Astros Weekend Minor League Recaps

Results for the weekend of May 22-24, 2015

It's been a hectic weekend for me, and also.... the Rockets have left me apoplectic.

Fresno

The Grizzlies continued their series with Nashville over the weekend. They took the series opener 10-2 on Thursday as Jon Singleton clubbed his 13th homer of the season.

Friday: Nashville 7, Fresno 2 

W- Zach Neal (2-0)
L- Brady Rodgers (2-3)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Sounds refused to pitch to Carlos Correa on Friday as he drew 3 walks. However, the Grizzlies couldn't make them pay, as they were held to just 3 hits. The only 2 runs the Grizzlies got on Friday came in the 6th as Jon Singleton hit an RBI single and Correa scored on an error.

Brady Rodgers got the start and went 5.1 innings, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits, walking 2, and striking out 5. Jordan Jankowski pitched an inning (final 2 outs of the 6th and the first out of the 7th) and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits. Kevin Chapman was next; he allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 3 over 1.2 innings. Tyson Perez struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Saturday: Fresno 3, Nashville 2 in 11 innings

W- Richard Rodriguez (4-0)
L- R.J. Alvarez (2-2)

Fresno home runs: None.

The game was tied at 1 heading into extras. Their 1 run in regulation tied the game in the 8th, as Joe Sclafani hit a groundout that scored Matt Duffy. The Sounds took the lead in the top of the 11th on a Kent Matthes RBI double.

The bottom of the 11th didn't start out very well as the Grizzlies found themselves down to their final out. But.... that's when the rally started for real. Alex Presley and Tyler Heineman singled and Sclafani was plunked to load the bases. One batter later, Robbie Grossman came through and delivered the victory with a 2-run single. L.J. Hoes went 3-5 with a double. Presley and Max Stassi had 2 hits apiece; both of Stassi's hits were doubles.

The Grizz held Nashville to 5 hits over the 11 innings. Tommy Shirley got the start and allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Mitch Lambson and Jason Stoffel both pitched 2 scoreless innings; Lambson was making his AAA debut. Richard Rodriguez gave up the go-ahead run in the 11th, but he got the win after Grossman's heroics. Rodriguez allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in the 11th.

Sunday: Fresno 5, Nashville 3

W- Dan Straily (3-3)
L- Chris Bassitt (1-3)
S- Kevin Chapman (2)

Fresno home runs: Jon Singleton (14, solo in 6th)

The Grizzlies won the series thanks to a nice outing from Dan Straily, who shook off some early trouble when he allowed 3 runs in the 3rd.

2 of those 3 runs came on a 2-run homer from Ryan Roberts. Straily went 7 innings and allowed 8 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. Tyson Perez struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 8th, and Kevin Chapman worked around a hit in the 9th to close it out.

Jon Singleton opened up the scoring with an RBI double in the 2nd, and he later scored on a sac fly hit by Matt Duffy. After Nolan Fontana doubled to lead off the 3rd, Alex Presley brought him home with a single. Matt Dominguez added an RBI single in the 4th, and Singleton took a rehabbing Sean Doolittle deep to begin the 6th. Singleton's 14 blasts lead the Minors. Everyone had a hit in this game except for.... Carlos Correa, who had a rare 0-4 night.

Now, the Grizzlies will welcome the other Tennessee team, the Memphis Redbirds, to Chukchansi Park. Fresno's starter is TBA; whoever he is, he'll face Nick Greenwood at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi

Corpus took 2 of the first 3 games of their series with Midland over the weekend.

Friday: Corpus Christi 12, Midland 8

W- Chris Cotton (1-0, 2-2 season)
L- Chris Jensen (3-3)

CC home runs: Jio Mier 2 (5; solo in 1st, solo in 7th), Jon Kemmer (4, 3-run in 1st), Tyler White (3, 2-run in 3rd), Teoscar Hernandez (5, 2-run in 3rd)

The Hooks bullpen picked up Mark Appel and the offense bashed 5 homers as they took the series opener in explosive fashion. They led 10-2 after the 3rd inning.

Mark Appel's dreadful form continues to be a serious cause for concern for the Astros. He only lasted 3.2 innings in this one and allowed 7 runs on 8 hits (grand slam), walked 1, and struck out 2. The bullpen allowed 1 run in 5.1 innings as they restored some order to the game.

Travis Ballew was the first man out; he allowed a hit and struck out 1 over 1.1 scoreless. Kyle Westwood pitched a scoreless 6th, but he failed to record an out in the 7th and allowed a solo homer to Colin Walsh. Westwood allowed 3 other hits and struck out 1. He left a bases-loaded situation with nobody out for Chris Cotton, who was making his AA debut. Oh yeah, it's always the new guy having to clean up a mess...

Well, that's exactly what Cotton did, as he got 2 Ks and induced a force out to extract himself, and by extension, Westwood, from a potential disaster in the 7th. He worked around a couple of singles to throw a scoreless 8th. Jandel Gustave worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 2.

Jio Mier put the Hooks on the board with a solo homer in the 1st. Conrad Gregor added an RBI double to tie the game, and Jon Kemmer smacked a 3-run homer to put the Hooks in the lead. In the 3rd, the Hooks got a pair of 2-run shots from Tyler White and Teoscar Hernandez, and a sac fly from Leo Heras. Kemmer, who finished 4-5, added an RBI single in the 4th. Jio ripped another solo shot in the 7th. He, Teoscar, Roberto Peña, and Andrew Aplin had 2 hits apiece.

Saturday: Corpus Christi 7, Midland 1

W- Chris Devenski (5-0)
L- Nate Long (2-3)

CC home runs: Teoscar Hernandez (6, solo in 3rd)

Chris Devenski's incredible start to the season continued as the Hooks pounded the Hounds on Saturday night.

Devo allowed a solo homer to Renato Nuñez in the 2nd, which was the only run he allowed. It was also the only extra-base hit he allowed in his 7 innings. He walked 1 and struck out 3. Juan Minaya walked 2 and struck out 1 over 2 scoreless to finish it off.

The Hooks offense responded to Nuñez's homer in the 2nd with 5 runs in the bottom of the inning. Teoscar Hernandez put Corpus in front when he ripped a 2-run double. Tony Kemp hit a sac fly, and Jio Mier followed with a single. Conrad Gregor finished off the scoring in the 2nd by drawing a bases-loaded walk. Teoscar finished 2-4 and smacked his second homer in as many nights with a solo blast in the 3rd, and Andrew Aplin finished 3-4 with an RBI single in the 6th.

Sunday: Midland 6, Corpus Christi 2

W- Tim Atherton (2-2)
L- Josh Hader (1-2)

CC home runs: Jon Kemmer (5, solo in 4th)

The Hounds put up 3 deuces in the game to top the Hooks.

Jon Kemmer's solo shot in the 4th opened up the scoring. The other Corpus run came courtesy of Trent Woodward, who was making his season debut. Woodward, a 20th-round pick out of Fresno State in last year's draft, came on as a pinch-hitter in the 9th and ripped an RBI double. Andrew Aplin went 2-4 with a triple.

Josh Hader went 6 innings and allowed 4 runs on 9 hits (2-run homer) and struck out 5. Travis Ballew was the first man out of the bullpen and threw 2 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 2. Chris Cotton got 2 outs in the 9th, 1 via strikeout, but he allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and walked 1. Jandel Gustave got Renato Nuñez to ground out for the final out of the 9th inning.

Mike Hauschild gets the start in the series finale on this Memorial Day. He'll take on Jake Sanchez at 2:05.

Lancaster

The JetHawks are currently down 2-1 in their series against Inland Empire.

Friday: Inland Empire 7, Lancaster 5

W- Brian Loconsole (3-1)
L- Reymin Guduan (0-1, 3-1 season)
S- Greg Mahle (7)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks fought back from an early 4-0 hole to tie the game and finally took the lead in the 7th, but the 66ers put up 3 in the 8th to take this one.

Alfredo Gonzalez hit a 2-run single in the 3rd and scored on a wild pitch. Marc Wik hit an RBI groundout in the 4th to tie the game. Danry Vásquez grounded into a force out that put the JetHawks in the lead in the 7th inning. Gonzalez and Brett Phillips both finished with 2-hit nights.

Bryan Radziewski went 4.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits (2-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 4. Reymin Guduan was the first man out; he allowed 2 runs (well, they were both inherited runners that scored) on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4 over 2.2 innings. Frederick Tiburcio also allowed an unearned run in the 8th. He pitched 1.2 innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1.

Saturday: Inland Empire 9, Lancaster 6

W- Chris Ellis (3-4)
L- Adrian Houser (0-2)
S- Geoff Broussard (2)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks found themselves down 9-0, but they put up a pair of 3-run innings to get within striking distance late. Unfortunately, that 9-run deficit was too much for them to overcome.

They got 2 RBI doubles from Jack Mayfield and Marc Wik and a sac fly from Ronnie Mitchell in the 6th. In the 8th inning, the JetHawks got 3 RBI singles from Brett Phillips, Alfredo Gonzalez, and Danry Vásquez. They threatened for more, but couldn't capitalize on a situation where they had runners on Danry and Alfredo on 2nd and 3rd, respectively, with 1 out after a passed ball allowed the two of them to advance a base. Wik and James Ramsay had 2 hits apiece.

Adrian Houser allowed 4 runs on 8 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 5 over 4.2 innings. Tyler Brunnemann got the final out of the 5th via strikeout, but not before he allowed a 2-run homer to Angel Rosa. Troy Scribner tagged in for 3.1 innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits (2-run homer), walking 3, and striking out 5. Albert Minnis got the final 2 outs of the 9th, striking out 1.

Sunday: Lancaster 9, Inland Empire 5

W- Edison Frias (6-2)
L- Harrison Cooney (1-3)
S- Keegan Yuhl (1, 2 season)

Lancaster home runs: Brett Booth (1, solo in 7th), Brett Phillips (6, solo in 8th)

The JetHawks trailed early yet again, but a 7-run 5th put them in the driver's seat.

Edison Frias shook off a rocky 1st inning in which he allowed a 3-run homer to Mike Snyder to throw a decent outing. Those 3 runs were the only runs, and that homer was the only extra-base hit Frias allowed in his 5 innings. He allowed 5 singles, walked 1, and struck out 3. Zach Morton was the first man out; he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 2 innings. Keegan Yuhl threw 2 scoreless for the save; he allowed 2 hits and struck out 1.

The first 3 batters reached base in that big 5th inning, which was done without an extra-base hit. James Ramsay, who singled to begin the inning, scored the first JetHawks run on a passed ball. Brett Phillips followed with an RBI groundout, and Danry Vásquez added an RBI single. Danry later scored on an error. Brett Booth followed with a bases-loaded walk. And finally, another 66ers error on a ball hit by Ramsay allowed A.J. Reed and Ronnie Mitchell to score. Booth hit his 1st homer of the season, cranking a solo shot in the 7th inning. Maverick Phillips also went deep in the 8th.

The series finale is a Memorial Day matinee as Joe Musgrove takes the mound. He'll face Victor Alcantara at 2 Pacific.

Quad Cities

The Banditos just keep rolling. What else can I say? They welcomed Peoria to Modern Woodmen Park and proceeded to smash them 8-1 on Friday and blank them 2-0 on Saturday. However, game 3 was rained out.

Friday: Quad Cities 8, Peoria 1

W- Dan Mengden (4-1)
L- Fernando Báez (2-3)
S- Austin Chrismon (1)

QC home runs: Nick Tanielu (1, 2-run in 3rd), Jake Nottingham (1, solo in 5th), Jason Martin (1, solo in 5th)

The Bandits pounded out 15 hits as they mauled the Chiefs.

They put up 3 in the 1st as Mott Hyde ripped an RBI double and Jake Nottingham drove in 2 with a 2-bagger of his own. Nick Tanielu's 1st homer of the season was the highlight of the Quad Cities 3rd. The two California kids, Nottingham and Martin, hit solo shots in the 5th, and the final run of the night came when Ryan Bottger scored on an error in the inning. The Sheriff finished 4-5, while Bottger and Bobby Boyd both finished 2-4. Jamie Ritchie reached base in all 5 of his plate appearances, going 2-2 with a double, 3 walks, and a run scored from the top of the order.

Dan Mengden, in his final start before heading to Lancaster, allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 in 5 innings of work. Austin Chrismon allowed 2 hits and struck out 3 as he got a 4-inning save.

Saturday: Quad Cities 2, Peoria 0

W- Brock Dykxhoorn (3-2)
L- Luis Perdomo (1-4)

QC home runs: None.

Three River Bandits pitchers combined on a 4-hitter.

After 11 zeroes were put up on the board, D.J. Fisher broke the deadlock when he.... flied into a force out that allowed Thomas Lindauer to score. Jamie Ritchie, who was thrown out at 3rd, likely misjudged the flight of the ball after it made contact with Fisher's bat. Two more doubles for The Sheriff; one drove in a run in the 8th inning. Jake Nottingham was the only player on either side to have more than one hit.

Josh James allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6 over 4 shutout innings to start. Jorge Perez worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 5th, striking out 1 in his season debut. Brock Dykxhoorn got the win as he allowed a hit and struck out 5 over 4 scoreless. That was a great outing for the big Canadian to get himself back on track after a couple of shaky outings.

Sunday: Postponed

This game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Monday starting at 4. Kevin Comer will take on Austin Gomber in game 1, and in game 2, Francis Martes matches up against Daniel Poncedeleon.