Happy Birthday - 6/27

OF Tanner Mathis (22)
Recently signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Ole Miss, the lefty-hitting Lake Charles, Louisiana native has played in seven games for the Greeneville Astros, hitting .250/.400/.250.

LHP T.J. Geith (24)
Originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the 39th round in 2011 out of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Geith came into the Houston organization as the PTBNL in the Ben Francisco trade in August 2012. In 23 appearances with Lancaster so far in 2013, he is 5-0 with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.295 WHIP. Geith was the Astros Pitcher of the Month for May for the Lancaster team.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

LF/1B Daryle Ward (38)
Originally drafted by the Tigers in the 15th round in 1994, Ward came to Houston in a December 1996 trade. In 418 games for the Astros from 1998 to 2002, he hit .269/.316/.465. Ward was the first player to hit a home run on the fly into the Allegheny River at PNC Park in Pittsburgh when he accomplished that feat for Houston in July 2002. He and his father Gary Ward are the only father-son major league combo to have both hit for the cycle. Although Ward hasn't played in the major leagues since 2008, he is still toiling away in Independent League Ball and is currently playing for the Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers in the Atlantic League.

IF Eddie Kasko (81)
Kasko came to the Colt .45's in a January 1964 trade with the Reds, where he had been an All-Star in 1961.  His best season, however, was the 1960 season when he hit .292/.359/.378 for the Reds. In 201 games for the Astros and the Colt .45's in 1964 and 1965, Kasko hit .244/.300/.290. After his playing days were over, he went on to manage the Red Sox from 1970 to 1973.