Friday, June 30, 2017

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, June 29, 2017

Thursday marked the first time this season that the entire Astros organization, from the big league club all the way down to its two DSL affiliates, was in action.

The pitchers in the system absolutely balled out.

Fresno 8, Albuquerque 0

W- Joe Musgrove (1-0)
L- Sam Howard (1-1)

Fresno home runs: D.J. Fisher (18, 2-run in 6th)

The Grizzlies got a 1-hitter to sweep the Isotopes for their 7th straight victory, their longest of the year. They finished this homestand with a 9-3 record.

Joe Musgrove excelled in his return to AAA as he allowed just 1 hit, walked 2, and struck out 7 over 7 shutout innings. Ashur Tolliver walked 2 and struck out 1 over 2 scoreless innings to finish the shutout.

Teoscar Hernandez scored the first run of the evening when Preston Tucker beat a double play attempt in the 4th inning. Fresno busted this one wide open with 7 runs in the 6th.

Teoscar went down on strikes to begin the inning, but Colin Moran ripped a double and Big Tuck followed with a triple. Juan Centeno kept the line moving with an RBI single. Reid Brignac struck out for the second out of the inning, but Jon Kemmer drew a walk to keep things going. Tony Kemp followed with a 2-run triple and Tyler White brought him home with a single. D.J. Fisher capped off the evening with a 2-run blast.

Everyone scored except for Brignac, who unfortunately missed out on the party. Kemp finished 3-5 on the night, while Colin Moran (2B, R) and Tucker (3B, 2 RBI, R) both went 2-4.

Fresno will start the first of a 4-game series in Sacramento at 7:05 Pacific. Casey Coleman will take on a rehabbing Madison Bumgarner.

Northwest Arkansas 9, Corpus Christi 8

W- Emilio Ogando (5-5)
L- Kent Emanuel (3-5)
S- Pedro Fernandez (1)

CC home runs: Drew Ferguson (7, solo in 6th), Kyle Tucker (7, 16 season; solo in 6th)

The Hooks nearly erased a 9-2 deficit. The operative word here being "nearly."

Drew Ferguson and Kyle Tucker launched back-to-back solo shots to start the 6th inning. Corpus got 2 more in the 8th on an RBI double from Jon Singleton and a Jack Mayfield RBI single.

Ramon Laureano and Tony Nuñez both singled with 1 out in the 9th; Ferguson would add an RBI single to his ledger, then Little Tuck singled to load the bases, which prompted the Naturals to make a pitching change. J.D. Davis greeted Pedro Fernandez with an RBI single, then Singleton drew a walk to score Ferguson. Mayfield hit a sac fly to bring the Hooks to within a run. Unfortunately, Jamie Ritchie grounded out to end the game.

Kent Emanuel went 4 innings and allowed 6 runs on 9 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 2. Andrew Walter was the first man out of the Hooks bullpen and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and struck out 2. Jacob Dorris stopped the bleeding by allowing 2 hits and striking out 4 over 2.1 scoreless.

Collin McHugh will make his season debut against Corey Ray in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Buies Creek 3, Carolina 2

W- Cristian Javier (1-0)
L- Quintin Torres-Costa (6-3)
S- Justin Ferrell (1)

BC home runs: Spencer Johnson (2, 5 season; solo in 2nd)

The Carolina Stros took the series from the Mudcats despite surrendering the only crooked number of the game.

Futures Game participant Yordan Alvarez ripped an RBI double in the 1st to put Buies Creek on the board first. Spencer Johnson launched a solo homer in the 2nd, and Taylor Jones broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single in the 7th. Randy César went 2-4, making him the only player on either side with a multi-hit game. Myles Straw became the first man in the system to steal 20 bases; his 3 steals give him 22 on the year.

Brett Adcock and Cristian Javier both pitched 4 innings. Adcock allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 7. Javier allowed 2 hits and struck out 6. Justin Ferrell struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th inning to get the save.

Buies Creek will begin a 4-game series with Potomac on Friday at 7:00 Eastern. Franklin Perez will face Luis Reyes.

Quad Cities 4, Wisconsin 0

W- Carlos Sanabria (3-2)
L- Thomas Jankins (3-6)
S- Salvador Montaño (2)

QC home runs: Chuckie Robinson (7, solo in 7th)

The Banditos took the series with a shutout in the finale.

Carlos Sanabria started it off by allowing 2 hits, walking 2, and striking out 7 over 5 innings. Yohan Ramirez went 3.1 innings and walked 5 while striking out 2. Salvador Montaño struck out the last two Wisconsin batters to complete the shutout.

Troy Sieber doubled to lead off the 5th and scored the first run of the game on Daz Cameron's triple. Chuckie Robinson started off the 7th with a homer. Ray Henderson ripped an RBI double in the 8th, and Daz added an RBI double to his ledger in the 9th. Daz and Ronnie Dawson both finished 2-4 on the night.

Carson LaRue will start the first of a 4-game series in Burlington. First pitch is at 6:30.

Tri-City 2, Connecticut 0

W- César Rosado (1-0)
L- Brad Bass (0-1)
S- Colin McKee (1)

TC home runs: None.

There was only one scoring play in this game, and it belonged to Tri-City. Reid Russell ripped a 2-run double in the 2nd inning for the only runs of the evening.

César Rosado has allowed virtually nothing in his first two appearances of the season. He followed up 5 no-hit innings in his first start with 5 more shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 7. Colin McKee got knocked around a bit in his first two appearances, but he got himself in the saddle by completing the shutout, allowing 2 hits, walking 2, and striking out 3 over the last 4 innings.

The ValleyCats and Tigers will conclude this 4-game series at 7:05 Eastern.

Greeneville 5, Johnson City 3

W- Gerardo Bojorquez (1-0)
L- Edwar Ramirez (1-1)
S- Willy Collado (1)

Greeneville home runs: Cody Bohanek (2, 2-run in 1st), Wilson Amador (1, solo in 3rd), Oscar Campos (1, solo in 6th)

The Appy Astros bashed 3 homers to even up their series with the Appy Cardinals. Both teams scored the same amount of runs in the same innings, but Cody Bohanek's 2-run blast in the 1st inning was the difference.

Both teams scored 2 in the 3rd inning; Greeneville's 2 came on a solo homer from Wilson Amador and an RBI single from Brody Westmoreland. Both teams also scored a run in the 6th; Oscar Campos whacked a solo homer for Greeneville's tally. Bohanek and Amador both finished with 2 hits on the evening. Chas McCormick went 3-4 with 2 doubles and scored a run.

Noel Pinto allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3 in 1.2 innings. Gerardo Bojorquez was the first man out of the Appy Astros' bullpen and went 3.2 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 1. Jesús Balaguer walked 1 and struck out 6 over 2.2 scoreless. Ian Hardman got 2 outs in the 9th via strikeout, but Johnson City also loaded the bases on him with a hit and a couple of walks. Willy Collado got Hardman out of the mess and secured the win.

Cole Watts faces Alvaro Seijas in the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 5, GCL Mets 4 in 10 innings

W- Humberto Castellanos (1-0)
L- Eric Villanueva (0-1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Mets tied the game and took the lead in the first extra frame.... but the Palm Beach Stros wound up walking off with the win with 3 in the bottom of the 10th inning.

The GCLstros were actually on the wrong end of a perfect game for the first 5 innings. Hector Martinez changed all of that by walking to lead off the bottom of the 6th. Bernardo Heras followed with their first hit of the day, a single. Ozziel Sanchez-Galan opened the scoring with an RBI double. Juan Piñeda followed with a sacrifice fly.

Martinez started off the bottom of the 10th in scoring position. He advanced to 3rd on a balk and scored on another single from Heras, who was then lifted for Alfredo Angarita. Sanchez-Galan walked and Piñeda got plunked to load the bases. Jonathan Matute hit a sac fly to score Angarita, and an error meant that everyone was safe. Sanchez-Galan scored the winning run on another error. Heras finished 2-3 on the day.

Tyler Ivey, the Astros' 3rd-round pick a couple of weeks ago, allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3 in 2 scoreless innings. Kit Scheetz, an undrafted lefty from Virginia Tech, allowed 3 hits and fanned 6 over 3 scoreless. Chauncey Nuñez allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 1 in 2 scoreless; he also signed as an undrafted free agent out of high school. Nuñez went to Doral Academy in Miami, where he was teammates with Astros' 29th-round pick Andres Santana. Humberto Castellanos pitched 3 innings and allowed 4 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits and struck out 4.

DSL Astros Blue 2, DSL Rays1 1

W- Nathanael Ventura (2-1)
L- Jhoanbert Cedeno (1-2)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team only scored in one inning, but it was the last inning, so they ended up walking off with the win.

Kendy Moya hit a 1-out single in the bottom of the 9th. With the Blue team down to their last out, Brandon Benavente came through with an RBI double to tie the game. Leonardo Gonzalez came on to run for Benavente and scored the winning run on a single from Ronaldo Urdaneta. Moya finished 2-3.

Jean Reyes allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 5 shutout innings. Oscar Severino allowed an unearned run on an error, a single, walked 1, and struck out 1 in 3 innings, and Nathanael Ventura walked the bases loaded in the 9th but escaped unscathed, striking out 1.

DSL Astros Orange 12, DSL Rays2 0

W- Jairo Solis (1-1)
L- Jose Lopez (1-2)

Orange home runs: Freudis Nova (1, 3-run in 3rd)

Team Orange absolutely dominated the Rays 2 in all facets of the game on Thursday.

Jairo Solis, Jose Alberto Rivera, and Fredy Medina joined forces on the first-ever no-hitter for the DSL Orange team. Solis walked 1 and fanned 5 over 5 innings, Rivera walked 2 and struck out 1 in 3 innings of work, and Medina struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Fildex Perfecto finished 3-4 with a bases-loaded walk in the 1st inning and scored twice. Renaigel Martis went 2-6 with an RBI single in the 1st and scored twice. Sean Mendoza had a couple of RBI singles and also scored two runs, and Freudis Nova smacked a 3-run homer in the 3rd inning, the first of his professional career.

Thursday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Jean Reyes, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K

DSL Orange no-hitter!
Jairo Solis, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: W (1-1), 5 IP, BB, 5 K
Jose Alberto Rivera, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: 3 IP, 2 BB, K
Fredy Medina, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: IP, 2 K

Follow Freudis Nova on Twitter @FreudisNova
Freudis Nova, SS, DSL Astros Orange
1-3, 3-R HR (1), 2 R
Fildex Perfecto, OF, DSL Astros Orange
3-4, RBI, 2 R 

Photo from MilB.com
Cody Bohanek, SS, Greeneville
2-4, 2-R HR (2), 2 R

Photo from MiLB.com
Jesús Balaguer, RHP, Greeneville
2.2 IP, BB, 6 K
Kristopher "Kit" Scheetz, LHP, GCL Astros
3 IP, 3 H, 6 K

 
César Rosado's photo taken by Bryan Green
Tri-City ValleyCats pitchers: W 2-0 @ Connecticut
9 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 10 K
César Rosado: W (1-0), 5 IP, 2 H, 7 K
Colin McKee: Save (1), 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Photo by Bryan Green
Daz Cameron, OF, Quad Cities
2-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI

All photos from MiLB.com
Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers: W 4-0 @ Wisconsin
9 IP, 2 H, 7 BB, 11 K
Carlos Sanabria: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K
Yohan Ramirez: 3.1 IP, 5 BB, 2 K
Salvador Montaño: Save (2), 0.2 IP, 2 K

Brett Adcock's photo from MiLB.com
Buies Creek Astros pitchers: W 3-2 vs. Carolina
9 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 15 K
Brett Adcock: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 7 K
Cristian Javier: W (1-0), 4 IP, 2 H, 6 K
Justin Ferrell: Save (1), IP, 2 K

Jacob Dorris, RHP, Corpus Christi
2.1 IP, 2 H, 4 K

Kyle Tucker's photo taken by Bryan Green
Drew Ferguson, OF, and Kyle Tucker, OF, Corpus Christi
Ferguson: 2-3, solo HR (7), 2 RBI, 3 R
Tucker: 2-5, solo HR (7, 16 season), 2 R

Ashur Tolliver's photo from MiLB.com
Fresno Grizzlies pitchers: W 8-0 vs. Albuquerque
Joe Musgrove: W (1-0), 7 IP, H, 2 BB, 7 K
Ashur Tolliver: 2 IP, 2 BB, K

Tony Kemp, 2B, and Preston Tucker, OF, Fresno
Kemp: 3-5, 3B, 2 RBI, R
Tucker: 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI, R

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Let's play two in Connecticut!

Fresno 8, Albuquerque 5

W- Trent Thornton (5-2, 6-4 season)
L- Barry Enright (4-2)
S- Kevin Comer (3)

Fresno home runs: Reid Brignac (8, 2-run in 2nd)

The Grizzlies stormed out to a 7-1 lead after the first 3 innings. Albuquerque managed to cut into that lead and got to within two runs, but the early cushion was enough to get them the win.

D.J. Fisher put Fresno on the board with an RBI triple in the 1st inning. One batter later, Colin Moran ripped a double to bring him home. Reid Brignac launched a 2-run homer in the 2nd, and in the 3rd, Max Stassi hit an RBI single and Alejandro Garcia added a 2-run single. Moran tripled to lead off the 8th and scored on a Teoscar Hernandez single. Moran went 3-3 on the night, while Brignac finished 2-3.

Trent Thornton went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. The one hit that Brendan McCurry allowed in his 2 innings of work was a solo homer to Ryan McMahon in the 7th. McCurry also struck out 4. Dayan Diaz and Kevin Comer allowed a hit and struck out 2 in a scoreless 8th and 9th, respectively.

Joe Musgrove looks to right the ship in his return to Fresno. He'll take on Sam Howard as Fresno concludes its homestand at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks kick off the post-All-Star Game portion of their schedule with a tour of Arkansas. Kent Emanuel gets the start in the first game of a 3-game set with Northwest Arkansas and he'll face Emilio Ogando at 7:05.

Buies Creek 2, Carolina 1

W- Framber Valdez (2-3, 2-4 season)
L- Kodi Medeiros (3-6)
S- Ralph Garza Jr. (3)

BC home runs: None.

Yordan Alvarez was the offense, and Framber Valdez dominated on the hill for the Carolia Stros.

Framber pitched a career-best 8 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out a career-high 11. Ralph Garza struck out 2 in a scoreless 9th to get the save; an error allowed Lucas Erceg to reach. Garza also uncorked a couple of wild pitches that allowed Erceg to move to 3rd, but he punched out Isan Diaz to end the game. I didn't mean punch out in the Rougned Odor sense of the term; he struck out Diaz.

Alvarez drew a bases-loaded walk in the 3rd and ripped an RBI double in the 5th to put Buies Creek in front. Anibal Sierra was the only man on either side with a multi-hit game, going 2-4 with a run scored.

Justin Ferrell gets the start in the series finale. He'll take on La Grange native Trey Supak at 7:00 Eastern.

Wisconsin 3, Quad Cities 2 in 13 innings

W- Daniel Brown (3-1)
L- Dustin Hunt (0-6)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos tied the game in the 8th and took the lead in the 11th, but the Timber Rattlers hit back for a run of their own in the bottom of the 11th and wound up walking off with the win.

Forrest Whitley pitched 5.1 innings and allowed an unearned run on 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 6. Kevin Hill struck out 4 over 3.2 scoreless; one runner reached on an error in the 8th. Dustin Hunt went 3.1 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits, walked 4 (1 intentionally), and struck out 3.

Wander Franco put Quad Cities on the board with an RBI single in the 8th inning. Ronnie Dawson got plunked to begin the 11th, and Bryan De La Cruz drew a 1-out walk to join him on the bases. Dawson proceeded to steal 3rd (8) and scored on a wild pitch. Franco finished 2-5 on the night.

Quad Cities and Wisconsin will finish up this series at 7:05 as Carlos Sanabria faces Thomas Jankins.

Game 1: Connecticut 3, Tri-City 1

W- Jose Vasquez (1-0)
L- Ricardo Castro (1-1)
S- Wladimir Pinto (1)

TC home runs: None.

Both teams scored in the same inning in game 1. The Tigers, however, scored more in their half.

The only two Tri-City hits in game 1 were singles from Kristian Trompiz and Randy Vasquez; Trompiz scored the ValleyCats' only run when Andy Piñeda grounded into a double play.

Ricardo Castro went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. Ben Smith worked around a couple of walks to throw a scoreless 6th, striking out 2.

Game 2: Connecticut 10, Tri-City 3

W- Brandyn Sittinger (1-0)
L- Luis Ramirez (0-1)

TC home runs: None.

The Tigers busted game 2 open with 3 in the 4th and 4 more in the 5th to sweep the twinbill.

Tri-City scored a run in each of the first three innings: Jake Adams opened the scoring with a sac fly in the 1st, Connor MacDonald scored on an error in the 2nd, and J.J. Matijevic hit an RBI single in the 3rd. Matijevic went 3-4 in game 2. Corey Julks was 2-2 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored, and a stolen base (3).

Tri-City's pitchers.... had a rough time in game 2. Honestly, that's really all that needs to be said. Brush it off and try again, guys.

Game 3 of the series starts at 7:05 Eastern.

Johnson City 6, Greeneville 3

W- Jake Walsh (1-0)
L- Tim Hardy (0-1)
S- Jacob Patterson (1)

Greeneville home runs: Roman Garcia (1, 2-run in 6th)

The Appy Astros' bats were stuck in the mud on Wednesday.

Roman Garcia launched a 2-run homer in the 6th, his first as a professional. Martin Figueroa hit an RBI single in the 8th. Gilberto Celestino finished 2-3 with a stolen base (2). Chas McCormick went 2-4 and has a hit in each of his first 4 games as a pro.

Tim Hardy allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in 2 innings. Adam Bleday was the first man out of the Greeneville bullpen and went 1.1 innings, allowing 3 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 5 hits. Bryan Abreu was next, and he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5 in 4 innings. Dariel Aquino walked 1 and got the last two outs of the 8th.

Noel Pinto faces Edwar Martinez in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

DSL Marlins 11, DSL Astros Blue 2

W- Eliezer Rodriguez (1-1)
L- Denilson Lugo (0-1)

Blue home runs: None.

Well, at least they didn't get shut out.

Rhandall Sanchez spoiled the shutout with an RBI single in the 9th. Yorbin Ceuta went 2-3 and scored on a wild pitch soon after Sanchez put the Blue team on the board.

Denilson Lugo went 3.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Bryan Solano allowed 2 unearned runs, a hit, walked 2, and struck out 2 in 1.2 innings, and Jervic Chavez went 2.2 innings, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 1.

DSL Cubs1 19, DSL Astros Orange 8

W- Keiber Arredondo (1-1)
L- Jesus Bernaez (1-2)

Orange home runs: Renaigel Martis (1, solo in 5th)

Maybe that 8-run 9th from the Cubs 1 on Tuesday was a sign of bad tidings to come for Team Orange.

Gerry Castillo ripped an RBI double in the 5th and cleared the bases with another double in the 6th. Jose Carrillo finished 3-5 and hit an RBI single in the 5th. Deury Carrasco and Luis Barajas also finished with 2 hits on the day.

Team Orange's pitchers struggled. I think I'll just leave it at that. Kelvin Perez, who is normally a catcher, worked out of a bases-loaded situation to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 1.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Gerry Castillo, C, DSL Astros Orange: 2-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI

Buies Creek Astros pitchers
W 2-1 vs. Carolina
9 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 13 K
Framber Valdez: W (2-3, 2-4 season), 8 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 11 K
Ralph Garza Jr.: Save (3), IP, 2 K
Valdez: set career highs in IP and K in a single appearance

Photo from MiLB.com
Buies Creek Astros offense, aka Yordan Alvarez, 1B/OF
1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; responsible for both Buies Creek scoring plays

Forrest Whitley, RHP, and Kevin Hill, RHP, Quad Cities
Whitley: 5.1 IP, 4 H, unearned run, 4 BB, 6 K
Hill: 3.2 IP, 4 K
Corey Julks' photo taken by Robert Witt
Follow J.J. Matijevic on Twitter: @TweetinJ_23
Corey Julks, OF, and J.J. Matijevic, OF, Tri-City 
Julks: 2-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SB (3) in game 2 of doubleheader
Matijevic: 3-4, RBI in game 2 of doubleheader

Reid Brignac's photo taken by Kiel Maddox
Colin Moran, 3B, and Reid Brignac, IF, Fresno
Moran: 3-3, 3B, RBI, 2 R
Brignac: 2-3, 2B, 2-R HR (8)

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Appy Astros sweep!

Fresno 6, Albuquerque 3

W- Kyle Smith (1-0, 3-1 season)
L- Matt Flemer (2-6)
S- Tyson Perez (3)

Fresno home runs: D.J. Fisher (17, 3-run in 1st), Tyler White (12, solo in 5th)

Charlie Morton had a very nice outing as he continues to work his way back to full strength.

Morton allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 over 4 scoreless innings. Kyle Smith got the next 4 innings and did alright until he ran into trouble in the 8th. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits and struck out 1. Tyson Perez struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th for the save.

The Tacos got a 3-run blast from D.J. Fisher (17) in the opening frame and got 1 each in the 4th, 5th, and the 6th to come away with the victory. Reid Brignac smacked an RBI triple in the 4th, Tyler White launched a solo homer in the 5th, and Preston Tucker brought in Fresno's final run of the night with an RBI single in the 6th. Brignac (3B, RBI), Tony Kemp (2B, R), and Colin Moran (2B) turned in 2-hit performances.

Trent Thornton will take on Barry Enright in game 3 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Texas League All-Star Game

The South All-Stars erupted for 7 runs in the 4th to run away with a 10-3 win.

Drew Ferguson started in RF and went 2-3 with 2 walks and scored a run out of the leadoff spot. J.D. Davis got the start at 3B and went 2-4 with a 2-run single in that massive 4th inning. Jon Singleton went 0-4 as the starting 1B, and Garrett Stubbs, who started at catcher, hit a bases-clearing triple in the 4th and scored twice.

Rogelio Armenteros got the start and allowed a 2-run homer to Chuck Taylor, one of 3 hits that he allowed in the 1st inning. He struck out 2.

Corpus Christi returns to action on Thursday in Northwest Arkansas.

Carolina 6, Buies Creek 5 in 15 innings

W- Eric Hanhold (5-2)
L- Sebastian Kessay (4-2)
S- Quintin Torres-Costa (1)

BC home runs: Alex De Goti (1, 4 season; solo in 3rd), Stephen Wrenn (1, 4 season; 2-run in 9th)

Stephen Wrenn smacked a 2-run homer to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th and that's how the game remained until the Mudcats broke through with a run in the 15th.

Both teams scored 2 runs in the 3rd; Buies Creek got theirs on an Alex De Goti solo blast, and then Myles Straw followed with a triple and walked home after a balk was called. Straw, who finished 3-7 with a stolen base (18), added an RBI single to his ledger in the 8th. Wrenn connected for his first Carolina League homer to tie the game with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th. Jake Rogers finished 2-4 with a double and scored on Wrenn's homer.

Matt Bower went 2.2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Howie Brey was the first man out of the Carolina Stros bullpen and threw 3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits (solo homer), walking 1, and striking out 3. Sean Stutzman followed with 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 3. Not sure why he's in Buies Creek when he's been doing relatively well in Corpus; it was probably just for him to get work during the Texas League All-Star break.

Anyway, Nick Hernandez was next and he struck out 7 over 4 perfect frames. Sebastian Kessay allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in 2 innings.

Buies Creek and Carolina will continue their series at 7:00 Eastern as Framber Valdez faces Kodi Medeiros.

Quad Cities 6, Wisconsin 5

W- Gabriel Valdez (2-0)
L- Miguel Sanchez (2-4)
S- Erasmo Pinales (4)

QC home runs: Ronnie Dawson (7, solo in 4th)

Erasmo Pinales had a nice outing of the bullpen and the Banditos got a run in the 6th to break a 5-5 tie.

Wander Franco opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st. Ronnie Dawson started off the 4th with a homer. Quad Cities got 3 in the 5th after Gabriel Bracamonte scored on a wild pitch. Dawson then added an RBI single to his ledger and Franco scored on an error. Jonathan Arauz scored the go-ahead run on another wild pitch in the 6th inning.

Arauz (HR shy of cycle, 2 R) and Dawson (solo HR, 2 RBI) both finished 3-5 on the day, while Franco went 2-5.

Gabriel Valdez went 6 innings and allowed 5 runs on 9 hits (2 solo homers), walked 1, and struck out 4. Erasmo Pinales shut it down over the last 3 innings, walking 2 and striking out 2 for the save.

Forrest Whitley will take the mound in game 3 of this series. He takes on Zach Brown at 7:05.

Tri-City was off

The ValleyCats will play a doubleheader to start a new series in Connecticut with game 1 beginning at 6:05 Eastern.

Greeneville 8, Bristol 5

W- Juan Robles (1-0)
L- Domingo Robles (0-1)
S- Ian Hardman (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros scored in 6 of 9 innings and withstood a 3-run 9th from the Pirates to earn the sweep.

Austin Kerns allowed a run on a double and struck out 1 in the 1st inning. Cole Watts allowed 2 hits and walked 2 in 2 scoreless innings. Juan Robles tagged in for 5 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 9. Willy Collado got 2 outs in the 9th, but he also allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and walked 1. Ian Hardman walked the first man he faced to load the bases but got the last out of the evening with a strikeout.

Both teams scored a run in the 1st; Greeneville's came on a Brody Westmoreland RBI double. Chas McCormick ripped a 2-run double in the 2nd inning. Gilberto Celestino scored on an error in the 4th. The Appy Astros got RBI singles from McCormick in the 7th and another from Joan Mauricio in the 8th. Cody Bohanek ripped an RBI double and came around to score on a Frankeny Fernandez single in the 9th inning.

McCormick (2B, 3 RBI, R), Bohanek (2B, RBI, 2 R), and Roman Garcia (2B, 3B, R) all finished with 2 hits on the evening.

Tim Hardy will start the first of a 3-game series in Johnson City. He'll face Franyel Casadilla (I'm suddenly hungry) at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Marlins 14, GCL Astros 9

W- Karl Craigie (1-0)
L- Johsson Arias (0-1, 0-2 season)

GCL home runs: Richard Slenker (1, 2-run in 5th)

The Marlins got 4 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th to seize control of this one.

Vicente Sanchez finished 3-4 and scored 3 runs. Richard Slenker hit a 2-run homer in the 5th for his first pro home run. Juan Piñeda (2 RBI) and Enmanuel Valdez had 2 hits apiece. Orlando Marquez drove in 2, while Ihan Bernal and Hector Martinez both drove in a run.

Jheyson Caraballo allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4 in 3 innings. The bullpen.... struggled, and I think I'll leave it at that. Tanner Duncan was the only GCLstros pitcher to turn in a scoreless outing, striking out 2 over 2 perfect innings.

DSL Astros Blue 7, DSL Marlins 4

W- Christopher Javier (2-0)
L- Franklin Brioso (0-2)
S- Oscar Severino (1)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team took advantage of 5 Marlins miscues on Tuesday.

Ronaldo Urdaneta stole 2nd base in the 2nd inning and scored thanks to a couple of errant throws. In the 3rd, Yorbin Ceuta smacked an RBI double and trotted home on an Anthony Rodriguez triple. Rodriguez wound up scoring on a balk. Nerio Rodriguez doubled and eventually scored on an error that allowed Urdaneta to reach. In the 5th inning, Rhandall Sanchez drew a bases-loaded walk to score Anthony, and Nerio scored on a wild pitch.

Ceuta finished 4-5 on the day, while the Rodriguezes both finished with 2 hits.

Angel Macuare allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in the 1st inning. Christopher Javier was the first man out of the bullpen and allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 over 3 scoreless. Nathanael Ventura got 2 strikeouts in the 5th and allowed a single; the runner eventually scored on a wild pitch. Ventura also issued 2 walks and hit another batter. Antonio Pujols allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 2, and fanned 2 in 3 innings. Yulian Frontado got the last out of the 8th. Oscar Severino worked around a couple of hits to finish the game, striking out 1.

DSL Astros Orange 12, DSL Cubs 10

W- Diosward Gonzalez (2-1)
L- Yovanny Cruz (1-1)
S- Luis De Paula (2)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team stormed out to a 12-0 lead and then had to withstand a massive charge from the Cubs that included an 8-run 9th inning.

Diosward Gonzalez allowed 3 hits and fanned 4 over 5 shutout innings. The bullpen almost suffered a meltdown of epic proportions, but Rafael De Paula finally managed to get that elusive final out.

Jose Carrillo didn't have a hit, but that didn't prevent him from scoring 3 runs. The first run came on a Michael Garcia groundout in the 2nd inning. Fildex Perfecto drove in the first of 5 runs in the 3rd with a double. Perfecto scored on a Freudis Nova single. Nova wound up scoring on an error, and then Luis Barajas and Garcia followed with an RBI single and a sac fly, respectively.

Team Orange scored 3 in the 5th on RBI singles from Garcia and Sean Mendoza and an RBI double from Renaigel Martis. Garcia hit a 2-run single in the 6th and Mendoza hit another RBI single later in the frame.

Mendoza went 3-4 out of the #9 spot in the order, while Martis (2 2B, RBI, R) and Alvarez (2B, RBI, 3 R) had 2 hits apiece.

Tuesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Yorbin Ceuta, SS, DSL Astros Blue: 4-5, 2B, RBI, R
Sean Mendoza, IF, DSL Astros Blue: 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R

Juan Robles, RHP, Greeneville
W (1-0), 5 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 9 K

Photo from MiLB.com
Chas McCormick, OF, Greeneville
2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R

Erasmo Pinales, RHP, Quad Cities
Save (4), 3 IP, 2 BB, 2 K

Ronnie Dawson, OF, Quad Cities
3-5, solo HR (7), 2 RBI

Sean Stutzman, LHP, and Nick Hernandez, RHP, Buies Creek
Stutzman: 3.1 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K
Hernandez: 4 IP, 7 K; perfect outing

Myles Straw, OF, Buies Creek
3-7, 3B, RBI, R, SB (18)

Derek Fisher, OF, and Tyler White, IF, Fresno
Fisher: 3-R HR (17) in 1st)
White: solo HR (12), 2 R

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Former Astros Playing Independent/Foreign Baseball (2017 Edition)

Several more former Astros have shown up playing independent league and foreign league baseball. I'm updating my April post and adding a few select stats (as of 6/26-ish). If you know of a former Astro who didn't make this list, leave a comment and I'll make updates.

Conrad Gregor - April 2016
Photo by Jayne Hansen

JAPAN CENTRAL LEAGUE

Chunichi Dragons
LHP Raul Valdes (Astros 2014)

JAPAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
1B/DH Japhet Amador (2013-2014 Astros farm system)
IF Kaz Matsui (2008-2010 Astros)

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
RHP Dennis Sarfate (2007 Astros)
It is Sarfate's 7th season playing in Japan; he has a 1.01 ERA and 0.788 WHIP in 27 bullpen appearances.

Chiba Lotte Marines
3B Matt Duffy (2011 20th round pick; 2011-2016 Astros system)
OF Jimmy Paredes (2010-2013 Astros system)

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
3B Brandon Laird (2012-2013 Astros system)

KOREAN BASEBALL ORGANIZATION

LG Twins
RHP Henry Sosa (2011-2012 Astros system)
Sosa is in his 6th season with the KBO.

SK Wyverns
IF Danny Worth (2016 Astros system)

Nexen Heroes
LHP Andy Van Hekken (2008-2011 Astros farm system)
Van Hekken has spent the last 6 years playing in Korea and Japan.

MEXICAN LEAGUE

Acereros del Norte
OF Willy Taveras (2004-2006 Astros system) - .304/.378/.483 in 69 games

Bravos de Leon
RHP Matt Nevarez (2009-2011 Astros system)

Leones de Yucatan
OF Leo Heras (2013-2016 Astros farm system) - .328/.404/.484 in 66 games

Pericos de Puebla
LHP Travis Blackley (2013 Astros system)
IF Nate Freiman (2012 Rule 5 draft pick; didn't stick with team)

Rieleros de Aguascalientes
RHP Jose Valverde (2008-2009 Astros) - 2.06 ERA/1.195 WHIP in 35 appearances

Rojos delAguila de Veracruz
Fernando Nieve (2001-2008, 2011 Astros system) - 2.45 ERA/1.057 WHIP in 28 appearances
Shockingly, Nieve is only 34 years old.

Saraperos de Saltillo
RHP J.C. Gutierrez (2007 Astros)
RHP Felipe Paulino (2003-2010 Astros system)
Had been playing for the Sugar Land Skeeters until his contract was purchased by Saltillo.

Sultanes de Monterrey
RHP Oscar Villarreal (2008 Astros)
C Luis Flores (2015 Astros farm system)
RHP Edgar Gonzalez (2012-2013 Astros)

Toros de Tijuana/Bravos de Leon
RHP Gera Sanchez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)

Vaqueros Union Laguna
IF Anderson Hernandez (2010-2011 Astros system) - .313/.359/.464 in 72 games
OF Brad Snyder (2012 Astros farm system)
IF Diory Hernandez (2012 Astros farm system)

CZECH REPUBLIC

Draci Brno
OF Terrell Joyce (2012-2014 Astros farm system) - .337/.404/.531 in 27 games AND a 3.27 ERA/1.545 WHIP in 6 bullpen appearances

ITALY

Fortitudo Unipol Bologna
LHP Rudy Owens (2012-2014 Astros system) - 5-1 in 8 starts, 1.15 ERA and 0.974 WHIP

Tommasin Padova
IF Carlos Perdomo (2013-2016 Astros system)
IF Luca Martone (2010-12 Astros system)

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Bridgeport Bluefish
RHP David Carpenter (2011-2012 Astros) - 1.69 ERA/0.938 WHIP in 28 appearances
RHP Zac Grotz (2015 28th round pick, 2015 Astros farm system)

Long Island Ducks
LHP Eury de la Rosa (3 appearances with Fresno in 2016)
IF Nate Freiman (2012 Rule 5 draft pick; didn't stick with team); contract purchased 4/29 and sent to Mexican League
IF Marc Krauss (Part of 2012 Chris Johnson trade, 2012-2014 Astros system)

Lancaster Barnstormers
LHP Tommy Shirley (2010 9th round pick; 2010-2016 Astros farm system)

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
OF L.J. Hoes (2013-2015 Astros) - signed 6/23

Sugar Land Skeeters
RHP Travis Ballew (2012-2015 Astros system) - signed 5/13; released 5/23
RHP Mitch Talbot (2003-2006 Astros system)

York Revolution
OF Michael Burgess (2013 Astros farm system)
RHP Jay Gause (2014 10th round pick; 2014 Astros farm system)

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Cleburne Railroaders
RHP Kyle Westwood (2013 13th round pick; 2013-2015 Astros farm system) - released 5-25

Gary Southshore Railcats
RHP Jorge de Leon (2006-2014 Astros system) - placed on the DL 5-16; released 6-22

Kansas City T-Bones
1B Chase McDonald (2013 12th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system) - traded to Sussex in the Can-Am League 6-22
C Christian Correa (2015-2017 Astros system) - signed 5-16; contract purchased by the Rockies 6-4 (currently playing for the Boise Hawks)

Lincoln Saltdogs
LHP Zac Person (2015 9th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) - released 6-9

St. Paul Saints
RHP Mark Hamburger (2013 Astros farm system) - 2.94 ERA/1.212 WHIP in 8 starts

Sioux City Explorers
LHP Bryan Radziewski (2014 9th round; 2014-2016 Astros farm system) - inactive
RHP Kevin McCanna (2015 13th round; 2015-2016 Astros farm system)
RHP Alex White (2014-2015 Astros system)

Sioux Falls Canaries
LHP Joe Bircher (2012 10th round pick, 2012-2013 Astros farm system)

Texas Airhogs
RHP Jared Mortensen (Rule 5 draft pick in December 2016; appeared in 3 games for Fresno in April 2017) - signed 6-9, released 6-11 and re-signed 6-21
LHP Michael Freeman (2015 7th round; 2015-2017 Astros farm system) - signed 5-19

Winnipeg Goldeyes
OF Reggie Abercrombie (2008 Astros)
LHP Mitch Lambson (2011 19th round pick; 2011-2015 Astros farm system)
RHP Daniel Minor (2012 9th round pick; 2012-2105 Astros farm system)

Here's an interview that the Goldeyes did with Daniel Minor upon his signing.


CAN-AM LEAGUE

Les Capitales de Quebec
RHP Keegan Yuhl (2014 35th round; 2014-2017 Astros farm system) - signed 5-31; released 6-19

New Jersey Jackals
1B Conrad Gregor (2013 4th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system) - .328/.451/.552 in 36 games

Ottawa Champions
RHP Austin Chrismon (2013 26th round pick, 2013-2015 Astros farm system)
IF Albert Cartwright (2007 36th round pick, 2007-2010 Astros farm system) - inactive

Rockland Boulders
C Marcus Nidiffer (2010 Astros farm system) - .284/.384/.490 in 29 games

Sussex County Miners
OF Jay Austin (2008 2nd round pick, 2008-2012 Astros farm system) - .336/.408/.458 in 33 games
1B Chase McDonald (2013 12th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system) - traded from the Kansas City T-Bones in the American Association 6-22
RHP Eric Peterson (2014 37th round; 2014-2017 Astros farm system) - signed 5/28; released 5/31

Trois-Rivieres Aigles
RHP Chris Murphy (2015 24th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) - placed on DL 6-20

FRONTIER LEAGUE

Joliet Slammers
OF Edwin Gomez (2012-2013 Astros farm system) - .298/.380/.470 in 38 games
LHP Luis Cruz (2008 9th round; 2008-2015 Astros farm system) - signed June 9th
In three starts for Joliet, Cruz is 2-1 with a 1.13 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP.

Schaumberg Boomers
RHP Kyle Westwood (2013 13th round pick; 2013-2015 Astros farm system) - signed 6/3

Traverse City Beach Bums
3B  Bobby Wernes (2015 30th round; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) - Wernes was signed by Traverse City but never played for them as he was subsequently picked up by the Rockies organization. He is currently playing for the Asheville Tourists in the South Atlantic League.

Washington Wild Things
OF Justin Garcia (2015 17th round pick, 2015-2016 Astros farm system) - released 5/7
OF Hector Roa (2012-2016 Astros farm system)

PECOS LEAGUE

White Sands Pupfish
2B Cristopher Luciano (2014-2016 Astros farm system)

PACIFIC ASSOCIATION

Vallejo Admirals
RHP Sammy Gervacio (2005-2011 Astros system)

San Rafael Pacifics
C Ricky Gingras (2012 18th round; 2012-2014 Astros farm system)

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, June 26, 2017

Happy Gulf Coast League Opening Day!

Also, the Astros' A clubs blasted their counterparts from the Brewers.

Fresno 7, Albuquerque 6 in 10 innings

W- Brian Holmes (2-2)
L- Shane Carle (1-4)

Fresno home runs: Max Stassi (8, 2-run in 5th), Colin Moran (17, solo in 8th)

The Grizzlies couldn't hold a 6-2 lead, but fortunately, they were able to rectify this by literally walking off with the win in the first extra frame.

David Martinez allowed a run on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7 in 6 innings. Ashur Tolliver was the first man out of the Fresno bullpen and got 2 outs in the 7th, allowing a run on a bases-loaded walk and a double. Overall, Tolliver issued 3 walks. Aaron West got him out of his predicament without further incident. He threw 1.1 innings, walking 1 and striking out 2. Jordan Jankowski only got one out in the 9th; he had 3 inherited runners charged to him, walked 1, and allowed 2 hits. Dayan Diaz got the final two outs of the 9th, but not before the Isotopes tied the game off of him with a sac fly, a wild pitch, and a 2-run single. The game-tying 2-run single was the one hit that Diaz allowed; he also walked 1 and struck out 1. Brian Holmes struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 10th.

Albuquerque scored a run in the 5th and the 7th; each time, Fresno responded with 2 runs in the bottom half. Max Stassi put them on the board with a 2-run blast in the 5th, while Tyler White hit an RBI single and Tony Kemp scored on an error that allowed Preston Tucker to reach in the 7th. Colin Moran led off the bottom of the 8th with a homer and Kemp added a sac fly later in the inning. The Grizzlies won via shrimp in the bottom of the 10th as Tyler White drew a bases-loaded walk.

White (2 RBI), Moran (solo HR), Stassi (2-R HR, 4 R), and Alejandro Garcia (2B) all finished with 3 hits on the evening.

It's Tuesday, and it's a Fresno home game, so you know what that means: Taco Tuesday!!!

Charlie Morton will make his second rehab appearance as he continues to work his way back from a lat strain. He'll take on Matt Flemer at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi is off until Thursday


The Texas League All-Star Game will take place tonight in Frisco. The Hooks' contingent consists of Josh James, Rogelio Armenteros, Garrett Stubbs, Jon Singleton, Drew Ferguson, J.D. Davis, and Jack Mayfield. Kyle Smith was also named a Texas League All-Star; he has since been promoted to Fresno.

The Hooks return to action on Thursday and they'll start off the 2nd half with a tour of Arkansas.

Buies Creek 8, Carolina 1

W- Jorge Alcala (2-3, 4-3 season)
L- Marcos Diplan (4-4)
S- Hector Perez (1)

BC home runs: Anibal Sierra (3, solo in 3rd)

Jorge Alcala and Hector Perez made quick work of the Mudcats on Monday. The Carolina Stros really blew it open with 4 in the 6th.

Alcala has had some issues with walks lately, but he turned in a nice outing. According to Patrick Obley of the Fayetteville Observer, Alcala hit 100 on a few occasions before settling into the mid-90s. He allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4 over 5 shutout innings. Hector Perez went 4 innings and allowed a run on an infield single, one other hit, walked 3, and struck out 5. Perez faced a bases-loaded, no out situation in the 7th, but emerged with the Mudcats only getting one run against him.

Anibal Sierra opened the scoring with a solo blast in the 3rd inning. Later in the frame, Jake Rogers ripped an RBI double and Yordan Alvarez added a sac fly. Buies Creek got three straight singles to open the 6th, and Alex De Goti scored on an error that also allowed Myles Straw to reach; Straw was credited with an RBI on the play. The bases remained loaded for Ryne Birk, who promptly cleared them with a triple. Birk drove in the last run of the evening with a groundout in the 7th inning.

Sierra finished 3-3 with the homer and scored twice. Straw went 3-5 with a double and scored twice as well. Birk (3B, 4 RBI), Rogers (2B, RBI), and Jones (2 R) all had 2 hits on the night.

Matt Bower faces Jordan Yamamoto in game 2 of the series. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 8, Wisconsin 2

W- Abdiel Saldaña (3-1)
L- Jordan Desguin (4-4)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos scored in four of the first five innings and cruised to a win.

Cionel Perez went 4.1 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 7. Abdiel Saldaña was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and threw 3.2 hitless innings, walking 2 and striking out 6. Salvador Montaño struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Wander Franco got things started with a 2-run double in the 2nd inning. Quad Cities got 2 in the 3rd on an RBI single from Daz Cameron and a Troy Sieber RBI double. Ray Henderson hit a sac fly in the 4th and Sieber added an RBI single to his ledger in the 5th inning. The Banditos scored the last 2 runs of the game in the 7th: Chuckie Robinson came home on a balk and Marcos Almonte had an RBI single. Sieber finished 3-4 on the evening, while Almonte was 2-5 with a run scored and a stolen base (9).

Gabriel Valdez gets the start in game 2 of this series. He'll take on Victor Diaz at 12:05.

Tri-City 8, Vermont 5

W- Ben Smith (1-0)
L- Jose Mora (0-1)
S- Robert Corniel (1)

TC home runs: Connor MacDonald (1, 2-run in 1st), Jake Adams (2, solo in 6th)

Tri-City scored in fewer innings. No matter. They managed to avoid getting swept at home.

Jake Adams opened the scoring with a sac fly in the 1st. Abraham Toro-Hernandez followed with an RBI single, and Connor MacDonald whacked a 2-run shot. The Lake Monsters managed to tie the game with 2 runs in the 5th, but the deadlock didn't last too long as the ValleyCats hit back for 4 in the 6th.

Adams led off the bottom of the 6th with a homer. Carlos Canelon hit a sac fly, then Andy Piñeda hit an RBI single and wound up scoring on a wild pitch. MacDonald (2-4) and Adams (1-2) both homered and drove in 2 runs.

Patrick Sandoval went 4 innings and allowed 4 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Parker Mushinski took ownership of the 5th, walking 2 and striking out 2. Ben Smith struck out the side in order in the 6th inning. Hunter Martin allowed 2 hits, had an inherited runner charged to him, and walked 1 in the 7th; he only got 1 out. Robert Corniel pitched the final 2.2 innings, allowing a hit, walking 2, and striking out 4.

Tri-City has Tuesday off; they'll start a new series in Connecticut with a doubleheader on Wednesday.

Greeneville 4, Bristol 2

W- Leovanny Rodriguez (1-0)
L- Hunter Stratton (0-1)
S- Felipe Tejada (1)

Greeneville home runs: Joan Mauricio (1, 2-run in 4th)

Both teams scored 2 runs in an inning. The Appy Astros did it twice to top the Pirates on Monday.

The bottom third of the order drove in all 4 Greeneville runs. In the 2nd, Ruben Castro hit an RBI single and Wilson Amador grounded into a force out that scored Joan Mauricio. Mauricio whacked a 2-run homer in the 4th. Gilberto Celestino finished 3-3 with a walk and scored on Castro's single.

Noel Pinto allowed 2 hits and struck out 1 in his first two innings as a professional baseball player. Bristol got their 2 runs on a homer off Leovanny Rodriguez in the 5th. Rodriguez went 5 innings, allowing 3 other hits and fanning 5. Felipe Tejada allowed a hit, walked 3, and struck out 2 over the final 2 innings to earn the save.

The Appy Astros will look to sweep the series at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 10, GCL Cardinals 4

W- Juan Corniel (1-0)
L- Winston Nicacio (0-1)
S- Francisco Villegas (1)

GCL home runs: Vicente Sanchez (1, 2-run in 4th)

The GCL Astros won their first game in their new digs.

Juan Piñeda scored the first run of the day on an error following a Jose Benjamin single in the 1st inning. Vicente Sanchez smacked a 2-run homer in the 4th and Bernardo Heras added another run by scoring on a wild pitch.

Enmanuel Valdez doubled to lead off the 5th and scored on a Carlos Machado triple. Machado came home on a sac fly from Hector Martinez. In the 7th, Piñeda hit an RBI single and Valdez drew a bases-loaded walk. Piñeda finished 3-6 and capped off the afternoon with a 2-run single in the 8th. Sanchez (2-R HR, 3 R), Benjamin, and Heras all finished with 2-hit games.

Maikel Sepulveda went 1.2 innings and allowed 2 runs (both on a 2-run homer) 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. Juan Corniel allowed a run on a solo homer, 5 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Francisco Villegas allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 2 in 3 innings of work.

DSL Astros Blue 7, DSL Red Sox 1

W- Nivaldo Rodriguez (2-0)
L- Rafael Gomez (0-1)
S- Fredis Guerrero (1)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team busted this one open with 5 runs in the 8th.

Nivaldo Rodriguez allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 5 shutout innings. The Red Sox spoiled the shutout when Rafael Rincones homered off Fredis Guerrero in the 9th. That was the only hit that Guerrero allowed in his 4 innings, and he also struck out 3.

Team Blue got 2 runs in the 3rd on RBI singles from Anthony Rodriguez and Nerio Rodriguez. Ronaldo Urdaneta hit an RBI single in the 8th, and Rhandall Sanchez landed the knockout blow with a bases-clearing double. Sanchez scored the Blue team's last run on a single from Luis Coronel. Sanchez (2B, 3 RBI, R) and Yorbin Ceuta (2 R) both finished with 2 hits on the day.

DSL Dodgers2 8, DSL Astros Orange 4

W- Jose Martinez (1-1)
L- Jose Alberto Rivera (1-1)

Orange home runs: None.

The Dodgers 2 got 3 runs in the 8th to create some separation between them and Team Orange.

Luis Barajas put the Orange team on the board with a sac fly in the 2nd inning. Jose Carrillo hit an RBI single in the 3rd, and Renaigel Martis scored on an error following a Fildex Perfecto groundout in the 5th. In the 7th, Martis ripped a double, advanced to 3rd on the ensuing error, and stole home. He and Freudis Nova both finished 2-3.

Christian Mejias allowed 2 unearned runs, 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6 in 4 innings. Jose Alberto Rivera was the first man out of the bullpen and went 1.1 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned, 2 inherited runners charged to him), a hit, walking 2, and striking out 3. Ronny Garcia went 2 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 2 hits, walking 3, and striking out 2. Fredy Medina struck out 2 in 1.2 innings.

Monday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Renaigel Martis, OF, DSL Astros Orange: 2-3, 2 2B, 2 R, stole home (4th SB of season)

Buies Creek Astros: W 8-1 vs. Carolina
Jorge Alcala: W (2-3, 4-3 season), 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K
Hector Perez: Save (1), 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Ryne Birk: 2-5, 3B, 4 RBI, R
Anibal Sierra: 3-3, solo HR (3), 2 R
Myles Straw: 3-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R

Troy Sieber, 1B, Quad Cities
3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R

Photos from MiLB.com
Quad Cities River Bandits bullpen
4.2 IP, 2 BB, 7 K
Abdiel Saldaña: W (1-1), 3.2 IP, 2 BB, 6 K
Salvador Montaño: IP, K

Connor MacDonald, 1B, Tri-City
2-4, 2-R HR (1), 2 R

Juan Piñeda's photo taken by Bryan Green
Vicente Sanchez, OF, and Juan Piñeda, 2B, GCL Astros
Sanchez: 2-5, 2B, 2-R HR (1), 3 R
Piñeda: 3-6, 3 RBI, R, SB (1)

David Martinez, RHP, Fresno
6 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 7 K

Colin Moran, 3B, Max Stassi, C, and Tyler White, IF, Fresno
Moran: 3-5, solo HR (17)
Stassi: 3-4, 2-R HR (8), 4 R
White: 3-5, 2 RBI; walk-off RBI BB in 10th

Monday, June 26, 2017

Meet the 2017 Gulf Coast League Astros

The Gulf Coast League Astros are currently taking on the Cardinals in their first game of their 2017 campaign.

There was quite a bit of movement between Greeneville, Tri-City, and the GCL clubs; I presume a few of the guys on the GCL roster like Frankeny Fernandez, Javier Navas, and Juan Piñeda started off where they were so they could get in a few games before getting regular at-bats or pitching work in West Palm Beach.

The GCL Astros play at the Spring Training complex at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. They'll play in the GCL East division with the Nationals, Cardinals, Marlins, and Mets.

Let's meet the 2017 GCL Astros!

COACHING STAFF

Longtime Astros farmhand Wladimir Sutil will manage a team for the first time in his coaching career after starting off as a coach with Greeneville.

Jose Rada is another former Cardinal minor leaguer who will be coaching in the Astros' minor league system. Rada pitched in the Cardinals' system from 2006-11, reaching Double-A in his final season.

Wladimir Sutil - July 2014
Photo by Jayne Hansen

Manager: Wladimir Sutil
Pitching Coach: Jose Rada
Hitting Coach: Luis Mateo
Athletic Trainer: Christian Bermudez
Strength & Conditioning: Rachel Balkovec

Bold - player bats/throws left-handed
Italics - player is a switch-hitter

PITCHERS

Yhoan Acosta - International free agent (DR), 2013; GCL
Johsson Arias - International free agent (DR), 2015; appeared for Greeneville on Saturday
Jose Bravo - International free agent (Mexico), 2016; DSL Orange/Blue, currently on DL
Jheyson Caraballo - International free agent (Venezuela), 2015; appeared for Greeneville on Friday
Juan Corniel - International free agent (DR), 2015; DSL Blue
Chad Donato - 11th round, 2016 draft (West Virginia); making pro debut (recovering from Tommy John surgery after he was drafted)
Juan Pablo Lopez - International free agent (Mexico), 2016; making pro debut
Saul Martinez - International free agent (DR), 2014; GCL
Javier Navas - International free agent (Venezuela), 2014; appeared for Greeneville on Saturday
Chauncey Nuñez - Undrafted free agent, 2017 (Doral Academy, Miami); making pro debut
Devin Raftery - Undrafted free agent, 2016 (Nova Southeastern); Greeneville/Tri-City
Kristopher "Kit" Scheetz - Undrafted free agent, 2017 (Virginia Tech); making pro debut
Maikel Sepulveda - International free agent (DR), 2015; DSL Orange/Blue
Francisco Villegas - International free agent (Mexico), 2015; appeared for Greeneville on Thursday

CATCHERS

Ihan Bernal - International free agent (Panama) signed in 2014 for $155,000; last played with GCL Astros in 2015
Bernardo Heras - International free agent (Mexico), 2015: DSL Orange/GCL
Orlando Marquez - International free agent (Venezuela), 2014; DSL Blue/GCL (opened 2017 season on Greeneville's roster but did not appear in a game)
Jonathan Matute - International free agent (Venezuela) signed in 2013 for $215,000; appeared in 3 games with DSL Blue team prior to being assigned to GCL

INFIELDERS

Alfredo Angarita - International free agent (Venezuela), 2015; began 2017 season with DSL Blue team
Jose Benjamin - International free agent (DR), 2014; appeared in 2 games with Greeneville prior to being assigned to the GCL
Juan Piñeda - International free agent (Panama) signed in 2014 for $100,000; appeared in 3 games with Greeneville prior to being assigned to GCL
Ozziel Sanchez-Galan - International free agent (Panama), 2014; DSL Blue
Richard Slenker - 28th round, 2017 draft (Yale); making pro debut
Enmanuel Valdez - International free agent (DR) signed in 2015 for $450,000; appeared in 3 games with Greeneville prior to being assigned to GCL

OUTFIELDERS

Cesar Cortez - International free agent (Panama) signed in 2015 for $100,000; appeared in 12 games for DSL Blue team prior to being assigned to GCL
Carlos Machado - International free agent (Venezuela), 2014; appeared in 2 games with Greeneville prior to being assigned to GCL
Hector Martinez - International free agent (DR) signed for $300,000 in 2014; appeared in 9 games with DSL Orange team prior to being assigned to GCL
Nestor Muriel - 6th round, 2015 draft (Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy, PR); GCL
Ronny Rafael - International free agent (DR) signed for $1.5 million in 2014; appeared in 12 games with DSL Blue team prior to being assigned to GCL
Vicente Sanchez - International free agent (DR) signed for $62,500 in 2014; appeared in 1 game with Tri-City prior to being assigned to GCL