Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Saturday, August 12, 2017

Doubleheader day in the minors.

Game 1: Fresno 2, Albuquerque 1

W- Rogelio Armenteros (6-1, 8-4 season)
L- Ryan Carpenter (7-9)
S- Brendan McCurry (4)

Fresno home runs: Tyler White (20, 2-run in 3rd)

Both teams scored in the same inning; Fresno's scoring play produced more runs, so they won. I like it when baseball is simple.

Tyler White's 2-run homer in the 3rd opened up the scoring. He and Tony Kemp were the offense in game 1; White had two of the three hits. Kemp singled and scored on White's blast.

Rogelio Armenteros allowed a run on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 10 in 5 innings. It's the second time this season that Armenteros has recorded double-digit strikeouts. Brendan McCurry pitched the final 2 innings to get the save, allowing 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 1.

Game 2: Fresno 5, Albuquerque 3

W- Jordan Jankowski (2-3)
L- Thad Weber (1-6)
S- Jumbo Diaz (2)

Fresno home runs: None.

Both clubs scored in the same number of innings in game 2, but the Grizzlies put up the only crooked numbers in their scoring innings to sweep the twinbill.

Fresno opened the scoring on a Garrett Stubbs RBI single in the 1st inning. They scored twice in the 3rd on a Preston Tucker RBI groundout and an RBI single from A.J. Reed and got two more in the 5th thanks to a 2-run single from Stubbs. Kemp went 3-4 with a double, a stolen base (21), and scored twice. Stubbs went 2-3.

David Martinez went 4.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 8 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Jordan Jankowski extracted Martinez from a bases-loaded predicament by getting the final two outs of the inning, one via strikeout. Kevin Comer and Jumbo Diaz followed with a scoreless inning; Comer allowed a hit and struck out 1, while Diaz struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th for the save.

Trent Thornton takes on Yency Almonte in game 3. First pitch is at 6:05 Mountain.

Springfield 6, Corpus Christi 5

W- Sandy Alcantara (7-5)
L- Alex Winkelman (1-7, 3-7 season)
S- Tyler Bray (2)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks almost erased a 6-2 deficit. Almost. They scored 3 in the 8th to make it a one-run game, but left the bases loaded to end it.

Alex Winkelman went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits (2 solo homers), walked 3, and struck out 4. Ralph Garza Jr. and Riley Ferrell followed with 2 innings apiece, with contrasting results. Garza allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. On the other hand, Ferrell struck out 5 in a perfect outing.

Jason Martin opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st inning. Kyle Tucker drove in another run with a sac fly in the 2nd to tie the game at 2. Tucker's sac fly would be the last Corpus scoring play until the 8th; in the meantime, Springfield put up 2 in the 4th and the 6th to take a 6-2 lead.

Martin drew a 1-out walk, advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch, and scored on a double from Colin Walsh. Walsh moved to 3rd on another wild pitch and came home on a Tony Nuñez groundout. Arturo Michelena drew a walk following a pitching change. He went to 2nd on a Rico Noel single and two wild pitches later, scored to make it a 6-5 game.

Jamie Ritchie got plunked with one out in the bottom of the 9th, and then Ryne Birk came on to run for him. Martin singled and Walsh walked to load the bases. Birk was thrown out at home under questionable circumstances, which Hooks manager Rodney Linares disagreed with, and his dissent resulted in him getting the heave-ho.

Martin (RBI, R) and Michelena (2 R) both finished with 2 hits on the night.

Brock Dykxhoorn takes on Chris Ellis in the series finale. First pitch is at 6:05.

Down East 9, Buies Creek 3

W- Emerson Martinez (3-8)
L- Ryan Hartman (2-4, 5-5 season)

BC home runs: None.

The Wood Ducks busted this open late with 5 runs over the last 2 innings.

Ryan Hartman went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits (2 solo homers), walked 1, and struck out 5. Hector Perez was the first man out of the Buies Creek bullpen and allowed 4 runs on 3 hits (3-run homer), walked 4, and struck out 2 in 2.2 innings. Carlos Sierra allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on a double and walked 3 in 1.1 innings of work.

Both teams scored a run in the 1st; the Carolina Stros got theirs on a Yordan Alvarez sac fly. Alvarez hit an RBI single in the 6th, and Anibal Sierra scored on a Myles Straw groundout in the 8th. Stephen Wrenn went 3-4 with a stolen base (9, 17 season).

Jorge Alcala will face Brett Martin in the series finale. First pitch is at 2:00 Eastern.

Cedar Rapids 9, Quad Cities 1

W- Anthony Marzi (4-2)
L- Patrick Sandoval (1-2, 2-4 season)

QC home runs: None.

The Kernels blew the Banditos away by scoring in 6 out of 8 innings.

Daz Cameron doubled to lead off the 4th and scored Quad Cities' only run when Chas McCormick grounded into a force out.

Patrick Sandoval went 4 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits (2-run homer), walked 3, and struck out 5. César Rosado was the first man out of the bullpen and allowed 2 hits, one of which was a solo homer, in the 5th. Ronel Blanco went 2 innings and allowed 4 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Robert Corniel struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Gabriel Valdez will start the series finale against Charlie Barnes at 2:05.

Game 1: Tri-City 4, Williamsport 3

W- Leovanny Rodriguez (1-0, 4-0 season)
L- Zach Warren (0-3)
S- Luis Ramirez (2)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats edged the Cutters thanks to a run in the 6th that broke a 3-3 tie.

Leovanny Rodriguez won in his return to the New York-Penn League; he went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Luis Ramirez walked 1 and struck out 3 in the last 2 innings.

Jonathan Arauz and Gabriel Bracamonte both singled to start off the 4th, and Adrian Tovalin ripped an RBI double to put Tri-City on the board. Bracamonte scored on a Colton Shaver sac fly. Jake Meyers scored on a balk in the 5th and Corey Julks smacked an RBI double in the 6th. Bracamonte finished 2-4.

Game 2: Tri-City 3, Williamsport 0

W- Matt Ruppenthal (1-1)
L- Connor Brogdon (1-1)
S- Diogenes Almengo (1)

TC home runs: None.

Tri-City took the division lead with a doubleheader sweep on Saturday. Now, it's just a 0.5 game lead and everyone in their division is separated by just 2.5 games, but they're looking to keep their momentum going. Winning both games in a doubleheader is a good starting point...

Matt Ruppenthal and Diogenes Almento combined on a 2-hit shutout. Ruppenthal allowed 2 hits and struck out 5, while Almengo struck out 3 in a perfect final 2 innings.

All three Tri-City runs in the second game came in the 6th. Bracamonte tripled and Adrian Tovalin walked to start things off. Bracamonte scored the first run on a single from Shaver. Mike Papierski walked to load the bases, and then Kyle Davis walked Tovalin home. Shaver scored on a botched force attempt. Bracamonte, who went 2-4 in both games, hit two triples in game 2.

The ValleyCats and Crosscutters will conclude their series at 5:05 Eastern.

Game 1: Kingsport 2, Greeneville 0

W- Christian James (2-3)
L- Yhoan Acosta (0-1)
S- Billy Oxford (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros couldn't really get much going in the first game of the doubleheader. Jose Benjamin went 2-2 with a double.

Yhoan Acosta allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in the 1st inning. Tim Hardy allowed a hit and struck out 4 over 5 scoreless, and Ian Hardman struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 7th.

Game 2: Kingsport 3, Greeneville 0

W- Marbin Montijo (2-1)
L- Jairo Solis (0-1, 2-2 season)
S- Aaron Ford (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

Rough day for the Appy Astros. Wilson Amador went 2-2 with a walk.

Noel Pinto allowed a hit and struck out 2 in a scoreless 1st inning. Jairo Solis went 1.2 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Johsson Arias allowed 3 hits and struck out 6 in 2.1 innings, and Willy Collado allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 over the final 2 innings.

Francisco Villegas will start game 3 of this series. First pitch is at 6:00 Eastern.

Game 1: DSL Dodgers1 5, DSL Astros Blue 4

W- Maykel Rabsatt (1-0)
L- Jonger Ochoa (1-1)
S- Joan Valdez (3)

Blue home runs: None.

Yorbin Ceuta finished a home run shy of the cycle in 4 at-bats. He opened the scoring with an RBI triple in the 3rd and added an RBI double to his ledger in the 7th which cut the Blue team's deficit to one run. Wilyer Abreu and Kendy Moya both drove in a run.

Jean Reyes went 4.1 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits (2-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 1. Jonger Ochoa got the last two outs of the 5th and came out for the 6th, but ran into trouble. Luis Garcia took ownership of the last 2 innings. Ochoa, who walked 3, had 2 inherited runners charged to him. Garcia allowed 3 hits and struck out 2.

Game 2: DSL Dodgers1 4, DSL Astros Blue 0

W- Jeronimo Castro (6-2)
L- Jervic Chavez (1-1)

Blue home runs: None.

Having an equal amount of errors and hits usually does not bode well for a baseball team.

Kilvio Peralta allowed a hit and fanned 3 in 3 scoreless innings. Jervic Chavez went 3.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and fanned 3. Jose Antonio Hernandez got the last two outs of the 7th, allowing a hit and striking out 1.

DSL Astros Orange 7, DSL Indians 5

W- Jesus Bernaez (2-4)
L- Diarlin Jimenez (3-6)
S- Cristofer Melendez (3)

Orange home runs: None.

Team Orange had to stave off a late charge from the Indians to win this one.

Deury Carrasco (2 R) and Luis Barajas (R) both had 2 hits and 2 RBI. Jeury Castillo also had 2 hits on the day; he scored twice and stole a base (7).

Elian Rodriguez and Jesus Bernaez threw 3 innings apiece and were both relatively successful. Rodriguez allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1, while Bernaez allowed a hit and fanned 3 in a scoreless outing. Fabricio Reina allowed 4 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Cristofer Melendez took ownership of the 9th, allowing a hit and striking out 2.

Saturday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Yorbin Ceuta, SS, DSL Astros Blue: 3-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, R in game 1 of doubleheader

Deury Carrasco, IF, DSL Astros Orange: 2-5, 2 RBI, 2 R
Jesus Bernaez, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: W (2-4), 3 IP, H, 3 K

Rogelio Armenteros, RHP, Fresno

W (6-1, 8-4 season), 5 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, 10 K in game 1 of doubleheader

Tyler White, IF, and Tony Kemp, 2B, Fresno

White: 2-3, 2-R HR (20) in game 1 of doubleheader

Kemp: 1-3, R in game 1 of doubleheader

3-4, 2B, 2 R, SB (21) in game 2 of doubleheader

Tim Hardy's and Johsson Arias' photos are their mugshots on MiLB.com.

Ian Hardman's photo taken by Bryan Green.

Greeneville Astros bullpen

Tim Hardy: 5 IP, H, 4 K in game 1 of doubleheader

Ian Hardman: IP, 2 K in game 1 of doubleheader

Johsson Arias: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 6 K in game 2 of doubleheader

Matt Ruppenthal's photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Tri-City ValleyCats pitchers: W 4-3, 3-0 @ Williamsport in doubleheader

Matt Ruppenthal: W (1-1), 5 IP, 2 H, 5 K in game 2 of doubleheader

Diogenes Almengo: Save (1), 2 IP, 3 K in game 2 of doubleheader; perfect outing

Luis Ramirez: Save (2), 2 IP, BB, 3 K in game 1 of doubleheader

Gabriel Bracamonte, C, Tri-City

2-4, R in game 1 of doubleheader

2-4, 2 3B, R in game 2 of doubleheader

Riley Ferrell, RHP, Corpus Christi

2 IP, 5 K; perfect outing

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Saturday, August 27, 2016

Fresno 6, Sacramento 2

W- Evan Grills (1-1, 9-7 season)
L- Matt Cain (1-1)

Fresno home runs: Colin Moran (10, solo in 5th)

The Grizzlies went off on Matt Cain by scoring 5 runs in the 3rd inning.

Evan Grills was excellent in his 6.2 innings; he allowed 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 8. Mac Williamson spoiled the shutout with a 2-run homer off of Jordan Jankowski in the 8th. Jankowski allowed 2 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 1.1 innings, and Jandel Gustave walked 2 in a scoreless 9th.

Andrew Aplin led off the big 3rd inning with a double, advanced to 3rd on a bunt single from Nolan Fontana, and scored the first run of the night on a Tyler White single. Jon Kemmer smacked an RBI double, and although White was thrown out at home when Alejandro Garcia grounded into a fielder's choice, Colin Moran was able to come through with an RBI single, and Garcia scored on an error that allowed Jon Singleton to reach. Max Stassi brought in the 5th and final run of the inning with an RBI single. Moran, who finished 3-4, led off the 5th with a homer for the final Fresno run. White went 2-5 out of the leadoff spot.

Keegan Yuhl will start the Grizzlies' final home game of 2016. He'll face Clayton Blackburn at 5:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 5, San Antonio 1

W- Rogelio Armenteros (2-0, 8-6 season)
L- Kyle Lloyd (6-7)
S- Ryan Thompson (3, 5 season)

CC home runs: None.

Rogelio Armenteros shined on the mound once again, and he and Ryan Thompson shackled the Missions offense. Meanwhile, the difference in this game was a 4-run 4th inning in the Hooks' favor.

Armenteros went 6 innings, and the one run he allowed came off a solo homer hit by Luis Tejada to begin the 5th. He allowed 5 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Thompson walked 1 and struck out 1 over the final 3 innings.

Nick Tanielu led off the 4th with a double and scored the first run of the night when Preston Tucker followed with a single. Tucker wound up scoring on an error that allowed Conrad Gregor to reach. Drew Ferguson and James Ramsay drove in runs with a single and a groundout, respectively. Ferguson hit a one-out double in the 6th and advanced to 3rd on an error. Ramsay brought him home with a sac fly. Tucker and Ferguson had 2 hits apiece.

Dean Deetz will make his Corpus debut tonight. He'll face Daniel McCutchen at 6:05.

Modesto 8, Lancaster 6

W- Logan Cozart (2-5)
L- Chris Murphy (0-1, 5-8 season)
S- Luis Niebla (16)

Lancaster home runs: Jason Martin (20, solo in 2nd)

This game was tied at 4 after the 4th inning, but the Nuts seized control with 3 runs in the 8th.

Aaron Mizell doubled in the 1st and put Lancaster on the board first by scoring on a passed ball. Jason Martin smacked a solo homer with two outs in the 2nd inning. Both teams scored 2 runs in the 4th; Jamie Ritchie smoked an RBI double and Osvaldo Duarte had a sac fly for the JetHawks. Trent Woodward scored on a botched force out attempt in the 8th, and Bryan Muñiz scored on a wild pitch in the 9th. Muñiz, Woodward, and Ritchie all had 2 hits on the night.

Albert Abreu went 4 innings and allowed 4 runs on 5 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4. Ralph Garza Jr. was the first man out of the Lancaster bullpen; he went 3 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. Chris Murphy allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in the 8th.

Scott Weathersby will start the series finale, and he'll take on former Texas Longhorn Parker French at 6:05 Pacific.

Wisconsin 3, Quad Cities 2

W- Jordan Desguin (1-1)
L- Yoanys Quiala (2-11)
S- Nate Griep (22)

QC home runs: Spencer Johnson (2, 10 season; solo in 5th)

The River Bandits have scored just 12 runs during their 8-game losing streak.

Spencer Johnson put Quad Cities on the board with by leading off the 5th inning with a homer, and Pat Porter hit an RBI double in the 6th inning. Dex McCall was thrown out at the plate trying to score the tying run.

Yoanys Quiala went 7 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits (2-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 4. Zac Person walked 2 and struck out 3 over 1.2 scoreless innings, and David Schmidt got a groudout to record the final out of the 9th inning.

Tyler Britton will make his Quad Cities debut today, and he'll face Jake Drossner at 1:15.

Lowell 5, Tri-City 1

W- Daniel Zandona (5-2)
L- Angelo Serrano (0-2, 1-3 season)

TC home runs: Alex De Goti (2, solo in 9th)

All of the scoring in this game was done in the 9th inning. Unfortunately, the Spinners had the more productive half of the 9th inning.

Alex De Goti's homer in the 9th spoiled Lowell's shutout bid. Bryan De La Cruz finished 2-3.

Edgardo Sandoval went 5 innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. Makay Nelson was the first man out, and in 2.2 innings, he allowed a hit, walked 4, and struck out 3. Angelo Serrano pitched 1.1 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits (2-run homer) and walked 1.

Kevin Hill will start the series finale. First pitch is at 5:00 Eastern.

Elizabethton 1, Greeneville 0

W- Tyler Wells (5-2)
L- Patrick Sandoval (2-3)
S- Patrick McGuff (9)

Greeneville home runs: None.

There was one run in this game... and it did not belong to Greeneville. And now, the Appy Astros are on the brink. As Jayne mentioned in today's Farm Report, they'll have to win out to make the playoffs.

Abraham Toro hit a double and stole a base, his 2nd of the season.

Patrick Sandoval went 5 innings and allowed the only run of the game on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Diogenes Almengo walked 1 and struck out 4 over the final 4 innings.

In game 2 of this series, Forrest Whitley will take on Ryan Mason. First pitch is at 6:00 Eastern.

GCL Cardinals 5, GCL Astros 1

W- Franyel Casadilla (5-2)
L- Leovanny Rodriguez (2-6, 3-6 season)

GCL home runs: None.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the 2nd inning and the Kissimmee Stros couldn't respond.

Gilberto Celestino's sac fly in the 3rd was their only scoring play.

Leovanny Rodriguez allowed 5 runs on 7 hits and struck out 3 over 1.2 innings. Enoli Paredes allowed a hit and struck out 7 over 3.1 innings in relief. Saul Martinez walked 1 and struck out 1 in a scoreless 6th. Bryan Abreu was next, and he struck out 2 over 2.1 perfect innings. Manuel Gonzalez recorded the final 2 outs of the 9th via strikeout.

From August 10: DSL Astros Blue 4, DSL Dodgers2 3 in 14 innings

W- Robert Corniel (1-1)
L- Leowis Blanco (2-2)

Blue home runs: Anibal Sierra (2, 3-run in 4th)

The Blue team got outhit 15-6 and walked off with the win.

Anibal Sierra's 3-run homer came all the way back on August 10. Nestor Tejada won the game with an RBI single in the 14th.

Yulian Frontado pitched 3 innings after play resumed and allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Yeremi Ceballos allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 8 over 5 scoreless. Robert Corniel allowed 3 hits and walked 1 over 2 innings.

Saturday's Stars

Yeremi Ceballos, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: 5 IP, H, 2 BB, 8 K

Photo from MiLB.com

Diogenes Almengo, RHP, Greeneville

4 IP, BB, 4 K

Rogelio Armenteros and Ryan Thompson, RHPs, Corpus Christi

Armenteros: W (2-0, 8-6 season), 6 IP, 6 H (solo HR allowed), ER, BB, 5 K

Thompson: Save (3, 5 season), 3 IP, BB, K

Edgardo Sandoval, RHP, Tri-City

5 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K

Evan Grills, LHP, Fresno

W (1-1, 9-7 season), 6.2 IP, 5 H, BB, 8 K

Colin Moran, 3B, Fresno

3-4, solo HR (10), 2 RBI, 2 R

Photo by Bryan Green

Enoli Paredes, RHP, GCL Astros

3.1 IP, H, 7 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, July 21, 2016

Round Rock 3, Fresno 0

W- Michael Roth (8-3)
L- Tommy Shirley (7-7)
S- Andrew Faulkner (3)

Fresno home runs: None.

There was only one scoring play in this game, and it did not belong to the Grizzlies. Fresno only had two hits in this game, and they both belonged to Tony Kemp.

Tommy Shirley went 2.1 innings and allowed a 3-run home run to Joey Gallo in the 3rd, 5 other hits, walked 4, and struck out 3. Brendan McCurry was the first man out of the Grizzlies bullpen; he walked 1 and struck out 5 over 2.2 scoreless. Jandel Gustave allowed a hit and fanned 2 in 2 scoreless innings, and Jordan Jankowski struck out the side in order in the 8th inning.

The Grizzlies will return home, with Alex Bregman still with the club, to begin a 4-game series with Albuquerque tonight at 7:05 Pacific. Mike Hauschild will take on Kyle Freeland.

I'm not thrilled that Alex Bregman isn't a Houston Astro yet, especially when this is an ideal time to have him up. But... I strongly suspect that the Astros front office knows what they're doing. They do a pretty good job at testing whether we can delay our gratification, and I admit that there are times (see: George Springer flirting with 40-40 in the minors in 2013) where I have failed badly at this. He'll be in the Majors this year. Just..... not at this moment.

Frisco 7, Corpus Christi 6 in 10 innings

W- John Fasola (3-1)
L- Chris Cotton (1-1)

CC home runs: J.D. Davis (15, 2-run in 3rd), Roberto Peña (8, 2-run in 8th)

The Roughriders tied the game with a run in the 9th and went ahead with a run in the first extra frame.

Mott Hyde put Corpus on the board with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. J.D. Davis clubbed a 2-run home run in the 3rd to put them in the lead, and Nolan Fontana added an RBI single in the 4th. Roberto Peña responded to Frisco's 4-run 7th inning with a 2-run home run in the 8th that put the Hooks back in front. Six players finished with two hits in this game, including Davis, Fontana, and Hyde.

Evan Grills went 6.1 innings and allowed 5 runs on 7 hits (2 solo homers) and struck out 6. Kyle Smith tagged in to throw 2 innings, allowing a run on 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 1. Chris Cotton allowed a run on 2 hits and walked 1 in 1.2 innings.

Edison Frias will start game 2 of this series. He'll take on Scott Carroll at 7:05.

Lancaster 9, High Desert 8 in 11 innings

W- Kevin Comer (2-2)
L- Felix Carvallo (6-2)

Lancaster home runs; Bryan Muñiz (9, solo in 2nd), Aaron Mizell (4, 6 season; solo in 8th), Drew Ferguson 2 (7; solo in 8th, walk-off 2-run in 11th)

The Astros' affiliates dropped 2 of 3 from the Rangers' affiliates on Thursday, but the one win came in walk-off fashion. The JetHawks erased a 7-2 deficit by finishing the game on a 7-1 run, scoring 2 in the 8th and the 9th to force extras and winning the game with Drew Ferguson's 2-run home run in the bottom of the 11th.

Bryan Muñiz's solo home run in the 2nd put Lancaster on the board. Drew Ferguson drew a bases-loaded walk in the 4th, and Aaron Mizell scored on an error following a Johnny Sewald single in the 6th inning. Mizell and Ferguson led off the 8th with solo home runs, and then in the 9th, Mizell tied the game with a 2-out, 2-run double. The Mavs re-took the lead with a run in the 11th, but in the bottom of the inning, Ferguson sent the crowd at The Hangar home happy by sending a ball into the warm Antelope Valley night for a 2-run home run, his second of the evening. He finished 3-4 in the game. Mizell finished 2-6 with 3 RBI and scored twice, and Sewald and Tony Nuñez went 2-6 from the top of the order.

Rogelio Armenteros went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 6 hits (solo homer), walked 4, and struck out 7. Jacob Dorris was the first man out of the JetHawks bullpen, and he took ownership of the 6th inning. It was a rare off night for Dorris as he allowed 3 runs of his own in addition to allowing both of Armenteros' runners to score. His 3 runs all scored on a home run. Dorris allowed 4 other hits in his outing. Scott Weathersby stopped the bleeding with 3.2 scoreless innings; he allowed 3 hits and fanned 3. Kevin Comer pitched 1.1 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2.

In game 2 of this series, Dean Deetz will start against David Ledbetter. First pitch is at 6:35 Pacific.

Quad Cities 12, Dayton 4

W- Matt Bower (4-0, 6-3 season)
L- Ty Boyles (2-6)

QC home runs: Anthony Hermelyn (3, 3-run in 2nd), Pat Porter (5, solo in 5th)

Quad Cities saw their lead whittled down to one run, thanks to a 3-run 6th from the Dragons, but they responded with 3 of their own in the bottom of the 6th and put this game away with a 4-run 8th inning.

Anthony Hermelyn's 3-run home run in the 2nd inning put the Banditos on the board and in the lead. Myles Straw hit a single in the 4th, and on the ensuing error, Randy César scored. Pat Porter whacked a solo homer in the 5th inning.

César, Hermelyn, and Myles Straw led off the 6th by singling to load the bases. Kristian Trompiz grounded into a force out that erased Straw at 2nd base, but an error allowed César and Hermelyn to score. Trompiz, who advanced to 2nd on the gaffe, stole 3rd and scored on a Kyle Tucker sacrifice fly. Trompiz reached on another error in the 8th and scored on a triple from Hector Roa. Arturo Michelena followed with a 2-run double, and Connor Goedert capped off the scoring with an RBI single.

César finished 3-5 and scored 3 runs in his Midwest League debut. Hermelyn (3-R HR, 2 R), Roa (2B, 3B, RBI, R), Porter (solo HR, 2 R), and Goedert (RBI, R) all had 2 hits in this game.

Matt Bower went 6 innings and allowed 4 runs on 4 hits (3-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 11. He is the second pitcher in the Astros system to reach the 100-strikeout plateau this season. Adam Whitt allowed a hit and fanned 3 over 2 scoreless innings, and Makay Nelson walked 1 and struck out 2 in the 9th inning.

Elieser Hernandez will take the mound as the Banditos look for the sweep. He'll face Austin Orewiler, a Galveston native and Rice product, at 7:00.

Staten Island 6, Tri-City 5

W- Taylor Widener (2-0)
L- Kevin Hill (0-2)
S- Brooks Kriske (3)

TC home runs: Jake Rogers (2, solo in 2nd)

The ValleyCats' comeback bid fell one run short.

Taylor Jones drove in Tri-City's first run with a groundout in the 2nd inning. Jake Rogers followed by launching a solo homer. Alex De Goti followed Rogers' blast with a single and was able to make it to 2nd base on an error. De Goti then stole 3rd (7) and scored on a wild pitch. Ronnie Dawson ripped an RBI double in the 3rd inning. De Goti hit a one-out single in the 9th and made his way to 3rd, thanks to a couple of wild pitches. Rodrigo Ayarza, who was batting at the time, walked, and Ryne Birk brought De Goti home with a sac fly. Unfortunately, Ayarza was left at first base to end the game. De Goti (2 R) and Carmen Benedetti (2B) both finished 2-4.

Dustin Hunt went 1.2 innings and allowed a 3-run home run to Timmy Robinson in the 1st, which was the only hit that he allowed. He walked 2 and struck out 1. Ryan Hartman tagged in for 3.1 innings and allowed an unearned run on 2 hits, walked 1, and fanned 6. Kevin Hill allowed 2 runs on 4 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 2 in 1.2 innings, and Juan Carlos Santos allowed a hit and struck out 1 in 1.1 innings.

Game 2 of this series starts at 7:00 Eastern.

Greeneville 6, Johnson City 1

W- Diogenes Almengo (1-1)
L- Austin Sexton (0-1)
S- Angelo Serrano (1)

Greeneville home runs: Chaz Pal (2, 3-run in 6th)

The Appy Astros avoided the sweep thanks to a big home run that gave them a little more breathing room on the scoreboard.

Jonathan Arauz opened the scoring in the 2nd inning with an RBI double. Chaz Pal got plunked to lead off the 5th, advanced to 3rd on an errant pickoff throw, and scored on a Vicente Sanchez single. Pal got his revenge in the 6th as he whacked a 3-run home run to extend Greeneville's lead to 5-1. Troy Sieber capped off the scoring in the 7th by ripping an RBI double.

Sieber (2B, RBI, 2 BB), Arauz (2B, RBI), Pal (2B, 3-R HR, 2 R), and Gabriel Bracamonte (2 R) all finished with 2 hits apiece in this game.

Diogenes Almengo allowed a solo homer to Bryce Denton in the 5th which accounted for Johnson City's only run. In 5 innings, Almengo allowed 2 other hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Patrick Sandoval tagged in for 3.1 innings, allowing 4 hits, walking 4, and striking out 1. Angelo Serrano inherited a bases-loaded situation from Sandoval in the 9th, but he was able to record the final two outs of the game, thwarting the Cardinals' comeback bid.

Nathan Thompson will start for the Appy Astros tonight as they get set to start a 3-game series with Bristol. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 4, GCL Mets 0 (play suspended)

This game will be completed on July 26.

DSL Athletics 2, DSL Astros Blue 1

W- Jhenderson Hurtado (2-1)
L- Javier Navas (1-1)
S- Jean Ruiz (1)

Blue home runs: None.

Well, the Blue team was left to rue some missed opportunities on offense in this one; they were 0-11 with runners in scoring position.

Angel Tejeda's RBI single in the 7th was their only scoring play. He and Nicolás Miranda had 2 hits apiece.

Javier Navas allowed a run on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Angel Matos allowed a run on a force out, walked 2, and struck out 1 in the 6th, and Juan Corniel allowed a hit over 2 scoreless.

DSL Astros Orange 4, DSL Red Sox2 3

W- Asael Uribe (2-2)
L- Joan Martinez (0-1)
S- Yohan Ramirez (1)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team made it two in a row over the Red Sox 2.

Both teams scored 2 runs in the 6th inning; the Orange team's two runs came on an RBI single from Hector Martinez and an Anthony Rodriguez RBI double. In the 8th, Ronaldo Urdaneta scored on a wild pitch, and Martinez scored on an errant pickoff throw. Martinez finished 2-3 in this one.

Junior Garcia allowed 3 hits and struck out 3 over 3 scoreless. Miguel Matos went 2 innings, walking 4 and striking out 2. Asael Uribe went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned), a single, walked 3, and struck out 3. Yohan Ramirez allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 1 in the 9th.

Thursday's Stars

Photo from MiLB.com

Chaz Pal, OF, Greeneville

2-3, 2B, 3-R HR (2), 2 R

Photo from MiLB.com

Diogenes Almengo, RHP, Greeneville

W (1-1), 5 IP, 3 H (solo HR), ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Anthony Hermelyn, C, Quad Cities

2-4, 3-R HR (3), 2 R

Scott Weathersby, RHP, Lancaster

3.2 IP, 3 K

Drew Ferguson, OF, Lancaster

3-4, 2 HR (7), 4 RBI, 2 R; walk-off 2-R HR in 11th

Aaron Mizell, 2B/OF, Lancaster

2-6, 2B, solo HR (4, 6 season), 3 RBI, 2 R; hit game-tying 2-R 2B in 9th

Greeneville 8, Princeton 7: Appalachian League Champions!

The Greeneville Astros won their first Appalachian League crown since 2004 with an 8-7 victory over the Princeton Rays. This is the 3rd time that the Astros' Appalachian League affiliate has captured the league title; in 1999, the Martinsville Astros won it all. This deciding 3rd game was a back-and-forth battle that Greeneville finally took control of in the 6th inning.

W- Diogenes Almengo
L- Alberto Casanas
S- Edgardo Sandoval

Greeneville home runs: Kyle Tucker (3 in playoffs; 3-run in 3rd)

Connor Goedert opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st inning. After the Rays took the lead with 3 in the 2nd, Kyle Tucker responded with a 3-run blast in the top of the 3rd. Rodrigo Ayarza, whose grand slam in game 2 was one of the hits that made this game possible, ripped an RBI double in the 4th inning. The Appy Astros put up another 3-run inning in the 6th as Arturo Michelena and Ayarza both hit RBI singles. As Tucker was being intentionally walked by Ruben Paredes, one of the intentional balls got away, and Michelena scampered home with the 3rd run of the frame. Everyone in the lineup had a hit except for Randy Cesar, who really missed out on the party. Tucker, Michelena, Ayarza, Goedert, Christian Correa, and Myles Straw all had 2 hits in this game.

Erasmo Pinales went 3 innings and allowed 4 runs on 2 hits (solo and 3-run homers), walked 2, and struck out 1. Diogenes Almengo was the first man out, and he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and walked 1 over 2 innings. Edgardo Sandoval held the Rays to 1 run on a solo homer, which was the only hit he allowed in his 4 innings. He walked 2 and fanned 7 in a fine relief outing.

Tonight, the 5 affiliates above Greeneville on the organization's ladder will begin their playoff campaigns.

Dan Straily will take the mound for Fresno as they begin their series with El Paso at 7:05 Pacific. He'll take on Daniel McCutchen.

In game 1 of the Texas League South Division Series pitting the Hooks against Midland, Chris Devenski will take on Parker Frazier at 7:05.

Lancaster will face High Desert in the California League South Mini-Series. In game 1, Keegan Yuhl will face Reed Garrett at 6:30 Pacific.

Quad Cities will take on Cedar Rapids at 6:35. Josh James will go up against Felix Jorge.

Tri-City and Staten Island will start it off at 7:00 Eastern. Chris Murphy faces James Kaprielian.

Happy Birthday - 6/2

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to ...

1B Chase McDonald (23)
McDonald was born June 2, 1992 in Greenville, North Carolina, and was drafted by Houston in the 12th round in 2013 out of East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He is currently playing for the High A Lancaster JetHawks team.

Chase McDonald - May 2015

Photo by Jayne Hansen

RHP Diogenes Almengo (20)
Almengo was born June 2, 1995 in Santiago, Dominican Republic and was signed by the Astros in June 2014. He is currently playing in the Dominican Summer League on the Astros Orange team.