Astros Minor League Recaps

Sunday's Games

Elizabethton Twins 5, Greeneville Astros 3 (10)
The Astros were ahead in a shutout until giving up the tying runs in the eighth inning and ultimately went on to lose in extras. Frederick Tiburcio (4IP BB 5SO) and Krishawn Holley (3IP BB 2 SO) combined to throw the first seven innings and allowed just a hit apiece while striking out seven. Gonzalo Sanudo (0-1) took the loss and the blown save after giving up a pair of runs in the 10th. Sanudo finished with four hits, a walk and a strikeout in one a two thirds innings of work. Darwin Rivera and Tanner Mathis both had multi-hit games, going two-for-four. Rivera scored a run, hit a double and struck out once too.

Tri-City Valley Cats 5, Connecticut Tigers 2 (10)
This game was a good old-fashioned pitchers’ duel and neither team scored until the 10th inning. Tri-City emerged victorious after allowing just four hits all game. Adrian Houser took the start and pitched the first five frames, giving up a pair of hits, two walks and K-ing six. Tanner Bushue (1-0) took over for the rest of regulation and kept his time on the mound perfect. Bushue faced the minimum through four and struck out six of his own, picking up his first win. In the 10th, the Valley Cats drew three walks, strung together four singles and took advantage of three errors and a wild pitch to notch their five runs. Dan Gulbransen, Anthony Kemp (0X4 R BB SO) and Jose Fernandez (1X3 RBI 2BB SO) all stole a base in the game as well. Gulbransen was the only player with more than one hit, batting two-for-five with a run scored and two RBI.

Kane County Cougars 1, Quad Cities River Bandits 6
The River Bandits jumped out early in this one and never looked back. Starting pitcher Lance McCullers (4-4) notched his fourth win of the season after pitching the first five innings. McCullers retired the first eight batters he faced in order and allowed just one hit overall, finishing with two walks and seven Ks. Teoscar Hernandez hit homerun number five with two outs in the fourth inning. Hernandez batted three-for-five on the day with two runs scored, that homer and two RBI. Carlos Correa also had a three-hit performance while Jesse Wierzbicki (2X5 R), Rio Ruiz (2X5 R 2RBI SO) and Ruben Sosa (2X3 R 2RBI BB) all had two-hit games. Wierzbicki and Sosa each also stole a base in the game. Ruiz stole two.

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6, Lancaster JetHawks 12
Lancaster scored seven runs in the first two innings and hit four homers in the game. Preston Tucker (2X4 2R 2HR 6RBI) hit a pair of three-run blasts that essentially negated the opposing score. Joe Sclafani (1X3 2R HR RBI 2BB) and Carlos Perdomo (2X4 3R 2B HR RBI BB) each hit a homer of their own Sunday as well. Andrew Aplin hit three-for-four with three runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Jonas Dufek (1-2) picked up the win, his first, after entering in the fifth and working two innings. Dufek gave up two hits and struck out four during his shift.

Corpus Christi Hooks 6, Frisco Rough Riders 3
David Martinez and Mike Foltynewicz worked three innings apiece in this win for the Hooks (their shortened outings are due to the upcoming All-Star game). Folty’ (3-0) tallied the win as the Hooks picked up their second victory in a row. Martinez started and allowed a run on two hits (HR), walked one and struck out three. Folty’ took the hill next and recorded an unearned run on five hits as he walked one and struck out one. Pat Urckfitz entered to close out the eighth and finished the game, allowing one hit and picking up his fifth save. Rene Garcia hit three-for-five, scored a run and tallied his 24th RBI of the season. Jonathan Meyer (2X5 R 2B RBI) and Zach Johnson (2X5 R 2B SO) both had two hit games. George Springer only hit one-for-five with three strikeouts, but made his hit count, swatting a two-run homer in the third that left the ballpark.

Omaha Storm Chasers 5, Oklahoma City RedHawks 6 (10) - Game 1
Oklahoma City rallied from four runs behind to tie this game and eventually won it in extras. Brad Peacock started on the mound and through six innings allowed all five runs (2ER) on seven hits (HR), walked six and struck out one. Josh Zeid (4-0), who came on to pitch the 10th, gave up a hit and picked up the win. Brandon Laird hit a two-run shot in the sixth to pull the RedHawks within one and hit two-for-five in the game. Laird also hit a double, tallied three RBI and struck out once. Jose Martinez had the only other multi-hit performance, going two-for-four with an RBI.

Omaha Storm Chasers 4, Oklahoma City RedHawks 3 - Game 2
The RedHawks jumped out to an early lead, but ultimately fell in this game to split the double-header on Sunday. Starting pitcher Brady Rodgers allowed one hit in the first three innings and left with a run scored on five hits and 4 Ks. Rhiner Cruz (0-1) checked in to close out the sixth inning and completed the game, picking up the loss after giving up a run on two hits, a walk and striking out one. Oklahoma City had seven hits in this game and Robbie Grossman (2X4 2RBI SO) and Cody Clark (2X3) split four of them. Grossman also stole two bases in the game.

Player of the Day: Preston Tucker is the man today. Two three-run homers in one nine-inning game? You have got to be kidding. That’s insane. Great game.

Pitcher of the Day: First, we have Tanner Bushue and his perfect four innings on Sunday. This guy stepped into an ongoing pitchers’ duel, faced the minimum of twelve and struck out half of them. That’s is one hell of a performance under pressure. Also, there is Lance McCullers. McCullers gets a nod today too for the five innings of spectacular work he put in on Sunday. He set his team up for success and they capitalized on it.