Astros Minor League Recaps

Sunday's Games

Oklahoma City at New Orleans - Postponed

Corpus Christi over Tulsa 5-0
I will resist the urge to sing this, but my Sweet Nicky [that would be Nick Tropeano to the rest of you] appears to be back in good form as he tossed six shutout innings (3H 1BB 6SO) in his return from the DL to earn the win. Kenny Long (1.1IP 1H 2BB 1SO) continued the shutout and Andrew Robinson put an exclamation point on it with one and a third perfect frames. Robinson hasn't allowed a run since the All-Star break and has a 1.35 ERA and a 1.050 WHIP over his last 10 games. He has walked four over that span while striking out 11. The Hooks got all the runs they needed plus one in the first inning, but added on three more with long balls from Erick Castro (10) in the third, Kike Hernandez (6) in the seventh and Jonathan Meyer (11) in the eighth. Meyer and Hernandez were both two-for-four.

Lancaster over High Desert 10-2
Brady Rodger's first non-tandem start went very well as he allowed only one run on a solo homer over six innings. He gave up eight hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out five. Cameron Lamb pitched the final three innings for his first save. Lancaster scored early and often. Tyler Heineman was the only starter who didn't make it into the hit column. Too much action with the bats to recap it all so here you go ~

Lancaster JetHawks
Player	Pos	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	AVG
Nolan Fontana	SS	4	2	1	0	0	0	0	2	2	.281
Carlos Perdomo	3B	4	2	2	0	1	0	2	2	0	.270
Andrew Aplin	CF	5	1	1	0	0	1	2	1	2	.287
MP Cokinos	1B	4	1	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	.353
Joe Sclafani	2B	5	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	1	.329
Matt Duffy	DH	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.306
Tyler Heineman	C	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.259
Brandon Meredith	LF	4	0	1	0	1	0	2	1	0	.260
Chris Epps	RF	5	2	3	2	0	0	1	0	0	.303
Totals		39	10	13	3	2	1	9	7	7	.291

Quad Cities over Kane County 12-5

Colton Cain allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out six in his five and one-third innings of work. Gera Sanchez (1.1IP 3H 1R 1SO), Mitch Lambson (1.1IP 1H 1SO) and Chia-Jen Lo with one perfect inning finished it off. The two through five hole hitters (Jordan Scott, Dan Gulbransen, Jesse Wierzbicki and Rio Ruiz) combined to go 10-for-24 with five doubles, one home run, one walk, one stolen base, six RBI and scored seven runs. And that doesn't even include the guy who hit his second home run and second grand slam of the season, Brian Blasik. Or Roberto Pena who also hit a home run and drove in two. Wow!

Aberdeen over Tri-City 3-1

The good news is that Kyle Westwood (5IP 1H 1BB 3SO) looked really, really, really good in his fourth appearance of the season. After seeing him work today, I will definitely be keeping a closer eye on him. He works quickly, wears high socks and throws strikes ... what's not to like? He's not a power pitcher but his command more than makes up for it. The bad news is that the bullpen, in the form of Chris Cotton and Andrew Walter, couldn't hold the very fragile 1-0 lead he gave them. The offense only managed four hits and only one extra base hit, a double from Jon Kemmer (1x2 2B 2BB). Chan Moon and D'Andre Toney each swiped a bag.

Kingsport over Greeneville 3-0 in 7 innings (Game 1)

Enderson Franco was charged with the loss as he allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over three innings. He was followed by two scoreless innings from Krishawn Holley (1H 1BB 2SO) and an inning in which Ryan Connolly allowed one unearned run and struck out two. The Greeneville nine only managed two hits in the game, a Darwin Rivera single and a double from Brett Phillips; however, they did manage four walks.

Kingsport over Greeneville 4-1 in 7 innings (Game 2)
Edison Frias (5IP 6H 4R/2ER 0BB 5SO HR) took the loss and was followed by a perfect inning from Tyler Brunnemann in which he struck out two. Once again, the bats were mostly silent as the Astros only had five hits in this one. The good news is that Chase McDonald hit his first home run of the season to at least get Greeneville on the board. Cristian Moronta was two-for-two with a double.

Players of the Day: Chris Epps doesn't get nearly enough attention so let's rectify that, shall we? In addition to going three-for-five with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's game, he has hit .361/.489/.750 in his last 10 games. He's a lefty bat who has always hit lefty pitching well and this season is no exception. He is currently hitting .356/.408/.667 against lefties for the season. Chris will have to share the honors with Rio Ruiz who went three-for-four with a walk, double, home run, two RBI, and he crossed home plate three times as well. He is hitting .364/.476/.667 over his last 10 games. Honorable mention goes to Brian Blaisk for the granny.

Pitcher of the Day: Nick Tropeano makes me want to burst into song once again with his great return from the DL so I think I will. "Hey, Nicky, you're so fine. You're so fine you blow my mind. Hey, Nicky! Hey, Nicky!" Seriously, wonderful start from Nick. I hope he builds on it.