Astros Minor League Recaps

Tuesday's Games

Quad Cities River Bandits

-Off day. The River Bandits will begin a seven-game home stand today, playing the first three games against the Midwest League-leading Cedar Rapids Kernels (21-8).

Lake Elsinore Storm 8, Lancaster JetHawks 5

Lancaster lost the lead twice on Tuesday and couldn't muster the bats for a third comeback, recording only one hit after the seventh frame. The second comeback though, was spearheaded by Andrew Aplin (2X5 R HR RBI) in the seventh with his homer to lead off the inning. That homer also marked Aplin's 27th RBI (tied for the most in the California League). David Rollins led things off on the mound and through his five innings, allowed 4 runs (1ER) on five hits while striking out half a dozen. Rollins saw scoring against him in the second and fifth frames, but every other inning he pitched in was a 1-2-3 set. Tyson Perez (1-1) came on to pitch next and kept things scoreless through the sixth and seventh, allowing one hit each inning. Perez only made it one out into the eighth however and finished with three runs (2ER) on six hits, one K and the loss. Kenny Long finished out the game for the JetHawks and allowed a hit that scored an unearned run in the ninth, while striking out a pair. Tyler Heineman also went two-for-five at the plate Tuesday, with a double, run scored and RBI.  

Corpus Christi Hooks 5, San Antonio Missions 10

The Hooks jumped out to a four-run lead in the bottom of the first but that was erased by the end of the inning. Eight innings, five pitchers and one scored run later, Corpus Christi was moving on to their off day. Matt Heidenreich (2-3) got the start on the hill and one and a third innings later his night was at a close, having allowed six runs on seven hits with a walk and the loss. Jorge De Leon was the fifth and last pitcher of the game for Corpus, working the bottom of the eighth and also was the only hurler to not see a run scored during his shift. De Leon faced 5 batters, allowed 2 hits and struck out the same. Austin Wates quietly hit two-for-three Tuesday while George Springer hit one-for-three with a walk, two runs scored and swiped two bags. Springer now has nine stolen bases this season.

Tacoma Rainiers 1, Oklahoma City RedHawks 6

Oklahoma City nearly won this one in shutout fashion at home on Tuesday, thanks in large part to starting pitcher Jarred Cosart (4-0) who struck out 10 in his five and two thirds innings of work. Cosart also walked a trio while giving up six hits-all singles. Josh Zeid (1.1 IP 2SO) and Rhiner Cruz (1IP SO) followed on the mound, respectively and combined for two and a third innings of perfect pitching. Kevin Chapman came on to finish out the game on the rubber and after giving up a homer to the first batter he faced, retired the final three batters in order, striking out one. Jake "The Lumberjack" Elmore was a homer short of the cycle Tuesday, finishing three-for-four with two runs scored, a double and a triple. Brett Wallace batted two-for-four with a run scored and three RBI-two on his eighth-inning, two-run homer. Marc Krauss hit one-for-four in the game with a run scored and RBI on his seventh homerun of the year-a solo shot to lead off the fourth inning.

Player of the Day: Jake "The Lumberjack" Elmore is at it again and gets to wear the WTHB crown today. Any time you have a 3X4 game and end up a just a homer short of the cycle you've had a special game. So here's to the Elmore and his lumber, good job.

Pitcher of the Day: It's obviously Jarred Cosart. So obvious in fact, I couldn't even think of a way to be witty about it. This guy threw five and two thirds innings of shutout ball while striking out 10 in front of the home crowd. If he has any room left on his back to pat, here's another for the honors of the day.