Astros Minor League Recaps

Thursday's Games

Cedar Rapids Kernels, Quad Cities River Bandits

-Postponed due to rain.

Lake Elsinore Storm 4, Lancaster JetHawks 10

The JetHawks' offense was consistent Thursday evening at home, scoring in every inning except the sixth and seventh, which was more than enough to secure the win. Aaron West started on the mound for Lancaster and cruised through the first two innings, but in the third got into a little trouble and ended up allowing three runs on four hits with a walk and 3 Ks during his shift. West was replaced by Theron Geith (3-0) (2IP 2H BB) in the fourth frame and Geith threw two innings of shutout ball, earning him the win as the offense plugged away. Blair Walters, the second in the tandem, came on to pitch the next three and gave up a run on two hits while walking three. Travis Ballew closed out the game, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth in order, striking out one. Joe Sclafani (2X5 R RBI), Tyler Heineman (2X4 R 2B SO) and Andrew Aplin (3X5 2R 2B RBI) all had multi-hit games, but none was more impressive than Aplin's, who also stole a base and collected his 29th RBI. Aplin is still tied for most in the California League. Chris Epps (1X3 R HR RBI) and Telvin Nash (1X2 2R HR 2RBI 2BB SO) got in on the offensive action too, clubbing two-run homers in the second and fifth innings, respectively.      

Frisco RoughRiders 6, Corpus Christi Hooks 4

Corpus Christi got out to a great start behind the performance of starting pitcher Jake Buchanan, but began to fall in the sixth frame and were never able to catch completely up. Buchanan pitched through the fifth inning and in his time, allowed just two hits and struck out four while facing the minimum (thanks to a couple double plays behind him). Carlos Quevedo (1-3) took the hill next and lasted four outs, giving up five runs on five hits (2HR), walking one and striking out a pair. Quevedo ended up with the loss. Alex Sogard replaced him and did his best to stop the onslaught, finishing out the game and giving up a run on three hits while K-ing one. The Hooks only had 5 hits in the game, but Domingo Santana (1X4 R 2B 2SO) and Jonathan Meyer (1X3 2B BB) both made theirs doubles. Erik Castro's (1X4 R HR RBI SO) hit was a solo-shot to lead off the bottom of the sixth and get the scoring started for the Hooks. George Springer went naught-for-three with 3 strikeouts.

Tacoma Rainiers 1, Oklahoma City RedHawks 3

The RedHawks again flirted with a shutout victory at home Thursday, but lost the shutout in the ninth while going on to win their 10th consecutive home game. Asher Wojciechowski (1-0) took the start and the win (his first since the promotion from Corpus) after throwing six innings of scoreless ball. Wojo struck out three and walked a trio during his shift. Rhiner Cruz (2IP BB SO) followed suit for the next two innings and was replaced by Jose Valdez to close out the game in the top of the ninth. Valdez gave up a double to the first batter he faced then retired the next two on ground outs bringing the runner around to score. Valdez flied the next batter out to finish the game at one run on one hit. The RedHawks collected seven hits in the game Thursday and four of them were divided between Brett Wallace (2X3 R 2B RBI SO) and Jonathan Villar (2X4 SO). Villar also stole a couple bags on the night, pushing his season total to 12.

Player of the Day: Andrew Aplin, come on down. This guy always plays ball well, but put a little something extra on it yesterday, earning him the honors today. It also doesn't hurt that he is a virtual RBI-machine so far this season (Just a little trivia: his 29 is ten more than the Astros RBI-leader Chris Carter has so far and Aplin has played in two less games). 

Pitcher of the Day: Jake Buchanan dominated again on Thursday and his performance earned him the nod today. Buchanan has allowed just five runs so far this season over 39 and a third and is now sporting a 1.14 ERA, which is second best in the Texas League (his teammate, David Martinez leads the league with .87).