Astros Minor League Playoff Recaps

Results for Monday, September 8, 2014

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California League South Division Finals: Lancaster 4, Inland Empire 2 (Lancaster wins series 3-0)

W- Zach Morton
L- Austin Wood
S- Tyler Brunnemann

Lancaster home runs: Ronnie Mitchell (solo in 8th)

#ringchasin #champagnetastin
— Chase McDonald (@Hosschase_42) September 9, 2014

The JetHawks earned the sweep as they put up a run in each of the first 3 innings and got an excellent performance from their bullpen in support of Kyle Westwood.

Westwood pitched 4.1 innings and allowed 2 runs (both in the 5th) on 9 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Zach Morton was the first man out; he allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 1 over 1.1 scoreless. Dan Minor tagged in and allowed a hit and struck out 1 over 2 scoreless. Jamaine Cotton got the first 2 outs of the 9th; he walked 1 and struck out 1. Tyler Brunnemann came on and put the tying run on base with a walk, but he sent the JetHawks to the California League Championship Series by striking out Angel Rosa to finish the game.

It was a huge night for Ronnie Mitchell, who went 3-4 and drove in 3 of the 4 Lancaster runs. He opened up the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st. Chan-Jong Moon added an RBI groundout in the 2nd, and then Mitchell was back at it with an RBI double in the 3rd. He provided some much-needed insurance with a solo homer in the top of the 8th that pushed the Lancaster lead to 4-2. Tyler White went 2-4 with a double and a run scored.

The JetHawks now await their opponent. The North Division Final is being contested by the Visalia Rawhide and the Bakersfield Blaze, with Visalia leading the series 2-1. Game 4 is tonight in Visalia.

New York-Penn League Championship Series: Tri-City 3, State College 0 (Series tied 1-1)

W- Joe Musgrove
L- Austin Gomber
S- Derick Velazquez

TC home runs: None.

After getting blanked in game 1, the ValleyCats got even by shutting out the Spikes in game 2, setting up a winner-take-all game 3 at Joe Bruno Stadium.

Their 3 runs came in the 3rd, as Jamie Ritchie drew a bases-loaded walk, Kristian Trompiz scored on a wild pitch, and D.J. Fisher scored on a passed ball. They got 3 singles in that inning, but none of those 3 runs were driven in via hit. Fisher and Alex Hernandez went 3-4 apiece.

Joe Musgrove was absolutely dominant as he allowed just 2 hits and struck out 8 over 7 shutout innings. The Closer, Ryan Thompson, threw a 1-2-3 8th, and Derick Velazquez worked around a hit and a walk to finish it off, striking out 1 in the 9th.

Game 3 will take place at 6:00.