Happy Birthday - 10/5

Happy Birthday to ~

LF Marc Krauss (27)
Krauss came to the Astros organization (along with Bobby Borchering) in a July 2012 trade with the Diamondbacks for 3B Chris Johnson. He started the season in Houston and ended it there, but in between he played in 42 games in Oklahoma City, hitting .289/.375/.459 with 12 doubles, five home runs and 38 RBI. In Houston, he played in 67 games, hitting .194/.279/.323 with six doubles, six home runs and 21 RBI.

RHP Joel Belboder (19)
Belboder, from the Dominican Republic, played his first season for the Dominican Summer League Astros in 2014. In 20 appearances (one start), he was 4-2 with two saves, a 3.38 ERA and a 1.325 WHIP. He walked 15 and struck out 25 in 40 innings of work.

Four former Astros mark the day as well ~

RHP Felipe Paulino (31)
First signed by the Astros as a NDFA out of the Dominican Republic in 2001, Paulino was never quite able to put it together for Houston.  In 34 starts over 47 appearances for the Astros in 2007, 2009 and 2010, Paulino went 6-21 with a 5.83 ERA and 1.598 WHIP.  Traded to the Rockies for Clint Barmes in November of 2010, Paulino only spent a short time with the Rockies before being dealt to the Kansas City Royals. He is currently in the White Sox organization.

CF Al Heist (died October 2, 2006 at 78)
Drafted from the Cubs in the 1961 expansion draft, Heist played in 27 games for the Colt 45's in 1962, hitting .222/.263/.236. He played for three more seasons for Houston in the minor leagues, but never made it back to the majors.

OF Alex Diaz (46)
Diaz signed as a free agent with Houston in January 1999. He played in 30 games for the Astros that season, hitting .220/.264/.320.

RHP Brandon Puffer (39)
Originally drafted by the Twins in the 27th round in 1994, Puffer first came to the Houston organization in 2000 after pitching in the Atlantic League. In 68 games for the Astros in 2002 and 2003, he was 3-3 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.611 WHIP.