Minor League Recaps

Wednesday's Games

DSL Athletics over DSL Astros 5-4
OK, let me be brutally honest. I have hit a wall covering the DSL crew. There are only three games left in their season. So I'm phoning it in. Five guys pitched and everybody was charged with at least one run except for the guy that let an inherited runner score. They are all so far away from ever making it to the majors, you don't really care and neither do I as I write this at 5:30 in the morning. Jean Carlos Cortorreal went three-for-five, but he's only .201 for the season so I don't really care about that at this particular point in my life either. (Zachary Levine deserves a medal for writing about the Astros every day, but at least he gets paid to do it.)

GCL Marlins over GCL Astros 4-2 (Game 1)
This was the completion of a suspended game from earlier. Kyle Hallock had started the game allowing two runs. Jandel Gustave picked up where he left off pitching a total of three and a third innings and allowing two runs on two hits and five walks. He was followed by Ricardo Batista who pitched a scoreless two and two thirds innings. The Astros came within two on a two-run Luis de la Rosa home run in the seventh. De la Rosa  and Yoel Silfa each went two-for-three.

GCL Astros over GCL Marlins 7-5 in 7 innings (Game 2)
Jose Montero pitched the first three and two-thirds allowing only one run on five hits. Gera Sanchez was charged with two runs (one earned) but also was awarded the win as the Astros put up a four-spot in the seventh. Erick Gonzalez made things interesting as he allowed another two runs in the final inning but the Astros ultimately held on. Edwin Gomez had a big day with four RBI, including a bases clearing double. The Astros had two errors but that pales in comparison to the Marlins five errors so I'll let it slide.

Greeneville over Elizabethton 4-3
Michael Feliz got the start and gave up three runs on seven hits over four and two-thirds innings. Tanner Bushue pitched two and a third and earned the win in relief. (Bushue looked good when I saw him last weekend and has only allowed one earned run in his last 6 appearances for a 0.69 August ERA. I would love for him to turn a corner as he's still only 21.) Richard Rodriguez and Mike Hauschild (S, 3) were perfect in their outings. Luis Alvarez contributed half of the offense with two solo home runs. Brian Blasik drove in the other two runs with sac flies.

Brooklyn over Tri-City 4-1
Starter Lance Day allowed three runs on four hits over five innings and was followed by Juan Minaya who allowed one run on three hits over three innings. The ValleyCats offense couldn't scratch across a run beyond the second inning. Tyler Heineman was two-for-four with two doubles and scored the sole Tri-City run on a M.P. Cokinos RBI single. Dan Gulbransen and Cokinos were also two-for-four on the night. The good news is that the ValleyCats have clinched their division and a playoff berth.

Greensboro over Lexington 6-1
Lexington has now lost seven in a row. Don't make me break out Cher again. Luis Cruz was the latest victim as he gave up five runs on nine hits for the loss. Nate Pettus added on the final run before giving way to two scoreless innings from Mitch Lambson. Lexington didn't get a run across until the eighth and then only did so courtesy of a wild pitch. Jordan Kreke was two-for-four. Zach Johnson had the only extra base hit, a double.

Corpus Christi over Midland 4-2
Ross Seaton got the win in a very effective seven inning start. He gave up a two-run homer and not much else as he only allowed five hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Seaton was followed by what has become a lethal one-two combo of Kevin Chapman and Jason Stoffel (S, 25) to close things out. Every starter had one hit except for Jonathan Singleton who had one walk for the evening. Kike Hernandez' one hit was a solo home run. Jay Fernandez' one hit was a two-run single to put the Hooks in the lead in the sixth.

Rancho Cucamonga over Lancaster 8-7
Colton Cain was less than effective as he allowed six runs on six hits over only four innings of work. Carlos Quevedo and Pat Urckfitz held down the fort, but Andrew Robinson faltered as he allowed two unearned runs in the ninth and was charged with a blown save and the loss. Andrew Aplin was three-for-five with a two-run home run; Drew Muren was two-for-four with a two-run inside the park home run and a sac fly RBI; and Jonathan Meyer was three-for-four with a double, walk and scored two runs. Delino DeShields stole two more bases and is now at 92 for the season.

Oklahoma City over Iowa 6-3
Jarred Cosart had a terrific start as he pitched five scoreless innings with two hits, a walk and three strikeouts. Mark Hamburger was charged with a blown save as he gave up three runs in his one and a third innings, but Brian Sanches got the win in relief and Jose Valdez got his 17th save as the Redhawks came back late for the win. Brad Snyder was two-for-four with a two-run home run; Matt Dominguez was two-for-three with a double and a RBI; and Jimmy Paredes contributed an RBI triple to the mix.

Player of the Day: I have not given Drew Muren nearly enough love this season. He has excelled at three different levels and is currently hitting .324/.386/.419 for Lancaster in 19 games. An inside the park home run and three RBI makes Drew an easy choice. Honorable mention goes to Edwin Gomez for his four RBI day.

Pitcher of the Day: Ross Seaton gets the nod for his fine outing, plus for whittling the Hooks magic number to clinch a playoff spot down to three.