Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, August 8, 2016

El Paso 5, Fresno 2

W- Frank Garces (5-6)
L- Brad Peacock (5-6)
S- Kevin Quackenbush (2)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Grizzlies got on the scoreboard first, but the Chihuahuas quickly took control.

Both of Fresno's runs came in the 2nd inning as Jon Singleton scored on an error, and Nolan Fontana hit a sac fly that scored D.J. Fisher. Max Stassi finished 2-3.

Brad Peacock went 7 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits (solo and 2-run homers), walked 1, and struck out 5. Reymin Guduan allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 2 in the 8th inning.

Keegan Yuhl will make his AAA debut in game 3 of this series. He'll face former Astros farmhand Michael Dimock at 7:05 Mountain.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks will begin a 3-game series with Northwest Arkansas at 7:05. Evan Grills will face Yender Caramo. Yulieski Gurriel will also make his Hooks debut tonight.

Lancaster was off

The JetHawks are starting a 3-game series in Inland Empire tonight at 7:05 Pacific.

Burlington 8, Quad Cities 4 in 15 innings

W- Jared Walsh (1-1)
L- Adam Whitt (3-5)

QC home runs: Kristian Trompiz (3, solo in 2nd)

The Banditos unraveled late.

After Stephen Wrenn smacked a one-out triple in the 1st, Kyle Tucker brought him home with an RBI single. Kristian Trompiz whacked a home run to lead off the 2nd inning. In the 5th, Bobby Wernes and Myles Straw to lead off the 5th. Wernes was erased at 3rd on a force out, but Wrenn took his place on the bases. Straw and Wrenn successfully executed a double steal, and then a balk allowed Straw to score. Dex McCall, who was at the plate at the time, followed with an RBI single.

Everyone in the Quad Cities lineup had a hit; Straw led the way by finishing 4-7. Jake Rogers and Hector Roa had 2 hits apiece.

Yoanys Quiala went 5.2 innings and allowed 3 runs on 8 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 8. Zac Person was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen, and in 1.1 innings, he allowed a run on 2 hits and fanned 3. David Schmidt and Juan Carlos Santos were next, and they threw 3 scoreless innings apiece; Schmidt allowed 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1, and Santos walked 3 and struck out 4. Adam Whitt pitched 2 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1.

In the series finale, Agapito Barrios will get the start. He'll take on his fellow Panamanian, Jaime Barria, at 7:00.

Brooklyn 14, Tri-City 3

W- Gabriel Llanes (3-5)
L- Austin Nicely (6-2)

TC home runs: Spencer Johnson (5, 7 season; 2-run in 2nd)

After shellacking the Cyclones on Sunday, the ValleyCats were reminded of that old adage: "Turnabout is fair play."

Ronnie Dawson and Spencer Johnson both finished 2-4 and were responsible for all 3 Tri-City runs. Johnson whacked a 2-run home run in the 2nd, and Dawson added an RBI single in the 6th. Everyone in the starting 9+1 recorded a hit; Marcos Almonte, who entered as a defensive replacement in the 6th, drew a walk in his only plate appearance.

Austin Nicely and Howie Brey both pitched 2 innings; Nicely allowed 7 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 7 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 2. Brey allowed 4 unearned runs on 4 hits and walked 2. Carlos Sierra went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Angelo Serrano allowed a hit and struck out 2 in a scoreless 9th.

The ValleyCats will start a pivotal series in Lowell tonight; the Spinners lead them by 1 game in the New York-Penn League's Stedler Division. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

Greeneville 3, Pulaski 0

W- Jorge Alcala (1-0, 2-1 season)
L- Juan Jimenez (2-3)
S- Ricardo Castro (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

Jorge Alcala and Ricardo Castro joined forces to throw a 4-hit shutout for the Appy Astros. Alcala allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3, and Castro allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4.

Reiny Beltre opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. He scored in the 5th when Stijn van der Meer reached on an error; van der Meer was credited with an RBI on the play. Abraham Toro drove in the final run of the evening with an RBI single in the 7th. Beltre and Vicente Sanchez both went 2-4 from the bottom of the order.

Cristian Javier will start the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

DSL Marlins 5, DSL Astros Blue 4 in 13 innings

W- Willi Garcia (1-3)
L- Juan Cuevas (6-5)

Blue home runs: Anibal Sierra (1, 2-run in 5th)

The Blue team scored a run in the top of the 12th to take the lead, but the Marlins managed to tie it in the bottom of the inning, and they walked off with the win.

Anibal Sierra put the Blue team on the board with a 2-run homer in the 5th inning. César Cortez ripped a two-out triple in the 6th and came home on a single from Brandon Benavente. Carlos Canelon added an RBI single in the 12th inning. Benavente went 3-3.

Juan Corniel went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. Willy Collado was the first man out and threw a 1-2-3 5th. Javier Navas followed with 4 scoreless, allowing 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 4. Robert Corniel allowed a hit and walked 2 in 2 innings, and Juan Cuevas went 1.1 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits (game-tying solo homer in 12th), walking 1, and striking out 1.

DSL Phillies2 6, DSL Astros Orange 4

W- Alessandro Ciarla (1-0)
L- Asael Uribe (3-3)
S- Luis Ramirez (10)

Orange home runs: None.

The Phillies scored 2 in the 7th to take the lead and added an insurance run in the 8th.

Luis Coronel scored the Orange team's first run on a wild pitch in the 3rd. Yordan Alvarez also scored on an error, and Anthony Rodriguez hit a sac fly that turned into an inning-ending double play. Ramiro Rodriguez scored on an error in the 6th.

Maikel Sepulveda went 4.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 5. Freylin Garcia walked 1 and fanned 1 in 1.2 innings. Asael Uribe went 2 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and struck out 3. Gabriel Pirela allowed a hit in a scoreless 9th.

Monday's Stars

Javier Navas, LHP, DSL Astros Blue: 4 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 K

Myles Straw, OF, Quad Cities

4-7, R

Spencer Johnson, OF, Tri-City

2-4, 2-R HR (5, 7 season)

Photo from MiLB.com

David Schmidt, RHP, Quad Cities

3 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, K

Juan Carlos Santos, RHP, Quad Cities

3 IP, 3 BB, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Jorge Alcala, RHP, Greeneville

W (1-0, 2-1 season), 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K

Photo from MiLB.com

Ricardo Castro, RHP, Greeneville

Save (1), 4 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Reiny Beltre, 3B, Greeneville

2-3, 2B, RBI, R

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, July 28, 2016

Let's play two in Fresno!

Game 1: Las Vegas 6, Fresno 5

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

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

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

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

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

How did Fresno fare in game 2?

Game 2: Fresno 2, Las Vegas 1

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

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

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

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

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

Midland 3, Corpus Christi 2

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

CC home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

Lancaster 4, Bakersfield 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quad Cities 8, Peoria 7 in 11 innings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tri-City 2, Connecticut 1

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

TC home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

Greeneville 1, Bluefield 0 through 3.5 innings

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

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

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

GCL Cardinals 10, GCL Astros 2

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

GCL home runs: None.

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

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

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

DSL Astros Blue 5, DSL Phillies 3

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

Blue home runs: None.

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

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

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

DSL Phillies2 6, DSL Astros Orange 2

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday's Stars

A.J. Reed, 1B, Fresno

3-3, 2-R HR (14), 3 RBI, 2 R in game 1 of doubleheader

Brad Peacock, RHP, Fresno

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

Drew Ferguson, OF, Lancaster

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

Scott Weathersby, RHP, Lancaster

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

Photo from MiLB.com

David Schmidt, RHP, Quad Cities

3.1 IP, 2 H, 6 K

Ralph Garza Jr., RHP, Quad Cities

W (4-4), 2 IP, H, 2 K

Dexture McCall, 1B, Quad Cities

2-4, 2 solo HR (7), 3 RBI

Kristian Trompiz, IF, Quad Cities

3-5, 2-R HR (2), 3 RBI; walk-off RBI single in 11th

Myles Straw, OF, Quad Cities

4-5, 2 2B, 3B, RBI, 3 R

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, July 24, 2016

Fresno 6, Albuquerque 2

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

Fresno home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

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

Frisco 7, Corpus Christi 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RAW VIDEO: Fight between Corpus Christi Hooks and Frisco Roughriders. pic.twitter.com/mhuUtR67nJ

— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleKIII) July 24, 2016

EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE: Vasquez storms mound, bench clearing brawl follows. More at 9 and 10. #KRIS6 pic.twitter.com/TXP7g1vfdj

— Annie Sabo (@annie_sabo) July 25, 2016

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

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

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

Lancaster and High Desert was postponed

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

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

Quad Cities 6, Bowling Green 5 in 14 innings

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

QC home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tri-City 6, Vermont 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bristol 6, Greeneville 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday's Stars

Brady Rodgers, RHP, Fresno

W (9-3), 7 IP, 3 H, 4 K

Tyler Heineman, C, Fresno

4-4, RBI; 4 hits ties career high

Photo from MiLB.com

David Schmidt, RHP, Quad Cities

3.2 IP, H, BB

Dexture McCall, 1B, Quad Cities

3-4, RBI, R, 3 BB

Randy César, 3B, Quad Cities

2-6, 2 RBI; walk-off RBI single in 14th

Carmen Benedetti, 1B/OF, Tri-City

3-5, 2 RBI, R; walk-off 2-run single in 9th

Photo by Bryan Green

Connor MacDonald, 1B, Greeneville

3-4, 2 2B, solo HR (3), 2 R; scored both Greeneville runs