Happy Birthday - 8/31

C Marlon Avea (19)
From Nicaragua, Marlon was signed by the Astros as a NDFA in 2010 and played his second season this year in the DSL. Over 35 games, he hit .204/.286/.312 which was actually an improvement over 2011.

One former Astro with a birthday today ~

RHP Tom Dukes (70)
Dukes came to Houston via a trade with Atlanta prior to the 1967 season. In 60 appearances out of the bullpen in 1967 and 1968, he was 2-4 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.651 WHIP. He was subsequently picked up by the Padres in the 1968 expansion draft.