Payano hit a sac fly in the 8th to put the Appy Astros back in front, but Bristol responded by scoring 2 runs in the 8th to take the lead. Fernandez finished 2-3 and stole 2 bases (4).

Carlos Sanabria allowed just 1 hit and struck out 6 over 5 shutout innings. Carlos Hiraldo pitched a scoreless 6th inning, but it all went horribly wrong for him in the 7th inning. In 1.1 innings, Hiraldo allowed 6 runs (4 earned, 2 inherited runners charged to him) on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Colin McKee pitched 1.2 innings and allowed 2 unearned runs of his own on 4 hits and walked 1.

Patrick Sandoval will start for the Appy Astros tonight as they begin a 3-game series in Princeton. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Cardinals 5, GCL Astros 1

W- Alvaro Seijas (1-0)
L- Manuel Gonzalez (0-1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Cardinals took control of this game with 4 runs in the 6th.

Brody Westmoreland hit an RBI triple in the 3rd inning to drive in the Kissimmee Stros' only run. This was also their only extra-base hit on the day.

Jorge Guzman walked 2 and struck out 1 in a scoreless 1st inning. César Rosado pitched 4 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 3, and striking out 5. Manuel Gonzalez bore the brunt of the Cardinals' assault in the 6th; he allowed 4 runs on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in the inning. Gabriel Valdez allowed a run on 2 hits and fanned 4 in 3 innings.

The GCL club has today off; they'll take on the Cardinals again on Thursday.

DSL Astros Blue 3, DSL Royals 2

W- Yonatan Quintin (1-0)
L- Enderson Rodriguez (1-1)
S- Johsson Arias (3)

Blue home runs: Nestor Tejada (1, 3-run in 4th)

After a brief lull, the Blue team went back to their winning ways.

Nestor Tejada's 3-run home run in the 4th inning was their only scoring play, but it turned out to be enough to get the victory.

Jheyson Caraballo pitched 4 innings and struck out 7; the only run he allowed came on a solo home run hit by Esteury Ruiz, this was also the only hit that he allowed. Yonatan Quintin pitched a 1-2-3 5th, and Johsson Arias allowed a run on 4 hits and struck out 3 in 4 innings.

These two teams are currently playing at the Royals complex.

DSL Astros Orange 6, DSL Rangers2 1

W- Miguel Matos (1-0)
L- Luis Rosario (2-1)

Orange home runs: Renaigel Martis (1, grand slam in 6th)

Both teams scored a run in the 1st inning, but the Orange team busted this game open with 5 runs in the 6th inning.

Anthony Rodriguez opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st. This would be the Orange team's only scoring play until the 6th, when they seized control of the game.

Felix Lucas reached on an error to lead off the 6th inning and advanced to 3rd on a double from Juan Infante. Bernardo Heras walked to load the bases, and Renaigel Martis cleared them with a grand slam. With the bases now empty, Ronaldo Urdaneta singled, stole 2nd, and scored the final run of the day on an error. The grand slam was Martis' first career home run. Ramiro Rodriguez finished 3-5, while Anthony Rodriguez, Urdaneta, and Jose Abel Hernandez had 2 hits on the day.

Asael Uribe went 4 innings and allowed an unearned run on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Miguel Matos was the first man out of the Orange bullpen, and in 3.1 innings, he walked 3 and fanned 5. Michael Richez walked 2 over 1.2 scoreless innings.

The Orange team and the Rangers 2 are doing battle once again today.

Tuesday's Stars

Jheyson Caraballo, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: 4 IP, H (solo HR), ER, 7 K

Photo by Bryan Green
Carlos Sanabria, RHP, Greeneville
5 IP, H, 6 K

James Hoyt, RHP, Fresno
Save (19), IP, 3 K; 68 K in 38.1 IP this season

Brendan McCurry, RHP, Fresno
2 IP, H, 2 K

Bryan Muñiz, 1B, Lancaster
4-4, RBI, R

Photo by Bryan Green
Frankeny Fernandez, 2B/OF, Greeneville
2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB (4)

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, June 27, 2016

Let's play 2 in the Gulf Coast League!

Tacoma 6, Fresno 2

W- Steve Johnson (3-0)
L- Kevin Chapman (2-3)
S- Casey Coleman (4)

Fresno home runs: Colin Moran (5, solo in 2nd)

The Rainiers broke a 2-2 tie with 3 runs in the top of the 8th and scored another run in the top of the 9th for good measure.

Brad Peacock pitched 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, issued an intentional walk, and struck out 3. Jordan Jankowski was the first man out of the Fresno bullpen; in 2 innings, he walked 1, hit a batter, and struck out 2. Kevin Chapman pitched 2.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and struck out 2, and Reymin Guduan allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in 1.2 innings.

Colin Moran's solo home run in the 2nd inning put Fresno on the board. Andrew Aplin scored the Grizzlies' other run in the 3rd inning when Preston Tucker grounded into a double play. Jon Kemmer reached in all 4 of his plate appearances, going 3-3 with a walk, and Tyler White finished 2-4 with a triple.

César Valdez will start the series finale, which will see the Grizzlies assume their Tacos alter ego. He'll face Zach Lee at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi was off

The Texas League All-Star Game is tonight in Springfield, Missouri. The Hooks will be back in action on Thursday when they start a 3-game series with Springfield.

Lancaster 10, High Desert 3

W- Rogelio Armenteros (4-1, 4-3 season)
L- Cole Wiper (6-3)
S- Jacob Dorris (3)

Lancaster home runs: Ramon Laureano (6, solo in 1st)

A pair of 3-run innings allowed the JetHawks to leave the Mavericks in the dust.

Ramon Laureano's solo home run in the 1st inning put Lancaster on the board first. The JetHawks scored 2 more in the 2nd inning on a sac fly from Brooks Marlow and an RBI bunt single from Bobby Boyd. Aaron Mizell tripled to lead off the 4th, and Marlow brought him home with a single.

The first 3-run inning for Lancaster was the 6th: Marlow led off the 6th with a double. He advanced to 3rd base on a passed ball and scored on an error that allowed Bobby Boyd to reach base. Boyd advanced to 2nd, while Ballard, who drew a walk following Marlow's advance on the passed ball, made it to 3rd. Garrett Stubbs and Laureano followed with sacrifice flies. The JetHawks also scored 3 in the 7th inning thanks to a 2-run single from Ballard, and Marlow scored Lancaster's final run of the evening when Bobby Boyd grounded into a force out.

Mizell, Marlow, and Ballard all had 2 hits from the bottom of the order; they combined to go 6-10 with a double, a triple, 4 RBI, 4 walks, and 5 runs scored. Mizell, Marlow, and Drew Ferguson scored 2 runs apiece. Bryan Muñiz also had a 2-hit night; one of his hits was a double.

Rogelio Armenteros went 5.2 innings and allowed 2 unearned runs on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. Jacob Dorris pitched the final 3.1 innings, and the only run he allowed came on a solo home run hit by David Lyon in the 8th, which was also the only hit he allowed in his outing. Dorris walked 2 and struck out 2.

Akeem Bostick will start game 2 of this series. He will go up against Ariel Jurado at 7:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities 5, Cedar Rapids 4

W- Albert Abreu (2-6)
L- Dereck Rodriguez (1-9)
S- Franklin Perez (1)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos withstood a late uprising from the Kernels to take the first game of this series.

Although Dex McCall was thrown out at 3rd base trying to stretch it into a triple in the 1st, he opened up the scoring with a 2-run double. Arturo Michelena hit an RBI single in the 5th, and Connor Goedert ripped an RBI double in the 6th. Hector Roa came through with an RBI double in the 8th which allowed Quad Cities to withstand one last rally attempt in the 9th from Cedar Rapids.

The Quad Cities players in the lineup who had hits all had multi-hit games, with Roa's 3-4 effort leading the way. McCall (2B, 2 RBI), Michelena (2B, RBI, R), Osvaldo Duarte (3B, R), and Goedert (2B, RBI) each had 2 hits.

Albert Abreu allowed 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 6 over 5 shutout innings. Franklin Perez pitched the final 4 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5.

In game 2 of this series, Elieser Hernandez will take on Sam Clay. First pitch is at 7:00.

Tri-City 8, Lowell 3

W- Hector Perez (1-0)
L- Daniel Gonzalez (1-1)

TC home runs: Daz Cameron (1, 2-run in 4th), Carmen Benedetti (1, solo in 9th)

The Spinners entered this series unbeaten. In the end, however, Tri-City wound up taking 2 of 3. This game was tied at 3 after the 3rd inning, but the ValleyCats finished this game on a 5-0 run.

Randy César hit a single with 1 out in the 2nd, and he advanced to 3rd base on the play, thanks to an error. He scored Tri-City's first run on a Ryne Birk groundout. The ValleyCats took the lead in the 3rd on an RBI single from Carmen Benedetti and an RBI double from César, but the lead was short-lived as Lowell scored 2 in the bottom of the 3rd to tie the game.

The deadlock was also short-lived, because Daz Cameron clubbed a 2-run homer in the 4th inning to give the ValleyCats the lead for good. Birk hit an RBI single in the 5th, and Daz struck again in the 6th by adding an RBI triple to his ledger. Carmen Benedetti hit his first pro home run to lead off the 9th inning.

Daz finished 4-5 and was a double shy of the cycle. The 4th-inning homer was his first as a pro. César went 3-5, while Benedetti, Birk, and Alex DeGoti finished with 2 hits on the evening.

Enrique Chavez pitched 4.1 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, walked 3, and struck out 5. Hector Perez tagged in to throw 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, walking 2, and striking out 4.

The ValleyCats are back home tonight, where they will begin a 3-game series with Williamsport. Brett Adcock will get the start, and he'll face Ranger Suarez. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Bristol 8, Greeneville 3

W- Matt Eckelman (1-0)
L- Bryan Abreu (0-1)

Greeneville home runs: Vicente Sanchez (1, solo in 8th)

A 5-run 2nd inning for Bristol doomed the Appy Astros.

Vicente Sanchez put Greeneville on the board with a solo home run in the 8th inning. Spencer Johnson smacked an RBI double in the 9th and came around to score on a single from Bryan De La Cruz. Sanchez had a good night as he hit a double to go along with his homer, and he also had an outfield assist.

Bryan Abreu went 1.2 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned). The one hit that he allowed was a 2-run double, and he walked 3 and struck out 3. Devin Raftery was the first man out of the Greeneville bullpen; he allowed a run on a balk in the 3rd. He also allowed a double, walked 2, and struck out 1. Abdiel Saldaña was the only Appy Astros pitcher to have a scoreless appearance; he allowed 2 hits and fanned 4 over 3 innings. Angelo Serrano allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and walked 2 in the 8th inning.

Carlos Sanabria will get the start as Greeneville looks to avoid the sweep. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Game 1: GCL Astros 4, GCL Marlins 0

W- Cristian Javier (1-0)
L- Edward Cabrera (0-1)
S- Dariel Aquino (1)

GCL home runs: None.

Cristian Javier issued quite a few walks, but he kept the Marlins off the scoreboard to win his U.S. debut. He allowed 2 hits, walked 5, and struck out 6 over 5 shutout innings. Dariel Aquino completed the shutout, allowing 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 3.

Jonathan Matute led off the 4th with a ground-rule double, and Edgar Lorenzo joined him on the bases with a single. The two of them scored the first runs of the game on a Troy Sieber single. Matute doubled again to lead off the 6th inning and came around to score on a single from Brody Westmoreland. Sieber walked to lead off the 7th and eventually scored the final run of game 1 when Andy Piñeda grounded into a force out. Matute finished 2-3 with 2 runs scored, while Andy Piñeda stole 2 bases, giving him 3 on the season.

Game 2: GCL Marlins 10, GCL Astros 3

W- Geral Silva (1-0)
L- Leovanny Rodriguez (0-1, 1-1 season)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros had to settle for the split in the twinbill as the Marlins jumped out to a 10-0 lead.

Their 3 runs in this game all came in the 6th inning as Randy Vásquez smacked a 2-run triple and later scored on a wild pitch. Vásquez's triple was their only extra-base hit in game 2.

Leovanny Rodriguez went 1.2 innings and allowed 5 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 1. Luis Vásquez was the first man out; he went 1.1 innings and allowed 4 runs on 3 hits and walked 3. Junior Garcia allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2 in 2 innings, and Cris Santamaria worked around 2 walks to throw a scoreless 6th, striking out 1.

The GCL club is back in Kissimmee, and their contest with the Cardinals is getting underway.

DSL Red Sox1 9, DSL Astros Blue 7

W- Alejandro Rodriguez (1-0)
L- Juan Corniel (0-2)
S- Juan Florentino (5)

Blue home runs: None.

All 3 of the Blue team's losses have come at the hands of the Red Sox 1, and they were swept in a series for the first time this season.

Ronny Jimenez opened the scoring with a 2-run double in the 1st inning. He advanced to 3rd on the throw from the outfield and scored on a Jose Benjamin sac fly. That would be the only scoring that Team Blue did until the 7th; in the meantime, the Sox went on a 9-0 run.

Ronny Rafael led off the 7th with a double, but he was erased at 3rd base when Alfredo Angarita hit into a fielder's choice. Nicolás Miranda drew a walk, and they both advanced on a wild pitch. Jimenez walked to load the bases, and another wild pitch allowed Angarita to score. Benjamin, who was at the plate at the time, smacked a 2-run double. He advanced to 3rd on an errant pickoff throw and scored on a wild pitch. Angarita finished 3-5 with a triple and 2 runs scored.

Juan Corniel went 3.2 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 4 hits (solo homer), walked 4, and struck out 2. Yeremi Ceballos pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 2. Javier Navas pitched the final 3 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2.

The Blue team is currently playing the Royals.

DSL Red Sox2 12, DSL Astros Orange 9

W- Jose Gonzalez (3-0)
L- Luis Castro (2-1)
S- Warlyn Guzman (1)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team tried to rally from an 11-3 deficit, but that hole proved to be too much to overcome.

Felix Lucas put Team Orange on the board first with an RBI single in the 1st. Later in the inning, Jose Miguel Hernandez smacked a 2-run double. They would not score again until the 6th; in the meantime, the Red Sox 2 scored 11 unanswered runs.

The Orange team immediately loaded the bases with 2 singles and a walk. Bernardo Heras hit an RBI single, and an error on the play ended up clearing the bases. Heras moved to 2nd on the error, advanced to 3rd on a passed ball, and scored on a Ramiro Rodriguez groundout. In the 8th, Heras added an RBI double to his ledger, and Ronaldo Urdaneta scored on a passed ball. Heras finished 3-5, while Lucas finished 2-5. Renaigel Martis went 1-2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.

Humberto Castellanos went 4 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Luis Castro got shelled in his 1.1 innings, and I will leave it at that. Carlos Espinoza was the next man out, and he threw 1.2 innings, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits, walking 2, and striking out 1. Willy Collado allowed 2 hits and struck out 4 over 2 scoreless innings.

The Orange team is currently taking on the Rangers 2.

Monday's Stars


Brooks Marlow, IF, Lancaster
2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Albert Abreu, RHP, Quad Cities
W (2-6), 5 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K

Photo by Bryan Green
Hector Perez, RHP, Tri-City
W (1-0), 4.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green
Daz Cameron, OF, Tri-City
4-5, 3B, 2-R HR (1), 3 RBI, SB (5)

Photo by Bryan Green
Vicente Sanchez, OF, Greeneville
2-3, 2B, solo HR (1), OF assist

Monday, June 27, 2016

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, June 26, 2016

Fresno 8, Tacoma 4

W- Tommy Shirley (6-4)
L- Brad Mills (3-3)

Fresno home runs: Tyler White (3, solo in 5th)

Both teams finished with 12 hits in this game, but the Grizzlies doubled up the Rainiers in the run column, thanks to a 5-run 2nd inning.

Jon Kemmer opened up the scoring with an RBI single in that 2nd inning. Jack Mayfield followed with a sac fly, and after Max Stassi drew a walk, Andrew Aplin ripped a 2-run double. Colin Moran brought Aplin home with an RBI single. Kemmer hit another RBI single in the 3rd inning, and Tyler White led off the 5th inning with a home run. Mayfield drove in the final run of the evening with an RBI single in the 7th. Aplin (2B, 2 RBI, R), White (solo HR), Preston Tucker (2B, R), and Kemmer (2 RBI, R) all had 2 hits in the game.

Tommy Shirley went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 7 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 3. Jandel Gustave was the first man out of the bullpen, and he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and struck out 1 in the 6th inning. Brendan McCurry pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 1, and Josh Fields threw a 1-2-3 9th inning, striking out 1.

In game 3 of this series, Brad Peacock will take on Joe Wieland. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 9, Frisco 2

W- Kent Emanuel (2-0)
L- Reed Garrett (2-2)
S- Michael Freeman (2)

CC home runs: Conrad Gregor (5, 3-run in 6th)

In their final game before the Texas League All-Star break, the Hooks emphatically broke a 2-2 tie with a 7-run 6th inning. They wrapped up this roadtrip with a 10-3 record and went 7-2 in their two trips to Frisco.

Kent Emanuel pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 5. Michael Freeman allowed just 1 hit and struck out 1 over the final 3 innings to record the save.

Alex Bregman and D.J. Fisher drew bases-loaded walks in the 2nd inning to tie the game at 2. The real fun began in the top of the 6th inning.

Roberto Peña singled to begin the 6th inning and scored the go-ahead run when James Ramsay smacked a triple. Ramsay scored on a single from Teoscar Hernandez, and Bregman reached via a walk. Fisher became the first out of the inning, but Nick Tanielu and Chase McDonald followed with RBI singles, and Conrad Gregor put the finishing touches on the offensive explosion with a 3-run home run.

Gregor (3-R HR, 2 R), Ramsay (2B, 3B, RBI, R), and Tanielu (RBI, R) all finished 3-5. Bregman finished 1-3 with the RBI walk; he also scored a run and walked two more times. Hernandez finished 2-5 with a double to go along with his RBI single and scored a run. Bregman and Hernandez have also been promoted to Fresno, and they will leave Corpus Christi following the Texas League All-Star Game.

Speaking of the Texas League All-Star Game, it will take place tomorrow at Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri. 8 Hooks were named to the South Division All-Star team: Edison Frias, David Paulino, Keegan Yuhl, and Evan Grills will be on the pitching staff, while Bregman, Hernandez, Fisher, and J.D. Davis represent Corpus Christi's position player contingent.

The Hooks return to action on Thursday when they begin a 3-game series with Springfield at Whataburger Field.

Lake Elsinore 17, Lancaster 11

W- Brad Wieck (3-1)
L- Kevin McCanna (0-1, 2-4 season)

Lancaster home runs: Keach Ballard (1, 2 season; 3-run in 9th)

The JetHawks were sent to their doom early on as the Storm scored 8 in the 1st inning.

Kevin McCanna received an extremely unfriendly welcome to the California League, and I'll leave it at that. Andrew Thome was the first man out of the Lancaster bullpen and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 in 4.1 innings. Ryan Deemes and Albert Minnis both got knocked around, and I will also leave it at that. In his first career pitching appearance, Bryan Muñiz struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Jamie Ritchie put the JetHawks on the scoreboard with an RBI single in the 1st inning. In the 4th, Bobby Boyd grounded into a force out that allowed Drew Ferguson to score. Lancaster scored 3 in the 5th as Ritchie smacked an RBI double and eventually scored on a passed ball. Brooks Marlow followed Ritchie's double with an RBI single. In the 8th, Johnny Sewald hit a pop-fly RBI single, and Tony Nuñez scored on a wild pitch. Keach Ballard hit his first California League home run in the 9th inning, and Nuñez scored another run on an error.

Ritchie finished 3-4, while Garrett Stubbs went 2-6 with 2 runs scored. Nuñez was the only player in the lineup to go hitless, but he drew 3 walks and scored off of a couple of Lake Elsinore miscues.

Rogelio Armenteros will start for Lancaster tonight as they begin a 3-game series in High Desert tonight. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Wisconsin 12, Quad Cities 2

W- Devin Williams (3-2)
L- Justin Ferrell (3-4)
S- Drake Owenby (2)

QC home runs: None.

Well... this game started out well enough for the Banditos, but the Timber Rattlers quickly turned it into a laugher by scoring 10 runs in the 2nd inning.

Osvaldo Duarte led off the game with a double, advanced to 3rd base on a wild pitch, and scored the game's first run on a Kyle Tucker sacrifice fly. Hector Roa followed with a triple, and Dex McCall drove him in with an RBI single. Roa finished 2-4.

It was not a fun day on the mound for Justin Ferrell. However, days like these will happen in this line of work. He'll bounce back.

Juan Carlos Santos was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and threw 3.1 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits, walking 1, and striking out 6. Adam Whitt pitched 3 innings, and the only run he allowed came on a solo home run hit by Luis Aviles in the 8th. Whitt allowed one other hit, walked 1, and struck out 3.

The River Bandits are back home tonight, where they'll start a 4-game series against Cedar Rapids at 7. Albert Abreu will start for Quad Cities, and he'll face Dereck Rodriguez.

Tri-City 11, Lowell 6

W- Nick Hernandez (1-0)
L- Darwinzon Hernandez (1-1)

TC home runs: Stephen Wrenn (3, solo in 4th)

The ValleyCats used a couple of 5-run innings to hand the Spinners their first loss of the season.

The first of Tri-City's 5-run innings occurred in the 2nd. Randy César led off the frame with a double. Chuckie Robinson went down on strikes for the first out, but Kolbey Carpenter and Alex DeGoti walked to load the bases. Stephen Wrenn then hit a ground ball that could have been a double play, but an error allowed César and Carpenter to score the game's first runs. Daz Cameron followed by clubbing a 2-run double, and Taylor Jones ripped an RBI double. Stephen Wrenn smacked a solo homer in the 4th inning, and the ValleyCats responded to a 4-run 6th inning from Lowell with their second 5-run inning of the game in the 7th.

Brauly Mejia and Jones led off the inning in rather painful fashion as they were both hit by pitches. Ryne Birk walked to load the bases, and César drove in the first run of the inning with a sac fly. Robinson walked to re-load the bases. Carpenter struck out swinging for the second out, but DeGoti kept the inning alive by clearing the bases with a double. He then stole 3rd base, and the errant throw down to 3rd allowed him to score Tri-City's final run. Wrenn and Jones both finished with 2 hits in the game.

Sebastian Kessay went 4 innings and allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3. Ben Smith was the first man out of the bullpen; in 1.2 innings, he allowed 4 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4. Nick Hernandez was next; he went 2.1 innings and allowed a run on 4 hits and struck out 2, and in his pro debut, Sean Stutzman worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 1.

The series finale will take place at 7:00 Eastern. Whoever starts for Tri-City will go up against Daniel Gonzalez.

Bristol 6, Greeneville 5 in 10 innings

W- Jordan Jess (1-0)
L- Angelo Serrano (0-1)

Greeneville home runs: Luis Payano (1, solo in 2nd), Marcos Almonte (1, solo in 3rd), Chaz Pal (1, solo in 6th)

The Appy Astros couldn't hold on to a 5-2 lead and ended up walking off with a loss.

Frankeny Fernandez led off the game with a single. He then stole 2nd and scored the first run of the game on an error following a Marcos Almote single. Almonte, who advanced to 3rd on the error, scored on a sac fly hit by Wander Franco. Luis Payano clubbed a solo shot in the 2nd, and Almonte did the same in the 3rd inning. In the 6th, Chaz Pal smacked a solo shot, his first home run as a pro. Pal and Payano both had 2 hits in the game, while Almonte finished 4-5.

Framber Valdez went 4.2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Nathan Thompson was the first man out of the Greeneville bullpen and threw 2.1 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 1. Lucas Williams went 2 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned, all in the 9th) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Angelo Serrano allowed the winning run on a sac fly in the 10th inning. He also allowed 2 singles and issued an intentional walk.

Bryan Abreu was originally on the GCL roster, but he will make his U.S. debut with Greeneville. He'll take on Adam Oller at 7:00 Eastern.

Although Oller is not a member of the Astros organization, he does have ties to the area. He is a native of Conroe who graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball and pitched at Northwestern State. His uncle, Greg Koch, was a former offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers and is now a co-host of "In the Trenches" with N.D. Kalu on 790 AM in Houston.

GCL Mets 7, GCL Astros 1

W- Carlos Hernandez (1-0)
L- Enoli Paredes (0-1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Mets ran away with this game.

Randy Vasquez's RBI double in the 2nd was the Kissimmee Stros' only scoring play. Carlos Machado, who scored on that double, finished 2-4, and Juan Piñeda went 2-3.

Enoli Paredes went 2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Jose Ramos allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 4 in 3 innings. Ian Hardman and Reggie Johnson followed Ramos out of the bullpen with 2 innings apiece; Hardman allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3, and Johnson allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 2.

The GCL Astros are currently taking on the Marlins.

Sunday's Stars

This is his profile picture on Twitter.
Chaz Pal, OF, Greeneville
2-5, solo HR (1)

Photo by Bryan Green
Marcos Almonte, IF, Greeneville
4-5, solo HR (1), 2 R

Kent Emanuel, LHP, Corpus Christi
W (2-0), 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 5 K

Conrad Gregor, 1B, Corpus Christi
3-5, 3-R HR (5), 2 R

Photo from MiLB.com
Michael Freeman, LHP, Corpus Christi
Save (2), 3 IP, H, K

Astros Farm Report: 6-27

Checking in on some league leaders and how the Astros minor league teams stack up against their peers, but first things first ...

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

6-27: RHP Dylan James (24)
6-28: RHP Michael Feliz (23)
6-30: RHP Rogelio Armenteros (22)
7-2: RHP Brock Dykxhoorn (22)
7-3: RHP Christian Powell (25)
7-4: 3B Bobby Wernes (22)

Michael Feliz - June 2014
Photo by Jayne Hansen

TRANSACTIONS/ROSTER MOVES

6-26: LHP Howie Brey assigned from Greeneville to Tri-City
6-26: RHP Bryan Abreu assigned from GCL to Greeneville
6-26: LHP Sean Stutzman assigned to Tri-City
6-25: Corpus Christi C Alfredo Gonzalez designated for assignment
6-25: IF/OF Tony Kemp optioned from Houston to Fresno
6-25: Fresno 1B A.J. Reed's contract purchased by Houston
6-25: C Marlon Avea assigned from Quad Cities to Corpus Christi
6-25: LHP Albert Minnis sent to Lancaster after a rehab assignment with Tri-City
6-25: IF Keach Ballard assigned from Quad Cities to Lancaster
6-25: C Trent Woodward placed on the Lancaster 7-day DL (Woodward suffered a concussion working behind the plate on Friday)
6-25: C Jamie Ritchie activated from the Lancaster 7-day DL
6-25: RHP Akeem Bostick assigned from Tri-City to Lancaster
6-25: IF Luis Reynoso placed on the Lancaster 7-day DL retroactive to 6-23
6-25: RHP Yeyfry del Rosario placed on the Lancaster 7-day DL retroactive to 6-24
6-25: LHP Matt Bower assigned from Lancaster to Quad Cities
6-25: IF Marcos Almonte assigned from Tri-City to Greeneville
6-22: Corpus Christi RHP David Paulino placed on the temporary inactive list (the Chronicle reports that Paulino is serving a suspension for a lapse in following team rules)

CUMULATIVE TEAM STATS/LEAGUE STANDINGS
(through Saturday's games)

FRESNO (75 games)

  • Batting Average: .246 (15th out of 16 teams)
  • On-Base Percentage: .328 (11th)
  • Slugging Percentage: .388 (11th)
  • Doubles: 108 (15th)
  • Triples: 20 (11th)
  • Home Runs: 68 (T5th)
  • Walks: 288 (2nd)
  • Strikeouts: 630 (3rd)
  • Stolen Bases: 41 (12th)
  • ERA: 4.08 (5th)
  • WHIP: 1.296 (4th)
  • Home Runs Allowed: 50 (15th)
  • Walks Allowed: 208 (15th)
  • Pitcher Strikeouts: 642 (3rd)


CORPUS CHRISTI (75 games)

  • Batting Average: .243 (6th out of 8 teams)
  • On-Base Percentage: .327 (2nd)
  • Slugging Percentage: .400 (2nd)
  • Doubles: 121 (3rd)
  • Triples: 8 (8th)
  • Home Runs: 88 (1st)
  • Walks: 298 (1st)
  • Strikeouts: 583 (5th)
  • Stolen Bases: 68 (2nd)
  • ERA: 2.97 (1st)
  • WHIP: 1.209 (2nd)
  • Home Runs Allowed: 48 (T7th)
  • Walks Allowed: 197 (7th)
  • Pitcher Strikeouts: 636 (1st)


LANCASTER (72 games)

  • Batting Average: .264 (4th out of 10 teams)
  • On-Base Percentage: .350 (10th)
  • Slugging Percentage: .405 (4th)
  • Doubles: 123 (5th)
  • Triples: 23 (T3rd)
  • Home Runs: 57 (4th)
  • Walks: 289 (3rd)
  • Strikeouts: 625 (T3rd)
  • Stolen Bases: 128 (1st)
  • ERA: 5.08 (10th)
  • WHIP: 1.482 (9th)
  • Home Runs Allowed: 89 (1st)
  • Walks Allowed: 247 (T5th)
  • Pitcher Strikeouts: 639 (3rd)


QUAD CITIES (72 games)

  • Batting Average: .238 (11th out of 16 teams)
  • On-Base Percentage: .312 (12th)
  • Slugging Percentage: .345 (10th)
  • Doubles: 114 (8th)
  • Triples: 29 (1st)
  • Home Runs: 25 (13th)
  • Walks: 234 (9th)
  • Strikeouts: 629 (4th)
  • Stolen Bases: 88 (2nd)
  • ERA: 3.73 (13th)
  • WHIP: 1.346 (14th)
  • Home Runs Allowed: 33 (5th)
  • Walks Allowed: 240 (3rd)
  • Pitcher Strikeouts: 547 (13th)

As far as the short season teams, the only teams who have played more than a handful of games are the DSL teams. Let's see where they stand.

DSL ASTROS BLUE (18 games)

  • Batting Average: .246 (19th out of 42 teams)
  • On-Base Percentage: .359 (9th)
  • Slugging Percentage: .365 (6th)
  • Doubles: 36 (T3rd)
  • Triples: 6 (T13th)
  • Home Runs: 8 (7th)
  • Walks: 89 (7th)
  • Strikeouts: 154 (T6th)
  • Stolen Bases: 15 (T34th)
  • ERA: 3.70 (21st)
  • WHIP: 1.333 (16th)
  • Home Runs Allowed: 8 (T2nd)
  • Walks Allowed: 93 (6th)
  • Pitcher Strikeouts: 151 (7th)

DSL ASTROS ORANGE (19 games)

  • Batting Average: .232 (27th out of 42 teams)
  • On-Base Percentage: .371 (5th)
  • Slugging Percentage: .376 (4th)
  • Doubles: 30 (T6th)
  • Triples: 9 (T7th)
  • Home Runs: 13 (3rd)
  • Walks: 117 (1st)
  • Strikeouts: 158 (3rd)
  • Stolen Bases: 21 (T24th)
  • ERA: 3.16 (10th)
  • WHIP: 1.351 (19th)
  • Home Runs Allowed: 5 (T18th)
  • Walks Allowed: 82 (T12th)
  • Pitcher Strikeouts: 129 (T25th)

Tri-City has only played 10 games through Sunday, but at this point, their offensive stats rank at the top and their pitching ranks at the bottom. We'll check in on Greeneville (4 games) and the Gulf Coast League (2 games) after they've played a few more games.

INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS (TOP 10 RANKINGS)
(Also through Saturday; only players with enough innings or at-bats to qualify)

FRESNO


CORPUS CHRISTI


LANCASTER


QUAD CITIES


DSL

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, June 24, 2016

Fresno 2, Albuquerque 1

W- Brady Rodgers (7-3)
L- Jeff Hoffman (4-5)
S- James Hoyt (18)

Fresno home runs: Preston Tucker (4, solo in 1st)

The Grizzlies swept the series as two runs in the 1st inning proved to be enough, and Brady Rodgers shined on the mound once again.

In 7.1 innings, Rodgers allowed a run, which was actually an inherited runner charged to him, on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. Kevin Chapman got one out in the 8th via strikeout and allowed 2 hits, and James Hoyt worked around 2 hits to record a 4-out save, striking out 1.

Andrew Aplin singled to lead off the bottom of the 1st, stole 2nd base (13), and scored the game's first run on a Colin Moran single. Preston Tucker's solo home run with 2 outs in the inning was the Grizzlies' only other scoring play. Tucker finished 3-4 and was the only player in the Fresno lineup to have a multi-hit outing.

Frisco 8, Corpus Christi 7

W- Frank Lopez (4-1)
L- Eric Peterson (3-2, 4-2 season)
S- Jose Valdespina (3)

CC home runs: D.J. Fisher (13, solo in 3rd), Roberto Peña (4, solo in 4th), Conrad Gregor (4, solo in 8th)

The Hooks led 5-2 after the 4th inning, but the Roughriders turned the tables by finishing the game on a 6-2 run.

A 4-run outburst in the 3rd inning gave Corpus Christi the lead. Roberto Peña ripped a double with 1 out in the inning, advanced to 3rd base on a wild pitch, and scored the Hooks' first run on a single from Danry Vásquez. Danry also advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch and scored on a Teoscar Hernandez double. Following Teoscar's double, Alex Bregman drew a walk, but he was caught stealing 2nd. While Frisco was preoccupied with Bregman, Teoscar seized the opportunity and scampered home to score another run. D.J. Fisher followed by clubbing a solo home run to put the Hooks up 4-1.

Peña launched a solo home run in the 4th, his 4th home run of the season. Bregman tripled with 1 out in the 7th inning and scored on an RBI single from Nick Tanielu. Conrad Gregor smacked a solo home run in the 8th. Teoscar drew a 1-out walk in the top of the 9th, but any hope of a rally was snuffed out when Bregman grounded into the game-ending double play.

Tanielu finished 3-4, while Hernandez (2B, RBI, R), Peña (2B, solo HR, 2 R), and Vásquez (RBI, R) all finished 2-4.

Keegan Yuhl pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 runs on 9 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. It was a tough night for Eric Peterson as he allowed 4 runs on 4 hits and walked 1 while only recording 1 out in the 7th inning. Ryan Thompson stopped the bleeding and pitched 1.2 perfect innings, striking out 1.

Lake Elsinore 5, Lancaster 4

W- Brandon Alger (2-0)
L- Kevin Comer (1-2)
S- Phil Maton (2)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks held a 4-2 lead after the 4th inning, but the Storm snatched the victory by scoring the game's final 3 runs.

Bryan Muñiz and Ramon Laureano executed a double steal in the 1st, and Laureano scored the game's first run. Only Muñiz was credited with a steal, however. Tony Nuñez finished 3-4 and hit an RBI single in the 2nd inning, and in the 4th, Bobby Boyd legged out an RBI bunt single and Garrett Stubbs smacked an RBI double. Boyd and Stubbs both had 2 hits on the evening.

Josh James pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits (solo homer), walked 3, and struck out 3. Kevin Comer pitched the final 3 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and struck out 3. Trent Woodward, who started at catcher in this game, left in the 3rd inning with an injury, so Garrett Stubbs, who was serving as the DH, had to move behind the plate, so the JetHawks had to forfeit the DH. James went 0-2, while Comer struck out in his only at-bat.

Wisconsin 7, Quad Cities 2

W- Freddy Peralta (4-1)
L- Chris Murphy (3-5)

QC home runs: Anthony Hermelyn (2, 2-run in 2nd)

The Banditos got on the scoreboard first, but they were buried by a 7-0 run to close out the game.

Anthony Hermelyn finished 2-4, and his 2-run home run in the 2nd inning was the River Bandits' only scoring play. Kyle Tucker went 1-3 with 2 stolen bases (25).

Chris Murphy went 4.2 innings and allowed 6 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 7 hits (2 solo homers), walked 2, and struck out 4. Makay Nelson recorded the final out of the 5th inning. Yoanys Quiala pitched the final 3 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1.

Tri-City 5, Vermont 2

W- Austin Nicely (1-0)
L- Yordy Alejo (0-1)

TC home runs: Taylor Jones (2, solo in 4th)

The ValleyCats avoided the sweep by scoring the game's final 3 runs to break a 2-2 tie.

Taylor Jones led off the bottom of the 2nd with a double. He advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch and scored the first run of the game on a single from Carmen Benedetti. Jones led off the 4th inning with a home run, his 2nd of the season. The Lake Monsters scored 2 in the 5th to tie the game, but Tri-City had the final say in this one.

Randy César led off the bottom of the 7th with a double, advanced to 3rd base on a Brauly Mejia single, and scored the go-ahead run on an Alex DeGoti single. The ValleyCats scored a couple of insurance runs in the 8th, thanks to an RBI double from Benedetti and an RBI single from César. Jones (2B, solo HR, 2 R), Benedetti (2B, 2 RBI, R), and César (2B, RBI, R) all finished 2-4. DeGoti also had a 2-hit game; one of his hits was a triple.

Brett Adcock pitched 2.2 innings and did not allow a hit; he walked 1 and struck out 3. Dustin Hunt was the first man out of the Tri-City bullpen; he went 1.1 innings and had an inherited runner charged to him. Hunt also allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Ryan Hartman went 2 innings, and he allowed a 2-run homer to Miguel Guzman that scored the runner that he inherited from Hunt. Hartman allowed two other hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Austin Nicely threw 3 scoreless innings and got the victory; he allowed 1 hit, walked 2, and fanned 3.

Greeneville 9, Johnson City 8

W- Tyler Britton (1-0)
L- Julio Mateo (0-1)
S- Howie Brey (1)

Greeneville home runs: Bryan De La Cruz (1, solo in 8th), Miguelangel Sierra (1, 3-run in 8th)

A couple of home runs in the 8th inning got the Appy Astros into the win column for the first time in 2016.

Chaz Pal drove in his first run as a pro with an RBI double in the 2nd inning, and he came around to score on an RBI single from Ruben Castro. In the 3rd, Spencer Johnson hit an RBI single, and in the 4th, Vicente Sanchez hit an RBI single, and Miguelangel Sierra grounded into a force out that scored Castro. At that point, the game was tied at 5, but the Cardinals scored a run in the 7th and another in the 8th to take the lead.

Bryan De La Cruz led off the bottom of the 8th with a home run to cut the deficit to one run. Frankeny Fernandez drew a walk, and two outs later, Sanchez did the same, which brought up Sierra, who smacked a 3-run home run to put Greeneville in front.

Johnson (2B, RBI), De La Cruz (solo HR, 2 R), Pal (2B, RBI, 2 R), and Castro (RBI, R) all had 2 hits in this game. Sierra only had one hit, but that hit proved to be the difference.

Patrick Sandoval pitched 3.2 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3. Diogenes Almengo was the first man out of the Greeneville bullpen; he went 2.2 innings and had an inherited runner charged to him. Almengo also allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Tyler Britton went 1.2 innings and allowed an unearned run, a hit, walked 1, and struck out 1, and Howie Brey allowed a solo homer to Andrew Knizner with 2 outs in the 9th, which was the only hit that he allowed in the inning. Brey shook off that homer and was able to record the final out of the game.

DSL Astros Blue 7, DSL Phillies1 4

W- Juan Lopez (1-0)
L- Yeral Gomez (1-2)

Blue home runs: Orlando Marquez (2, 2-run in 7th)

The Blue team trailed 4-0 heading into the bottom of the 4th inning, but they finished the game on a 7-0 run. A 5-run 7th inning proved to be the difference in this game.

Nestor Tejada drove in the Blue team's first two runs of the day with an RBI double in the 4th and an RBI triple in the 6th.

Alfredo Angarita led off the 7th inning with a single, advanced to 3rd on an Ozziel Sanchez-Galan double, and scored on a sac fly from Jose Benjamin. Sanchez-Galan advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch and scored the tying run on another wild pitch. Angel De Leon, who was at the plate at the time, drew a walk, and one batter later, Orlando Marquez smacked a 2-run home run to put the Blue team in the lead. Ronny Rafael drove in the final run of the day with an RBI single. Marquez finished 3-4, while Tejada and Benjamin both had 2 hits on the day.

Ronel Blanco went 4 innings and allowed 4 runs on 3 hits (2-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 4. Robert Corniel allowed 2 hits and walked 1 over 2 scoreless, and Juan Lopez pitched 3 scoreless innings, allowing a hit, walking 2, and striking out 2.

DSL Astros Orange 5, DSL Mets2 2

W- Cristofer Melendez (4-0)
L- Rafael Encarnacion (0-1)
S- Carlos Espinoza (2)

Orange home runs: Alvaro Alvarez (1, solo in 8th)

The Orange team seized control of this game with a 4-run 7th inning.

Vicente Mota ignited the rally by leading off the 7th with a single. Alvaro Alvarez reached on an error, and Darlin Figueroa reached base safely on a sacrifice bunt attempt. Kendy Moya came up with the bases loaded and tied the game with a 2-run double. Ramiro Rodriguez put the Orange team in front with a sac fly, and Gilberto Celestino hit an RBI single to complete the rally. In the 8th inning, Alvaro Alvarez smacked his first career home run. Enmanuel Valdez finished 2-5.

Ezequiel Madera went 4 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Cristofer Melendez allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 over 3 scoreless innings, and Carlos Espinoza threw 2 perfect inningsto record the save, striking out 1.

Friday's Stars


Brady Rodgers, RHP, Fresno
W (7-3), 7.1 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 6 K

Anthony Hermelyn, C, Quad Cities
2-4, 2-R HR (2)

Photo by Molly Foster, The Gonzaga Bulletin
Taylor Jones, 1B, Tri-City
2-4, 2B, solo HR (2), 2 R

Results for Saturday, June 25, 2016

Happy Gulf Coast League Opening Day!

Tacoma 1, Fresno 0

W- Cody Martin (6-5)
L- Mike Hauschild (5-7)
S- Casey Coleman (3)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Grizzlies' bats were silenced by Cody Martin and the Rainiers in the first of this 4-game series.

Mike Hauschild had a solid outing, but with the absence of run support, he could only take the L. In 7 innings, Hauschild allowed the only run of the game on 6 hits and struck out 3. Jordan Jankowski struck out 3 over 1.2 perfect innings, and Reymin Guduan got the final out of the 9th with a strikeout.

Jon Kemmer and Nolan Fontana both hit doubles, and Andrew Aplin singled.

Tommy Shirley will start game 2 of this series. He'll take on Brad Mills at 5:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 3, Frisco 0

W- Francis Martes (5-2)
L- David Perez (1-3)
S- Aaron West (9)

CC home runs; None.

Francis Martes continued his resurgence with another strong outing. After getting torched by Frisco in his first two appearances, Martes appears to have them figured out.

Martes allowed just 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5 over 7 shutout innings. Aaron West allowed 3 hits and struck out 1 as he recored his 9th save of the season.

10 zeroes were put up on the scoreboard, but that quickly changed in the Hooks' favor. Alex Bregman drew a walk to lead off the 6th, stole 2nd (5), and scored the first run of the game on a single from D.J. Fisher. In the 8th, Bregman was forced out at 2nd base, but Fisher reached. He then stole 2nd (18) and scored on a Chase McDonald single. Bregman drove in the final run of the evening by ripping an RBI double in the 9th. McDonald and Mott Hyde both had 2 hits in the game.

Kent Emanuel will start Corpus Christi's final game before the Texas League All-Star break. He'll face Reed Garrett at  6:05.

Lake Elsinore 14, Lancaster 5

W- Brandon Alger (3-0)
L- Trent Thornton (3-4)
S- Ben Paullus (1)

Lancaster home runs: Jamie Ritchie 2 (4; solo in 2nd, 2-run in 4th), Aaron Mizell (3, 5 season; solo in 7th)

There were 9 home runs in this game, but Lancaster lost that battle 6-3. They also lost the game 14-5. The Storm busted open a 6-4 game by scoring 2 in the 8th and 6 more in the 9th inning.

Jamie Ritchie had a nice night in his first game since being activated from the DL; he smacked a solo shot in the 2nd inning to put Lancaster on the board, and in the 4th, he clubbed a 2-run homer. Aaron Mizell led off the bottom of the 7th with a home run, and he drove in Lancaster's final run with an RBI groundout in the 9th. Everyone in the lineup had a hit; Ritchie led the way with his home runs.

Trent Thornton went 4 innings and allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 10 hits (3 solo homers), walked 1, and struck out 4. Albert Minnis was the only JetHawks pitcher to have a scoreless outing; he worked around a hit in the 5th. Scott Weathersby allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 7 hits (solo and 2-run homers) and struck out 4 in 3.1 innings, and Ryan Deemes got the final 2 outs of the 9th, but not before Edwin Moreno tagged him for a 2-run homer. Deemes allowed one other hit and struck out 1.

Kevin McCanna will make his California League debut this evening. He'll face Brett Kennedy at 5:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities 8, Wisconsin 4

W- Matt Bower (2-0, 4-3 season)
L- Marcos Diplan (5-2)

QC home runs: Kyle Tucker (2, 3-run in 2nd)

The Banditos got off to a fast start and kept the Timber Rattlers in check to get their first victory in the 2nd half.

Matt Bower went 5 innings, and the 2 runs he allowed came on a home run from Isan Diaz in the 5th. Bower allowed 5 other hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. David Schmidt and Ralph Garza Jr. both pitched 2 innings; Schmidt allowed a 2-run homer to Trent Clark in the 6th inning. He allowed 2 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Garza allowed 3 hits and struck out 4.

Osvaldo Duarte drew a 1-out walk in the 1st inning and scored the game's first run on an error that allowed Kyle Tucker to reach base. Tucker, who advanced to 2nd on an error, scored on a single from Dex McCall. In the 2nd, Hector Roa and Arturo Michelena both reached on a couple of miscues from the Timber Rattlers. They both moved into scoring position when Duarte grounded out, and Tucker followed by smashing a 3-run homer. Roa walked to lead off the 4th and scored on a single from Michelena. Myles Straw smacked a 2-run double in the 6th inning.

Michelena finished 3-4 with a double and 2 runs scored, while Little Tuck finished 2-5 with the 3-run homer and scored twice. Roa scored 3 runs.

In the series finale, Justin Ferrell will take on Devin Williams. First pitch is at 1:05.

Lowell 9, Tri-City 3

W- Brad Stone (2-0)
L- Carlos Sierra (0-1)
S- Kuehl McEachern (1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats scored 2 in the top of the 1st, but the Spinners quickly seized all of the momentum in this game by responding with 7 in the bottom of the 1st.

Ryne Birk opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st, and he later scored on a Randy César sac fly. Alex DeGoti scored on a wild pitch in the 2nd inning. Birk finished 3-4 and was the only player in the Tri-City lineup with a multi-hit outing.

Carlos Sierra failed to get out of the 1st inning, allowing 6 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 6 hits while only recording 2 outs. Edgardo Sandoval allowed a run on 2 hits (2-run homer; 1 run charged to Sierra) and struck out 2 in 2 innings. Luis Ramirez was the only ValleyCats pitcher who did not allow a run; he threw 4 scoreless, allowing 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 2. Dylan James pitched 1.1 innings and allowed a 2-run homer to Tucker Tubbs in the 8th, which was the only hit that he allowed. James also walked 1 and struck out 1.

Sebastian Kessay will start game 2 of this series. He'll face Darwinzon Hernandez at 5:05 Eastern.

Johnson City 5, Greeneville 3

W- Estarlin Arias (1-0)
L- Salvador Montaño (0-1)
S- Yeison Medina (1)

Greeneville home runs: Jonathan Arauz (1, solo in 9th)

The Appy Astros managed to tie the game at 1 in the 7th.... only to see the Cardinals score 4 in the 8th to regain control. Greeneville managed to pull back a couple of runs in the bottom of the 9th, but the deficit was too great to overcome, and they dropped their first series of the season.

Ricardo Castro went 5 innings and allowed an unearned run on 4 hits while striking out 7. Salvador Montaño was the first man out of the Greeneville bullpen; he pitched 2 innings and had an inherited runner charged to him. He allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. The 8th proved to be the backbreaker as Colin McKee bore the brunt of Johnson City's assault. He recorded 2 outs in the 8th, both via strikeout, walked 1, and allowed 2 hits, one of which was a 3-run home run. Devon Carr allowed a hit over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Vicente Sanchez drove in the Appy Astros' first run of the evening on a sac fly that turned into a double play in the 7th inning. Spencer Johnson drew a walk to lead off the 9th. He advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch, made it to 3rd on a Bryan De La Cruz groundout, and scored on another wild pitch. Jonathan Arauz, who was at the plate at the time, followed by clubbing his first home run of the season. Luis Payano and Miguelangel Sierra both finished the game with 2 hits; Payano stole his first base of the season.

The Appy Astros hit the road for the first time this season; their first stop on this trip is Bristol, where they'll begin a 3-game series tonight at 6:00 Eastern. Framber Valdez will face Blake Cederlind.

GCL Astros 10, GCL Nationals 0

W- Jorge Alcala (1-0)
L- Jeffrey Rosa (0-1)
S- Hansel Paulino (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The GCL Astros kicked off their season with a bang as they dominated the Nationals.

Jorge Alcala shined in his U.S. debut as he scattered 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 8 over 5 shutout innings. César Rosado and Hansel Paulino completed the shutout; Rosado worked around a hit to strike out the side in the 6th, and Paulino allowed 3 hits and struck out 3 over the final 3 innings.

The Kissimmee Stros parlayed a bases-loaded, no out situation in the 1st inning into 3 runs. Andy Piñeda led off the game with a single, stole 2nd, and scored the GCL team's first run of the season on a wild pitch. Carlos Machado and Oscar Campos added an RBI single and a sac fly, respectively. Troy Sieber hit a 2-run single in the 3rd. Thanks to an error, he advanced to 3rd base, and he scored on a passed ball. Sieber, who went 2-4 in his first game, struck again in the 5th with a 2-run triple, and he scored again when Joan Mauricio grounded into a fielder's choice. Machado finished 4-5 and hit his second RBI single of the day in the 6th to drive in the final run of the game.

The GCL Astros are currently playing the GCL Mets.

DSL Red Sox1 7, DSL Astros Blue 2

W- Ritzi Mendoza (2-0)
L- Jesus Bernaez (1-1)

Blue home runs: None.

Both teams scored 2 runs in the 2nd inning, but the Red Sox scored 5 unanswered runs to close out the game.

The Blue team's 2 runs in the 2nd came on an RBI double from Angel Tejeda and an RBI groundout from Jose Carrillo. Tejeda had 2 of the Blue team's 3 hits in this game. Angel De Leon, who scored on Tejeda's double, had the only other hit for the Blue team and drew 3 walks.

Edwin Fidel went 2 innings and allowed 2 unearned runs, a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3. Jesus Bernaez allowed 2 runs in the 3rd: one scored on an RBI double, and the other scored when he uncorked a wild pitch. He also walked 2 in the inning. Juan Cuevas allowed 2 hits and struck out 2 over 3 scoreless, while Yulian Frontado allowed 3 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2 in 3 innings.

These two teams will play again on Monday.

DSL Red Sox2 4, DSL Astros Orange 1

W- Bryan Mata (1-1)
L- Francisco Villegas (0-1)
S- Joan Martinez (3)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team did not have much luck on offense either as they were held to just 4 hits.

Gilberto Celestino singled to lead off the 6th, and an errant pickoff throw allowed him to advance to 3rd. Celestino eventually scored the Orange team's only run on a wild pitch. Hector Martinez finished 2-4, while Enmanuel Valdez also had a hit.

Francisco Villegas went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 2. Michael Richez was the first man out of the Orange team's bullpen; he allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 2 innings. Gerardo Bojorquez pitched the final 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3.

These teams will play again on Monday.

Saturday's Stars

Jorge Alcala, RHP, GCL Astros: W (1-0), 5 IP, 5 H, BB, 8 K
Carlos Machado, OF, GCL Astros: 4-5, 2 RBI, 2 R

Troy Sieber, 1B, GCL Astros
2-4, 3B, 4 RBI, 2 R

Francis Martes, RHP, Corpus Christi
W (5-2), 7 IP, 3 H, BB, 5 K

Kyle Tucker, OF, Quad Cities
2-5, 3-R HR (2), 2 R

Jamie Ritchie, C, Lancaster
2-4, 2 HR (4), 3 RBI