Astros Minor League Recaps

Tuesday's Games

Oklahoma City over Colorado Springs 6-3
The RedHawks have now won 12 in a row and lead the second place Albuquerque team by four games. They also have the best record in the PCL. Paul Clemens allowed only two hits in his five innings and was followed by one and a third innings from Philip Humber in which Humber allowed three runs to score. Alex Sogard and Kevin Chapman provided scoreless relief. Oklahoma City did all of their scoring in the third inning, starting with RBI doubles from Jimmy Paredes and Brandon Laird and punctuated by a three-run home run from Jose Martinez (3x4 2-2B HR 3RBI R). Trevor Crowe went two-for-four with a double and a run scored.

Corpus Christi over Northwest Arkansas 7-3
Corpus Christi also has the best record in its league for the season and is tied with the Missions for best record in the second half. And that is due in no small part to David Martinez who cruised to his team record 14th win last night. Martinez (8H 0BB 7SO) gave up two solo home runs last night over eight and a third innings. Andrew Robinson recorded the final two outs, but also allowed a solo homer for the third NWA run. The Hooks led the whole way, getting one in the first on Max Stassi's 16th home run of the season, and two in the second on a Ronald Torreyes (1x5 2B 3RBI) RBI double. They played add on with Preston Tucker's eighth AA home run in the fifth and put up the final three in the eighth inning. Matt Duffy went two-for-four with an RBI and a run scored in his AA debut. Jonathan Meyer was two-for-three with a walk and scored twice.

Modesto over Lancaster 2-1
Lancaster has the best record in the second half and only trails San Jose by a half game for the best overall record in the California League. With a 2-1 score, you know this one wasn't played at The Hangar. Luis Cruz threw the first six and gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out seven. Jordan Jankowski pitched two scoreless frames for his Hi-A debut. The 'Hawks actually outhit the Nuts 6-4, but only managed to get one run across. Dan Gulbransen went two-for-four with a double and scored the one 'Hawks run in his Hi-A debut, but he also made the fielding error that led to Modesto's second run. Jesse Wierzbicki was two-for-four and Joe Sclafani doubled.

Quad Cities over Cedar Rapids 7-2
The River Bandits have now scratched and clawed their way into second place in the overall standings and (drumroll please) just took first place in the second half standings last night with last night's win. Starter Mark Appel (5IP 2H 2R/0ER 1BB 2SO) earned his first professional win and received outstanding support from Patrick Christensen (3IP 1H 5SO) in his Quad Cities debut. Mitch Lambson (1IP 1H 3SO) pitched a very effective ninth. Quad Cities put up a three-spot in the first on a Danry Vasquez sac fly and a Bobby Borchering two-run homer. Brian Blasik (2x3 2B HR 2RBI 2R) then added a sac fly RBI in the third and a solo dinger in the fifth. The final runs came on a Carlos Correa (2x4 2-2B RBI R) RBI double and a Jordan Scott RBI single in the eighth and ninth innings. Roberto Pena was two-for-four with two doubles and scored twice.

Tri-City over Williamsport 10-2
Tri-City is in a virtual tie with Lowell in their division, but they lag slightly statistically-speaking due to the number of games played. Kevin Comer (5H 2R/1ER 3SO HR) went the first three and was followed by a scoreless frame from Randall Fant. Evan Grills then tossed four no-hit innings (1BB 6SO). Tyler Brunnemann pitched a perfect ninth in his Tri-City debut. I was lamenting Tri-City's offense yesterday in a discussion with one of my twitter friends ... nothing like pounding out 14 hits with four doubles and a home run to make me look silly for worrying. I'm going to cheat and put up the boxscore. Otherwise this could take a while.

Greeneville over Bristol 2-1
Greeneville leads its division by four games and has the third best record in the Appy League. This was a pitcher's duel all the way. Edison Frias (5IP 5H 1R 2BB 8SO) allowed the only Bristol run in the first inning and was followed by four no-hit innings from Chris Munnelly (2IP 2BB 4SO), Raul Rivera (1IP 1BB 2SO) and Gonzalo Sanudo (1IP 2SO). It was Sanudo's ninth save. The Astros were held to four hits; two of those belonged to Brian Holberton, a double and a solo home run. Holberton scored the second run as he doubled, stole third base and scored on a wild pitch.

GCL Astros over GCL Yankees1 6-2
Luis Ordosgoitti got charged with two runs over three and two thirds and was followed by scoreless outings from Joe Musgrove and Erick Gonzalez. Jean Batista was two-for-four with a walk and an RBI in his first rehab appearance in almost a month. Yonathan Mejia was two-for-five and scored a run; Jose Solano was three-for-four and scored twice; Alex Gonzalez was one-for-four with a double and drove in two; and Ydarqui Marte was two-for-three with a walk and two RBI.

DSL Astros over DSL Athletics 6-4
Harold Arauz (3H 2BB 2SO) pitched five and a third and was charged with three runs (two earned), two of those coming across under Victor Mesa's watch. Mesa added on a run of his own. Juan Hernandez earned his first win with his two innings of relief. The Astros had only scored one run (a second inning Hector Roa home run) before putting up five in the eighth inning, an inning in which they were gifted with two walks and two hit batters to help their cause. Randy Cesar was two-for-four and scored a run. Jean Estrella and Arturo Michelena were each credited with two RBI.

Player of the Day: Jose Martinez gets the honors for a second day in a row for his excellent night at the plate.

Pitcher of the Day: Evan Grills is getting a little WTHB love today for his four no-hit innings. I have been intrigued by Grills since I met him last season in Lexington. It is great to see the 21-year old lefty putting it together this season. He is 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.184 WHIP in 10 appearances (four starts).