Happy Birthday - 6/10

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to ...

C Brian Holberton (23)
Holberton was born June 10, 1992 in Scarsdale, New York, and was drafted by Houston in the 9th round in 2013 out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is currently playing for the High A Lancaster JetHawks.

Brian Holberton - May 2015

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Tweet of the Day

off day road trip to San Diego to watch the @astros play with @Hosschase_42 @Holbie10 @jackmayfield8 #superseats pic.twitter.com/50he9OHPdL
— AJ Reed (@ajreed18UK) April 28, 2015

An Interview with Quad Cities Catcher Brian Holberton

One of the things I always ask players when I interview them is, "Can you tell me something about yourself that most people don't know and might be surprised to hear." The answer to that question for Quad Cities Catcher Brian Holberton may very well surprise the casual fan. When Holberton was drafted by the Astros in the 9th round in 2013 out of the University of North Carolina, he wasn't a catcher. He was an outfielder. But when the Astros called and asked if he could catch, he said yes.

Holberton is in his second season now, but is still learning the nuances of playing the position. According to Quad Cities Manager Omar Lopez, "He's still working and trying to make some progress behind the plate. Compared to Spring Training and Instructional League last year, he's been doing much, much, much, much better. He has some issues with his throwing arm mechanics, but he's been doing great. He's not there yet. He needs more time. He needs to play more, but he's been working very hard."

Pitching Coach Dave Borkowski also weighed in on Holberton's progress, "He's come a long ways. Very, very raw in Spring Training. Very raw at the beginning of the season, but he's worked hard. He's gotten a thousand times better at blocking the ball and receiving and stuff like that. He's still got work to do on the throwing, on the mechanical part of it, maybe calling a game here and there, but he's made huge strides in what he's doing back there."

But one thing keeps Holberton in the line-up as he often fills the designated hitter role when he isn't catching -- his hitting. As Lopez puts it, "The kid is going to be able to hit and that's what he's been doing for the most part so far in the season." In 48 games, he is hitting .304/.366/.506 with 14 doubles, one triple and six home runs.

Brian Holberton - June 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

I had a chance to talk with Holberton recently and the first thing I asked was what he felt like he'd accomplished so far this season and what he was working on. He responded, "I think overall just becoming a better catcher. First full year, just getting into the routine of playing every day, coming to the field and knowing what your body can do and what it can't do. Come out here and play enough and have fun.

"[My catching is] a work in progress. Seeing as I really didn't catch in college, getting thrown right in there as a professional catching. Feel pretty good. It's fun. Has its ups and downs and just get better one step at a time. Every day get better at something."

We also talked about his game on May 18th when he went 5-for-5 and hit for the cycle. "That was pretty cool. I've never done that before. Probably won't ever do it again. And it's just funny, the hardest one for me would be the triple and that was the last one. And going up to bat, you don't try to hit a triple. It just happened to go in the gap and they were shaded the other way, and Omar knew it. Omar waived the guy in front of me home and gave me a chance and I got in there safe so that's probably one of the coolest things I've done personally and I'll never forget it."

Other than the fact that he wasn't a catcher in college, I found out some other sibling-related trivia about Brian. "I have a twin brother. He just graduated from Clemson and he's going to med school. He's a smart kid. He's going to follow my sisters and go to med school. [I have] two sisters that are both married. My sister had her first child the day I was drafted. So I was drafted in the hospital."

When asked what he would do if he couldn't play baseball, Holberton said, "I was in the business school. I'd probably go back and get my business degree and see. I had a couple of internships but I think I would try to stick in baseball and try to be a general manager or something. I think that would be really fun to just stick around the game [combining sports and business]."

Who does he really enjoy catching? "Obviously, Brunnemann was an All-Star. He's a lot of fun to catch. He competes every day and goes out there and has an idea. He's working. He knows what he wants to throw a couple pitches before and he goes out there. He's a fun guy to catch. I'd say, Kent Emanual when he was here, just because I've known him and just being able to continue playing with him. That was fun to catch him too." [Holberton and Emanual were teammates at UNC.]

Are there any pitchers that are a bit more challenging to catch? "I don't want to say any names, but we do have a couple kids in the organization that, it's not a bad thing at all, but they throw really hard and so, when they're on, it's awesome catching them and watching what they can do, but sometimes you've got to keep them under control, and they throw so hard, it gets challenging sometimes. It's still fun to catch those guys." Suspecting that Holberton was talking about one of the flamethrowers on the team, I followed up by asking whether or not catching a 100-mph fastball is painful. He told me, "If you catch it right, it doesn't. You can see sometimes catchers break their thumbs. Definitely sometimes you can get hurt blocking balls, stuff like that."

Which Astros pitcher would he least like to face? "I'd say Josh Hader just because he throws hard. He's kind of a side arm lefty and he looks really tough. I've caught him and he can pitch. So he's one guy I'd stay away from. And, also, I shouldn't say this, but Kent owns me ... school and Spring Training. I can't get a hit off him."

Who on the team makes him laugh? "I'd say my roommate Jake Rodriguez always has something funny to say. And actually we hang out probably the most and just being around him, everything he says I think is funny."

How is he enjoying Quad Cities? "It's a great place. The stadium's awesome. They take care of us here. It's a fun league. The guys we play - I know a bunch of guys on the other teams so it's fun. I like this place."

According to Lopez, Holberton is making strides behind the plate in catching, framing, receiving, calling the game, blocking and he shows flashes with the arm as well. But Lopez acknowledges that it is Holberton's bat that is going to carry him until the rest of his game catches up.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

Thank you for your time, Brian, and the best of luck as the season progresses.

Happy Birthday - 6/10

Happy Birthday to ~

C Brian Holberton (22)
Drafted by Houston in the 9th round in 2013, Holberton is spending his first full season in the organization with Quad Cities. In 37 games, Holberton is hitting .323/.372/.519 with 12 doubles, one triple and four home runs. He also just so happens to have hit for the cycle last month.

Two former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

C Johnny Edwards (76)

Edwards came to Houston in a trade with St. Louis in October 1968 and spent six seasons with the Astros from 1969 to 1974. In 634 games, he hit .237/.310/.336. His career caught stealing percentage was 39%. Edwards' best years were with Cincinnati where he made three All-Star appearances and won two Gold Gloves.

LHP Floyd Bannister (59)

A first round pick by Houston in 1976, Bannister only pitched in 52 games (39 starts) for the Astros in 1977 and 1978, going 11-18 with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.538 WHIP, before being traded to Seattle for SS Craig Reynolds. He went on to have a solid career pitching for six different teams over 15 seasons. He made one All-Star appearance in 1982 for Seattle, the same season that he led the American League in strikeouts with 209.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, May 18, 2014

Nashville 2, Oklahoma City 1

W- Jimmy Nelson (5-1)
L- Mike Foltynewicz (3-3)
S- Donovan Hand (8)

OKC home runs: None.

Both teams had 4 hits, but Nashville had one more in the column that counts. Domingo Santana's RBI groundout in the 6th represented the lone RedHawks run. Kiké Hernandez went 2-3 with a double.

Mike Foltynewicz pitched solidly, even though he got saddled with the loss. He went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 7. Jason Stoffel threw 2 scoreless and allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1.

The RedHawks will now begin the 2nd leg of this long roadtrip: 4 games in New Orleans. Brett Oberholtzer gets the start in the opener against TBA. First pitch is at 7:00.

Midland 8, Corpus Christi 2

W- Ryan Doolittle (2-2)
L- Travis Ballew (0-1)

CC home runs: Preston Tucker (9, solo in 2nd), Telvin Nash (4, solo in 6th)

Yep, the wheels fell off for Corpus in the 8th as Midland scored a touchdown in the inning. 

The blasts from Tucker and Nash represented the Hooks' 2 runs. Tucker has homered in 3 straight. Andrew Aplin was the only player in the starting 9+1 with a multi-hit day as he went 2-4. Joe Sclafani's 6-game multi-hit streak is over, but his overall hitting streak was extended to 8 games. 

Mike Hauschild dazzled yet again; he went 7 innings and gave up a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 8. Travis Ballew and Jorge De Leon both struggled. Let's.... let's just leave it at that.

In the series finale, Luis Cruz will face Chris Jensen at 7:10.

Rancho Cucamonga 9, Lancaster 8 in 10 innings

W- Rob Rogers (2-1)
L- Tyson Perez (0-3)

Lancaster home runs: Teoscar Hernandez (6, 3-run in 5th)

The JetHawks erased a 7-1 deficit by scoring 7 unanswered to take the lead, only to see Rancho walk off with the win.

Teoscar Hernandez, who was in the leadoff spot for the 1st time this season, opened up the scoring by coming home on a balk from Tom Windle in the 1st. He then sparked the comeback with his 3-run shot in the 5th. Carlos Perdomo finished 2-4 with an RBI single in the 7th.

Rio Ruiz kicked things off in the 8th with a double and scored on a single from Danry Vásquez. He took 2nd on the throw home, advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch, and scored on Jordan Scott's double. Scott reached in all 4 of his plate appearances (3 hits and a HBP) and had a 3-hit game for the 2nd day in a row. Jobduan Morales, who was at bat when Vásquez went to 3rd on a wild pitch, ended up walking. He moved to 3rd on Scott's double and scored the go-ahead run on another wild pitch. Morales went 0-4 in his Lancaster debut, but scored twice.

Chris Devenski went 3 innings and allowed 5 runs on 5 hits (3-run homer) walked 1, and struck out 5. Juan Minaya got dinged by a 2-run homer by Corey Seager in the 4th. He allowed 1 other hit and struck out 1 in 2 innings. Josh Hader tagged in and was excellent once again. He allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 9 in 4 innings of work. Tyson Perez did not retire either of the 2 hitters he faced (2 hits) in the 10th and was charged with the winning run for the Quakes, which was unearned.

Zach Morton will make his JetHawks debut in the series finale. He'll take on Fabio Martinez at 7:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities 10, Kane County 3

W- Jandel Gustave (3-2)
L- Daury Torrez (4-2)

QC home runs: Brian Holberton (3, 2-run in 4th)

One day after getting no-hit, the River Bandits got the split as they led by as much as 10-1 and pounded out 17 hits. Everyone had one except for Tanner Mathis.

Brian Holberton was dominant at the plate, as he became the first Quad Cities player to hit for the cycle since April 19, 2005, when Brandon Yarbrough did it. At that time, the franchise was known as the Swing of the Quad Cities. Yarbrough's cycle also occurred in Kane County, so I thought that was interesting.

Holberton, who ultimately finished 5-5 with 5 RBI, doubled in the 2nd, smacked a 2-run homer in the 4th, added an RBI single in the 5th, and completed the cycle with a 2-run triple in the 7th. He topped it off with another single in the 9th inning.

The 2 River Bandits runs that weren't batted in came in the 4th. Brett Booth was credited with a bunt single, but 2 errors on the play allowed both Jack Mayfield and Conrad Gregor to score. Mayfield and Gregor both finished 3-5 with an RBI and 3 runs scored. Gregor's RBI came on a single in the 5th, while Mayfield's was a groundout in the 1st that put the first run of the day on the board. After Holberton finished his cycle in the 7th inning, he scored on a Tyler White sac fly.

Jandel Gustave went 5 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits. Michael Feliz tagged in for 3.1 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits (solo homer) while striking out 2. Albert Minnis got the final 2 outs of the game.

The Banditos will head home to kick off a 3-game set with Burlington. Edison Frias will start the opener against Elliot Morris. First pitch is at 7:00.

Three Stars

3.

Jack Mayfield, 2B/SS, and Conrad Gregor, 1B, Quad Cities

Both went 3-5 with an RBI and 3 runs scored.

2.

Teoscar Hernandez, CF, Lancaster

2-5, 3-R HR (6), 2 R

1.

Photo courtesy of Bryan Green

Brian Holberton, C, Quad Cities

5-5, Cycle, 5 RBI, 2 R

Three Stars: Pitchers

3.

Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Oklahoma City

L (3-3), 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

2.

@jhader17 was lights out in winning game #1 against the Snappers! pic.twitter.com/G1Hc4G54do
— RGuill (@QCBanditPhotog) September 8, 2013

Josh Hader, LHP, Lancaster
4 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 9 K

1.

Mike Hauschild, RHP, Corpus Christi

7 IP, 3 H, BB, 8 K

Tweet of the Day

We get no hit one day and then get 17 hits for the win the next day with a cycle by @Holbie10! This game is crazzyyyy!!
— Jack Mayfield (@jackmayfield8) May 18, 2014

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, May 1, 2014

Let's play 2 in Davenport....



Swept.

Round Rock 3, Oklahoma City 0

W- Nick Tepesch (5-1)
L- Nick Tropeano (1-2)
S- Ben Rowen (1)

The RedHawks had to settle for a split as they were held off the scoreboard.

OKC only had 6 hits; Ronald Torreyes went 2-3, while Robbie Grossman's double was their only extra-base hit.

In the battle of Nicks, Tropeano came out on the short end. He went 4 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 4. Chia-Jen Lo was the first man out; he threw 1.2 innings allowed a hit and struck out 3. Rhiner Cruz struck out 1 over 1.1 perfect frames, and Kevin Chapman went 2 innings and allowed a run (in the 9th) on 2 hits, walked 1, and fanned 4.

OKC will now hit the road... they'll be spending this weekend and Monday in Omaha. In game 1, David Martinez will take on Brett Tomko. Now, I haven't heard that name in a while. First pitch is at 7:05.


Midland 6, Corpus Christi 5

W- Shawn Haviland (1-1)
L- Brady Rodgers (1-3)
S- Seth Frankoff (6)

CC home runs: Chris Epps (3, solo in 5th)

The Hooks came close, but.... no cigar.

Brady Rodgers got jumped for 4 runs in the 1st, but he was able to pull himself together to hold Midland scoreless for the rest of his outing. He went 4.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (again, all in the 1st) on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Travis Ballew pitched 1.2 innings and gave up an unearned run on 2 hits, walked 2, and fanned 1. Pat Urckfitz was the 3rd and final pitcher of the night for Corpus; he threw 2 innings and gave up an unearned run on 2 hits and struck out 1.

Leo Heras got the Hooks on the board in the 4th by scoring on a wild pitch. He hit a 2-out triple right before that. Epps took Midland starter Shawn Haviland deep with 1 out in the 5th. Matt Duffy added an RBI groundout in the 7th. Duffy and Heras hit RBI singles in the 9th to make it a 1-run game, but they were both stranded to end the game. Heras finished 2-5. Jio Mier went 3-5, and Andrew Aplin finished 3-4 with 2 doubles, a triple, and 2 runs scored.

The Hooks will look to avoid the sweep as they send out Troy Scribner for the finale. He'll take on Nate Long at 7:00. I think this was supposed to be Aaron West's spot in the rotation.

High Desert 13, Lancaster 7

W- Matt Anderson (2-2)
L- Chris Devenski (1-4)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks fought back bravely, but a 10-0 deficit would prove to be just too much to overcome. They had to settle for the split.

Danry Vasquez finally put the JetHawks on the board with an RBI double in the 6th. Roberto Peña walked to lead off the bottom of the 7th and would eventually score on a Tony Kemp single. Dan Gulbransen drew a bases-loaded walk later in the inning. Vasquez drew a bases-loaded walk in the 9th, and Peña cleared the bases with a double. He, Kemp, and Rio Ruiz had 2 hits apiece.

Chris Devenski went 4 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 8. J.D. Osborne was the first reliever out of the bullpen, and he gave up 5 runs on 5 hits and walked 2 in 1.2 innings. Mitch Lambson went 2 innings and allowed a run (inherited runner charged to him), a hit, and fanned 3. Richard Rodriguez got the final out of the 8th via strikeout, but not before he allowed a 2-run homer to Dario Pizzano. Pizzano was his runner, while the runner on base was Lambson's. Jamaine Cotton allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 2 in the 9th.

The JetHawks will now welcome San Jose to The Hangar for the weekend. Mike Hauschild is listed as the starter when you first pull up the JetHawks' home page, but he's only spent 5 days on the 7-day disabled list. So, Brian Holmes, who's in California right now, could get the start. However, he's not listed on the roster, nor has an announcement been formally made regarding his roster status.

Well, whoever's starting for the JetHawks will take on Joe Biagini at 6:30 Pacific.


Game 1: Clinton 5, Quad Cities 4

W- Carlos Misell (4-1)
L- Andrew Thurman (2-2)
S- Rafael Piñeda (2)

QC home runs: Brian Holberton (2, solo in 2nd)

The River Bandits got 3 in the bottom of the 6th to make it a 1-run game, but a double play in the 7th was the backbreaker in their comeback attempt.

Down 3-0 in the 2nd, Brian Holberton put QC on the board by taking Carlos Misell for a ride. Holberton got things started in the 6th with a single, then came around to score on a James Ramsay double. Ramsay advanced to 3rd on a single from Tanner Mathis and scored on an Alex Gonzalez single. Mathis, the new lead runner, was erased at 3rd as Thomas Lindauer attempted a sac bunt, so Gonzalez ended up scoring on a Brett Phillips double. Lindauer was thrown out at home trying to score. Holberton was not retired in any of his 4 plate apperances; he finished a triple shy of the cycle (in 3 at-bats).

Andrew Thurman pitched 2 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 2. Chris Cotton was the first man out, and he pitched 3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, walking 2, and striking out 1. Pat Christensen threw 2 scoreless and allowed a hit while striking out 2.

Well, would the River Bandits split yet another doubleheader?


Game 2: Clinton 3, Quad Cities 1

W- Paul Fry (1-0)
L- Alex Gonzalez (0-1)

QC home runs: None.

QC manager Omar Lopez ran out of relievers, so Gonzalez, who started at 3B in the first game, got the call to preserve a 1-0 lead in the 7th. He pitched valiantly, but Burt Reynolds unleashed a 3-run blast with 1 out in the inning to give the LumberKings the lead, and eventually the win. Edison Frias was not available; he's scheduled to start on Saturday.

The 4 hits in this game belonged to Brett Phillips (double and triple) and James Ramsay (single and double). Tyler White's sac fly in the 3rd accounted for the lone River Bandits run.

Chris Lee had a no-hitter going for 4 innings, but he did issue 6 walks against 3 strikeouts. But again, he did keep Clinton off the board. Andrew Walter worked around a hit and a hit batter to throw a scoreless 5th, striking out 2. Tyler Brunnemann struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 6th, and Gonzalez couldn't hold the lead.

The River Bandits will now spend the weekend in scenic Beloit, Wisconsin. They've got a 3-game series with the Snappers. Evan Grills will start the opener against Lou Trivino at 6:30.

Three Stars

3.

Roberto Peña, C, Lancaster

2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R

2.

Andrew Aplin, CF, Corpus Christi

3-4, 2 2B, 3B, 2 R

1.

#167631057 / gettyimages.com

Brian Holberton, C, Quad Cities
Game 1 vs. Clinton: 3-3, solo HR (2), 2 R

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, April 25, 2014

Nashville 5, Oklahoma City 3

W- Mike Fiers (4-0)
L- Jake Buchanan (1-2)

OKC home runs: Kiké Hernandez (1, solo in 4th; 2 season)

The RedHawks offense was mowed down by Mike Fiers, who struck out 10 of them. Kiké Hernandez went 2-4 with a solo homer (1) in the 4th and scored 2 of the 3 OKC runs. They got a pair of RBI groundouts from Robbie Grossman and Ronald Torreyes in the bottom of the 9th. Gregorio Petit went 2-5, and Andy Simunic finished 3-4.

Jake Buchanan went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs (all on a homer from Hunter Morris) on 6 hits and struck out 2. 5 relievers pitched an inning each: Darin Downs (5th) gave up a run on 2 hits and struck out the side. Chia-Jen Lo (6th) worked around a hit and a walk to throw a scoreless inning. Ditto for Jason Stoffel (7th), who struck out 1. Kevin Chapman (8th) allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 1, and Josh Zeid struck out the side in order in the 9th.

The series continues at 7:05 with Ross Seaton and Nick Tropeano taking on Brad Mills.

Corpus Christi 6, Frisco 4

W- Troy Scribner (1-0)
L- Jerad Eickhoff (1-2)
S- Jorge De Leon (1)

CC home runs: None.

With Jayne in attendance, the Hooks jumped out tot a 6-1 lead, although it got a little close for comfort at the end righ there. I don't know the exact record of all Astros affiliates when she's in attendance, but I'm pretty sure she's the good-luck charm.

The Hooks went all relievers in this one, although the guy that started has done so in the past. Jordan Jankowski got the start as the starting pitchers got an extra day of rest. He went 3 innings and gave up a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. The first man out of the bullpen was Troy Scribner, fresh from Kissimmee. Clearly not fazed from the effects of going straight to the Texas League from extended spring training, Scribner tossed 2 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 2, and striking out 1 in the process. The organization's top facial hair prospect, Michael Dimock, was next, and he threw 2 scoreless. He allowed a hit and struck out 1. Pat Urckfitz allowed 2 unearned runs on 2 hits and struck out 1 as he got 2 outs in the 8th, 1 via strikeout. Jorge De Leon did allow an unearned run in the 9th, but was able to get the 4-out save, allowing a hit and striking out 1.

The Hooks got the scoring started in the 1st as Andrew Aplin scored on an error that allowed Preston Tucker to reach. After Frisco tied it with 1 in the top of the 2nd, the Hooks responded with a Tyler Heineman RBI single and a 2-run double from Nolan Fontana. Jio Mier chipped in with a 2-run double of his own in the 6th inning. Preston Tucker and Chris Epps had 2 hits apiece, while Leo Heras was 1-2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Brady Rodgers will take the mound in game 2 of this series; he'll be opposed by Luke Jackson. First pitch is at 7:10.

Lancaster 6, Rancho Cucamonga 3

W- Kyle Smith (4-0)
L- Geoff Brown (0-1)
S- Lance McCullers (2)

Lancaster home runs: Carlos Perdomo (1, solo in 5th)

The JetHawks were held in check by Clayton Kershaw for 5 innings. Let's see... the reigning Cy Young winner against a Class A Advanced lineup... that's to be expected, right?

Well, someone forgot to tell Carlos Perdomo that. On his 24th birthday, he had both of the JetHawks' hits off Kershaw, including a home run to lead off the 5th (1) that put them on the board, down 2-1. Perdomo was the only player on either side to have a multi-hit game; both teams only had 5 apiece.

After Kershaw exited, they got themselves going and finished on a 6-1 run. Rio Ruiz tied it with a double in the 6th and wound up scoring the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. Ruiz wasn't done yet; he drew a bases-loaded walk in the 7th, and Brandon Meredith provided some separation with a 2-run single. In the process, they rocked Julio Urias, the 17-year-old phenom from Mexico who was rated by Baseball America as the Dodgers' #3 prospect.

Kyle Smith fought hard against Kershaw. The result was a very solid outing for him, and he got the W to boot. In 5 innings, Smith gave up 2 runs (both on solo homers), one other hit, walked 1, and struck out 5. Lance McCullers had a bit of a scare, as he slipped on the mound and was favoring his elbow (initially leg) a little in the 9th.

Grounder to McCullers and he slips on the mound and is pain. Looks to be holding his right leg. #JetHawks
— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) April 26, 2014

McCullers said he's fine. Landed on his right elbow and was scared for a second. #JetHawks #Astros
— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) April 26, 2014

At the time of this incident, there was 2 outs in the 9th. He shook it off and got that last out. McCullers went 4 innings and gave up a run on 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3.

Game 3 of this series has Chris Devenski and Josh Hader taking on TBA; the JetHawks game notes has Lindsey Caughel as the starter. First pitch is at 7:05.

Peoria 8, Quad Cities 4

W- Jimmy Reed (1-1)
L- Kent Emanuel (0-1)

QC home runs: None.

The River Bandits were victimized by the multi-run homer in this one; namely the 3-run home run and the grand slam. Peoria only scored in 2 innings, but they put up 4 in both of them.

Brian Holberton went 2-4 and put QC on the board first in the 1st with a 2-run double. James Ramsay hit an RBI single in the top of the 6th, and Conrad Gregor went 3-5 with an RBI double in the 7th. Chan-Jong Moon was 1-4 with 2 runs scored and 2 steals (6).

Kent Emanuel went 4 innings and gave up 4 unearned runs on 5 hits (3-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 3. Chris Cotton allowed a grand slam and struck out 2 in the 5th. Jandel Gustave allowed 2 hits and struck out 3 in 2 scoreless, and Tyler Brunnemann struck out the side in order in the 8th.

In the middle game of this series, Michael Feliz and Evan Grills will face Silfredo Garcia at 1:00.

Three Stars: Pitchers

3. Corpus FNGs

Photo courtesy of Bryan Green

Troy Scribner, RHP, Corpus Christi

W (1-0), 2 IP, H, 2 BB, K

Michael Dimock, RHP, Corpus Christi

2 IP, H, K

2. Striking out the side in order

Photo courtesy of John Whinery (greenevilleastrosphotos)

Tyler Brunnemann, RHP, Quad Cities

IP, 3 K

Josh Zeid, RHP, Oklahoma City

IP, 3 K

1.

Photo courtesy of Bryan Green

Kyle Smith, RHP, Lancaster

W (4-0), 5 IP, 3 H (2 solo HRs), 2 ER, BB, 5 K

Lance McCullers, RHP, Lancaster

Save (2), 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 3 K

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Brian Holberton, C, Quad Cities
2-4, 2B, 2 RBI

2.

Enrique Hernandez, 2B/OF, Oklahoma City

2-4, solo HR (1, 2 season), 2 R

1.

Carlos Perdomo, SS, Lancaster

2-4, solo HR (1)

Tweet of the Day

I would like to thank Starbucks and Tire Kingdom for sponsoring this cross country drive
— Brian Holberton (@Holbie10) March 30, 2014

Tweet of the Day

Another night, another ring ceremony ... this time for the New York-Penn League Champion ValleyCats

Got us some new bling. #winningisfun #vamosgatos @Holbie10 @swiftmunn pic.twitter.com/2bIfkJWoLJ
— Jack Mayfield (@jackmayfield8) March 19, 2014

Tweet of the Day

Had lunch with Nolan Ryan today... 🔥🔥🔥⚾️ pic.twitter.com/5oqq28weOw
— Brian Holberton (@Holbie10) March 13, 2014

Eyewitness Report: 7/28/13 Greeneville 10 - Pulaski 1 - How A Pitchers Duel Turned Into A Blow Out

When you get to the game and the starters ERAs are 1.83 and 1.59 respectively, you settle in for a pitchers duel.  That is how the game played out for the first five innings.  But then Greeneville's bats exploded for 10 runs in their last three at bats to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 10-1 victory.  Here are more observations from the game.

On The Mound
Jandel Gustave only allowed one hit in six innings but he walked six batters.  The walks came in pairs, with two each in the first, third and fifth innings. He wasn't wild, just missing by little bits.  I had his pitch count at 75 with only 35 for strikes. Despite his control issues, he still fanned four batter and only allowed one of his walks to score.  He left after five innings down 1-0.

Chris Munnelly made his Greeneville debut pitching two innings of no hit, shut out ball. He struck out two hitters and walked one.  The only other runner reached on an error when the ball was knocked out of a glove on a tag play at first.  Munnelly's curve ball appeared to be his best pitch tonight.

Krishawn Holley closed out the game with an effective inning, allowing just one hit.

It was quite an outing from the pitching staff.

At The Plate
The Astros bats were kept in check for the first five innings.  Pulaski starter, Eddie Campbell, used effective location of multiple pitches.

In the first five innings, the Astros batters were 3 for 15 with one walk and five strike outs.
In the final three at bats, the G-Stros batters were 11 for 18 with three walks, four strike outs and 10 runs scored - all earned.

Chase McDonald reached base in each of his four plate appearances.  He had a single, a double, two walks, two RBI and two runs scored.

Brian Holberton hit his first HR at Pioneer Park; a two run blast in the sixth that gave Greeneville the lead 2-1.  He also singled and scored in the 8th.

Brett Phillips laid down one of the sweetest bunt hits I have seen for one of his two singles on the night.  Phillips pushed a bunt past the pitchers out stretched glove and no play at first was made.  He later scored two runs after reaching via a walk and single.

Three other G-Stros had two hits.  Tanner Mathis and Thomas Lindauer both produced a single and a double and Juan Santana had two singles.

Only Edwin Gomez didn't join the hit parade for Greeneville.  He went 0 for 4 with 4 Ks.  The part of that that concerned me was that he only saw 13 pitches on the night.  The first pitch he saw of the night was a ball, after that it was twelve straight strikes and four straight Ks.  Obviously something is wrong there.

In The Field
Mathis gets the Oscar for selling a sliding short hop grab as a catch in the second inning.  From my vantage point, it appeared the ball bounced into his glove.  The Pulaski manager and bench agreed with me.  But Mathis raised his glove high and the home plate ump signaled out.

Lindauer started a nice 6-4-3 double play in the fifth inning.  The ball was hit to his right.  He ranged over, grabbed the ball and threw across his body to start the double play.  Juan Santana made a nice quick turn to complete the twin killing.

The other nice play was made by McDonald at first on a high pop fly in foul territory.  He adjusted to the ball at the last minute making a lunge to his right to secure the ball to end the sixth inning.

The only error of the game was charged to McDonald.  He was playing in anticipating a bunt from the speedy Aaron Barbosa.  Barbosa didn't bunt.  He chopped a ball down the first baseline that McDonald had to retreat to retrieve.  When he did, Munnelly had not made it in time to cover first.  McDonald made an attempt to tag Barbosa before he reached the bag safely but the ball was knocked out of McDonalds glove during the attempt.  Heck of an effort but charged with the error none the less.

Overall
Nice team win for the G-Stros.  The pitching was very good, the offense produced late in the game and the defense was solid.  They end the series against a very good Pulaski team two games in front of the streaking Kingsport Mets.  They start a three game series against the Burlington Royals (17-19) tomorrow.