Astros Minor League Recaps

Tuesday's Games

Tuscon over Oklahoma City 13-6
This is the second straight start in which Asher Wojciechowski has scuffled. In five innings, he allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four. Rhiner Cruz and Jose Cisnero were each charged with three runs out of the bullpen. George Springer's two-run inside the park home run in the first got things started for OKC. A Jose Martinez (2x4 R) sac fly RBI in the third, RBI doubles from Jon Singleton and Marwin Gonzalez in the fourth, and a Carlos Perez (2x4) RBI single in the sixth rounded out the scoring. Trevor Crowe went three-for-five with a double and scored a run, and Brandon Laird was three-for-four and scored twice.

Northwest Arkansas over Corpus Christi 10-1
This game was closer than the score would indicate, at least until the wheels fell off in the seventh inning. Mike Foltynewicz got the start and allowed three runs on six hits (two home runs) and three walks while striking out two. T.J. Geith finished off the sixth and started the seventh, but left the game in favor of Cameron Lamb with one out and two on in the frame. After issuing an intentional walk, Lamb served up a grand slam to Lane Adams. It was Adams second home run of the game. After Lamb re-loaded the bases on a single, walk, and hit batter, he allowed another run on a bases loaded walk. Lamb was victimized by Lane Adams yet again in the eighth inning as Adams hit his third home run of the night, a two-run shot, to give him seven RBI. He had hit a total of eight home runs in the prior 111 games of the season. The lone Hooks run came in the fifth as Preston Tucker (2x4 2B BB R) hit a lead-off double and scored later in the inning on an Erik Castro (2x4) single. Jonathan Meyer went two-for-three with a double and a walk.

Lancaster over Inland Empire 11-5
Luis Cruz (7IP 7H 4R 1BB 8SO) had a solid start and was rewarded with the win. He was followed by two innings from Kenny Long who allowed three hits, including a solo home run. The 'Hawks got the party started in the second inning with a grand slam from Nolan Fontana. Inland Empire came back with four in the top of the fifth to tie it, but Lancaster countered with five runs in the bottom of the frame on a two-RBI single from Tyler Heineman (1x4 BB 3R) and a three-run home run from Dan Gulbransen (3x5 2B HR 4RBI 2R). Gulbransen doubled in another run in the seventh and Delino DeShields (2x5 2B) had an RBI single for the final run of the evening. Chris Epps was one-for-four with a walk and scored twice. Andrew Aplin stole his 23rd base of the season and Delino DeShields got number 43.

Quad Cities - Off Day

New York-Penn League All-Star Game
AL All-Stars over NL All-Stars 4-3
The Tri-City representatives to the All-Star game were confusingly enough on the National League roster (although that is where they belong, as well as the rest of the Houston affiliates). Michael Feliz and Andrew Walter were each perfect in their one-inning appearances; however, Chris Cotton allowed one run on one hit as a couple of wild pitches came back to bite him in his inning of work. As the starting DH, Chan Moon went one for two and scored a run.

Johnson City over Greeneville 10-3
Frederick Tiburcio and Kevin Ferguson were ambushed to the tune of ten runs on fourteen hits (three home runs) over their combined five innings. Christian Garcia and Ryan Connolly followed out of the 'pen with scoreless outings. The Astros put up two in the second as Darwin Rivera scored on a fielding error and Brian Holberton scored on a Tanner Mathis sac bunt. The only other run came across in the fifth as Thomas Lindauer scored on a Angel Ibanez sac fly. The Astros were held to five hits, but that total included doubles from Ibanez and Wallace Gonazalez.

GCL Tigers over GCL Astros 6-4
Kent Emanuel pitched two innings in his third outing with the GCL and has still not allowed a run. Austin Nicely followed and allowed four runs on three hits and three walks in his three and a third innings. Devonte German gave up one run in the sixth and was charged with the blown save and the loss. Jean Batista (2x4) drove in all the runs with an RBI single in the first and a three-run home run in the third. The Astros never seriously threatened after the third. Luis Reynoso went two-for-four with a walk and scored twice.

DSL Astros over DSL Royals 2-1
Edwin Villarroel got his fourth win in a very nice start, pitching five shutout innings and allowing five hits and no walks. He struck out four. Robert Corniel, Yonquelys Martinez and Angel Heredia (S,10) all provided scoreless relief. The lone Royals run came off Starlyng Sanchez in the seventh inning. Hector Roa drove in one run in the sixth and the other came across as Randy Cesar scored from third on a double play. Kristian Trompiz went two-for-four and Arturo Michelena was two-for-three with a double, walk and a run.

Player of the Day: After playing in five road games, Dan Gulbransen got his first taste of Lancaster and seemed to like it pretty well as he drove in four and only lacked a triple for the cycle. I would be remiss if I didn't give honorable mention to Nolan Fontana for his grand salami.

Pitcher of the Day: The pitching on the DSL team has been solid all season with pitchers like Edwin Villarroel leading the way. In 12 starts, Villarroel is 4-4 with a 2.10 ERA and a 1.150 WHIP. He has walked only nine batters while striking out 38 in his 55+ innings.