Astros Minor League Recaps

Tuesday's Games

Tri-City over Brooklyn 6-3
In the penultimate game of the regular season, the ValleyCats clinched the sixth Astros affiliate playoff berth. Evan Grills improved his season record to 7-1 with six strong innings in which he allowed two runs on five hits. He struck out eight and didn't walk a batter. Kevin Comer allowed one run via a solo homer in his two-thirds of an inning. Tyler Brunnemann and Gonzalo Sanudo took it the rest of the way with scoreless outings. The 'Cats got two runs in the first inning on a Tyler White (2x4 SB) RBI single and on a run scored by Ryan Dineen courtesy of two Brooklyn errors. Jake Rodriguez (2BB) scored in the second on a wild pitch. The final three came in the third on a Ronnie Mitchell (2x4 SB) two-RBI triple and a Chan Moon RBI sac fly. Conrad Gregor went one-for-two with a double and walked twice. Tri-City will play the last game of the regular season on Wednesday at home and will start the playoffs on Friday on the road.

Greeneville over Kingsport 7-3
Frederick Tiburcio got the start and allowed two runs (one earned) on only two hits and a walk. He struck out seven in his six innings of work. Sebastian Kessay allowed another earned run in his outing and was followed by Raul Rivera who pitched the final one and two-thirds innings to earn the win as Greeneville came back in dramatic fashion. Greeneville didn't reach the run column until the seventh when Angel Ibanez singled in Chase McDonald (3x5 2-2B R) who had doubled earlier in the inning and Brett Phillips (2x3 2B BB 2RBI) drew a bases-loaded walk. That tied things up at 2-2, but Kingsport came back in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead. With one on and two outs in the top of the ninth, Phillips was down to his final strike when he doubled to left and drove in the tying run. Tanner Mathis was then intentionally walked, but Juan Santana and Edwin Gomez made Kingsport pay with back-to-back RBI singles. The coup de grâce was a McDonald double to right scoring Santana and Gomez. Ariel Ovando was one-for-two with a double and two walks and Brian Holberton went two-for-five. Down 3-2 and down to the final out, the final strike, Greeneville scored five. And instead of going home, they are the first (of what I hope are several) of the Astros affiliates to advance to a Championship Final. Well done!

Player of the Day: I've got to give this one to Brett Phillips for keeping Greeneville in the game against the odds.

Pitcher of the Day: Evan Grills had his longest outing of the season and his highest strikeout total. He allowed no walks and no extra-base hits. And he led his team to the playoffs. Nicely done, sir!