Monday, April 30, 2018

Astros Farm Report: 4/30

Catching you up on the latest Astros MiLB news ...

This week's Farm Report will be a little leaner because of my travels, but come back soon for a few interviews and insights from my trip to see the Corpus Christi Hooks!

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

Akeem Bostick - April 2018
Photo by Jayne Hansen

5/1: RHP José Hernández (23)
5/4: RHP Akeem Bostick (23)
5/4: RHP Asael Uribe (22)
5/6: 2B José Altuve (28)
5/6: RHP Yohan Ramírez (23)

TWEET OF THE WEEK

This Fresno minor league baby has major league eyes!
ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

Note that some of these moves to and from the GCL and Tri-City (teams which are not yet playing) are likely moves on paper only for the purposes of roster management.

4/27: LHP Chris Nunn activated from the Fresno 7-day DL and assigned to Corpus Christi
4/27: RHP Brendan Feldmann assigned to the GCL from Corpus Christi
4/25: 1B Colton Shaver assigned to Quad Cities from extended spring training
4/24: LHP Carlos Hiraldo assigned to Tri-City from Quad Cities
4/24: LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
4/23: RHP Carlos Sanabria assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
4/23: RHP Robert Corniel assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
4/23: LHP Cole Watts assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
4/23: RHP Dariel Aquino assigned to Tri-City from Quad Cities
4/23: RHP Humberto Castellanos assigned to the Gulf Coast League from Quad Cities

ASTROS MILB DISABLED LIST

4/26: RHP J.B. Bukauskas (Quad Cities) placed on the 7-day DL
4/25: 1B Roman Garcia (Quad Cities) placed on the 7-day DL
4/25: OF J.J. Matijevic (Quad Cities) placed on the 7-day DL
4/24: RHP Riley Ferrell (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day DL
4/7: C Eduardo de Oleo (Fresno) placed on the 7-day DL
4/5: RHP David Paulino (Fresno) placed on the 7-day DL
4/5: RHP Ryan Thompson assigned to Fresno (starting the season on the 7-day DL)
4/5: DH Randy Vasquez (Quad Cities) placed on the 7-day DL
4/5: RHP Edgardo Sandoval (Quad Cities) placed on the 7-day DL
4/5: RHP Matt Ruppenthal assigned to Quad Cities (starting the season on the 7-day DL)
4/5: RHP Ángel Heredia (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day DL
4/5: RHP Nick Hernandez (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day DL
4/5: RHP Jose Luis Hernández (Buies Creek) placed on the 7-day DL

ASTROS MILB STANDINGS

FRESNO (Pacific Coast League)
🠋1st 16-8 .667 -.-GB W1

CORPUS CHRISTI (Texas League)
🠉1st 15-8 .652 -.-GB W3

BUIES CREEK (Carolina League)
1st 16-8 .667 -.-GB L1

QUAD CITIES (Midwest League)
🠉7th 10-12 .455 5.0GB L1

ASTROS MILB STANDOUTS FOR THE WEEK

Due to my travel schedule, the standout players for the week of 4/23 through 4/29 will be a little less comprehensive than usual, but here are just a few of the players whose work really stood out for the week ...

FRESNO

RHP Trent Thornton - 6 IP, 2 H, 9 K (8 consecutive strikeouts) on 4/23

1B A.J. Reed - 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, R on 4/25
OF Drew Ferguson - 3-for-4, 3B, R on 4/25
OF Kyle Tucker - 3-for-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R on 4/29
C Tim Federowicz - 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, R on 4/29

CORPUS CHRISTI

RHP Brock Dykxhoorn - 5 IP, H, BB, 4 K on 4/25
LHP Cionel Perez - 4.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R (unearned), BB, 5 K on 4/28
LHP Chris Nunn - 4.1 IP, H, BB, 3 K on 4/28
RHP Josh James - 4 IP, H, BB, 6 K, Save on 4/29

LF/1B Yordan Alvarez - 3-for-4, HR, 2 R, SB on 4/25
3B Randy Cesar - 2-for-4, 3-R HR, R on 4/28
OF Stephen Wrenn - 3-for-5, RBI on 4/27; 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, R, SB on 4/29
1B Taylor Jones - 2-for-2, 2B, HR, 2 BB, 2 RBI, R

BUIES CREEK

RHP Brandon Bielak - 4.1 IP, 3 H, BB, 9 K on 4/24
RHP Carson LaRue - 6 IP, H, ER, BB, 7 K on 4/25
RHP Justin Ferrell - 3 IP, BB, 7 K on 4/25
RHP Corbin Martin - 5 IP, H, BB, 5 K on 4/27
LHP Brett Adcock - 4 IP, BB, 9 K on 4/27

IF Kristian Trompiz - 3-for-3, RBI on 4/24
IF Josh Rojas - 3-for-4, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R on 4/27; 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R on 4/28

QUAD CITIES

RHP Luis Garcia - 4.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 7 K on 4/23
LHP Patrick Sandoval - 5 IP, H, BB, 7 K on 4/25
RHP Tanner Duncan - 2.2 IP, H, 5 K, Save on 4/26
RHP Cristian Javier - 5 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 8 K on 4/28
RHP Carlos Sanabria - 2 IP, 3 K, Save on 4/28

SS Jonathan Arauz - 2-for-5, 2 3B, 4 RBI, R on 4/25
1B Jake Adams - 3-for-3, HR, 3 R on 4/25
OF Jake Meyers - 3-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R on 4/25
OF Bryan de la Cruz - 3-for-5, 3B, RBI, R on 4/26

Come back in the next day or two and I'll have Astros Standout Players for the month of April.

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.

Corpus Christi Hooks bullpen
6 IP, H, 2 BB, 7 K
Sean Stutzman: W (2-1), 2 IP, BB, K
Josh James: Save (1), 4 IP, H, BB, 6 K; 34 K in 20 IP this season

Stephen Wrenn, OF, and Taylor Jones, 1B, Corpus Christi
Wrenn: 3-5, solo HR (1), 2 RBI, SB (8)
Jones: 2-2, 2-R HR (3), 2 BB

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.
Parker Mushinski, LHP, Quad Cities
4 IP, 3 H, unearned run, 3 BB, 6 K

Tim Federowicz's photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com.
Kyle Tucker, OF, Tyler White, IF, and Tim Federowicz, C, Fresno
Tucker: 3-5, 2-R HR (2), 3 R
White: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Federowicz: 3-4, 3-R HR (3)

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Saturday, April 28, 2018

Let's play two in the Quad Cities!

Tacoma 7, Fresno 3

W- Ariel Miranda (1-0)
L- Mike Hauschild (2-2)
S- Shawn Armstrong (1)

Fresno home runs: A.J. Reed (3, 2-run in 5th)

A three-run 5th inning got the Grizz back into this game, but the Rainiers managed to re-establish their advantage to secure the victory.

Mike Hauschild allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits (solo homer), walked three, and struck out five in five innings of work. Jacob Dorris allowed an unearned run on two hits, walked one, and struck out one in the 6th, and Buddy Boshers pitched the last three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits (solo homer), walking one, and striking out two.

Tony Kemp singled to lead off the 5th and Tyler White joined him on the bases after drawing a walk. Kemp stole third and scored on an error, and A.J. Reed, who was at the plate, eventually launched a two-run home run. Kemp finished 2-5; the stolen base was his 8th of the season.

Francis Martes will start the fifth and final game of this series. He'll take on Rob Whalen at 12:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 6, Frisco 1

W- Chris Nunn (1-0)
L- Brett Martin (0-3)

CC home runs: Randy César (1, 3-run in 6th)

Corpus used a 5-run 6th inning to seize the momentum on Saturday night.

Cionel Perez allowed an unearned run on six hits, walked one, and struck out five in 4.2 innings. Chris Nunn tagged in to throw 4.1 scoreless, allowing one hit, walking one, and striking out three.

Both teams scored a run in the 4th; the Hooks got theirs on a Randy César RBI single. Moving on to the 6th...

Nick Tanielu drew a one-out walk and Carmen Benedetti, who scored Corpus Christi's first run of the evening, followed by hitting a single. César delivered a haymaker with his three-run homer that broke the tie. Ryne Birk was next and he forced a pitching change by ripping a double. He stole third while Lorenzo Quintana was at the plate; Quintana eventually worked a walk and proceeded to steal second. Arturo Michelena hit into a fielder's choice where Birk was thrown out at home, but Myles Straw capped off the offensive assault with a two-run triple.

Birk finished 3-4 with a couple of doubles and a couple of stolen bases (4). César (3-R HR, 4 RBI), Straw (3B, 2 RBI, SB), and Benedetti (2B, 2 R) all had two hits on the night. Straw now has 13 stolen bases on the season, which breaks a tie at the top of the system with Josh Rojas.

Framber Valdez will take on Richelson Peña in game 3 of this series. First pitch is at 2:05.

Buies Creek 9, Frederick 4

W- Abdiel Saldaña (3-0)
L- Ofelky Peralta (1-2)

BC home runs: None.

The Carolina Stros stormed out to an 8-0 lead on the strength of two big early innings.

Chas McCormick singled to lead off the bottom of the 1st and scampered home with the first run of the evening when Josh Rojas smacked a double. Buies Creek opened things up a little with a 4-run 3rd inning, which started when they loaded the bases. Osvaldo Duarte reached on an error that allowed Aníbal Sierra and McCormick to score, while he was able to advance to second and Rojas made it to third. Duarte and Rojas eventually scored on a Kristian Trompiz single. Rojas added an RBI single to his ledger in the 4th and Abraham Toro ripped a two-run double later in the frame. Trompiz capped off the evening when he smacked an RBI triple in the 7th.

Rojas finished 3-4 with two doubles, two RBI, and two runs scored. McCormick (2 R) and Trompiz (3B, 3 RBI) had two hits apiece.

Jorge Alcala and Abdiel Saldaña both pitched four innings with contrasting results. Alcala had a scoreless outing in which he allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out four. On the other hand, Saldaña didn't have his greatest outing as he allowed his first three runs of the season on seven hits. He also issued a couple of walks and struck out one. Jesús Balaguer walked the bases loaded in the 9th but managed to emerge unscathed.

Brandon Bielak will take the mound as Buies Creek looks for a sweep. He'll face Jhon Peluffo at 2:00 Eastern.

Game 1: Cedar Rapids 2, Quad Cities 1

W- Randy Dobnak (2-0)
L- Luis Garcia (0-1)

QC home runs: None.

The Kernels nipped the Banditos in game 1 with a run in the 3rd that broke a 1-1 tie.

Adrian Tovalin went 2-3 and his RBI single in the 1st was Quad Cities' only scoring play in the first game.

Luis Garcia went 5.1 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, walked one, and struck out four. Cole Watts allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out one in 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

Game 2: Quad Cities 4, Cedar Rapids 1

W- Cristian Javier (1-0)
L- Melvi Acosta (0-1)
S- Carlos Sanabria (2)

QC home runs: Jonathan Arauz (1, 2-run in 5th)

Quad Cities put up a couple of crooked numbers to earn the doubleheader split.

Cristian Javier allowed a run on four hits, walked one, and struck out eight in five innings to get the win while Carlos Sanabria closed it out by striking out three over two perfect innings.

The Banditos got two in the 4th on an RBI double from Corey Julks and an RBI single from Bryan De La Cruz. They got two more in the 5th on Jonathan Arauz's first home run of the season. Julks, who stole a base in game 1, finished 2-3 in game 2.

The Banditos and Kernels will wrap up their series at 1:15 as Parker Mushinski faces Bryan Sammons.

Saturday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Randy César, 3B/1B, and Myles Straw, OF, Corpus Christi
César: 2-4, 3-R HR (1), 4 RBI
Straw: 2-5, 3B, 2 RBI, SB (13)

Cionel Perez, LHP, and Chris Nunn, LHP, Corpus Christi
Perez: 4.2 IP, 6 H, unearned run, BB, 5 K
Nunn: W (1-0), 4.1 IP, H, BB, 3 K

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.
Jorge Alcala, RHP, Buies Creek
4 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K

Josh Rojas, IF, and Kristian Trompiz, IF, Buies Creek
Rojas: 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
Trompiz: 2-4, 3B, 3 RBI


Luis Garcia's and Cole Watts' photos are their mugshots on MiLB.com.
Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers: L 2-1 and W 4-1 vs. Cedar Rapids
Game 1: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 5 K
Luis Garcia: L (0-1), 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 ER), BB, 4 K
Cole Watts: 1.2 IP, H, BB, K
Game 2: 7 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 11 K
Cristian Javier: W (1-0), 5 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 8 K
Carlos Sanabria: Save (2), 2 IP, 3 K

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, April 27, 2018

Friday featured dramatics and dominance on the mound.

Tacoma 3, Fresno 1

W- Casey Lawrence (2-1)
L- Kent Emanuel (2-1)
S- Erik Goeddel (4)

Fresno home runs: A.J. Reed (2, solo in 2nd)

The Grizzlies were held in check on Friday.

A.J. Reed's solo blast in the 2nd inning represented their only scoring play. Tony Kemp finished 2-4 with a stolen base, his seventh of the year.

Kent Emanuel went 5 innings and allowed two runs on six hits, walked one, and struck out 4. Reymin Guduan walked the bases loaded in the 6th, but he managed to escape, striking out one in the inning. Andrew Thome issued a walk and struck out one over two scoreless innings, and James Hoyt allowed a run on two hits while striking out the side in the 9th.

Mike Hauschild will take on Ariel Miranda in game 4. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 4, Frisco 3 in 10 innings

W- Alex Winkelman (1-0)
L- Adam Choplick (0-1)

CC home runs: None.

After getting shut out for eight innings, the Hooks' offense came alive and snatched a victory from right under the Roughriders' noses.

Akeem Bostick allowed a run on four hits, walked two, and fanned six in his 5.2 innings of work. Alex Winkelman tagged in for 4.1 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits, walked three, and struck out six.

Myles Straw led off the bottom of the 9th with a single and scored the tying run on Yordan Alvarez's double. Taylor Jones got a free pass to first, but Nick Tanielu grounded into a double play and that's how we got extra innings. The Riders scored twice in the top of the 10th to break the tie.

Tanielu started the 10th in scoring position. Ryne Birk flew out, but Lorenzo Quintana came through with an RBI double. Alex De Goti drew a walk, which prompted a Frisco pitching change. Arturo Michelena struck out, which threatened the comeback attempt, but Myles Straw kept the game alive by legging out an infield single to load the bases for Stephen Wrenn, who hit another infield single to score Quintana. De Goti followed with the winning run when Frisco 3B Luis Marte threw the ball away. Wrenn finished 3-5 on the night while Straw finished 2-5.

Cionel Perez faces Brett Martin in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Buies Creek 4, Frederick 0

W- Corbin Martin (2-0)
L- Brian Gonzalez (0-2)
S- Brett Adcock (1)

BC home runs: None.

Corbin Martin and Brett Adcock put on a show as they joined forces on a one-hitter.

Martin allowed the one hit, walked one, and struck out five in his five innings. Adcock finished things off, walking one and striking out nine over the final four frames. Martin, the former Aggie and Cy Ranch star, has allowed just four hits in 19 innings this season.

Ronnie Dawson walked to lead off the bottom of the 1st and then left the game, so Luis Payano took his place in the lineup and entered the game as the left fielder while Osvaldo Duarte slid over to center. Josh Rojas followed by opening the scoring with an RBI double. Rojas came home on the first of Chas McCormick's two RBI singles. Rojas led off the 3rd with the double and McCormick brought him home with his other RBI single. In the 7th, Aníbal Sierra drew a leadoff walk, stole second when Payano struck out, and scored the final run of the evening on Rojas' third double of the night. Rojas and McCormick were the only two players on either side to finish with more than one hit in the game.

Jorge Alcala will go up against Ofelky Peralta in game 2. First pitch is at 6:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 6, Cedar Rapids 5 in 13 innings

W- Adam Bleday (2-1)
L- Jovani Moran (0-1)

QC home runs: Adrian Tovalin (2, 2-run in 12th)

Cedar Rapids forced extra innings but in the end, the Banditos walked off with the victory.

Four Quad Cities pitchers combined to strike out 20 in this one. Peter Solomon allowed two runs on four hits, walked two, and struck out seven in five innings. Yohan Ramirez was the first man out of the Banditos bullpen and allowed a run on two hits, walked two, and struck out four in 3.1 innings. Robert Corniel came on for three innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out seven, and Adam Bleday struck out two over 1.2 perfect frames.

Cody Bohanek put Quad Cities on the board in the 3rd in rather painful fashion when he got plunked with the bases loaded. One batter later, they took the lead when Gabriel Bracamonte reached on an error that resulted in two runs scoring. Those would be the last two runs for Quad Cities until extra innings; in the meantime, the Kernels scored in the 8th to tie and then scored twice in the 12th to take the lead. Bryan de la Cruz started the inning in scoring position and Adrian Tovalin tied the game by launching a home run to lead things off.

Bracamonte led off the bottom of the 13th in scoring position. Marcos Almonte and Jake Meyers joined him on the bases by drawing walks, and Corey Julks won the game via shrimp. That's a walk-off walk, if you're not familiar with the terminology. De La Cruz and Colton Shaver both finished 2-5 on the night.

They'll play two in Davenport today, with game one starting at 1:15. Luis Garcia will take on Randy Dobnak in the first game, while Cristian Javier faces Melvi Acosta in game two.

Friday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stataed otherwise.

Corbin Martin's photo taken by Don Carson.
Brett Adcock's photo taken by Rich Guill.
Buies Creek Astros pitchers: W 4-0 vs. Frederick
9 IP, H, BB, 14 K
Corbin Martin: W (2-0), 5 IP, H, BB, 5 K
Brett Adcock: Save (1), 4 IP, BB, 9 K

Josh Rojas, IF, and Chas McCormick, OF, Buies Creek
Rojas: 3-4, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
McCormick: 2-4, 2 RBI singles

Akeem Bostick, RHP, Corpus Christi
5.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Peter Solomon's and Adam Bleday's photos are their mugshots on MiLB.com.
Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers: W 6-5 vs. Cedar Rapids (13 innings)
 13 IP, 9 H, 5 R (4 ER), 4 BB, 20 K
Peter Solomon: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Yohan Ramirez: 3.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Robert Corniel: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 7 K
Adam Bleday: W (2-1), 1.2 IP, 2 K

Friday, April 27, 2018

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, April 26, 2018

Fresno 4, Tacoma 3

W- Buddy Boshers (2-0)
L- Ryan Cook (0-1)
S- Brendan McCurry (4)

Every time the Grizzlies scored, the Rainiers managed to answer with the same amount of runs. When they scored in the 8th to break a 3-3 tie, Tacoma couldn't respond and that turned out to be the difference.

Rogelio Armenteros went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. Matt Ramsey was the first man out of the Fresno bullpen and allowed an unearned run on an error, a single, walked two, and struck out one in his two innings. Buddy Boshers and Brendan McCurry both pitched a scoreless inning. Boshers recorded a strikeout in a 1-2-3 8th, while McCurry worked around a hit to close out the game, striking out the side to do so.

Tony Kemp tripled to lead off the bottom of the 1st and scored on a wild pitch. Drew Ferguson, who walked and then advanced on the wild pitch, scored on an A.J. Reed groundout. Ferguson hit a groundout that scored Alejandro Garcia in the 5th. Tyler White ripped a one-out double in the 8th and scored what turned out to be the game-winning run on a J.D. Davis double. Davis and Kemp both finished with two hits on the evening.

Kent Emanuel will get the start in game 3 of this series. He'll go up against Casey Lawrence at 7:05 Pacific.

Midland 11, Corpus Christi 1

W- Norge Ruiz (2-1)
L- Yoanys Quiala (1-2)

CC home runs: None.

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

The pitching got roughed up and I think I'll leave it at that.

Taylor Jones went 2-4 and spoiled the shutout by ripping an RBI double in the 9th. Stephen Wrenn, who scored on Jones' two-bagger, also finished with two hits on the night.

Round two of the Lone Star Series in the Texas League kicks off at 7:05 as Akeem Bostick takes on Pedro Payano.

Down East 3, Buies Creek 1

W- Jonathan Hernandez (3-1)
L- Brandon Bailey (0-2)
S- Jacob Shortslef (1)

BC home runs: None.

The Carolina Stros had six hits while holding the Wood Ducks to just two. On the other hand, the Wood Ducks scored three runs while holding the Carolina Stros to just one as they foiled Buies Creek's attempt to sweep round one of the Lone Star Series in North Carolina.

Brandon Bailey went 5 innings and allowed two unearned runs on a double and a sac fly, walked 2, and struck out 8. Kit Scheetz and Carlos Sierra both pitched two innings out of the bullpen; Scheetz allowed an unearned run on an error, a single, and struck out 4, while Sierra walked one and struck out two in a scoreless outing.

Osvaldo Duarte scored Buies Creek's only run when Kristian Trompiz beat a double play attempt in the 7th inning. Chas McCormick singled and stole a base, his fourth of the season. No one on either side finished with a multi-hit game.

Corbin Martin will start the first of a three-game weekend series with the Frederick Keys. He'll face Brian Gonzalez at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 6, Kane County 3

W- Colin McKee (3-0)
L- Jayson McKinley (0-1)
S- Tanner Duncan (2)

QC home runs: Cody Bohanek (1, 3-run in 7th)

A local kid kick-started a comeback win for the Banditos in suburban Chicago.

Jonathan Arauz tripled with one out in the 1st inning and scored the first run on a Mike Papierski double. This would be Quad Cities' only scoring play until the 7th; in the meantime, the Cougars took a 3-1 lead.

Cody Bohanek, who grew up in Oak Lawn, about an hour to the east of Kane County's ballpark, gave Quad Cities a 4-3 lead when he launched a three-run home run in the 7th inning. They got a couple of crucial insurance runs in the 8th; Papierski singled to lead things off and scored on a Bryan de la Cruz triple. De La Cruz, who finished 3-4, scored the final run of the evening on a double from Adrian Tovalin. Papierski and Tovalin both finished with identical lines; they went 2-4 with an RBI double and scored a run.

Tyler Ivey went 4.2 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits (solo homer) and struck out 5. Colin McKee and Tanner Duncan picked him up with 4.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. McKee allowed a hit and struck out 4 in 1.2 innings and Duncan finished it off, allowing a hit and striking out 5 in the final 2.2 innings.

The Banditos are back home to start a four-game series with Cedar Rapids at 6:35. Both teams' starting pitchers are TBA.

Thursday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Quad Cities River Bandits bullpen
4.1 IP, 2 H, 9 K
Colin McKee: W (3-0), 1.2 IP, H, 4 K
Tanner Duncan (not pictured): Save (2), 2.2 IP, H, 5 K

Cody Bohanek's photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com.
Bryan de la Cruz's photo taken by Bryan Green.
Cody Bohanek, SS, and Bryan de la Cruz, OF, Quad Cities
Bohanek: Go-ahead 3-R HR (1) in 7th
De La Cruz: 3-5, 3B, RBI, R

Brandon Bailey's and Kit Scheetz's photos are their mugshots on MiLB.com.
Buies Creek Astros pitchers: L 3-1 vs. Down East
9 IP, 2 H, 3 unearned runs, 4 BB, 14 K
Brandon Bailey: L (0-2), 5 IP, H, 2 unearned runs, BB, 8 K
Kit Scheetz: 2 IP, H, unearned run, BB, 4 K
Carlos Sierra: 2 IP, BB, 2 K

J.D. Davis, 3B/1B/LF, Fresno
2-3, go-ahead RBI 2B in 8th inning

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Fresno 10, Tacoma 0

W- Cy Sneed (2-0)
L- Max Povse (1-3)

Fresno home runs: None.

Fresno dominated Tacoma in all facets of the game on Wednesday.

Cy Sneed went 5 innings and allowed 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 5. Four relievers pitched one inning apiece to close things out. Andrew Thome was first, and he worked around a hit and a walk to throw a scoreless 6th. Jacob Dorris walked two and struck out one in the 7th. Reymin Guduan worked around a pair of hits in the 8th, and James Hoyt recorded a strikeout in a 1-2-3 9th to complete the shutout.

Garrett Stubbs opened the scoring with a sac fly in the 2nd inning. Things escalated a little in the 4th as Stubbs added an RBI ground-rule double to his ledger and Jack Mayfield followed with a two-run single. Things really got out of hand in the 5th as the Grizzlies put up six runs to make it 10-0.

Tony Kemp led off the inning with a walk and Drew Ferguson joined him on the bases with a single. The two of them advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Kyle Tucker's single, which prompted the Rainiers to make a pitching change. Tyler White greeted the new pitcher, Ashton Goudeau, with a single, and A.J. Reed followed by smacking a two-run triple. He ended up scoring on a J.D. Davis groundout. Kemp drove in the final run of the evening with an RBI single in his second plate appearance of the 5th inning.

Rogelio Armenteros will face Christian Bergman in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 4, Midland 3

W- Brock Dykxhoorn (2-0)
L- Ben Bracewell (1-3)
S- Brendan Feldmann (1)

CC home runs: Yordan Alvarez (4, solo in 3rd)

There was a rain delay and then things got way too close for comfort in the 9th inning. Fortunately, the Hooks were able to escape with a victory after their night really got drawn out.

Corpus got on the board first thanks to a pair of RBI singles from Nick Tanielu and Randy César in the opening frame. Yordan Alvarez whacked a solo homer in the 3rd, and Alex De Goti ripped an RBI double in the 4th inning. Alvarez went 3-4 on the night, while César finished 2-2.

Brock Dykxhoorn allowed just one hit, walked one, and struck out four over five shutout frames. Ryan Hartman tagged in for two scoreless and allowed a hit while striking out three. The rain really started falling in the middle of the 7th and caused a two-hour delay. Ralph Garza worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 8th and got the first two outs of the 9th despite walking the leadoff man, but Midland suddenly sprang to life by rattling three runs off of him. Brendan Feldmann came on with runners on the corners in search of that elusive final out, and he got it by inducing a pop-up to De Goti.

The series finale features two Cubans on the mound as Yoanys Quiala faces Norge Ruiz at 7:05.

Buies Creek 3, Down East 2 in 10 innings

W- Ronel Blanco (2-0)
L- Jake Lemoine (0-1)

BC home runs: Abraham Toro (3, walk-off 2-run in 10th)

Both teams were held to three hits, but the Carolina Stros had more in the column that matters most as they walked off with the victory.

Three Buies Creek pitchers struck out 16 in their 10 innings of work. Carson LaRue got the start, and although his season-opening scoreless streak ended at 17 innings, he still spun a gem in his 6 innings as he allowed a run on a triple, walked one, and struck out seven. Justin Ferrell walked one and struck out 7 in his three innings of work. He has yet to allow a run in 14 innings this season. Ronel Blanco allowed the man on second to score on two hits and struck out one in the 10th.

Both teams scored a run in the 5th; Buies Creek's came when Chuckie Robinson beat a double play attempt which allowed Chas McCormick to score. Now, let's fast-forward to the first extra frame.

Well, it didn't take long. Josh Rojas started the inning on second and Abraham Toro launched the third pitch that he saw from former Houston Cougar Jake Lemoine out of the park to win the game.

Brandon Bailey will get the start as Buies Creek looks to sweep the first round of the Lone Star Series in North Carolina. He'll face Jonathan Hernandez at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 10, Kane County 5

W- César Rosado (1-1)
L- Abraham Almonte (0-1)

QC home runs: Adrian Tovalin (1, solo in 7th), Jake Adams (2, solo in 8th)

The Cougars thought they took control of this game after scoring 5 in the 6th to take a 5-1 lead. They thought.

Quad Cities responded with six in the 7th and three more in the 8th to blow the Cougars away on Wednesday afternoon.

Patrick Sandoval rebounded nicely after getting decimated in that game that I shall no longer mention. He allowed just one hit, walked one, and struck out seven over five shutout frames. César Rosado was the first man out of the Banditos bullpen and threw 2.2 innings, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits, walking 3, and striking out 4. Carlos Sanabria allowed a hit and struck out two in 1.1 innings.

Jake Adams led off the 5th with a single, advanced to third on a Cody Bohanek single, and scored the first run of the day when Jake Meyers beat a double play attempt. Let's move ahead to the 7th. It's probably for the best.

Adrian Tovalin kicked things off with a home run. Adams followed with a walk and then Bohanek and Meyers singled to load the bases for Marcos Almonte, who at least brought Adams home with a sac fly. Corey Julks hit into a fielder's choice in which Bohanek was thrown out at home for the second out. That didn't matter for Jonathan Arauz, who tied the game with a triple. After a pitching change, Mike Papierski drew a walk and Bryan de la Cruz put the Banditos in front with a two-run single.

Adams struck again in the 8th when he started it with a home run and Arauz capped it off with his second two-run triple of the day. The Jakes both finished with three hits; Adams went 3-3, while Meyers was 3-4. Bohanek finished 2-4.

Tyler Ivey will start the series finale. He'll face Brian Shaffer at 6:30.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Buies Creek Astros pitchers: W 3-2 vs. Down East (10 innings)
10 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 16 K
Carson LaRue: 6 IP, H, ER, BB, 7 K
Justin Ferrell: 3 IP, BB, 7 K
Ronel Blanco: W (2-0), IP, 2 H, unearned run, K

Abraham Toro, 3B, Buies Creek
Walk-off 2-R HR (3) in 10th inning

Patrick Sandoval, LHP, Quad Cities
5 IP, H, BB, 7 K

Jake Adams' and Jake Meyers' photos are their mugshots on MiLB.com.
Jonathan Arauz, IF, Jake Adams, 1B, and Jake Meyers, OF, Quad Cities
Arauz: 2-5, 2 3B, 4 RBI, R
Adams: 3-3, solo HR (2), 3 R
Meyers: 3-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R

Yordan Alvarez, LF/1B, Corpus Christi
3-4, solo HR (4), 2 R, SB (5)

Brock Dykxhoorn, RHP, and Ryan Hartman, LHP, Corpus Christi
Dykxhoorn: W (2-0), 5 IP, H, BB, 4 K
Hartman: 2 IP, H, 3 K

Fresno Grizzlies: W 10-0 vs. Tacoma
Offense: 10 R, 14 H
Pitching: 9 IP, 7 H, 6 BB, 7 K
A.J. Reed: 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, R
Garrett Stubbs: 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
Tyler White: 2-3, 3 R
Drew Ferguson: 3-4, 3B, R
Cy Sneed: W (2-0), 5 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Fresno was off

The Grizzlies kick off a four-game series with Tacoma tonight at 6:35 Pacific. Cy Sneed will face Max Povse.

Midland 3, Corpus Christi 2

W- Sam Bragg (2-0)
L- Sean Stutzman (1-1)
S- Jake Sanchez (4)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks got two in the 1st but nothing more as the Hounds ended up edging them thanks to a run in the 7th inning that broke a 2-2 tie.

Myles Straw led off the bottom of the 1st with a double and scored Corpus Christi's first run on a double from Carmen Benedetti. Taylor Jones brought Benedetti in with a sac fly. Both of Straw's hits were doubles.

Josh James went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 5. Sean Stutzman was the first man out of the Hooks bullpen and had an unearned run charged to him... which turned out to be the go-ahead run. Stutzman allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in his 4 innings of work. The run scored on a throwing error committed by Randy César. Kevin Hill threw 2 scoreless and also allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2.

Brock Dykxhoorn takes on Ben Bracewell in game 3 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Buies Creek 3, Down East 0

W- Brandon Bielak (3-1)
L- Emerson Martinez (2-2)

BC home runs: None.

The Carolina Stros only scored in one inning, but it was enough for them because Hector Perez and Brandon Bielak kept the Wood Ducks off the board for nine innings.

Perez allowed just one hit, but he also walked four and struck out five in his 4.2 innings of work. Bielak tagged in and took over the rest of the way, allowing 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 9 over the final 4.1 innings.

All three Buies Creek runs came in the 3rd inning and they hit six singles in a row to get those three runs. Abraham Toro, Chas McCormick, and Kristian Trompiz had the RBI singles. Trompiz finished 3-3 on the evening, while McCormick, Ronnie Dawson, and Osvaldo Duarte all had two hits.

In the second game of the Lone Star Series in North Carolina, Carson LaRue will go up against Edgar Arredondo. First pitch is 7:00 Eastern.

Kane County 11, Quad Cities 3

W- Jeff Bain (1-0)
L- J.B. Bukauskas (0-2)
S- Matt Peacock (1)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos managed to cut a 6-0 deficit in half in the top of the 8th inning, but the Cougars responded by burying them with five runs in the bottom half.

Quad Cities turned a bases-loaded situation to start the inning into their three runs as Bryan de la Cruz singled to bring in two and a swinging bunt from Adrian Tovalin plated another run. De La Cruz and Jake Meyers both finished 2-4 on the day.

J.B. Bukauskas threw 2+ innings and allowed 3 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 7 hits and struck out 1. Parker Mushinski was the first man out of the Banditos bullpen and allowed 3 runs of his own, in addition to the two that were charged to Bukauskas. In his 4 innings, Mushinski allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. He also hit a batter and uncorked three wild pitches during the course of his outing. Cole Watts allowed 5 runs, one of which was an inherited runner that was charged to him, on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Robert Corniel got the final two outs of the 8th, one via strikeout, but not before he allowed the runner that he inherited from Watts to score. Corniel also allowed a hit and issued a walk.

Patrick Sandoval will take on Mack Lemieux in game 3 of this series. First pitch is at 11:00 AM.

Tuesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Brandon Bielak's photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com.
Buies Creek Astros pitchers: W 3-0 vs. Down East
9 IP, 4 H, 5 BB, 14 K
Hector Perez: 4.2 IP, H, 4 BB, 5 K
Brandon Bielak: W (3-1), 4.1 IP, 3 H, BB, 9 K

Corpus Christi Hooks bullpen
6 IP, 4 H, unearned run, 2 BB, 4 K
Sean Stutzman: L (1-1), 4 IP, 2 H, unearned run, BB, 2 K
Kevin Hill: 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K

Kristian Trompiz, IF, and Chas McCormick, OF, Buies Creek
Trompiz: 3-3, RBI single
McCormick: 2-4, RBI single, SB (3)

Photo by Bryan Green
Bryan de la Cruz, OF, Quad Cities
2-4, 2 RBI