What the Heck, Bobby?: Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, April 20, 2014

Upper-level clubs in action in the afternoon, while the A teams get a day off.

Memphis 5, Oklahoma City 4

W- Jose Almarante (1-0)
L- Darin Downs (0-2)

OKC home runs: Max Stassi (4, 2-run in 6th)

The RedHawks walked off with a loss in game 2 as Oscar Taveras broke a 4-4 tie by doubling home former Lamar Consolidated star Randal Grichuk.

Max Stassi put the RedHawks on the board and tied the game with his 2-run homer in the 6th. OKC then added 2 more in the 8th to take the lead; Enrique Hernandez hit an RBI single and Domingo Santana scored on an error that allowed Jonathan Meyer to reach base. Jon Singleton hit.... wait for it......... a bunt single.

Jake Buchanan got the start and went 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits (solo homer) and fanning 2. Rhiner Cruz walked the bases loaded (one intentional) in the 5th but was able to avert disaster. Jose Cisnero pitched 2.1 innings and gave up a game-tying 2-run homer to Scott Moore THE GOAT in the 8th. He allowed one other hit, walked 2, and struck out 3. Darin Downs got the final 2 outs of the 8th, one via strikeout, but failed to retire the 2 batters he faced in the 9th... Grichuk and Taveras.

In game 3 of this series, Nick Tropeano and Collin McHugh will take on Zach Petrick, who was just recently called up from Springfield. First pitch is at 7:05.

Corpus Christi 7, Frisco 5

W- Andrew Robinson (2-0)
L- Jerad Eickhoff (1-1)
S- Tommy Shirley (1)

CC home runs: Matt Duffy (1, 3-run in 1st), Leo Heras (1, solo in 1st), Telvin Nash (1, solo in 2nd)

The Hooks avoided the sweep thanks to an early home run barrage and used an outstanding effort from the bullpen to weather a 5-run 3rd from Frisco, which culminated in Tommy Shirley's perfect day. The win snapped a 5-game losing streak.

Corpus jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the top of the 1st, and all 4 runs came off of 2-out home runs. Andrew Aplin and Preston Tucker drew walks, and then Matt Duffy sent a Jerad Eickhoff pitch out to open the scoring. One batter later, Leo Heras went back-to-back with Duffy. Telvin Nash sent out his first of the year in the 2nd to extend the Hooks lead to 5-0.

Frisco got 5 in the 3rd off Matt Heidenreich, but the tie was short-lived as Joe Sclafani blooped a ball into shallow left field to bring Chris Epps home and put the Hooks back on top 6-5 in the 4th. Duffy finished 3-5; his 3rd hit was clutch, as he drove in a much-needed insurance run with a single in the 9th. Preston Tucker was 2-3 with a run scored and a couple of walks.

Matt Heidenreich opened with 2 scoreless, but the wheels fell off for him in the 3rd as Frisco tagged him for 5 runs in the inning. Heidenreich went 3 innings and gave up 6 hits (3-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 3.

The bullpen was excellent as they finished the game with 6 scoreless and allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 7. Andrew Robinson threw 1.2 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 1. Pat Urckfitz got the final out of the 5th to extricate Robinson from a little jam, and Tommy Shirley suffocated the life out of the Roughriders' offense, striking out 6 in 4 perfect innings to end it.

The Hooks will return home to welcome the Midland RockHounds to Whataburger Field for 4 games. In the series opener, Brady Rodgers and Colton Cain will take on Harvard alum Shawn Haviland. First pitch is at 7:10.

Lancaster was off

The JetHawks will begin a 4-game series against Inland Empire tonight at 7:05 Pacific. Lance McCullers and Kyle Smith will start the opener against Ryan Crowley.

Quad Cities was off

The River Bandits will make the hour-long drive up to Clinton to begin a 4-game series against the LumberKings beginning at 6:30. Evan Grills and Michael Feliz will take on Edwin Diaz in the opener.

Three Stars

3.