Astros Minor League Recaps

Tuesday's Games

Round Rock over Oklahoma City 11-8
Starter Wade LeBlanc allowed nine runs on 11 hits (two home runs) and struck out six in three and a third innings and Jose Valdez added on another two runs without recording an out. Eric Berger, Rhiner Cruz, Philip Humber and Hector Ambriz stopped the bleeding, but the damage was already done. The RedHawks did bang out 17 hits, but were 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position. Marwin Gonzalez was three-for-five with a double and scored two runs; Brandon Laird was three-for-five and scored three runs; and George Springer went four-for-five with a triple, two home runs and five RBI.

Corpus Christi - Off Day

Lancaster over High Desert 7-5
David Rollins got the start, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out eight (including striking out the side in his sixth and final inning of work). Jonas Dufek then worked two-thirds of an inning, and allowed three unearned runs on a two-out bases clearing double that immediate followed a throwing error from Nolan Fontana. Michael Dimock earned the win and Travis Ballew earned his 15th save with scoreless outings. The 'Hawks got on the board with a two-run Tyler Heineman home run in the fourth and a two RBI double from M.P. Cokinos in the fifth. They then played add on with a Carlos Perdomo RBI single in the sixth, and a Heineman solo shot in the eighth. The final run came across in the ninth as Delino DeShields walked, tooked second base on an error, stole third base and then stole home on an intentional walk pitch. Yeah, that happened. DeShield has now stolen 10 bases in his last 10 games after stealing only 18 bags in his first 59 games.

Quad Cities - Off Day

Aberdeen over Tri-City 8-2 in 10 innings
Yeah, you read that right. Tri-City gave up six runs in the top of the 10th inning, a hill that was way too steep to climb in the bottom of the frame. Mark Appel had a strong start on his way out of town (as he received a quick promotion to Quad Cities), allowing only three hits and no walks in his three innings of work. He struck out five batters, four of them swinging. Evan Grills (5H 2R 2BB) pitched three and left with the bases loaded in the seventh. Kevin Comer (3.2IP 3H 4R 2BB 3SO) allowed two of Grills' runs to score, plus two of his own, plus another two were charged to Comer courtesy of Pat Christensen (0.1IP 3H 2R HR), who in turn gave up two runs of his own. This is not the right way to pay it forward, guys. Mike Martinez' two-run dinger in the fourth accounted for the only Tri-City runs.  That was the only extra base hit of the game. Chan Moon and Tony Kemp each swiped a bag.

GCL Braves over GCL Astros 6-4
Ambiorix de Leon (5.1IP 4H 2R 2BB 4SO) got the start, Raul Rivera (0.2 3H 2R/1ER) got the blown save, and Juan Santos (1IP 1H 2R 3BB 1SO) got the loss. Erick Gonzalez (1IP 1H) was the only Astros pitcher to allow no runs in the game. The Astros got two in the third and then added on one in the seventh on a Jason Martin (2x4) RBI single and one in the eighth on a Brett Booth (1x3 BB) RBI double. Ydarqui Marte went two-for-four with a double and scored two runs. Tyler White also doubled in the game.

DSL Royals over DSL Astros 3-2 in 11 innings
Edwin Villarroel pitched the first five, allowing two runs on six hits and was followed by five from Gerardo Juarez, who allowed only one hit and struck out four. Yonquelys Martinez got the loss in extras. The Astros were held to five hits and two players got them all. Arturo Michelina was two-for-four with a double and an RBI; and Jean Estrella was three-for-four.

Player of the Day: George Springer, come on down. In addition to his four-for-five night, he is hitting .422/.519/.889 in the 13 games since his call-up to AAA.

Pitcher of the Day: Gerardo Juarez is starting to catch my attention. After this latest five-inning scoreless relief outing, Juarez has a 1.14 ERA and a 0.676 WHIP in seven appearances. He has walked only two batters while striking out 20.