Happy Birthday - 7/15

RHP David Carpenter (27)
Originally drafted by the Cardinals in the 12th round in 2006 out of West Virginia University, Carpenter came to Houston in an August 2010 trade with St. Louis for Pedro Feliz (one of Fast Eddie's finer hours). He made his major league debut June 30, 2011 and went 1-3 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.482 WHIP. The 2012 season hasn't been as kind to him and he has split his time between AAA and Houston as a result. At Houston this season he is 0-2 with a 6.07 ERA and a 1.921 WHIP. At Oklahoma City, he is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and a 0.750 WHIP.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

C Dave Adlesh (69)
Adlesh was signed by the Colt .45's as an amateur free agent in 1963 and played a handful of games over six seasons (from 1963 to 1968) for Houston. In 106 games, he hit .168/.227/.199. He was 19 years old when he started playing for the Colt .45's in 1963.

C Kirt Manwaring (47)
A second round pick by the Giants in 1986, Manwaring came to Houston in a July 1996 trade and spent only 37 games as an Astro, hitting .220/.264/.256. With the Giants, he earned a Gold Glove in 1993 and led the National League in caught stealing percentage in 1992 and 1993 with a 50.5% and 45.9% respectively.

RHP Fernando Nieve (30)
An amateur free agent signed out of Venezuela by Houston in 1999, Nieve pitched in 51 games for Houston in 2006 and 2008 before being picked up off waivers by the Mets in March of 2009. In those 51 games (11 starts), he was 3-4 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.374 WHIP. He once again signed with the Astros in March 2011 but was released a month later. He signed as a free agent with the Dodgers in December of 2011 and is currently playing for their AAA team.

CF Reggie Abercrombie (31)
A 23rd round pick by the Dodgers in 1999, Abercrombie was selected by Houston off waivers from the Marlins in October of 2007. He played in 34 games for Houston in 2008, hitting .309/.339/.539. He is currently playing in the Mexican League and hitting .312/.382/.579 over 82 games in 2012.