Astros Minor League Recaps

Thursday's Games

Oklahoma City at Memphis - Postponed

Corpus Christi over Springfield 3-2
Starter Ross Seaton put up a solid five-inning start allowing two runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts and was rewarded with the win. Jake Buchanan channeled his 2011 self by inducing ground ball outs galore, including two double plays in his three innings of work. And Jason Stoffel did precisely what he did for most of 2012 and converted the save. Offensive stars were Domingo Santana who went 2-for-4 with a double; Rene Garcia with a tremendous 3-for-3 outing with two doubles and two runs scored; and George Springer was the difference maker with a two-run home run.

Lancaster over High Desert 10-9
Ah, the Cali League where anything can happen and usually does. The third inning was a tough one for the 'Hawks as Mike Foltynewicz allowed five runs on a grand slam and an inside-the-park home run and Andrew Aplin crashed into the wall, appearing to be hurt. Well, Aplin shook it off and so will Folty who seemed to have been a little overamped in his opening day start. The second half of the tandem, Alex Gillingham, didn't fare much better as he allowed three runs in his one and two-thirds innings. Carlos Quevedo and Travis Ballew provided scoreless relief out of the bullpen with Ballew getting his first save of the season.

Tyler Heineman showed why he was the New York-Penn League batting champion last season as he went 3-for-5 with a double. There were two hits each from Delino DeShields (2B, 3B), Nolan Fontana (2-run HR), Zach Johnson (2B), and Matt Duffy (2-run HR). Drew Muren only had one hit, but it was a triple. As a matter of fact, everyone reached the hit column except for Preston Tucker, but Tucker had three RBI, one on a bases loaded ground out, but the first two on a sac fly which plated two. Bo Porter's aggressiveness on the bases has apparently been embraced by Lancaster Manager Rodney Linares.

Quad Cities over Kane County 7-2
Vincent Velasquez and Joe Bircher gave Jeff Luhnow exactly what he wanted in a starting pitching tandem. Velasquez pitched five effectively, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts while Bircher allowed only two hits with four strikeouts over his four innings of work. Two Puerto Ricans were the stars of this one. Carlos Correa went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI and Roberto Pena was 2-for-5 with two RBI and scored two runs. Teoscar Hernandez and Jordan Scott each swiped a bag and Ariel Ovando contributed an outfield assist.

Pitchers of the Day
It's a tie. Joe Bircher did precisely what was asked of him as the second half of the Quad Cities tandem, pitching a strong four innings. Jake Buchanan was also a second half guy who did well, but it was seeing him get back to his mastery of ground ball outs and inducing double plays that made me a happy camper.

Player of the Day
This one is easy. Nolan Fontana reached base all five times with a single, a two-run home run, two walks and a hit by pitch. He also stole a base. I know that Fontana won't keep a 1.000 OBP all season, but at this rate, he may beat his very impressive .464 mark from last season. A hat tip to Rene Garcia for his outstanding night at the plate as well.