What the Heck, Bobby?: Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, April 29, 2018

Fresno 11, Tacoma 5

W- Andrew Thome (3-0)
L- Rob Whalen (3-1)

Fresno home runs: Tim Federowicz (3, 3-run in 7th), Kyle Tucker (2, 2-run in 8th)

After dropping the last two to the Rainiers, the Grizzlies withstood a 5-run 5th and finished the game on a 9-0 run to take the series.

Francis Martes had some... control or command issues, or both. He went 4.1 innings and allowed three runs (two inherited runners charged to him) on four hits, walked eight, and struck out just two. Andrew Thome was the first man out of the Fresno bullpen and threw 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on four hits, one of which was a grand slam that resulted in two runs being charged to Martes. Thome also issued a walk and struck out one. Matt Ramsey allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out one over two scoreless, and Brendan McCurry struck out two in a 1-2-3 9th.

Kyle Tucker singled with two outs in the 1st and scored the first run of the day on a Tyler White double. The Grizz loaded the bases to start the 2nd, but all they got out of it was a Jack Mayfield sac fly. After Tacoma scored 5 in the 5th to take control, Fresno wrestled the game back from them with 4 of their own in the bottom of the 5th.

Tony Kemp ripped a leadoff double and Drew Ferguson joined him on the bases with a single to ignite the rally. Little Tuck smacked a ground-rule double to bring Kemp in. White brought Ferguson in with a single, and Tucker scored the tying run when A.J. Reed hit into a fielder's choice. Mayfield put the Grizzlies back in the lead with an RBI single. Tim Federowicz launched a three-run home run in the 7th and Tucker capped off the day with his two-run blast in the 8th. The two home run hitters finished with three hits apiece. White and J.D. Davis had two hits apiece.

Fresno will wrap up April by starting a series in Salt Lake City. Trent Thornton will take on Osmer Morales in the opener, which starts at 6:35 Mountain.

Corpus Christi 8, Frisco 3

W- Sean Stutzman (2-1)
L- Cody Palmquist (0-4)
S- Josh James (1)

CC home runs: Stephen Wrenn (1, solo in 5th), Taylor Jones (3, 2-run in 5th), Alex De Goti (1, 2-run in 5th)

The Hooks busted out the fireworks in the 5th as they seized the momentum with seven runs in the frame.

Framber Valdez threw three innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits (solo homer), walked one, and struck out seven. Fortunately, his bullpen backed him up. Sean Stutzman was the first man out of the Corpus bullpen and threw two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out one. Josh James allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out six over the final four innings to secure the win.

The offense was held in check for the first four innings until they broke out in a huge way in the 5th. Stephen Wrenn put Corpus on the board with a one-out solo home run. Carmen Benedetti drew a walk and came around to score on a Yordan Alvarez double, which prompted Frisco to make a pitching change. Taylor Jones greeted the new pitcher, Cody Palmquist, with a two-run home run to put the Hooks in front. Randy César kept the line moving with a double and Ryne Birk brought him in with a triple. Jamie Ritchie struck out for the second out of the inning, but there was a little more time for offense because Alex De Goti whacked a two-run home run. Wrenn finished 3-5 and capped off the day with an RBI single in the 8th inning. De Goti (2-R HR, 2 R) and Jones (2B, 2-R HR, 2 BB) had two hits apiece; Jones reached in all four of his plate appearances.

Ryan Hartman takes on Ariel Jurado in the series finale. First pitch is at 7:05.

Frederick 9, Buies Creek 4

W- Jhon Peluffo (2-0)
L- Brandon Bielak (3-2)

BC home runs: None.

Tough day for the Carolina Stros as the Keys ran out to a 9-0 lead on them and Morgan Ensberg got tossed in the 4th for arguing over whether Ronnie Dawson was caught stealing.

All four Buies Creek runs came in the 8th on a couple of RBI singles from Abraham Toro and Chas McCormick and a two-run double from Troy Sieber. Toro and Ronnie Dawson had two hits apiece.

Brandon Bielak went four innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits, walked two, and struck out five. Ronel Blanco came out for the 5th but didn't make it out as he allowed two runs, a double, and walked five, two of which came with the bases loaded. Justin Ferrell allowed his first three runs of the year on a pair of home runs. In 1.2 innings, the homers were the only two hits he allowed. Ferrell also walked one and struck out four. Carlos Sierra allowed a run on two hits and struck out three in 2.2 innings.

Buies Creek will be off on Monday as they get set to hit the road, with stops in Kinston and Winston-Salem. First up is a three-game series in Kinston against the Down East Wood Ducks beginning Tuesday.

Cedar Rapids 4, Quad Cities 2

W- Derek Molina (1-0)
L- Colin McKee (3-1)
S- Moises Gomez (1)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos got out to a quick start but got held off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Parker Mushinski went four innings and allowed an unearned run on three hits, walked three, and struck out six. Tanner Duncan tagged in for two innings and the one run he allowed came on a solo homer hit by Trey Cabbage. Duncan allowed one other hit, walked three, and struck out two. Colin McKee came on for the 7th and recorded two strikeouts, but he also allowed two runs (one inherited runner charged to him) and walked four, one of which came with the bases loaded. Adam Bleday pitched the final 2.1 innings and allowed a hit, walked two, and struck out three. One of the walks came with the bases loaded and resulted in a run getting charged to McKee.

Quad Cities' two runs both came in the 1st inning as Jonathan Arauz scored on an error and Mike Papierski hit an RBI single. Bryan De La Cruz and Jake Meyers had two hits apiece; Meyers stole his 4th base of the season.

The Banditos have Monday off as they will also hit the road. They will return to action on Tuesday when they take on the Great Lakes Loons.

Sunday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.