Astros Minor League Recaps

Thursday's Games

Oklahoma City over Round Rock 5-3 in 7 innings (Game 1)
In his first rehab appearance, Travis Blackley allowed no hits in two innings, but was charged with one run on the only batter he faced (HBP) in the third who later scored. Jose Cisnero (W, 1-1) pitched three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks before handing it over to the bullpen. The RedHawks took a 2-0 lead in the second on a Che-Hsuan Lin two RBI single, added on two more on a Marc Krauss (2x3 2R) RBI double and a Jonathan Villar (3x3 2B 2R 2SB) RBI single. Cody Clark accounted for the final insurance run in the sixth with an RBI double. Fernando Martinez is 1-for-14 in his rehab appearances.

Round Rock over Oklahoma City 8-4 in 7 innings (Game 2)
Rudy Owens (L, 0-2) allowed his first two earned runs of the new season on seven hits and three walks in his four innings of work. Kyle Hallock allowed a third run in the fifth, but Round Rock pounced on Eric Berger and Lance Day as they combined to allow five runs across in the top of the seventh to take an 8-1 lead. OKC managed three runs in the bottom of the seventh, one on a bases-loaded hit by pitch and two more on bases-loaded walks, but the hole was too deep. Andy Simunic was 2-for-3 and scored a run in his first start since graduating from Team Rehab. Jason Jaramillo was also 2-for-3 with a run scored. Jimmy Paredes was 2-for-2 with two walks, including an RBI walk, and stole a base.

Frisco over Corpus Christi 4-2 in 17 innings
Yes, you read that right ... 17 innings. Jake Buchanan pitched a gem ... five innings with two hits, no runs and nine groundball outs, including two double plays, on only 51 pitches. Carlos Quevedo gave up the first Frisco run in the sixth and was charged with a blown save in what was then a 1-0 game. Jason Stoffel gave up the second run and was charged with a second blown save in the then 2-1 game. That was followed by seven innings of scoreless extra inning baseball, until Pat Urckfitz got touched for two runs in his third inning out of the bullpen. The bullpen was very strong with good appearances from Andrew Robinson (1.1IP 1H 3SO) and Alex Sogard (0.2IP 1H 2SO) and an almost perfect four innings from Jorge de Leon (1H 1SO). The Hooks only managed seven hits and got their first run in the fourth on a Jonathan Meyer bases-loaded walk and their second hit on a Kiké Hernandez solo homer in the seventh. Austin Wates, Jio Mier and Drew Muren only had one hit each, but all were doubles. Rene Garcia had the only multi-hit game with two singles. The team as a whole struck out 19 times, with George Springer (4), Austin Wates (3), Jonathan Meyer (3), and Drew Muren (3) having the toughest nights.

UPDATED with great comment from HooksFan: The Hooks/Frisco game is officially the longest ballgame that I've seen. When Pat Urckfitz came out in the 15th inning he was either going to get the win or loss since he represented what was left of the bullpen. We can see the one disadvantage of a tandem rotation...it takes away 3 relief pitchers. We had our best scoring opportunity in the 12th with the bases loaded and one away but the Hooks couldn't capitialize on that or when Frisco brought in an infielder to pitcher, Guilder Rodriguez and were unable to get someone past 2nd. Guilder ended up with the win. Guilder didn't have any pitches get above 70 mph...and quite a few were in the high 50's. Hooks looked off balance when he was on the mound.

Bakersfield over Lancaster 4-2
Starter Chris Devenski went five innings and allowed all four runs and six of his 10 hits in the second inning for his first loss of the season. Brady Rodgers pitched the final four innings very effectively allowing only three singles while striking out four, but the 'Hawks never really got much going at the plate. Nolan Fontana, Andrew Aplin and M.P. Cokinos all went 2-for-4; Aplin had the only extra base hit, a double. Zach Johnson was credited with an RBI single, his 14th of the season.

Quad Cities over Kane County 9-8 in 10 innings
Colton Cain only lasted three innings as he allowed seven runs on eight hits, including a three-run home run. Gera Sanchez allowed an eighth run to come across in the fourth before the QC pitching staff shut the door, allowing their offense to scrape their way back into the game. Mike Hauschild was the second starter of the tandem and allowed only one hit and two walks in his four innings and was rewarded with the win. John Neely pitched the tenth for his second save of the season. Initially, it looked as though Quad Cities would cruise in this one, taking a 5-0 lead in the top of the second due in large part to an Ariel Ovando three-run home run, his first of the season. Teoscar Hernandez was 2-for-5 with an RBI double; Jesse Wierzbicki was 2-for-4 with a triple, RBI and run scored; and Terrell Joyce was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, two runs scored and he drove in the game-winning run. Rio Ruiz got his first double of the season.

Player of the Day: Terrell Joyce has had a tough start to the season, but he has broken out in a big way in the last couple of games, going 4-for-7 with three doubles, three runs, two RBI and  a walk. The RBI double that put Quad Cities ahead in the top of the 10th was gravy.

Pitcher of the Day: Jake Buchanan was impressive, working quickly and doing what he does best ... lots of ground ball outs. I'm going out on a limb and saying that the 2011 version of Jake Buchanan is officially back!