Saturday, July 30, 2016

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, July 29, 2016

Fresno 8, Las Vegas 1

W- Brady Rodgers (10-3)
L- Darin Gorski (3-2)

Fresno home runs: Teoscar Hernandez (4, 10 season; solo in 7th)

The Grizzlies blasted the 51s with a 7-run 3rd inning, and Brady Rodgers turned in yet another fine start. Fresno won this series 3-2.

Rodgers allowed a run on 5 hits and struck out 4 in 7 innings. Kevin Chapman pitched the final 2 innings and allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 1.

A.J. Reed opened up the scoring with a 2-run single in the 3rd inning. The Grizzlies ended up scoring 7 in that inning; Teoscar Hernandez smacked a 2-run double and came around to score on a Jon Singleton single. With two outs in the inning, Andrew Aplin and Max Stassi hit back-to-back RBI doubles. Teoscar finished 3-4 and smacked a solo home run in the 7th.

The Grizzlies are on the road now, and their first stop is Reno. Joe Musgrove will start the opener of this 4-game series against Edwin Escobar at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 5, Midland 4

W- Ryan Thompson (1-1, 3-2 season)
L- Jake Sanchez (5-5)

CC home runs: None.

The Hounds scored their 4 runs in the final two innings, but the Hooks withstood that assault and managed to walk off with the win.

J.D. Davis put Corpus on the board with a 2-run double in the 3rd and Nick Tanielu brought him home with a double. Both teams scored a run in the 8th inning; the Hooks' run came in the form of a Chase McDonald sac fly, which pushed the lead to 4-1. Midland had designs on extra innings after scoring 3 in the top of the 9th to tie the game, but Mott Hyde and Tony Nuñez weren't having any of that. Hyde tripled to lead off the bottom of the 9th and scored the winning run on Nuñez's single.

Nuñez finished 2-4, and his second hit of the night was the game-winner. Garrett Stubbs went 3-4 with a double and 2 runs scored.

Keegan Yuhl allowed 5 hits and struck out 2 over 5 shutout innings. Eric Peterson was the first man out of the Corpus bullpen, and in 2.1 innings, he allowed a run, which was an inherited runner that was charged to him, on 2 hits and struck out 2. Albert Minnis recorded the final two outs of the 8th, one via strikeout, and allowed a hit. Aaron West got 2 outs in the 9th, but the Hounds tied the game with 3 runs off of him on 3 hits. All three runs were unearned; West walked 1 and struck out 1. Ryan Thompson got the last out of the 9th without any further incident.

Kent Emanuel will start game 3 of this series. He'll face Joel Seddon at 7:05.

Lancaster 5, Bakersfield 2

W- Dean Deetz (6-5)
L- Anthony Misiewicz (6-9)
S- Kevin Comer (2)

Lancaster home runs: Osvaldo Duarte (2, 6 season; solo in 3rd), Jamie Ritchie (6, solo in 4th), Jason Martin (17, solo in 6th)

The JetHawks secured their 4th consecutive win behind three solo blasts and a nice outing from Dean Deetz.

Deetz went 6 innings and allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 7. His fellow Missourian, Alex Winkelman, tagged in and threw 2.1 innings, allowing a run (inherited runner charged to him) on 4 hits, walking 2, and striking out 3. Kevin Comer got the final two outs of the game, striking out 1. The run that was charged to Winkelman scored on a groundout.

Drew Ferguson scored the first run of the night on a wild pitch in the 2nd inning. Marc Wik, who was batting at the time, drove in another run with a groundout. The last three Lancaster runs all came on solo home runs. Osvaldo Duarte clubbed one in the 3rd, Jamie Ritchie launched his in the 4th, and Jason Martin smacked his in the 6th inning. Duarte, Martin, and Ferguson all finished with 2 hits on the night.

In game 3 of this series, Akeem Bostick will take on Art Warren. First pitch is at 7:30 Pacific.

Peoria 10, Quad Cities 4

W- Derian Gonzalez (5-0)
L- Elieser Hernandez (4-3, 5-7 season)

QC home runs: None.

Well, the River Bandits prevented a big inning... but they couldn't keep the Chiefs from scoring in almost every inning.

Quad Cities scored 2 in the 6th on a Dex McCall sac fly and a Stephen Wrenn groundout. Wrenn added an RBI single to his ledger in the 8th and came around to score on a Pat Porter double. Porter finished 3-4 with 2 doubles, and Myles Straw went 2-4 with a run scored.

Elieser Hernandez went 5 innings and allowed 7 runs (5 earned) on 11 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 3. Zac Person was the first man out of the Banditos bullpen, and he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 2 in 2.2 innings. Adam Whitt struck out 2 over 1.1 perfect innings.

Tonight, the River Bandits will begin a 4-game series in Beloit. Framber Valdez will make his Midwest League debut, and he'll take on Brendan Butler at 7:00.

Connecticut 2, Tri-City 1

W- Clate Schmidt (1-0)
L- Angelo Serrano (0-1, 1-2 season)
S- Mark Ecker (4)

TC home runs: None.

Both teams have won a 2-1 game in this series.

Ronnie Dawson's RBI double in the 9th inning was Tri-City's only scoring play. He was thrown out at the plate trying to score the tying run. Taylor Jones, who struck out but was able to reach base safely, was stranded at 2nd to end the game.

Erasmo Pinales allowed 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 2 in 4.1 innings. Angelo Serrano got the final two outs of the 5th inning, but the Tigers scored their 2 runs off of him in the 6th; one of them was an inherited runner that was charged to him. Serrano allowed 2 triples and struck out 1. Sebastian Kessay took ownership of the 6th and pitched the final 3 innings, allowing a hit, walking 2, and striking out 5.

Edgardo Sandoval will start the series finale. He'll face Austin Sodders at 7:05 Eastern.

Greeneville 5, Bluefield 4 in 10 innings

W- Devin Raftery (3-0)
L- Andrew Deramo (0-1)
S- Devon Carr (1)

Greeneville home runs: Miguelangel Sierra (10, 2-run in 7th)

This was the game from Thursday that got suspended.

Jorge Alcala pitched 3 innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Ricardo Castro came on after play resumed, and he went 3.2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 2. Abdiel Saldaña got the final out of the 7th with a strikeout and issued a walk to lead off the 8th. Devin Raftery was next, and he allowed a 2-run home run to the first batter he faced; Saldaña's runner scored on the play. Raftery went 2 innings and allowed one other hit, walked 2, and struck out 2. Devon Carr struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Bryan De La Cruz had an RBI groundout in the 4th before play was halted. Connor MacDonald led off the 6th with a double, and he eventually scored on a wild pitch. Miguelangel Sierra launched a 2-run home run in the 7th inning to break the 2-2 tie. However, Bluefield scored 2 in the 8th to tie, and 9 innings was not enough to decide a victor. It didn't take too long, though. Troy Sieber hit a one-out double in the 10th, and two wild pitches later, he scored what turned out to be the winning run. He finished 2-5, while Ruben Castro went 3-3 at the bottom of the order.

Bluefield 2, Greeneville 1 in 8 innings

W- Angel Alicea (1-0)
L- Ben Smith (0-1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros walked off with a loss in the regularly scheduled game.

Gabriel Bracamonte's sac fly in the 2nd was their only scoring play.

In his Appalachian League debut, Cristian Javier went 4 innings and allowed an unearned run on 3 hits and struck out 7. The Blue Jays scored the winning run off of Ben Smith with 2 outs in the 8th inning. Smith went 3.2 innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 4, and struck out 2.

In the series finale, Carlos Hiraldo will take on Jose Espada. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

DSL Astros Blue 4, DSL Red Sox1 4 through 7 innings

This game was suspended by rain. Felipe Tejada allowed one run on a sac fly, a single, walked 1, and struck out 4 in 6 innings.

DSL Mets2 8, DSL Astros Orange 4

W- Jorge Cespedes (2-0)
L- Cristofer Melendez (4-1)
S- Willy Taveras (2)

Orange home runs: Enmanuel Valdez (4, 2-run in 1st), Ramiro Rodriguez (3, solo in 5th)

The Mets 2 scored 4 in the 5th to take the lead and closed the game on an 8-1 run.

Enmanuel Valdez finished 3-4, and he opened the scoring with a 2-run homer in the 1st. Juan Infante smacked an RBI triple in the 2nd, and Ramiro Rodriguez launched a solo shot in the 5th.

Diosward Gonzalez went 4.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits (solo and 2-run homers) and fanned 3. Cristofer Melendez allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in 1.2 innings, and Kilvio Peralta pitched the final 3 innings, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits, walking 2, and striking out 4.

Friday's Stars

Enmanuel Valdez, IF, DSL Astros Orange: 3-4, 2B, 2-R HR (4)
Felipe Tejada, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: 6 IP, H, ER, BB, 4 K

Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Fresno
3-4, 2B, solo HR (4, 10 season), 3 RBI, 2 R

Brady Rodgers, RHP, Fresno
W (10-3), 7 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 4 K

Keegan Yuhl, RHP, Corpus Christi
5 IP, 5 H, 2 K

Tony Nuñez, IF, Corpus Christi
2-4, walk-off RBI single in 9th

Dean Deetz, RHP, Lancaster
W (6-5), 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 BB, 7 K

Photo by Bryan Green
Cristian Javier, RHP, Greeneville
4 IP, 3 H, unearned run, 7 K

Friday, July 29, 2016

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, July 28, 2016

Let's play two in Fresno!

Game 1: Las Vegas 6, Fresno 5

W- Josh Edgin (2-1)
L- Mike Hauschild (7-9)
S- Paul Sewald (12)

Fresno home runs: A.J. Reed (14, 2-run in 1st), Andrew Aplin (4, solo in 4th)

The Grizzlies scored in more innings in the first game of this twinbill, but the 51s scored more runs in the frames in which they scored.

A.J. Reed finished 3-3 in game 1, and his 2-run homer in the 1st opened up the scoring. In the 3rd inning, Reed added an RBI single to his ledger and came around to score on a single from Colin Moran. Andrew Aplin went 2-4 and smacked a solo home run in the 4th inning.

Mike Hauschild went 5 innings and allowed 6 runs on 8 hits (2 solo homers), walked 3 (one intentionally), and struck out 5. Brendan McCurry allowed a hit and struck out 2 over the final 2 innings.

How did Fresno fare in game 2?

Game 2: Fresno 2, Las Vegas 1

W- Brad Peacock (5-5)
L- Duane Below (5-9)
S- James Hoyt (28)

Fresno home runs: Jon Kemmer (9, 2-run in 6th)

Jon Kemmer's blast in the 6th was Fresno's only scoring play in game 2, but it turned out to be the difference. Tony Kemp finished 2-2 with a double and a stolen base (10).

Brad Peacock allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 over 6 shutout innings. James Hoyt allowed an unearned run on a single and struck out 2 in the 9th to earn his 28th save of the season.

Brady Rodgers will start game 4 of this series. He'll take on Darin Gorski at 7:05 Pacific.

Midland 3, Corpus Christi 2

W- Lou Trivino (1-0)
L- Evan Grills (3-4, 6-5 season)
S- Bobby Wahl (9)

CC home runs: None.

Evan Grills pitched into the 9th, but he ran out of gas and the Hounds took advantage.

Grills went 8.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 9 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 6. Aaron West got the final two outs of the 9th inning.

Ramon Laureano smacked a ground-rule double with one out in the 1st inning, and he scored the game's first run on a D.J. Fisher single. Alejandro Garcia added an RBI groundout in the 2nd. Laureano and Mott Hyde were both stranded to end the game; both reached via the walk.

In game 2 of this series, Keegan Yuhl will take on Brandon Mann. First pitch is at 7:05.

Lancaster 4, Bakersfield 3

W- Scott Weathersby (4-5, 5-5 season)
L- Kody Kerski (2-2)
S- Jacob Dorris (8)

Lancaster home runs: Drew Ferguson (8, solo in 7th)

The JetHawks scored 2 in the 7th to tie and one more in the 8th to take the lead, and the first game of a new series.

Drew Ferguson stuffed the stat sheet in this game, finishing 4-4 with 2 doubles, a solo homer, 2 runs scored, and 2 stolen bases (26). He scored the first run of the night when Marc Wik hit a sacrifice fly that turned into an inning-ending double play in the 2nd inning. He led off the top of the 7th with a home run, his 8th of the season. Jamie Ritchie followed by drawing a walk, and Wik smacked a double. Brooks Marlow reached on an error that allowed Ritchie to score the tying run, and in the 8th, Lancaster went ahead thanks to Ferguson's double.

Rogelio Armenteros went 4 innings, and the two runs he allowed came on a home run hit by Tyler Marlette in the 3rd inning. Armenteros allowed 4 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. Scott Weathersby tagged in for 3 innings, and the only run he surrendered came on a homer hit by Drew Jackson in the 5th. He allowed one other hit and fanned 6. Ryan Deemes allowed 2 hits and walked 1 in 1.2 innings, and Jacob Dorris struck out Daniel Torres for the final out of the game.

Dean Deetz will start game 2 of this series. He'll take on Anthony Misiewicz at 7:30 Pacific.

Quad Cities 8, Peoria 7 in 11 innings

W- Ralph Garza Jr. (4-4)
L- Steven Gallardo (1-3)

QC home runs: Dexture McCall 2 (7; solo in 1st, solo in 9th), Kristian Trompiz (2, 2-run in 1st), Hector Roa (3, solo in 2nd)

The Banditos got out to a quick start, only to see the Chiefs put up a big inning for the second straight night. Luckily for Quad Cities, they had some time to right the ship, and they did so by forcing extra innings. Ultimately, they completed the comeback by walking off with the victory.

Kristian Trompiz kicked off this wild night with a 2-run home run in the 1st inning. Two batters later, Dex McCall clubbed his first solo home run of the game. In the 2nd, Hector Roa whacked a solo homer and McCall drew a bases-loaded walk. That walk would be the Banditos' last scoring play until the 8th; in the meantime, Peoria went on a 6-0 run that included a 5-run 4th inning to take a 7-5 lead.

Anthony Hermelyn walked to lead off the bottom of the 8th. Two groundouts allowed him to advance to 3rd, and Myles Straw smacked an RBI double to cut the deficit to 1. With one out in the bottom of the 9th, McCall launched his 2nd solo home run of the evening to tie the game at 7. Both teams went quietly in the 10th and the Chiefs stranded a man at 2nd to end their half of the 11th. Straw led off the bottom of the 11th with a triple, and Trompiz sent the crowd at Modern Woodmen Park home happy with a single.

Straw finished 4-5 with 2 doubles, a triple, and scored 3 times. Trompiz finished 3-5 with 3 RBI, and McCall (2 solo HRs) and Kyle Tucker (2B) had 2 hits apiece.

Matt Bower went 3.2 innings and allowed 6 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits (solo homer), walked 4, and struck out 4. Justin Ferrell was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen, and in 2 innings, he allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. David Schmidt was next; he allowed 2 hits and struck out 6 in 3.1 innings, and Ralph Garza Jr. walked 1 and struck out 2 in 2 innings.

Elieser Hernandez will get the start as the River Bandits and Chiefs wrap up their series tonight. He'll face Derian Gonzalez at 7:00.

Tri-City 2, Connecticut 1

W- Austin Nicely (4-1)
L- Locke St. John (2-5)
S- Agapito Barrios (1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats just eked out the victory in their series opener with the Tigers. They won despite leaving 11 men on base and going 0-12 with runners in scoring position. Fortunately, their pitching was up to the task.

Austin Nicely allowed a run on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3 in 5 innings of work. Sean Stutzman worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 6th, and Agapito Barrios finished off with 3 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 2.

Both Tri-City runs came in the 2nd inning. Chuckie Robinson drew a walk to lead off the inning and scored the first run of the evening on a Spencer Johnson triple. Brauly Mejia brought Johnson in with a sac fly. Taylor Jones and Tyler Wolfe had 2 hits apiece.

In game 2 of this series, Erasmo Pinales will face Gregory Soto. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

Greeneville 1, Bluefield 0 through 3.5 innings

This game was suspended due to rain and will resume tonight at 6:05 Eastern. Bryan De La Cruz's RBI groundout in the top of the 4th is currently the only scoring play of this game. Troy Sieber and Ruben Castro have the hits.

Jorge Alcala pitched 3 innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4.

The regularly scheduled game will be a 7-inning affair. Greeneville's starter for that game is TBA.

GCL Cardinals 10, GCL Astros 2

W- Mike O'Reilly (3-1)
L- Leovanny Rodriguez (2-3, 3-3 season)

GCL home runs: None.

Well, the game started out well enough for the Kissimmee Stros... and then everything went horribly wrong almost in an instant.

David Paulino's first rehab outing did not have anything go wrong; he allowed 2 hits and struck out 3 over 3 scoreless innings.

Randy Vasquez's 2-run single in the 1st opened the scoring and was the GCL team's only scoring play. Wilson Amador and Jose Benjamin had 2 hits apiece; Benjamin was making his U.S. debut.

DSL Astros Blue 5, DSL Phillies 3

W- Johsson Arias (2-0)
L- Yeral Gomez (1-4)
S- Jheyson Caraballo (3)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team got outhit 9-5, but they won in the column that matters.

Michael Garcia opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 4th inning. In the 5th, the Blue team got a pair of sac flies from Angel Tejeda and Brandon Benavente. Tejeda smacked an RBI triple in the 7th, and later in the inning, Nicolás Miranda drew a bases-loaded walk. Anibal Sierra finished 2-4 with a run scored, a walk, and a stolen base.

Johsson Arias went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and walked 1. Yonatan Quintin threw a 1-2-3 6th inning, and Jheyson Caraballo pitched the final 3 innings, allowing a run on 3 hits and striking out 1.

DSL Phillies2 6, DSL Astros Orange 2

W- Abdallah Aris (2-0)
L- Humberto Castellanos (1-3)
S- Jose Jimenez (1)

Orange home runs: Jose Abel Hernandez (2, 2-run in 4th)

While the Blue team swept the Phillies 1, the Orange team got swept by the Phillies 2.

Jose Abel Hernandez finished 2-4, and his 2-run homer in the 4th was the Orange team's only scoring play. Enmanuel Valdez went 2-3, and both of his hits were doubles.

Humberto Castellanos went 5 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits and struck out 4. Jose Antonio Hernandez allowed a hit in a scoreless 5th, and Luis Castro allowed a run on a groundout, a single, and walked 1 in 3 innings.

Thursday's Stars

A.J. Reed, 1B, Fresno
3-3, 2-R HR (14), 3 RBI, 2 R in game 1 of doubleheader

Brad Peacock, RHP, Fresno
W (4-4), 6 IP, 4 H, BB, 3 K in game 2 of doubleheader

Drew Ferguson, OF, Lancaster
4-4, 2 2B, solo HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB (26); go-ahead RBI 2B in 8th

Scott Weathersby, RHP, Lancaster
W (4-5, 5-5 season) 3 IP, 2 H (solo HR), ER, 6 K

Photo from MiLB.com
David Schmidt, RHP, Quad Cities
3.1 IP, 2 H, 6 K

Ralph Garza Jr., RHP, Quad Cities
W (4-4), 2 IP, H, 2 K

Dexture McCall, 1B, Quad Cities
2-4, 2 solo HR (7), 3 RBI

Kristian Trompiz, IF, Quad Cities
3-5, 2-R HR (2), 3 RBI; walk-off RBI single in 11th

Myles Straw, OF, Quad Cities
4-5, 2 2B, 3B, RBI, 3 R

Getting to Know Astros/ValleyCats Catcher Chuckie Robinson

Speaking with Tri-City ValleyCats Catcher Chuckie Robinson last week was a simply delightful experience. Even after the "official" interview, we stopped to talk for a while about time spent in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, something that we had in common. He exudes genuineness and has an infectious smile that should serve to make him a fan favorite wherever he goes. Oh, and he's also a pretty danged good ballplayer.

Chuckie Robinson - July 2016
Photo by Jayne Hansen

Tri-City ValleyCats Pitching Coach Drew French said of Robinson, "Chuckie's a really, really good blocker and he's got a really, really good arm." And Manager Lamarr Rogers agreed with that assessment, "He's got an absolute gun. He's got a cannon for an arm."

Robinson, who was drafted by the Astros in the 21st round in 2016 out of the University of Mississippi, might not be as polished a receiver as Jake Rogers, his 'Cats teammate who was drafted in the third round, but he has been making good strides in that area. Lamarr Rogers said, "Game by game he's getting better with his receiving. That's the area of improvement that he needs to work on. He does a great job blocking. He's improving (in) working with the pitching staff on calling a game. A lot of things that he needs to improve on (are) going to come with maturity and continuing to play."

Rogers continued, "He has a very durable frame. He's a big kid, durable body. So I think he's very projectable from a standpoint of someone you could see going on and having a very bright future in this game. He's just got to put it all together, but he's a sharp, smart kid, works hard, hustles everywhere. For me he's been a positive figure in the clubhouse."

Robinson's bat has also opened some eyes. Through his first 17 games, he is hitting .355/.394/.516 with seven doubles and a home run. "I think Chuckie Robinson, from an offensive standpoint, has probably been our biggest surprise. He's a great personality so I couldn't be happier for him," said Rogers.


Thank you for your time, Chuckie, and best of luck as the season continues.

Other recent interviews:
Hector Perez and Randy Cesar
Carmen Benedetti
Jake Rogers
Ryan Hartman

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Las Vegas 6, Fresno 3

W- Josh Zeid (1-1)
L- Edison Frias (0-1, 4-2 season)

Fresno home runs: A.J. Reed (13, solo in 3rd), Jon Kemmer (8, 2-run in 9th)

The 51s gave Edison Frias a rather rude welcome to the Pacific Coast League.

Frias pitched 6 innings and allowed 6 runs on 7 hits (2 solos and a 3-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 4. Jandel Gustave allowed a hit and struck out 1 in a scoreless 7th inning, and Reymin Guduan pitched the final 2 innings, allowing a hit and fanning 4.

The Fresno offense only had 4 hits in the game; two of them were home runs that accounted for all 3 of their runs. A.J. Reed smacked a solo homer in the 3rd inning, and Jon Kemmer whacked a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th.

Fresno and Las Vegas will play a doubleheader tonight; the second game is a make-up of one that was originally scheduled for April 10 in Las Vegas but was rained out that night. The first game will begin at 5:05 Pacific. Mike Hauschild and Brad Peacock will take on Gabriel Ynoa and Duane Below.

Corpus Christi 3, San Antonio 0

W- Francis Martes (6-4)
L- Tim Berry (0-2)
S- Chris Cotton (2)

CC home runs: Alejandro Garcia (2, solo in 4th)

The Hooks avoided a sweep as their pitchers recorded a three-hit shutout with Francis Martes leading the way.

Martes allowed just one hit, walked 2, and struck out 9 over 7 innings. Ryan Thompson allowed a hit and walked 1 in the 8th, and Chris Cotton allowed a hit and struck out 2 in the 9th to get the save.

Ramon Laureano opened the scoring in the 2nd inning by drawing a bases-loaded walk. Alejandro Garcia launched a solo home run in the 4th inning, and Tony Nuñez hit an RBI single in the 9th. Garcia finished 2-4 and was the only player on either side to have a multi-hit game.

The Hooks are back home tonight, and they'll start a 4-game series with Midland at 7:05. Evan Grills will face Daniel Gossett.

Lancaster 7, Lake Elsinore 2

W- Josh James (8-3)
L- Brett Kennedy (4-7)
S- Andrew Thome (1, 5 season)

Lancaster home runs: Osvaldo Duarte (1, 4 season; 2-run in 9th)

The JetHawks took 2 of 3 in Lake Elsinore behind a nice start from Josh James and some solid contributions from the top of the lineup.

James pitched 5 innings and allowed a run on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 7. Kevin McCanna went 2 innings, and the run he allowed came on a solo home run hit by Ty France. McCanna allowed 2 other hits and struck out 4. Andrew Thome allowed a hit and struck out 2 over the final 2 innings to record his first save as a JetHawk.

Johnny Sewald singled to lead off the top of the 4th and advanced to 3rd on an Osvaldo Duarte single. He would score Lancaster's first run on a sac fly from Marc Wik. Duarte, who tagged up and advanced to 2nd, proceeded to steal 3rd and put the JetHawks in the lead by scoring on a wild pitch. Keach Ballard ripped an RBI double in the 5th, and Sewald added a 2-run double in the 7th. Duarte provided the cherry with his first Cal League home run, a 2-run blast in the 9th.

Five JetHawks recorded two hits in this game, led by Sewald (2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB) and Duarte (2-R HR, 2 R, SB) at the top of the order. The bottom third of Jamie Ritchie, Aaron Mizell, and Ballard also had two hits; Mizell also scored twice and stole a base.

Tonight, the JetHawks will begin a 4-game series in Bakersfield, and Rogelio Armenteros will start. First pitch is at 7:30 Pacific.

Peoria 8, Quad Cities 2

W- Josh Wirsu (1-0)
L- Adam Whitt (3-4)

QC home runs: Kyle Tucker (3, solo in 4th), Randy César (2, 3 season; solo in 7th)

The Chiefs broke a 2-2 tie in emphatic fashion in the top of the 9th, which suddenly turned this game into a blowout.

Quad Cities' two runs both scored on solo home runs from Kyle Tucker and Randy César. César's blast in the 7th inning tied the game at 2. Dex McCall and Stephen Wrenn both finished 2-4; Wrenn was making his Midwest League debut.

Yoanys Quiala went 8 innings and allowed 2 runs on a Leobaldo Pina home run in the 5th. Quiala allowed 4 other hits and struck out 4 in the longest outing of his career. Adam Whitt came on to pitch the 9th... and unfortunately, he had to bear the brunt of Peoria's assault. He allowed 5 runs (3 inherited runners charged to him) on 2 hits and walked 2 while failing to record an out. Ralph Garza Jr. took ownership of the 9th, and he allowed a run of his own on 2 hits and struck out 1.

Matt Bower will start game 2 of this series. He'll face Juan Perez at 7:00.

Tri-City was off

The ValleyCats will start a 3-game series in Connecticut tonight at 7:00 Eastern. Austin Nicely will face Locke St. John.

Greeneville 5, Princeton 3

W- Salvador Montaño (1-1)
L- Orlando Romero (1-2)
S- Nathan Thompson (1)

Greeneville home runs: Frankeny Fernandez (3, solo in 7th)

The Appy Astros took the series thanks to a 3-run 5th inning that put them in control of this game.

Greeneville got 3 innings out of Tyler Britton, Salvador Montaño, and Nathan Thompson; none of them issued a walk. Britton was first, and he allowed 2 hits and struck out 6. Montaño's 3 innings were perfect, and he struck out 4. Thompson allowed a solo home run to Adrian Rondon in the 9th, three other hits, and struck out 4.

The Appy Astros' three 5th-inning runs all came with two outs. Chaz Pal put them on the board with an RBI single, and Miguelangel Sierra followed with a 2-run single. Frankeny Fernandez clubbed a solo home run in the 7th, and Reiny Beltre added an RBI single in the 8th. Sierra (2 RBI, 2 SB), Fernandez (solo HR, 2 R), and Pal (RBI, R) all finished with two hits in the game. Sierra's two stolen bases give him 6 on the season.

Greeneville will begin a 3-game series in Bluefield tonight at 7:05 Eastern. Jorge Alcala will take on Osman Gutierrez.

GCL Marlins 11, GCL Astros 0

W- Humberto Mejia (2-1)
L- César Rosado (2-1)

GCL home runs: None.

This was one of those games where absolutely nothing went right for the Kissimmee Stros.

Brody Westmoreland had the only hit, and Cristopher Luciano reached by drawing a walk. They were the only two men to reach base in this game.

Juan Robles was the lone bright spot for the Kissimmee Stros; the fourth pitcher to appear, he walked 1 and struck out 6 over 3 scoreless innings.

DSL Astros Blue 6, DSL Phillies 2

W- Javier Navas (2-1)
L- Ludovico Coveri (0-1)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team took the lead in the 7th, only to see the Phillies score 2 in the top of the 8th to take a 3-2 lead. They mounted a reponse, though, and were able to regain control.

Nestor Tejada ripped an RBI double in the 6th to put the Blue team on the board. In the 7th, Samir Caraballo laid down a sacrifice bunt that allowed Ronny Jimenez to score. Tejada singled to lead off the 8th, and César Cortez joined him on the bases by drawing a walk. They both advanced on a groundout, and Jimenez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Angel De Leon burned the Phillies for that by smacking a bases-clearing triple. Carlos Canelon brought him home with a single.

Juan Corniel went 6 innings and allowed an unearned run on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Javier Navas pitched 3 innings and allowed 2 unearned runs on 2 hits and walked 1.

DSL Phillies2 4, DSL Astros Orange 1

W- Rafael Carvajal (1-0)
L- Junior Garcia (0-1)
S- Luis Ramirez (9)

Orange home runs: None.

The Astros and Phillies' DSL squads split their meetings.

Ramiro Rodriguez scored the Orange team's only run on a wild pitch in the 6th inning.

Junior Garcia went 3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 9 hits and struck out 4. Asael Uribe allowed a run on 2 hits and walked 3 in 2 innings, and Yohan Ramirez allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 1 in 3 innings.

Wednesday's Stars

Juan Corniel, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: 6 IP, 2 H, unearned run, 2 BB, 2 K

Francis Martes, RHP, Corpus Christi
W (6-4), 7 IP, H, 2 BB, 9 K

Osvaldo Duarte, UTIL, Lancaster
2-5, 2-R HR (1, 5 season), 2 R, SB (1, 16 season)

Johnny Sewald, OF, Lancaster
2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (16, 32 season)

Yoanys Quiala, RHP, Quad Cities
8 IP (career-high), 5 H (2-R HR), 2 ER, 4 K

Photo from MiLB.com
Juan Robles, RHP, GCL Astros
3 IP, BB, 6 K

Photo from MiLB.com
Salvador Montaño, LHP, Greeneville
W (1-1), 3 IP, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green
Miguelangel Sierra, SS, Greeneville
2-3, 2 RBI, 2 SB (6)

Photo by Bryan Green
Frankeny Fernandez, OF, Greeneville
2-4, solo HR (3), 2 R

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Astros Minor League Roster Moves: July 26-August 7

In addition to the moves mentioned in Monday's Farm Report, here are some more transactions that have occurred in the Houston Astros minor league system. This post will extend to August 2 to include any trade deadline deals.

The most recent transactions will be listed first, and this post will be updated as we scour the MiLB.com transaction logs.

***This post has been extended through the first weekend of August.

Fresno Grizzlies

8-4: LHP Brian Holmes assigned to Fresno from Corpus Christi to start game 2 of doubleheader.
8-3: RHP Brad Peacock recalled by the Houston Astros.
8-3: RHP James Hoyt's contract purchased by the Houston Astros.
8-3: RHP Aaron West assigned to Fresno from Corpus Christi.
8-3: LHP Albert Minnis assigned to Fresno from Corpus Christi.
8-3: RHP Keegan Yuhl assigned to Fresno from Corpus Christi.
8-2: 1B A.J. Reed recalled by the Houston Astros.
8-1: RHP Joe Musgrove recalled by the Houston Astros.
7-31: LHP Chris Cotton assigned from Corpus Christi to Fresno
7-30: IF Danny Worth outrighted from Houston to Fresno
7-29: IF Tyler White recalled to Houston from Fresno
7-25: LHP Tommy Shirley released
7-25: IF Jack Mayfield placed on the 7-day DL

Corpus Christi Hooks

8-1: OF Ramon Laureano reinstated from his suspension.
7-31: RHP Kevin Comer assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi
7-29: OF Danry Vasquez reactivated from his suspension
7-29: OF Ramon Laureano suspended 3 games for his role in bench-clearing brawl with Frisco.
7-26: OF Danry Vásquez roster status changed.
7-26: 1B Chase McDonald activated from temporarily inactive list.

Lancaster JetHawks

8-2: IF Yulieski Gurriel assigned to Lancaster from the GCL.
7-26: RHP Christian Powell released.
7-26: RHP Yeyfry Del Rosario released.

Del Rosario and Powell were on rehab assignments with the GCL Astros.

Quad Cities River Bandits

8-3: 3B Bobby Wernes placed on temporarily inactive list.
8-3: 2B Ryne Birk assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
8-3: C Jake Rogers assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City.
8-2: C Christian Correa placed on temporarily inactive list.
8-2: RHP Chris Murphy placed on temporarily inactive list.
7-30: RHP Juan Santos assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
7-27: OF Stephen Wrenn assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City.
7-27: LHP Framber Valdez assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City.

Tri-City ValleyCats

8-3: IF Miguelangel Sierra assigned to Tri-City from Greeneville.
8-3: C Gabriel Bracamonte assigned to Tri-City from Greeneville.
8-3: RHP Abdiel Saldaña assigned to Tri-City from Greeneville.
8-2: C Oliver Toribio assigned to Tri-City from the GCL.
8-1: OF Bryan De La Cruz assigned to Tri-City from Greeneville.
7-31: RHP Tyler Britton assigned to Tri-City from Greeneville
7-27: 3B Marcos Almonte assigned to Tri-City from Greeneville.
7-27: RHP Angelo Serrano assigned to Tri-City from Greeneville.
7-27: 3B Connor Goedert assigned to Tri-City from Quad Cities.
7-27: RHP Makay Nelson assigned to Tri-City from Quad Cities.

Greeneville Astros

8-4: IF Stijin van der Meer assigned to Greeneville from the GCL.
8-4: C Oscar Campos assigned to Greeneville from the GCL.
7-31: 2B Jonathan Matute assigned to Greeneville from the GCL
7-28: RHP Cristian Javier assigned to Greeneville from the GCL.
7-27: OF Carlos Machado assigned to Greeneville from the GCL.

GCL Astros

8-2: RHP Saul Martinez assigned to GCL Astros.
8-1: Acquired RHP Lupe Chavez from Blue Jays for RHP Scott Feldman; Chavez assigned to GCL Astros on 8-2.
7-31: SS Stijin van der Meer assigned to the GCL
7-31: LHP Yhoan Acosta placed on the 7-day DL
7-30: RHP Moreno Polanco placed on 7-day DL.
7-30: C Bernardo Heras assigned to GCL Astros from DSL Astros Orange.
7-30: OF Gilberto Celestino assigned to GCL Astros from DSL Astros Orange.
7-30: RHP Felipe Tejada assigned to GCL Astros from DSL Astros Blue.
7-30: RHP Edwin Fidel assigned to GCL Astros from DSL Astros Blue.
7-28: OF Jose Benjamin assigned to GCL Astros from DSL Astros Blue.
7-28: RHP David Paulino began rehab assignment.
7-28: RHP Luis Vasquez retired

DSL Astros

8-4: IF Fredy Medina placed on 60-day DL.
8-4: RHP Rhandall Sanchez assigned to DSL Astros Blue; 17-year-old from Panama signed May 26
8-4: 1B Yordan Alvarez assigned to DSL Astros Orange.
- Alvarez was acquired from the Dodgers in exchange for Josh Fields at the trade deadline.
7-30: IF Enmanuel Valdez assigned to DSL Astros Blue from DSL Astros Orange.
7-30: OF Luis Coronel assigned to DSL Astros Orange; 19-year-old from Venezuela signed June 8
7-30: C Kelvin Perez assigned to DSL Astros Orange; 17-year-old from Venezuela signed June 13
7-30: P Nivaldo Rodriguez assigned to DSL Astros Orange; 19-year-old from Venezuela signed June 13
7-30: IF Eduardo Guzman assigned to DSL Astros Blue from DSL Astros Orange.
7-30: IF Samir Caraballo assigned to DSL Astros Orange from DSL Astros Blue.
7-30: 3B Michael Garcia assigned to DSL Astros Orange from DSL Astros Blue.
7-28: DSL Astros Orange LHP Carlos Espinoza retired.
7-27: SS Anibal Sierra assigned to DSL Astros Blue.
- Sierra, a 22-year-old Cuban, signed for $1.5 million on July 23.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Fresno 1, Las Vegas 0

W- César Valdez (9-1)
L- Robert Gsellman (1-3)
S- James Hoyt (27)

Fresno home runs: None.

The only scoring play in this game belonged to the Tacos. Meanwhile, César Valdez, Jordan Jankowski, and James Hoyt joined forces to throw a two-hit shutout.

Valdez allowed those two hits and struck out 7 over 7 innings. Jankowski issued a walk and got a strikeout in a scoreless 8th inning, and Hoyt worked around a walk and struck out two to record his 27th save of the season.

Tyler White's RBI single in the 5th inning drove in the game's only run. Max Stassi, who scored that run, also drew two walks.

Edison Frias will make his AAA debut tonight. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

San Antonio 6, Corpus Christi 2 in 10 innings

W- Jason Jester (2-1)
L- Aaron West (5-2)

CC home runs: Ramon Laureano (1, 11 season; solo in 7th)

A walk-off grand slam in the first extra frame sunk the Hooks.

Ramon Laureano put Corpus on the board in the 7th inning with his first Texas League home run. D.J. Fisher got plunked to lead off the 8th. He proceeded to steal 2nd (22), advanced to 3rd on the errant throw down to 2nd, and scored the tying run on a J.D. Davis single. Davis (2B, RBI) and Laureano (2B, solo HR) both finished with 2 hits in the game.

In his Texas League debut, Trent Thornton went 6 innings, and the two runs he allowed came on a home run hit by Nick Schulz in the 4th inning. Thornton allowed three other hits, walked one, and struck out 5. Ryan Thompson threw 1.1 perfect innings, striking out one. Chris Cotton allowed a hit and struck out one as he recorded the final two outs of the 8th inning. Aaron West pitched a scoreless 9th, but River Stevens tagged him for the game-winning grand slam in the 10th inning. In 1.1 innings, West allowed two other hits, issued an intentional walk, and struck out one.

Francis Martes will start game 3 of this series. He'll face Tim Berry at 7:05.

Lancaster 12, Lake Elsinore 4

W- Brock Dykxhoorn (7-3)
L- Zech Lemond (3-4)

Lancaster home runs: Trent Woodward (4, 5 season; 3-run in 3rd), Johnny Sewald (4, 5 season; solo in 7th)

The JetHawks left the Storm in the dust with a pair of 5-run innings.

Their first 5-run inning was the 3rd. Osvaldo Duarte scored the first run of the evening when Drew Ferguson hit into a fielder's choice. Ferguson advanced to 2nd on a Bobby Boyd infield single and scored on a single from Bryan Muñiz. One batter later, Trent Woodward launched a three-run home run. Duarte tripled to lead off the 4th inning, and Ferguson brought him in with a sacrifice fly.

The other 5-run inning was the 6th. Marc Wik led it off with a double, and Duarte joined him on the bases by drawing a one-out walk. Johnny Sewald followed with an RBI single; an error on the play allowed Duarte to score and Sewald to advance to 3rd base. Ferguson followed by adding an RBI single to his ledger. Boyd drew a walk, and the two of them advanced a base thanks to a wild pitch. Muñiz and Woodward followed with RBI singles, and Sewald capped off the evening with a solo home run in the 7th inning.

Sewald (solo HR, 2 RBI, 2 R) and Muñiz (2 RBI, R) had three hits apiece in this game. Everyone in the lineup had a hit except for Brooks Marlow. Sewald, Ferguson, and Boyd scored two runs each. Duarte scored 3 runs.

Brock Dykxhoorn went 5.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 earned, 2 inherited runners charged to him) on 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3. Scott Weathersby was the first man out of the Lancaster bullpen, and in 2 innings, he allowed 2 hits and struck out 2. Kevin Comer retired all four Lake Elsinore hitters he faced, striking out two of them.

The JetHawks and Storm will wrap up their series tonight at 6:00 Pacific. Josh James will take on Brett Kennedy.

Quad Cities was off

The Banditos will begin a 3-game series with Peoria tonight at 7:00. Yoanys Quiala will face Jake Woodford.

Tri-City 6, Vermont 5

W- Kevin Hill (1-2)
L- Dalton Sawyer (0-1)
S- Nick Hernandez (4)

TC home runs: Rodrigo Ayarza (1, 2-run in 3rd), Taylor Jones (6, 2-run in 6th)

The ValleyCats successfully erased a 5-0 deficit to earn the sweep.

Jake Rogers doubled to lead off the 3rd inning, and two batters later, Rodrigo Ayarza clubbed a two-run home run to put Tri-City on the board. Rogers walked to lead off the 5th inning and scored a Tyler Wolfe double. Ayarza laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by the pitcher, then promptly thrown away, which allowed Wolfe to score. Ronnie Dawson drew a two-out walk in the 6th, and one batter later, Taylor Jones put the ValleyCats in front with a two-run home run. Dawson did not have a hit, but he drew three walks and stole his 9th base of the season.

Ryan Hartman went 2 innings and allowed 5 runs on 7 hits (solo and two-run homers), walked one, and struck out three. The ValleyCats bullpen was able to pick him up and kept the Lake Monsters off the scoreboard for the final 7 innings. Carlos Sierra was the first man out, and in three innings, he issued a walk and struck out three. Kevin Hill allowed two hits over 2.1 scoreless innings to get the victory. Juan Carlos Santos recorded the final two outs of the 8th inning via the strikeout, and Nick Hernandez worked around a hit to earn the save, striking out two in the 9th.

The ValleyCats are currently in Connecticut, where they'll begin a three-game series tonight at 7:05 Eastern. Austin Nicely will take on Locke St. John.

Princeton 7, Greeneville 4

W- Ethan Clark (4-1)
L- Patrick Sandoval (1-1)
S- Sam Long (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros fell behind 4-0 after the first half-inning of play, and that early deficit proved to be too much for them to overcome.

Miguelangel Sierra scored Greeneville's first run of the evening on a wild pitch in the 3rd. Greeneville scored three runs in the 6th on an RBI single from Frankeny Fernandez. Jonathan Arauz followed that up by hitting into a force out that allowed Connor MacDonald to score, and an RBI double from Abraham Toro. MacDonald and Toro had two hits apiece in the game.

Patrick Sandoval pitched 4 innings and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, one of which was a three-run home run, walked 1, and struck out 6. Diogenes Almengo tagged in for 3.2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and striking out 1. Reggie Johnson allowed a hit and walked 1 in 1.1 innings.

Greeneville and Princeton will conclude their series at 7:00 Eastern. Tyler Britton will start for the Appy Astros.

GCL Astros 4, GCL Mets 3

W- Bryan Abreu (1-1, 1-2 season)
L- Yeudy Colon (2-2)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros climbed above .500 with this walk-off win.

In his second appearance, Forrest Whitley struck out 2 over 2 perfect innings. Carson LaRue allowed 2 hits and struck out 3 over 2 scoreless; LaRue was making his pro debut. Jorge Guzman came out for the 5th inning but failed to record an out; he allowed a double, had two inherited runners charged to him and walked 2. Bryan Abreu pitched the final 5 innings and allowed an unearned run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5.

Wander Franco opened the scoring with an RBI triple in the 1st inning. Joan Mauricio added a sac fly in the 2nd inning. The Mets tied the game with those two runs in the 5th, but Brody Westmoreland broke the tie with an RBI triple in the 8th. The Mets were able to respond in the top of the 9th, but Wilson Amador delivered the game-winner in the bottom of the 9th, an RBI single that scored Edgar Lorenzo. Amador finished 3-5 and also scored two runs.

DSL Astros Blue 2, DSL Dodgers2 1

W- Yulian Frontado (2-1)
L- Confesor Inoa (1-2)
S- Edwin Fidel (1)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team's two runs in the 2nd inning proved to be enough for them to get the win.

César Cortez hit a two-out single in the 2nd, advanced to 3rd base on a Norberto Castellanos single, and scored the first run of the day on an errant pickoff throw. Castellanos, who advanced to 3rd on the bad throw, scored on a Ronny Rafael single.

Yulian Frontado allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 5 shutout innings. Edwin Fidel pitched the final 4 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 3, and fanned 3.

DSL Rays2 4, DSL Astros Orange 1

W- Marlon Constante (3-2)
L- Jose Bravo (1-1)
S- Enyerbeth Lugo (4)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team's bats went silent in this loss.

Jose Carrillo tripled in the 6th and scored on Anthony Rodriguez's groundout.

Jose Bravo went 6 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits and struck out 3. Maikel Sepulveda allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 1 over the final 3 innings.

Tuesday's Stars

Yulian Frontado, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: W (2-1), 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K

Taylor Jones, 1B, Tri-City
1-4, go-ahead 2-R HR (6) in 6th

Johnny Sewald, OF, Lancaster
3-4, solo HR (4, 5 season), 2 RBI, 2 R

Trent Woodward, C, Lancaster
2-4, 3-R HR (4, 5 season), 4 RBI


From top: César Valdez, Jordan Jankowski, and James Hoyt, RHPs, Fresno
Valdez: W (9-1), 7 IP, 2 H, 7 K
Jankowski: IP, BB, K
Hoyt: Save (27), IP, BB, 2 K

Getting to Know Astros/ValleyCats LHP Ryan Hartman

I first saw LHP Ryan Hartman earlier this month as he prepared for his start that night against Connecticut. He had his game face on and was all business.


Over the next two days, I got to see the other Ryan Hartman. The one with a ready smile, a great personality and a silly streak.


Hartman was drafted by the Astros in the ninth round out of Tennessee Weslayan College and got off to a good start in his pro career, sporting a 1.40 ERA and a 1.190 WHIP in his first six appearances before getting roughed up a bit on Tuesday. In those first six games, he walked three batters while striking out 22.

I spoke with Tri-City Pitching Coach Drew French about Hartman, "He's going to be a really good lefthander. He's got kind of a 3/4 arm slot, some really smooth transitional things that he does in his delivery, a really nice arm stroke and he's got some life on his fastball. He's got a really good change up. He clearly relies heavily upon it, and has a lot of his career up to this point."

Hartman also throws a curveball that French is working with him on tightening up. Throwing a consistently good breaking pitch will be the key for Hartman as he progresses through the system. French noted, "That will come with time. We're still trying to get these guys acclimated. They get a 30-day window to kind of continue to be who they were and now we're starting to dump a few things on them the Astros way a little bit."

When I mentioned that I liked Hartman's pace and aggressiveness on the mound, French said, "He pitches to his personality which is good for him and I think a lot of people are going to like watching him because of that pace, his deliberateness and how he moves around and competes and battles and all that." And of that personality, French ranks Hartman an A+. I agree with that assessment.


Thank you for your time, Ryan, and keep being you. Best of luck as the season continues.

Other recent interviews:
Hector Perez and Randy Cesar
Carmen Benedetti
Jake Rogers

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, July 25, 2016

Fresno 7, Albuquerque 3

W- Joe Musgrove (5-3, 7-4 season)
L- Christian Bergman (1-3)

Fresno home runs: A.J. Reed (12, 2-run in 6th)

A.J. Reed had a big night as he looks to get himself back to Houston. His first stint with the Astros was not a good first impression, but plenty of top prospects have done well for themselves in the Majors after poor first impressions.

On the mound, Joe Musgrove logged another solid start. The two runs he allowed in his 7 innings came on a home run hit by Chris Nelson in the 5th inning. He allowed 5 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Josh Fields and Kevin Chapman pitched an inning apiece; Fields allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless 8th, and Chapman allowed two hits in the 9th, one of which was a solo home run hit by Tom Murphy.

Tyler White singled to lead off the bottom of the 6th, and one batter later, Reed launched his home run and sparked a 5-run inning. Tyler Heineman added an RBI single, and an error on the play allowed Jon Kemmer to score another run. Heineman, who advanced to 3rd base on the miscue, scored on an Andrew Aplin single. Reed narrowly missed his second homer of the night in the 7th inning; he settled for an RBI double. He'd come around to score on a single from Teoscar Hernandez.

All three of Reed's hits on the night went for extra bases (2 2B, 2-R HR). White (2 R) and Heineman (RBI, R) had two hits apiece.

Tonight, the Grizzlies will assume their alter ego, the Fresno Tacos, as they get set to start a 4-game series with Vegas. In game 1, César Valdez will take on Robert Gsellman. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

San Antonio 10, Corpus Christi 4 in 7.5 innings

W- Kyle Lloyd (5-4)
L- Cy Sneed (4-4)

CC home runs: D.J. Fisher (15, solo in 1st), Danry Vásquez (3, 2-run in 7th)

This game was called in the middle of the 8th due to rain. The Hooks fired the first salvo in this game, but the Missions responded with an assault that gave them a 7-1 lead after four innings of play.

D.J. Fisher's solo home run in the 1st inning opened the scoring. Danry Vásquez doubled to lead off the 5th inning and scored on a Ramon Laureano triple. Danry, who finished 2-3, added a 2-run home run to his ledger in the 7th inning.

Cy Sneed went 4 innings and allowed 7 runs on 9 hits (2 solos and a 3-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 3. Albert Minnis was the first man out, and in 2 innings, he allowed 2 hits and struck out 2. Michael Freeman pitched the 7th and allowed 3 runs on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1.

Trent Thornton will make his Texas League debut tonight. He'll take on Seth Simmons at 7:05.

Lake Elsinore 4, Lancaster 3

W- Enyel De Los Santos (2-3)
L- Jose Luis Hernandez (0-1, 3-3 season)
S- Phil Maton (6)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks mounted a late rally that fell just short. The tying run was stranded 90 feet away to end the game.

In his California League debut, Jose Luis Hernandez pitched 6.1 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 5. Jacob Dorris pitched 1.2 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, one of which was a 3-run home run that allowed the 2 runners he inherited from Hernandez to score, and struck out 1.

Bobby Boyd scored Lancaster's first run in the 8th on a wild pitch. Jamie Ritchie walked to lead off the 9th and advanced to 3rd on a double from Aaron Mizell. Keach Ballard added a sac fly, and Boyd ripped an RBI double to cut the deficit to one run. Boyd advanced to 3rd on a passed ball, but he was left there, as Jason Martin struck out to end the game. Boyd finished 2-5, while Drew Ferguson stole his 24th base of the season.

In game 2 of this series, Josh James will take on Zech Lemond. First pitch is at 6:00 Eastern.

Bowling Green 4, Quad Cities 3

W- Eduar Lopez (2-0)
L- Albert Abreu (2-8)
S- Tim Ingram (2)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos were foiled in their bid to sweep the series as their comeback bid fell one run short.

All three of their runs came in the 7th inning: Anthony Hermelyn put them on the board with an RBI single, Randy César scored on a wild pitch, and Myles Straw brought Hermelyn in with an infield single. The Banditos left the tying run on 3rd base to end the 8th inning.

Albert Abreu went 3.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits, one of which was a 3-run home run, walked 2, and struck out 1. Makay Nelson was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and he struck out 1 in 1.1 perfect innings. Franklin Perez pitched the final 4 innings, allowing a hit and striking out 4.

Yoanys Quiala will start the opener of a 3-game series with Peoria. He'll face Jake Woodford at 7:00.

Tri-City 13, Vermont 1

W- Enrique Chavez (3-0)
L- Brandon Bailey (0-1)

TC home runs: Taylor Jones (5, 2-run in 1st)

Well, that was fun. The ValleyCats stormed out to a 5-0 lead and romped to a victory to take their series with the Lake Monsters.

Taylor Jones only hit two home runs at Gonzaga this past spring, but he racked up a ton of doubles. Now, it looks like he's starting to tap into his power as a pro.



On the mound, Enrique Chavez shackled the Lake Monsters in his 5 innings; he allowed just one hit and struck out 7. Dustin Hunt allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4 over 3 scoreless. Vermont spoiled the shutout when Miguel Mercedes hit a solo home run off Howie Brey in the 9th. That was the only hit that Brey allowed in the inning, and he struck out 2.

Ryan Hartman will get the start as the ValleyCats look to sweep the Lake Monsters out of New York's Capital District. He'll take on Dakota Chalmers at 7:00 Eastern.

Greeneville 3, Princeton 2 in 12 innings

W- Devin Raftery (2-0)
L- Alex Estrella (0-1)

Greeneville home runs: Frankeny Fernandez (2, solo in 5th)

The Appy Astros began a new series with a walk-off win.

Connor MacDonald turned in his second consecutive 3-hit performance; he opened up the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st inning. Frankeny Fernandez clubbed a solo homer in the 5th inning. The Rays scored 2 in the 6th inning to tie the game, and that was where this game stood until the 12th inning.

Both teams did have opportunities to take the lead, but neither of them could capitalize. Greeneville stranded a runner at 3rd in the 7th inning and had another thrown out at the plate in the 8th. Fernandez singled with one out in the bottom of the 12th, and one batter later, MacDonald won the game with an RBI double. Fernandez (solo HR, 2R) and MacDonald (2B, 2 RBI) both finished 3-6.

Carlos Sanabria went 5 innings and allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Carlos Hiraldo and Angelo Serrano threw 3 innings apiece. Hiraldo allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3, while Serrano allowed a hit and struck out 3. Devin Raftery struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 12th inning.

Patrick Sandoval will start game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 3, GCL Nationals 1

W- Cristian Javier (3-1)
L- Trevor Gott (0-1)
S- Enoli Paredes (2)

GCL home runs: None.

Cristian Javier and Enoli Paredes shackled the Nationals after Brian Holmes' rehab appearance.

Holmes allowed a solo homer to Tyler Beckwith, which was the Nationals' only run of the day. In 1.2 innings, he allowed three other hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Javier walked 1 and struck out 6 over 3.1 scoreless, and Paredes allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 in 4 innings.

Joan Mauricio hit an RBI single in the 2nd to tie the game at 1. The Kissimmee Stros took the lead in the 4th on a pair of RBI singles from Edgar Lorenzo and Andy Piñeda. Andy Piñeda finished 3-5, while Juan Piñeda finished 2-3 with a double and a run scored. Jonathan Matute scored 2 of the GCLstros' 3 runs in this game.

DSL

The Blue team's game with the Dodgers was suspended due to rain. Both teams are tied at 3.

The Orange team fell 4-1 to the Rays 2 in 6.5 innings. Vicente Mota's solo home run (4) was the Orange team's only scoring play in this game. Gerardo Bojorquez went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Francisco Villegas allowed 2 unearned runs, a single, and walked out 2.

Monday's Stars



Tri-City ValleyCats: W 13-1 vs. Vermont
Taylor Jones: 3-4, 2 2B, 2-R HR (5), 3 RBI, 4 R
Ronnie Dawson: 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R
Jake Rogers: 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Spencer Johnson: 2-5, 2 2B, RBI, R
Enrique Chavez: W (3-0), 5 IP, H, 7 K
Dustin Hunt: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K

A.J. Reed, 1B, Fresno
3-4, 2 2B, 2-R HR (12), 3 RBI, 2 R

Danry Vásquez, OF, Corpus Christi
2-3, 2B, 2-R HR (3), 2 R

Franklin Perez, RHP, Quad Cities
4 IP, H, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green
Carlos Sanabria, RHP, Greeneville
5 IP, 3 H, BB, 7 K

Photo by Bryan Green
Connor MacDonald, 1B, Greeneville
3-6, 2B, 2 RBI; walk-off RBI 2B in 12th

Photo by Bryan Green
Frankeny Fernandez, OF, Greeneville
3-6, solo HR (2), 2 R

Photo by Bryan Green
Cristian Javier, RHP, GCL Astros
W (3-1), 3.1 IP, BB, 6 K

Photo by Bryan Green
Enoli Paredes, RHP, GCL Astros
Save (1), 4 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K

Getting to Know Tri-City C Jake Rogers

According to ValleyCats Manager Lamarr Rogers, the Astros 2016 third round pick Jake Rogers "comes as prescribed." Of the Tulane University catching prospect, he said,"He can catch. He can throw. He can receive. He does an excellent job receiving. He's got a great personality on him as well. Definitely a bright future. From a catching standpoint, I think the sky's the limit for Jake."

Pitching Coach Drew French had a similar assessment, "Jake is one of the better receivers that I have seen around, especially coming straight out of college. It's really nice how he works with our pitchers. He gets strikes called that may be marginal, questionable strikes."

Jake Rogers - July 2016
Photo by Jayne Hansen

When I first met Jake Rogers last week at "The Joe" in Troy, New York, I quizzed him about his Texas connection. He was born in Canyon, Texas, just south of Amarillo in the Panhandle and has family in Lubbock as well.

Of his college experience in New Orleans at Tulane, he said, "It was definitely different than West Texas. I enjoyed it because New Orleans is awesome. I loved it and the food was great. I had good times. It's great to go out and fish. And the guys were great and the coaches were great. It was overall a great experience."

Rogers knew that the Astros were one of the top teams that were interested in drafting him. "Of course, being a Texas boy, I thought it would be pretty cool to get drafted by a Texas team, but I didn't know who was going to take me on draft day. It happened to work out and the Astros took me and it's exciting. I was in Lubbock at my brother's house with my family and it was a really exciting time," said Rogers.

When asked to give a scouting report on himself, Rogers told me, "I pride myself on catching and I think that's what players love about me is I can catch. I can receive well and throw pretty well. I just pride myself on that and hitting too. People think that it's a hole, but I don't think so at all. I think my confidence is good and everything's going to start falling."

Out of the many talented pitchers on the ValleyCats staff, who is the most fun to catch? "I like them all honestly, but my favorite is Hector Perez because he's got good stuff [Perez was subsequently promoted to Quad Cities]. He's got major league stuff and he's always fun. He can throw it. I've loved catching him," said Rogers. Rogers also cited Perez and his fellow right-hander Erasmo Pinales as pitchers he would least like to face in the batters box, "Some good stuff there. I wouldn't want to be there. That's for sure."

As far as challenges in catching this staff, Rogers said, "I haven't really caught many splitters in my day and there are a lot of guys who throw them. Hector [Perez] is one of them. [Sebastian] Kessay is one of them. That's a really tough pitch to catch because it's like a knuckleball kind of. I'd say the guys who throw the splitter (are) the toughest."

In his short time as a pro, Rogers hasn't had too many surprises, "I had a lot of friends that have been here. I was pretty well prepared. They said the travel is going to be pretty hard, the bus rides. We just got back from seven hours to West Virginia and seven hours back from Ohio. It's tough, definitely, getting back at 6:00 in the morning and playing that night. I think that's the most difficult thing, but I've loved it so far. I have Austin Nicely as a roommate and he's been really good with helping me get acclimated. It's been fun and I've enjoyed it."

Contemplating a life in which Rogers couldn't play baseball, he'd still want to stay involved with the game. "I love the game so much. I'd probably have to be around it coaching or something. I just love being in the park. Who wouldn't want to? This is a great venue and the greatest game on earth. So I'd have to be around it somehow."

When asked for something most people might not know about him, Rogers said, "I'm a very outdoorsy guy. I like just being outdoors, hunting and fishing. Anything with family is fun. It's baseball when I'm here and hunting when I go back home so that's about it."

Hmmmm. A baseball player who likes to hunt and fish. Not exactly shocking, but when I pressed him further, he told me that he has a passion for good food. "I'm a huge food guy. My family is too. We'd go down to New Orleans (and) we'd try a different place every time they came down. Huge sweets. I love sweets. Bread pudding is my favorite and New Orleans is the place to be if you want some good bread pudding. Sweets and food. I can definitely eat a lot of it."

At that point, Rogers was off on a tangent about restaurants in New Orleans and was daydreaming about White Chocolate Bread Pudding. And that's where we left things. We actually engaged in several tangents during our conversation and I enjoyed it all.

Thank you for your time, Jake, and best of luck as the season continues.

Other recent interviews:
Hector Perez and Randy Cesar
Carmen Benedetti

Monday, July 25, 2016

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, July 24, 2016

Fresno 6, Albuquerque 2

W- Brady Rodgers (9-3)
L- Chris Rusin (0-1)
S- James Hoyt (26)

Fresno home runs: None.

Brady Rodgers turned in another outstanding start for the Grizzlies as they took the lead in their series with the 'Topes.

Rodgers allowed 3 hits and struck out 4 over 7 shutout innings. Brendan McCurry threw a scoreless 8th, but Albuquerque spoiled the shutout by scoring 2 runs in the 9th off of him. In 1.2 innings, McCurry also allowed 4 hits and issued a walk. James Hoyt came in with the bases loaded but was able to record the final out.

Jon Kemmer got things started with a 2-run triple in the 1st inning, and one batter later, Tyler Heineman brought him in with a single. Jon Singleton smacked an RBI double in the 5th, and in the 8th, Andrew Aplin hit an RBI single, and Tony Kemp drove in Fresno's final run of the game with a sac fly.

Heineman finished 4-4; this was his third career 4-hit game. A.J. Reed and Chan-Jong Moon had 2 hits apiece, and they both scored a run. Tyler White drew a couple of walks, scored twice, and stole a base.

Joe Musgrove will start the series finale. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Frisco 7, Corpus Christi 6

W- Jose Valdespina (4-1)
L- Kyle Smith (3-6)
S- John Fasola (4)

CC home runs: J.D. Davis (16, solo in 7th)

Well... this one got pretty heated. As for the series, the Hooks had to settle for the split as they were unable to hold a 5-1 lead in the finale.

If you thought that the animosity between the Astros and Rangers was limited to the Major League clubs, you are sorely mistaken.

Danry Vásquez was hit by a pitch to begin the 2nd inning, then immediately charged after Frisco starter Yohander Mendez, who stood his ground..... and then had a sudden change of heart and resorted to throwing his glove at Danry (wtf??????), and it all degenerated from there.

When the dust settled, Vásquez and Mendez, the primary belligerents, were tossed, along with Ramon Laureano, who got into it with Frisco pitching coach Brian Shouse. Roberto Peña also voiced his, um.... displeasure at the Roughriders' actions as he was being pulled away from the fracas.

Here's video from Ian Steele of KIII and Annie Sabo of KRIS, the NBC affiliate in Corpus Christi.




Nolan Fontana took Danry's spot in the lineup; Vásquez was the DH for this game. D.J. Fisher replaced Laureano and proceeded to draw a walk. Fontana would score the Hooks' first run on a passed ball. In the 4th, Mott Hyde ripped a 2-run triple and scored on a bloop single from Peña. Conrad Gregor added an RBI single in the 5th, and J.D. Davis whacked a solo homer in the 7th inning. Gregor finished 2-4 and was the only player in the Corpus lineup to have a multi-hit game.

Kent Emanuel went 5.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits (2-run homer) and struck out 2. Kyle Smith pitched the final 3.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 3 hits (2-run homer), walked 3, and struck out 4.

The Hooks are in San Antonio tonight to begin a 4-game series. Cy Sneed will take on Kyle Lloyd at 7:05.

Lancaster and High Desert was postponed

Due to safety concerns stemming from the Sand Fire, an active wildfire in Los Angeles County. Info on a makeup game will be disclosed later.

If conditions permit, Lancaster will travel to Lake Elsinore to begin a 4-game series. Jose Luis Hernandez will take on Enyel De Los Santos at 6:00 Pacific.

Quad Cities 6, Bowling Green 5 in 14 innings

W- Zac Person (3-1)
L- Elias Torres (0-1)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos needed two comebacks in order to walk off with the win.

Their first comeback involved erasing a 3-0 deficit, and they did so by scoring 3 in the 6th to tie, and one more in the 7th to take the lead. Pat Porter hit a 2-run single in the 6th to put Quad Cities on the board, and one batter later, Randy César hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 3. Kyle Tucker put the River Bandits in front with a single in the 7th inning.

However, the Hot Rods tied the game with a solo home run in the 9th inning and took the lead with another solo home run in the top of the 14th. But, Quad Cities had another response left in them.

Kristian Trompiz and Kyle Tucker both walked to lead off the bottom of the 14th, and Trompiz scored the tying run on a Dex McCall single. A wild pitch allowed Tucker and McCall to advance a base, and with first base open, Pat Porter drew a walk. César was next, and he sent the remaining fans home happy with an infield single that scored Tucker.

César and Porter drove in 2 runs apiece. Myles Straw (2B, 2 R), Trompiz (2 R), and McCall (RBI, R, 3 BB) all had 3 hits in this game. Everyone in the Quad Cities lineup recorded a hit.

In his Midwest League debut, Hector Perez went 4 innings, and the 3 runs he allowed all scored on a home run hit by Kevin Padlo in the 3rd inning. He allowed two other hits, walked two, and struck out 3. David Schmidt was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen, and in 3.2 scoreless innings, he allowed a hit and issued a walk. Adam Whitt was next; he went 2.1 innings and allowed a solo home run to David Olmedo-Barrera in the 9th inning, which was the only run that scored off of him. He allowed one other hit, issued an intentional walk, and struck out 4. Ralph Garza Jr. and Zac Person pitched 2 innings apiece; Garza allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3, and the one hit that Person allowed was a solo home run to Michael Russell in the 14th inning. He struck out 1.

The Banditos will look for the sweep today as Albert Abreu takes the mound. He'll face Eduar Lopez at 1:00.

Tri-City 6, Vermont 5

W- Juan Carlos Santos (1-0, 1-1 season)
L- Marc Berube (0-1)

TC home runs: Taylor Jones (4, solo in 4th)

The ValleyCats scored 5 of their 6 runs in the final 3 innings, culminating in a 2-run bottom of the 9th that allowed them to walk off with the victory.

Taylor Jones put Tri-City on the board with a solo blast in the 4th inning that also tied the game at 1. Brauly Mejia hit a one-out double in the 7th, advanced to 3rd on a balk, and scored when Stephen Wrenn grounded into a force out. Tyler Wolfe hit a 2-run single in the 8th that tied the game at 4. Vermont scored a run in the top of the 9th to break the tie, and so the ValleyCats had one last opportunity to tie or win.

Alex De Goti and Ryne Birk drew walks to lead off the bottom of the 9th, Wrenn laid down a sacrifice bunt, but an error allowed him to reach and loaded the bases for Carmen Benedetti, who delivered the game-winning 2-run single. He finished 3-5 and was the only player in the TC lineup with a multi-hit game. De Goti and Birk drew 2 walks apiece.

Framber Valdez allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4 in 5 innings of work. Edgardo Sandoval tagged in for 3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits (solo homer) and struck out 2. Sean Stutzman got 2 outs in the 9th and allowed a run on a sac fly and a double. Juan Carlos Santos got a flyball out to end the 9th.

Enrique Chavez will start game 2 of this series. He'll take on Brandon Bailey at 7:00 Eastern. It's Nickelodeon Night at The Joe. SpongeBob will be taking center stage for tonight's promotion.

Bristol 6, Greeneville 2

W- Matt Eckelman (4-0)
L- Ben Smith (0-2, 0-3 season)
S- Adam Oller (2)

Greeneville home runs: Connor MacDonald (3, solo in 8th)

The Appy Astros dropped this series as they couldn't recover from an early deficit.

Connor MacDonald finished 3-4 with a couple of doubles and scored both of Greeneville's runs; Troy Sieber drove him in with a single in the 4th inning, and he clubbed a solo home run in the 8th. Ruben Castro finished 2-3.

In his Appalachian League debut, Jorge Alcala struck out 1 in a scoreless 1st inning. Ben Smith came on to pitch 4 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Luis Ramirez and Devon Carr pitched 2 innings apiece; Ramirez allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2, while Carr allowed 2 runs on 3 hits.

Carlos Sanabria will get the start tonight as Greeneville begins a 3-game series with Princeton. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Sunday's Stars


Brady Rodgers, RHP, Fresno
W (9-3), 7 IP, 3 H, 4 K

Tyler Heineman, C, Fresno
4-4, RBI; 4 hits ties career high

Photo from MiLB.com
David Schmidt, RHP, Quad Cities
3.2 IP, H, BB

Dexture McCall, 1B, Quad Cities
3-4, RBI, R, 3 BB

Randy César, 3B, Quad Cities
2-6, 2 RBI; walk-off RBI single in 14th

Carmen Benedetti, 1B/OF, Tri-City
3-5, 2 RBI, R; walk-off 2-run single in 9th

Photo by Bryan Green
Connor MacDonald, 1B, Greeneville
3-4, 2 2B, solo HR (3), 2 R; scored both Greeneville runs