Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, July 22, 2016

Fresno 4, Albuquerque 3

W- Josh Fields (1-0)
L- Miguel Castro (2-2)

Fresno home runs: Tyler White (11, solo in 6th), Max Stassi (6, walk-off solo in 9th)

The Grizzlies walked off with a win to begin a new series.

Teoscar Hernandez led off the bottom of the 2nd inning with a walk. He advanced to 3rd on a Jon Singleton single and scored the first run of the evening on a passed ball. Tyler White led off the 6th with a home run, and then Teoscar followed with a single. Just like the 2nd inning, he moved over to 3rd on a Singleton single and scored on a Jon Kemmer single. The Isotopes tied the game at 3 with a run in the 7th inning, and that's where it stood heading into the bottom of the 9th. It didn't last very long, since Max Stassi led off the inning by whacking a home run to end the game.

Mike Hauschild went 6.2 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 10. Kevin Chapman was the first man out of the bullpen, and in an inning (final out of 7th, 2 outs in 8th), he walked 1 and struck out 1. Jordan Jankowski allowed a hit and recorded the final out of the 8th inning. Josh Fields walked 1 and struck out 1 in a scoreless 9th.

Brad Peacock will start game 2 of this series. He'll take on Harrison Musgrave at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 4, Frisco 3

W- Edison Frias (4-1)
L- Jose Monegro (0-1)
S- Albert Minnis (1)

CC home runs: Nick Tanielu (5, 9 season; solo in 7th), Danry Vásquez (2, solo in 8th)

Corpus held off a Roughriders rally in the top of the 9th to escape with a victory.

Edison Frias turned in another solid performance on the mound, allowing just one run on 5 hits, walking 1, and striking out 5 in 7 innings of work. Aaron West threw a scoreless 8th, but Frisco got to him for 2 runs (both unearned) on a couple of singles in the 9th inning. He struck out 1 in 1.2 innings. Albert Minnis got a groundout for the final out of the game.

J.D. Davis drove in the first run of the game with a groundout in the 1st inning and scored on an error following a Danry Vásquez double in the 6th inning. Nick Tanielu led off the bottom of the 7th with a home run, and Danry struck again in the 8th with a solo home run. He and D.J. Fisher both finished 2-4 on the evening.

In game 3 of this series, Keegan Yuhl will take on Richelson Peña. First pitch is at 7:05.

High Desert 9, Lancaster 8

W- David Ledbetter (4-7)
L- Alex Winkelman (0-2, 5-4 season)
S- Nick Gardewine (2)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks nearly came back from a 6-0 deficit, but... no cigar.

Johnny Sewald put Lancaster on the board with an RBI triple in the 3rd and scored on a Tony Nuñez groundout. Marc Wik added an RBI single in the 4th. Sewald led off the 5th with a double, and Nuñez brought him home with a single. Nuñez wound up scoring himself on a passed ball later in the inning. Jamie Ritchie scored in the 6th inning on a force out, and in the 7th, he drove in a run with a groundout. Later in the 7th, Wik added another RBI single to his ledger. Sadly, Lancaster's comeback bid ended there.

Sewald finished a home run shy of the cycle. Wik and Keach Ballard had 2 hits apiece for the Hawks.

Alex Winkelman went 2.2 innings and allowed 6 runs on 3 hits (3-run homer) and walked 6. Kevin McCanna tagged in for 3.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits (solo homer) and struck out 1. Dean Deetz pitched the final 3 innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4.

Akeem Bostick will take on Jeffrey Springs in game 3 of this series. First pitch is at 6:05 Pacific.

Dayton 3, Quad Cities 2

W- Jesus Reyes (5-2)
L- Ralph Garza Jr. (3-4)
S- Sarkis Ohanian (8)

QC home runs: None.

A solo homer in the top of the 9th put Dayton ahead and thwarted the Banditos' bid to sweep the series.

Elieser Hernandez threw 6.1 absolutely filthy innings for the River Bandits. He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out a career-high 14. Zac Person was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen, and in 1.1 scoreless innings, he walked 1 and struck out 3. Ralph Garza Jr. pitched the final 1.1 innings, and the one run he allowed came in the form of a solo homer hit by James Vasquez in the top of the 9th. He allowed one other hit, walked 1, and struck out 2.

Quad Cities' two runs came in the bottom of the 7th. Connor Goedert ripped an RBI double, and Pat Porter scored when Bobby Wernes grounded into a double play. Goedert's double was their only extra-base hit of the evening.

Tonight, Quad Cities will welcome the Bowling Green Hot Rods to Modern Woodmen Park. Jose Luis Hernandez will start the opener, and he'll face Roel Ramirez at 6:00. Ramirez is another Texas kid in the Minors; he is a native of Laredo.

Staten Island 13, Tri-City 7

W- Chad Taylor (1-0)
L- Agapito Barrios (0-1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats couldn't withstand the Baby Bombers' offensive onslaught.

Chuckie Robinson opened the scoring with an RBI double in the 1st inning. In the 5th, an error allowed Alex De Goti and Tyler Wolfe to score, and Carmen Benedetti grounded into a force out that scored Ryne Birk. In the 7th, Benedetti added a sac fly and Birk scored on an errant pickoff throw. De Goti, who finished 2-4 and scored 4 runs, scored Tri-City's final run of the evening on an error that allowed Benedetti to reach. He was the only player in the ValleyCats lineup with a multi-hit game.

Agapito Barrios went 3.2 innings and allowed 5 runs on 5 hits (3-run homer) and struck out 4. Carlos Sierra allowed a run on 3 hits in 1.1 innings. Austin Nicely was next, and in 2.1 innings, he allowed 5 runs (3 inherited runners charged to him) on 6 hits (solo homer) and walked 1. Howie Brey recorded the final 2 outs of the 8th, but not before he allowed 2 runs of his own, a 3-run homer, walked 1, and struck out 1.

Tri-City will look to avoid the sweep at 6:00 Eastern.

Greeneville 2, Bristol 1

W- Tyler Britton (3-1)
L- Robbie Coursel (0-1)
S- Salvador Montaño (2)

Greeneville home runs: Miguelangel Sierra (9, solo in 1st)

The Appy Astros were solid on the mound, and Miguelangel Sierra continued his power binge.

Sierra led off the 1st inning with his 9th home run of the season. The Pirates tied the game at 1 in the 5th, but Greeneville quickly regained the lead in the 6th as Marcos Almonte tripled and scored on a wild pitch. Almonte finished 2-4 and also hit a double.

Three pitchers threw 3 innings for Greeneville. Nathan Thompson started it off, and he allowed a hit and struck out 2. Tyler Britton was next, and he allowed an unearned run on 2 hits and fanned 6. Salvador Montaño's 3 frames were perfect, and he capped off the win by striking out 4.

Abdiel Saldaña will start game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 6:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 6, GCL Marlins 3

W- Juan Robles (1-0)
L- Edward Cabrera (0-4)
S- Leovanny Rodriguez (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros doubled up the Marlins in a game that had quite a bit of significance for a first-round pick.

Forrest Whitley made his professional debut, and he allowed a run on a single, walked 1, and struck out 2 in the 1st inning. No GCL pitcher went more than 2 innings in this game. Yeyfry Del Rosario and Yhoan Acosta followed Whitley with an inning of their own; Del Rosario allowed a run on an error, a triple, and walked 1 in the 2nd, and Acosta walked 1 and struck out 1 in a scoreless 3rd. Juan Robles allowed a hit and fanned 1 in 2 innings. Gabriel Valdez and Hansel Paulino each pitched an inning. Valdez allowed a run on a sac fly and a double in the 6th, while Paulino worked around a hit and a walk to throw a scoreless 7th. Leovanny Rodriguez pitched the final 2 innings, walking 1 and striking out 3.

Carlos Machado drove in the Kissimmee Stros' first run of the day with a groundout in the 1st. He added an RBI triple to his ledger in the 3rd and scored on a Brody Westmoreland sac fly. Machado and Westmoreland were responsible for the offensive production; they both recorded 3 RBI. Machado grounded into a force out that scored Cristopher Luciano, and Westmoreland hit an RBI single in the 4th. Westmoreland added another RBI single to his ledger in the 6th inning. Wilson Amador finished a home run shy of the cycle, while Andy Piñeda went 2-5 with a double and 2 runs scored.

DSL Astros Blue 5, DSL Marlins 3

W- Johsson Arias (1-0)
L- Yeremin Lara (0-2)
S- Juan Cuevas (2)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team scored 3 in the 6th to take the lead. They wreaked havoc on the bases, going 9-10 on their stolen base attempts.

Alfredo Angarita and Nicolás Miranda successfully executed a double steal in the 1st and an error allowed the two of them to score. Angarita hit an RBI single in the 6th. Nestor Tejada laid down a sac bunt that allowed Ozziel Sanchez-Galan to score the go-ahead run, and Miranda added an RBI single. Angarita finished 2-5 with 3 stolen bases (13), while Miranda had 2 hits and 2 stolen bases (5).

Jheyson Caraballo allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 6 in 4 innings. Robert Corniel allowed an unearned run, walked 2, and struck out 1 in the 5th. Johsson Arias walked 5 and struck out 5 over 3.2 scoreless innings, and Juan Cuevas got the final out of the game.

DSL Rangers2 7, DSL Astros Orange 6 in 10 innings

W- Yerry Rodriguez (2-1)
L- Bernardo Heras (0-1)

Orange home runs: Vicente Mota (3, solo in 6th)

The Rangers tied the game in the 8th and walked off with the win.

Both teams scored 2 in the 2nd; the Orange team's 2 runs came on a pair of RBI doubles from Vicente Mota and Yeuris Ramirez. In the 3rd, Kendy Moya scored on a wild pitch and Gilberto Celestino scored on an error. Celestino, who finished a homer shy of the cycle, tripled in the 5th and scored on the ensuing error. Mota whacked a solo homer in the 6th.

Humberto Castellanos went 2.1 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Jose Antonio Hernandez, Luis Castro, Cristofer Melendez, and Yohan Ramirez all pitched 1.2 innings. Hernandez was first, and he allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and fanned 2. Castro had 2 inherited runners charged to him; he also allowed a hit and walked 3. Melendez allowed an unearned run, a hit, walked 3, and struck out 1, and Ramirez allowed a hit and struck out 1. Bernardo Heras allowed the winning run on a sac fly and walked 1.

Friday's Stars

Alfredo Angarita, IF, DSL Astros Blue: 2-5, RBI, 3 SB (13)
Gilberto Celestino, OF, DSL Astros Orange: 3-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R
Vicente Mota, C/1B, DSL Astros Orange: 2-4, 2B, solo HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R

Elieser Hernandez, RHP, Quad Cities

6.1 IP, 3 H (solo HR), 2 ER, BB, 14 K (career-high)

Edison Frias, RHP, Corpus Christi

W (4-1), 7 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 5 K

Johnny Sewald, OF, Lancaster

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

  

All photos from MiLB.com

Nathan Thompson, LHP, Tyler Britton, RHP, and Salvador Montaño, LHP, Greeneville

Thompson (above left): 3 IP, H, 2 K

Britton (above right): W (3-1), 3 IP, 2 H, unearned run, 6 K

Montaño (bottom): Save (2), 3 IP, 4 K

Alex De Goti, SS, Tri-City

2-4, 4 R

Photo by Bryan Green

Brody Westmoreland, 3B, GCL Astros

2-3, 3 RBI

Photo by Bryan Green

Wilson Amador, OF, GCL Astros

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

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Saturday, July 16, 2016

Let's play two in Lake County!

New Orleans 5, Fresno 1

W- Justin Nicolino (4-3)
L- Mike Hauschild (7-8)

Fresno home runs: Teoscar Hernandez (3, 9 season; solo in 7th)

The Grizzlies' bats were silenced as the Zephyrs took the lead in the series.

Teoscar Hernandez's solo home run in the 7th was Fresno's only scoring play and one of only 4 hits on the evening for them.

Mike Hauschild allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits and struck out 6 in 6 innings of work. Josh Fields and Reymin Guduan both worked an inning out of the bullpen; Fields allowed 2 hits and struck out 2 in the 7th, and Guduan allowed a run on a double, walked 1, and struck out 1 in the 8th inning.

In the series finale, Brad Peacock will take on Jeremy Guthrie. First pitch is at 4:00.

Frisco 5, Corpus Christi 4

W- Joe Filomeno (2-0)
L- Aaron West (5-1)
S- John Fasola (2)

CC home runs: None.

The Roughriders scored 4 in the top of the 8th to take the lead and the latest edition of the Texas League iteration of the Lone Star Series.

Nolan Fontana opened the scoring with a 2-run double in the 3rd inning. Nick Tanielu finished 2-4 with an RBI single in the 6th, and Chase McDonald hit an RBI groundout in the 8th inning to pull the Hooks to within one run. However, Tanielu was stranded at 2nd to end the inning.

Edison Frias went 6 innings and allowed a run on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Albert Minnis got 3 groundouts in the 7th inning and the first out of the 8th with a groundout and issued a walk that turned into a run against him after he left the game. Aaron West faltered, which is something that does not occur often. He got the final two outs of the 8th, one via strikeout, but Frisco got to him for 3 runs on 4 hits, and he also allowed the runner that he inherited from Minnis to score. Eric Peterson struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Tonight, the Hooks will start a series in Midland. Keegan Yuhl will take on Brandon Mann at 6:00.

Lancaster 7, Rancho Cucamonga 4

W- Ryan Deemes (4-1, 5-1 season)
L- Jeff Malm (2-1)
S- Jacob Dorris (7)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks received a couple of huge pinch hits in the 9th to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. They handed Rancho its first loss when leading after 8 innings.

Akeem Bostick allowed 2 unearned runs on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4 in 6 innings of work. Ryan Deemes pitched a 1-2-3 7th, but the Quakes took the lead against him in the 8th when Dian Toscano hit a 2-run homer off of him. The offense bailed him out in the final inning, though. In 2 innings, Deemes allowed the 2 runs on the homer, a double that preceded the homer, and struck out 2. Jacob Dorris struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th to secure the win.

Bobby Boyd led off the game with a triple and scored the first run of the night on a sac fly from Johnny Sewald. In the 4th inning, Sewald led off with a triple of his own and scored on a Jason Martin single. Keach Ballard hit a 1-out double in the 5th, advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch, and scored on a Drew Ferguson sac fly.

Bryan Muñiz hit a single with 1 out in the 9th and was replaced on the bases by Marc Wik. Trent Woodward struck out, and the JetHawks were down to their last out. Jamie Ritchie grounded into what could have been the game-ending force out, but an error gave Lancaster a reprieve. Ramon Laureano was summoned to pinch-hit, and on a 2-2 pitch, he put the JetHawks in front with a 2-run double. He then stole 3rd base (32) and scored on a Tony Nuñez single. Ferguson followed by ripping an RBI double to drive in the final run of the evening.

Brock Dykxhoorn will start game 2 of this series. He'll face Tommy Bergjans at 2:05 Pacific.

Game 1: Lake County 2, Quad Cities 1 in 8 innings

W- Kieran Lovegrove (3-3)
L- Adam Whitt (3-3)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos walked off with a loss in game 1 of the twinbill as Nathan Lukes hit two solo homers for the Captains.

Myles Straw's RBI single in the 5th was Quad Cities' only scoring play in game 1.

Elieser Hernandez went 5 innings and allowed Lukes' first solo home run in the 3rd inning. He allowed 7 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Adam Whitt pitched 2 scoreless innings, but Lukes led off the 8th against him and ended the game with his second solo home run. That was the only hit that Whitt allowed; he struck out 2.

How did Quad Cities fare in game 2?

Game 2: Quad Cities 2, Lake County 0

W- Jose Luis Hernandez (3-2)
L- Dominic DeMasi (6-3)
S- David Schmidt (2)

QC home runs: None.

Jose Luis Hernandez shut it down for the Banditos with a dominant outing. He scattered 5 hits and struck out a career-high 13 over 6 shutout innings. The 13 strikeouts is a new season high for all pitchers in the Astros system. David Schmidt ran into a little jam in the 7th as he allowed a hit and issued a walk, but he was able to close it out, striking out 1 in the inning.

After a bit of a rough start to his season, Hernandez has absolutely terrorized the Midwest League over the last two months. These are his numbers since June 1:

8 appearances (7 starts), 3-0, 0.60 ERA, 45 IP, 35 H (1 HR allowed), 6 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 52 K, 0.88 WHIP

The Banditos' two runs in game 2 both came in the 3rd inning as Myles Straw scored on an error following an Osvaldo Duarte single. Duarte, who advanced to 3rd base on the gaffe, scored on a sac fly from Kyle Tucker. Duarte finished 2-2 in game 2.

Chris Murphy will start the series finale. He'll take on Matt Esparza at 1:00 Eastern.

Connecticut 4, Tri-City 3

W- Mark Ecker (2-0)
L- Sean Stutzman (1-1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats were foiled in their bid to sweep the series thanks to a 3-run top of the 9th from the Tigers.

Chuckie Robinson ripped an RBI double in the 2nd inning and he came around to score on an Alex DeGoti single. Robinson, who now has a 7-game hitting streak, scored again in the 4th inning when DeGoti laid down a sacrifice bunt.

Ryan Hartman went 4 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits and struck out 2. Dustin Hunt allowed a hit and walked 4 over 3.1 scoreless innings. He left the bases loaded for Sean Stutzman, who got the final two outs of the 8th without incident. Stutzman got the first out of the 9th inning, but unfortunately, the Tigers loaded the bases on him in the 9th, and a 2-run single and subsequent error allowed the tying and go-ahead runs to score. Stutzman allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits and walked 2 in his outing. Nick Hernandez got the final 2 outs of the 9th.

Tonight, the ValleyCats will welcome the Batavia Muckdogs to The Joe. Erasmo Pinales will start game 1, and he'll go up against Ryan McKay at 5:00 Eastern.

Greeneville 7, Bluefield 5

W- Reggie Johnson (1-0)
L- Hunter Barnett (0-1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros climbed above .500 for the first time this season with their 6th consecutive win. Once again, the penultimate inning proved to be extremely kind to them, as they scored 3 in the 8th inning to take the lead.

Abraham Toro tripled with 2 outs in the 3rd and scored the first run of the evening on a wild pitch. Frankeny Fernandez smacked a double to lead off the 4th and scored on a ground-rule double from Jonathan Arauz. Bryan De La Cruz singled in the 6th, and an error on the play allowed Vicente Sanchez and Miguelangel Sierra to score. In the 8th, Troy Sieber brought Sanchez and Sierra home with a 2-run double that put the Appy Astros in the lead, and he came around to score on a single from Connor MacDonald.

Patrick Sandoval went 3.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 3 hits and struck out 4. The one run that Diogenes Almengo allowed in his 4 innings came on a solo home run to Ridge Smith in the 8th inning. Almengo allowed two other hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Reggie Johnson allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 1.1 innings to get the win.

Salvador Montaño will start game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 6:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 2, GCL Mets 0

W- Hansel Paulino (1-0)
L- Nicolas Debora (0-1)
S- Jorge Alcala (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros got some solid pitching on Saturday.

Christian Powell made his season debut, and he recorded a strikeout in a 1-2-3 1st inning. Hansel Paulino allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 5 scoreless, and Jorge Alcala walked 1 and struck out 5 over 3 innings to get the save.

Wilson Amador's 2-run triple in the 5th was the only scoring play of the game. Carlos Machado finished 4-4; this was his second 4-hit game of the season. Machado has recorded a hit in 14 of the 18 games he has played this season.

The DSL teams were off

The Dominican Summer League All-Star Game is just getting underway. Gilberto Celestino, Ronel Blanco, Jose Benjamin will represent the Astros, and Blue team manager Russ Steinhorn will be on the coaching staff of the AL All-Stars.

Saturday's Stars

Photo by Bryan Green

Hansel Paulino, RHP, GCL Astros

W (1-0), 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Jorge Alcala, RHP, GCL Astros

Save (1), 3 IP, BB, 5 K

.@AmairaniAreliz pic.twitter.com/EgNLZvWTp3

— RGuill (@QCBanditPhotog) April 27, 2016

Photo by Rich Guill

Jose Luis Hernandez, RHP, Quad Cities

W (3-2), 6 IP, 5 H, 13 K (new career high) in game 2 of doubleheader

Edison Frias, RHP, Corpus Christi

6 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 5 K

Clutch hits!

Ramon Laureano, OF, Lancaster

Pinch-hit, go-ahead 2-R 2B in 9th, SB (32)

Photo by Bryan Green

Troy Sieber, 1B, Greeneville

Go-ahead 2-R 2B in 8th

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Not exactly a night to write home about on offense, but there were some strong pitching performances on the farm.

Fresno 2, Albuquerque 1

W- César Valdez (4-1)
L- Harrison Musgrave (3-4)
S- James Hoyt (17)

Fresno home runs: Tyler White (1, solo in 2nd)

The Grizzlies got some fine pitching as they edged the Isotopes.

The last time César Valdez started, he threw a complete game, 1-hit shutout. He did not go the distance this time around, but was effective nonetheless. In 7 innings, Valdez allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Josh Fields struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 8th, and James Hoyt worked around a walk to record his 17th save, striking out 2 in the 9th inning.

Both of Fresno's runs came in the 2nd inning; Tyler White led off the inning with a solo home run, and Jon Kemmer later added an RBI single. Preston Tucker finished 3-4 with a double and scored on Kemmer's single.

Joe Musgrove will start game 3 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

San Antonio 2, Corpus Christi 1 in 13 innings

W- Yimmi Brasoban (1-0)
L- Michael Freeman (3-2)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks were thwarted in their bid to sweep the series as the Missions walked off with a victory.

Chase McDonald opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 4th, which turned out to be Corpus Christi's only scoring play on the day.

Edison Frias went 7 innings, and the only run he allowed came on a solo homer hit by Jose Rondon. Frias allowed 4 other hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Gonzalo Sañudo and Aaron West followed with 2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen; Sañudo allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2, while West allowed 2 hits and fanned 2.

The Hooks are back in Frisco for the final series before the Texas League All-Star break. Kyle Smith will start game 1. First pitch is at 7:05.

Lancaster was off

The JetHawks will begin a 4-game series with Lake Elsinore tonight at 6:35 Pacific.

Quad Cities was off

The River Bandits will start a 4-game series in Wisconsin tonight at 7:05. Jose Luis Hernandez will take on Conor Harber.

Vermont 7, Tri-City 2

W- Heath Bowers (1-1)
L- Akeem Bostick (1-1, 1-2 season)
S- Jordan Schwartz (1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats trailed 4-0 after the 3rd inning and they couldn't seem to string their hits together to get a rally going.

Ronnie Dawson hit an RBI single in the 8th to put Tri-City on the board, and an error on the play also allowed Rodrigo Ayarza to score another run. Randy César finished 3-4, while Carmen Benedetti went 2-4.

Akeem Bostick went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 8 hits (3-run homer) and struck out 5. Albert Minnis struck out 4 over 2 scoreless innings, and Ben Smith pitched 2 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits, walking 2, and striking out 1.

Game 2 of this series starts at 7:00 Eastern. Hector Perez will take on Dakota Chalmers.

DSL Astros Blue 3, DSL Dodgers2 2

W- Javier Navas (1-0)
L- Johan Mena (0-2)
S- Yeremi Ceballos (1)

Blue home runs: Jose Benjamin (2, 2-run in 3rd)

The Blue team just wins. In this latest win, Jose Benjamin's 2-run home run in the 3rd inning proved to be the difference. Ronny Jimenez drove in the first run of the day when he ripped an RBI double in the 1st inning. Alfredo Angarita finished 2-5 with a triple. Benjamin reached in all 4 of his plate appearances, going 2-2 with 2 walks.

Jheyson Caraballo pitched 3 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. Yonatan Quintin threw a 1-2-3 4th. Javier Navas tagged in to throw 4 innings, allowing a run on 3 hits and striking out 6. Yeremi Ceballos worked around a walk to record his first career save, striking out 2 in the 9th inning.

The Blue team will travel to the Phillies complex for today's game. First pitch is at 10:30 AM Eastern.

DSL Phillies2 3, DSL Astros Orange 1

W- Wilerik Diaz (1-3)
L- Asael Uribe (1-1)
S- Orestes Melendez (3)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team's bats went cold as they had to settle for a split with the Phillies 2.

Ramiro Rodriguez was the only person in the lineup who could get himself going; he finished 3-3 with an RBI triple in the 4th inning, which was the Orange team's only scoring play. Enmanuel Valdez, who scored on the play, led off the inning with a single, which was their only other hit.

Asael Uribe went 4 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned), a hit, and walked 1. In his debut, Willy Collado allowed a run on 2 hits in the 5th, and Miguel Matos allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 over the final 3 innings.

The Orange team will take on the Mets 2 today, First pitch is at 10:30 AM Eastern.

Four Stars (in three)

3. Javier Navas, LHP, DSL Astros Blue: W (1-0), 4 IP, 3 H, ER, 6 K

2.

Embed from Getty Images

César Valdez, RHP, Fresno
W (4-1), 7 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 5 K

Edison Frias, RHP, Corpus Christi

7 IP, 5 H (solo HR), ER, 3 BB, 2 K

1. Jose Benjamin, OF, DSL Astros Blue: 2-2, 2-R HR (2), 2 BB, R

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, June 16, 2016

Let's play two in Frisco!

Fresno 4, Sacramento 0

W- César Valdez (3-1)
L- Chris Heston (1-8)

Fresno home runs: Preston Tucker (3, solo in 4th)

The Grizzlies swept their series with the RiverCats behind a masterful pitching performance from César Valdez, who threw a complete game 1-hitter. He walked 1 and struck out 10, and he threw 105 pitches, 78 for strikes.

Matt Duffy opened up the scoring in the 1st with an RBI single. In the 4th, Preston Tucker smacked a solo home run, his third of the season. A.J. Reed and Eury Perez hit RBI singles in the 8th and 9th, respectively. Reed finished 3-4 and also hit a double, while Tyler Heineman finished 2-4.

Fresno's roadtrip continues tonight as they begin a 4-game series in Tacoma. Joe Musgrove will start game 1, and he'll take on Joe Wieland at 7:05 Pacific.

Game 1: Frisco 4, Corpus Christi 3 in 9 innings

W- John Fasola (2-1)
L- Brendan McCurry (2-4)

CC home runs: Chase McDonald (11, solo in 2nd)

The Hooks managed to tie the game at 3 with a run in the 6th inning, but they walked off with the loss in game 1 of the twinbill,

Chase McDonald's solo home run in the 2nd put Corpus Christi on the board first. Nick Tanielu hit an RBI single in the 3rd, and in the 6th, he scored on Conrad Gregor's RBI single. McDonald, who finished 3-4, was the only player in the Hooks' lineup to record a multi-hit game in game 1.

Evan Grills pitched 7 innings and allowed 3 runs on 8 hits (2-run homer) and struck out 5. Brendan McCurry allowed the winning run with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th. In 1.2 innings, he allowed 3 hits and struck out 2.

The Hooks' gratification was momentarily delayed; how did they fare in game 2?

Game 2: Corpus Christi 2, Frisco 0

W- Edison Frias (3-0)
L- David Perez (1-2)
S- Aaron West (8)

CC home runs: Alex Bregman (14, 2-run in 3rd)

With this win, the Hooks have clinched the Texas League South's first-half crown and a playoff berth.

Alex Bregman's 2-run home run in the 3rd inning represented the only scoring play of the game.

Edison Frias allowed 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3 over 6 shutout innings. He escaped a bases-loaded, 1 out situation in the 6th by inducing an inning-ending double play. Aaron West worked around a walk in the 7th to close it out, striking out 1.

Cy Sneed will start game 4 of this series. He'll face Luis Ortiz at 7:05.

Bakersfield 6, Lancaster 4 in 12 innings

W- Thyago Vieira (1-0)
L- Ryan Deemes (2-1, 3-1 season)

Lancaster home runs: Drew Ferguson (5, solo in 1st), Trent Woodward (1, 2 season; 2-run in 9th)

Trent Woodward's 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th tied the game at 4 and forced extra innings, but in the end, the Blaze came out on top by scoring 2 in the top of the 12th.

Both teams scored a run in the 1st inning; Lancaster's run came in the form of a solo homer hit by Drew Ferguson. Bobby Boyd hit an RBI single in the 5th, which tied the game at 2 at that point. Bakersfield scored a run in the 7th to take the lead and added to their lead with a run in the 8th, but Woodward got the JetHawks back in the game with his homer.

Ferguson (solo HR, SB [16]), Boyd, and Garrett Stubbs all had 2 hits from the top third of the order. Stubbs also stole his 10th base of the season.

Brock Dykxhoorn went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 5. Scott Weathersby tagged in to throw 4 innings; he allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Ryan Deemes pitched 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 3.

In game 2 of this series, Matt Bower will face Tyler Herb. First pitch is at 6:35 Pacific.

Cedar Rapids 6, Quad Cities 1

W- Cody Stashak (4-4)
L- Yoanys Quiala (0-5)
S- Kuo Hua Lo (1)

QC home runs: Dex McCall (4, solo in 9th)

The Banditos were silenced on offense as they could only muster up 4 hits.

Dex McCall's solo homer in the 9th represented Quad Cities' only scoring play. He finished 2-3 on the evening.

Yoanys Quiala went 1.2 innings and allowed 3 runs in the 2nd; one scored on a bases-loaded walk, and the only hit he allowed was a 2-run single. He walked 4 and did not record a strikeout. Makay Nelson pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out 1. Chris Murphy pitched the final 4 innings and allowed a 3-run homer to J.J. Fernandez in the 9th inning. He allowed 2 other hits and struck out 3.

Franklin Perez will start game 2 of this series. He will go up against Eduardo Del Rosario at 7:00.

DSL Astros Blue 11, DSL Athletics 5

W- Leovanny Rodriguez (2-0)
L- Miguel Sanchez (0-2)
S- Jheyson Caraballo (2)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team continues to leave a path of destruction in its wake. In this game, they saw a 5-0 lead get whittled down to just one run following the top of the 6th, but they survived that uprising from the A's and finished the game on a 6-1 run.

Jose Benjamin opened the scoring with an RBI double in the 1st, and Angel De Leon followed that up with a 2-run single. In the 2nd, Ozziel Sanchez-Galan ripped an RBI double and came around to score on an RBI single from Nicolas Miranda. The Blue team scored 4 in the 6th as Benjamin added an RBI single to his ledger. Juan Piñeda added a sac fly, and César Cortez smacked a 2-run triple. Piñeda and Cortez both hit sac flies in the 8th inning to drive in the Blue team's final 2 runs of the day.

Miranda (RBI, R), Ronny Jimenez (3 R, SB [2]), Benjamin (2B, 2 RBI, 3 R), and Cortez (2B, 3B, 3 RBI) all had 2 hits in the game.

Leovanny Rodriguez allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4 over 5 shutout innings. Jheyson Caraballo pitched the final 4 innings and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3.

These two teams are currently playing at the Athletics' complex.

DSL Astros Orange 4, DSL Rangers2 3

W- Jose Ramos (2-0)
L- Yohan Encarnacion (1-1)
S- Cosme Zapata (2)

Orange home runs: Vicente Mota (2, solo in 4th)

The Orange team withstood a 3-run inning from the Rangers 2, scoring the game's final 4 runs to get the victory.

Vicente Mota put Team Orange on the board with a solo home run in the 4th inning. Enmanuel Valdez hit a sac fly in the 5th, and in the 7th, Hector Martinez tied the game with an RBI triple and scored the go-ahead run on a single from Anthony Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who finished 2-5, also hit a double. Gilberto Celestino (2B, R, SB [5]) and Renaigel Martis also had 2 hits in the game,

Hansel Paulino went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Jose Ramos was the first man out of the bullpen; in 4 scoreless innings, he allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. Cosme Zapata worked around a walk in the 9th inning to close it out; he struck out 2.

These two teams are currently playing at the Astros complex.

Five Stars (in four)

4. Jose Benjamin, OF, DSL Astros Blue: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R

3.

Edison Frias, RHP, Corpus Christi

W (3-0), 6 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K in game 2 of doubleheader

2. Leovanny Rodriguez, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: W (2-0), 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Jose Ramos, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: W (2-0), 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K

1.

Embed from Getty Images

César Valdez, RHP, Fresno
CG, H, BB, 10 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, April 18, 2016

The upper-level affiliates all won, while it was a tough night for the A teams.

Fresno 4, Las Vegas 3

W- Mike Hauschild (1-1)
L- Stolmy Pimentel (0-2)
S- Jordan Jankowski (1)

Fresno home runs: A.J. Reed (3, 2-run in 1st)

The Grizz earned the split behind a solid outing from Mike Hauschild.

Hauschild went 7 innings and allowed a run on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Edwar Cabrera came on for the 8th and got into a pickle while only recording 1 out. Cabrera ended up loading the bases with 3 walks, and then allowed a 2-run single. Jordan Jankowski came on to put out the fire, which he did. Jankowski, who got a 5-out save, allowed a hit and a walk in the 9th, but nothing came of that; inducing a double play helped him close it out.

A.J. Reed drove in 3 of Fresno's 4 runs; he opened up the scoring with a 2-run shot in the 1st and added a sac fly to his ledger in the 7th. Danny Worth went 3-3 and ripped an RBI double in the 3rd.

Tonight, Fresno will kick off a 4-game series with Salt Lake. Tommy Shirley gets the nod in game 1; he'll take on Zach Nuding at 6:35 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 6, Springfield 0

W- Cy Sneed (1-0)
L- Mike Mayers (1-1)
S- Edison Frias (1)

CC home runs: Teoscar Hernandez (1, 3-run in 7th)

The Hooks got a measure of revenge on the Cardinals by taking this series after Springfield took 2 of 3 in Corpus last week.

Cy Sneed and Edison Frias joined forces for a shutout in this game. Sneed allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 5 innings of work, while Frias pitched the final 4 frames, allowing 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 7.

Alex Bregman opened up the scoring by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the 2nd. This would be the only run of the game until Teoscar Hernandez smacked a 3-run shot in the 7th to provide a little more breathing room. Ronnie Mitchell added an RBI single in the 8th, and Conrad Gregor capped off the scoring with an RBI triple in the 9th.

Bregman drew 2 walks and stole a base (2). J.D. Davis went 2-4 with a double and scored a run, and Mott Hyde finished 3-4 with 2 runs scored at the bottom of the order.

The Hooks will look for the sweep today, and they're set to get underway in a little bit. Keegan Yuhl will be on the mound, and he'll take on Trey Nielsen. First pitch is at 11:10.

Rancho Cucamonga 12, Lancaster 5

W- Bubby Rossman (1-0)
L- Scott Weathersby (0-1)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks were put to the sword as they served up 5 homers to Rancho.

Garrett Stubbs opened the scoring with a sac fly in the 1st. Later in the inning, Ramon Laureano scored on a balk. Bobby Boyd went 2-5 with an RBI single in the 4th. Jose Fernandez hit a 1-out double in the 6th, and 2 wild pitches later, he added another run. Nick Tanielu scored on a double play in the 7th. Fernandez finished 3-4 with 2 runs scored, while Tanielu (3B, R) and Marc Wik (2B) had 2-hit games.

Brock Dykxhoorn went 4.2 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 6 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 4. Scott Weathersby allowed 7 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits (2-run and 3-run homers), walked 2, and struck out 1 in 3 innings, and Kevin Comer allowed 2 runs on 2 hits (both solo homers) and struck out 1 in 1.1 innings.

Evan Grills gets the start in game 2 of this series. He'll face Grant Holmes at 6:35 Pacific.

Wisconsin 6, Quad Cities 2

W- Freddy Peralta (1-0)
L- Alex Winkelman (1-1)
S- Nate Griep (1)

QC home runs: None.

The River Bandits couldn't recover after they surrendered 5 runs in the 1st.

Tony Nuñez led off the game with a single, and then he proceeded to steal his way to 3rd and scored the first run of the game on the errant throw down to 3rd. Daz Cameron hit a 2-out triple in the 6th and scored on an error that allowed Kyle Tucker to reach.

Alex Winkelman allowed 5 runs (all in the 1st) on 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5 in 4.2 innings. Rogelio Armenteros pitched the final 3.1 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 4.

Game 2 of this series will be at 12:05. Jose Luis Hernandez will face David Burkhalter.

Three Four Stars

3.

Mike Hauschild, RHP, Fresno

W (1-1), 7 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 7 K

2.

Embed from Getty Images

Danny Worth, IF, Fresno
3-3, 2B, RBI, R

1.

Cy Sneed, RHP, and Edison Frias, RHP, Corpus Christi

Sneed: W (1-0), 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K

Frias: Save (1), 4 IP, 4 H, BB, 7 K

Honorable Mentions

A.J. Reed, 1B, Fresno: 1-3, 2-R HR (3), 3 RBI
- Reed has hit a bit of a rough patch that's seen his average dip, but even then, he's still making productive outs.

Rogelio Armenteros, RHP, Quad Cities: 3.1 IP, 2 H ER, 4 K
- Armenteros has yet to issue a walk this season.

Mott Hyde, 2B, Corpus Christi: 3-4, 2 R
Jose Fernandez, 2B, Lancaster: 3-4, 2B, 2 R
- The #9 hitters had solid games for their clubs.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Let's play 2 in Lancaster!

Fresno 9, Salt Lake 8 in 11 innings

W- Kevin Chapman (1-1)
L- Ryan Mattheus (0-2)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Grizzlies staked Jake Buchanan to a 7-0 lead after the first inning, and everything was academic from there, right? Nope. That lead was dented when the Bees scored 3 in the top of the 7th and vanished in the 9th as they put up 5 to tie the game after the Grizz stopped the bleeding for a moment with a run in the 8th. Ugh. However, as the old adage goes... a win is a win is a win.

Matt Duffy got things started with an RBI single. After Preston Tucker lined out for the 2nd out of the 1st inning, the Grizzlies got three RBI singles in a row from Matt Dominguez, Max Stassi, and Ronald Torreyes. Stassi scored, and Torreyes advanced to third on an error that allowed Andrew Aplin to reach. Aplin proceeded to steal 2nd, his 2nd stolen base of the season. And then, Joe Sclafani clubbed a 2-run triple. Duffy, who finished with a career-high 5 hits, added another RBI single in the 8th. He then doubled to lead off the bottom of the 11th, and then Nolan Fontana was summoned to pinch-run. Preston Tucker was given a pass to 1st base, which brought up Matt Dominguez. Craziness ensued, as Dominguez laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by Salt Lake 3B Kyle Kubitza and thrown away, allowing Fontana to come home with the winning run. Dominguez, L.J. Hoes (3B, 2 R), and Sclafani (2-R 3B, R) had 2 hits apiece; Ronald Torreyes went 3-5.

Jake Buchanan pitched 7 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Jordan Jankowski struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 8th. James Hoyt came on to finish it off... but the Bees had other plans. He failed to retire any of the 5 batters he faced in the 9th, allowing 5 runs (3 inherited runners charged to him) on 4 hits and walking 1. Kevin Chapman didn't help matters by allowing the Bees to empty the bases off of him, which in turn put 3 runs on James Hoyt's account, but he made amends for that by shackling them in extra innings. Chapman wound up throwing 3 scoreless (well, there is that matter of allowing 3 inherited runners to scored), allowing 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 6.

The Grizzlies will look for the sweep as Dan Straily squares off against our old friend Nick Tropeano. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks are preparing for their first game at Whataburger Field as they welcome Springfield for 3 games. In the opener, Mark Appel will take on Mike Mayers at 7:05.

Game 1: Lancaster 5, Stockton 1

W- Edison Frias (2-0)
L- Dylan Covey (1-1)
S- Tyler Brunnemann (1)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks got on the board in the series thanks to an outstanding start from Edison Frias, who allowed just 1 hit, walked 2, and struck out 5 over 5 shutout innings. Adrian Houser came on for his season debut in the 6th and had a tough go of it, but then again, it was the first time he came out this year. An error and a wild pitch didn't exactly help his cause, and he faced not one, but two separate bases-loaded situations. He allowed a run on a force out play, a single, and walked 2. Tyler Brunnemann was called on to get the JetHawks out of this jam, and he did so by inducing an inning-ending double play. That's clutch. He worked around a 1-out walk to finish off the first game of the twinbill, striking out 1.

J,D. Davis had a big game 1 as he went 3-3 with a double and 2 RBI singles. The first RBI single was the first run of the game, and he added another one in the 5th. Chase McDonald hit an RBI double in the 4th. The other 2 JetHawks runs were scored by Danry Vásquez in the 1st on a double play, and A.J. Reed in the 4th on another double play.

What would game 2 hold in store for Lancaster?

Game 2: Stockton 7, Lancaster 3

W- Jonathan Joseph (1-0)
L- Brian Holmes (0-1)
S- Brendan McCurry (2)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks had to settle for the split, and they dropped the series.

They had the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th, but all they could muster up was a sac fly from Davis. James Ramsay hit a sac fly in the 3rd, and McDonald hit an RBI single in the 6th. Jose Fernandez went 2-3 with a run scored, and Jobduan Morales finished 3-3 with a run scored.

Brian Holmes went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. In his season debut, Ambiorix De Leon pitched a scoreless 6th, but the wheels fell off for him in the 7th as he allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and walked 2 while striking out 1. Chris Cotton cleaned up the mess as he retired all 3 batters he faced after coming on, striking out 2.

The JetHawks hit the road for the first time this season. First stop, High Desert for 4. Zach Morton will face Luis Parra in game 1 at 6:35 Pacific.

Quad Cities 2, Beloit 2 through 4.5 innings

This game was suspended due to a problem with the lighting. They'll finish this one up tomorrow, and then a 7-inning game will follow. Joe Musgrove will take on Jordan Schwartz in that game. The 2 Quad Cities runs came courtesy of a double hit by Ryan Bottger in the 4th that tied this game.

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Joe Sclafani, UTIL, Fresno

2-6, 3B, 2 RBI, R

2. 

His MiLB.com profile picture.

J.D. Davis, 3B, Lancaster

Doubleheader: 4-6, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, SB (1)

1. 

Matt Duffy, 3B/1B, Fresno

5-6, 2B, 2 RBI, R

*The 5 hits are a career-high.

Three Stars: Pitchers

3.

Kevin Chapman, LHP, Fresno

W (1-1), 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 6 K

*There's a small penalty for allowing inherited runners to score.

2. 

Tyler Brunnemann, RHP, Lancaster

Save (1) in game 1 of doubleheader; 1.2 IP, BB, K

1. 

Edison Frias, RHP, Lancaster

W (2-0) in game 1; 5 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K

Honorable Mentions

- Chase McDonald continues his fine start to the season.
- The Fresno offense has been on a torrid start to their year.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, April 9, 2015

Happy Minor League Opening Day, everyone! And what a way to open up the season with an organizational....

Fresno 2, Las Vegas 1

W- Jake Buchanan (1-0)
L- John Church (0-1)

Fresno home runs: None.

The reincarnated Tucson Toros came out on top in their first game as an Astros affiliate since 1997.

This game was scoreless until the bottom of the 6th, when Matt Duffy grounded into a force out that allowed Nolan Fontana to score. After the 51s tied the game at 1 in the top of the 7th, Matt Dominguez proceeded to untie it with an RBI double in the bottom half of the inning, and that was the difference. Jon Singleton finished 2-3.

Brad Peacock started things off with 4.2 scoreless. He didn't allow a hit, but he did hit someone and he also issued 5 walks, compared with just 2 strikeouts. Jordan Jankowski came on to finish off the 5th and he did so by striking out Matt Reynolds. Jake Buchanan took over from there, and he allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 1 over 4 innings of work.

In the 2nd game of this series, Dan Straily will face Matt Bowman at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 9, Springfield 4

W- Mitch Lambson (1-0)
L- Joey Donofrio (0-1)
S- Angel Báez (1)

CC home runs: Brandon Meredith (1, 3-run in 4th)

The Hooks had a 16-hit assault as they seized control of the game from the Cardinals in the middle stages of the game. All 9 of their runs were scored from the 4th-7th innings.

Brandon Meredith put Corpus on the board and in the lead with a 3-run shot in the 4th, the first home run in the Astros' minor league system for 2015. Conrad Gregor went 3-5 with 2 runs scored, and 1 of those 3 hits was an RBI single in the 5th. In the 6th inning, #1 himself, Carlos Correa, smacked a 2-run double. He'd come around to score on a Telvin Nash double. And finally, Tony Kemp finished 4-5 with a 2-run single in the 7th. He also scored a run, drew a walk, and stole a base. Meredith, Nash, Tyler Heineman, and Teoscar Hernandez all had 2 hits apiece; Heineman scored twice. Meredith didn't have a double, like the other three, but he does have the homer.

Kent Emanuel went 3.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits, walking 2, and fanning 1. Mitch Lambson came on in relief and got the win as he held the Cardinals to just 1 hit over 2.1 scoreless frames. Angel Báez got the 3-inning save in his organizational debut; he allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2.

In game 2, the team of Mark Appel and Kyle Westwood will take on Mike Mayers at 7:10.

Lancaster 3, San Jose 2

W- Edison Frias (1-0)
L- Jeff Soptic (0-1)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks began their defense of their California League championship by walking off with the win. They had been trailing 2-0, but they scored the final 3 runs of this game. Danry Vásquez was the hero in this one as he blooped a ball over San Jose SS Christian Arroyo's head in the bottom of the 9th, and James Ramsay hustled home with the winning run. Ramsay scored 2 of Lancaster's 3 runs.

Lancaster tied the game at 2 in the bottom of the 7th on a safety squeeze from Chan-Jong Moon and an RBI single from Brett Phillips, who finished 2-5 and also had a triple. Chase McDonald smacked a couple of doubles in his 4 trips to the plate.

Brian Holmes went 3.1 innings and allowed a 2-run homer to Ryder Jones in the 4th inning, which turned out to be the only runs for the Giants. He allowed 5 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. Tyler Brunnemann allowed a hit and struck out 1 over 1.2 scoreless, and Edison Frias shackled the San Jose offense, allowing 2 hits and striking out 4 over 4 scoreless.

In game 2 of this season-opening 4-game set, Michael Feliz will face off against Chase Johnson at 6:30 Pacific.

Quad Cities 7, Peoria 3

W- Kevin Comer (1-0)
L- Fernando Báez (0-1)

QC home runs: Sean McMullen (1, 2-run in 8th)

The Chiefs put up 3 in the bottom of the 3rd to take a 3-1 lead, but the Banditos scored the game's final 6 runs as they opened up their 2015 campaign with a victory.

Kristian Trompiz doubled to lead off the 3rd, and one batter later, he scored the first run of the season on a wild pitch. Sean McMullen finished with 3 RBI; his first came on a sac fly in the 4th. QC got a pair in the 5th as Alex Hernandez hit a sac fly and Jake Nottingham was plunked with the bases loaded, which gave the River Bandits a 4-3 lead. McMullen provided some insurance in the top of the 8th as he smacked a 2-run homer. Jamie Ritchie finished 2-4 with a double and drove in the final run of the evening with an RBI single in the 9th. D.J. Fisher* went 1-2 with 3 walks and a stolen base.

Chris Lee got the nod on Opening Day and that 3-run 3rd put a damper on his final line. He allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 1 in 4 innings of work. Kevin Comer tagged in and got the win as he struck out 2 over 4 near-perfect innings; the only thing that went wrong for him was hitting Peoria DH Nick Thompson with a pitch in the 8th. The Closer, Ryan Thompson, worked around a double to finish it off, striking out 1.

Game 2 of this season-opening series pits Bryan Radziewski against Austin Gomber. First pitch is at 7:00.

*For a big-time Houston Rockets fan like me, the name "Derek Fisher" brings up some incredibly unpleasant memories. So, from here on out, I'll be calling him D.J. (Joseph is his middle name.)

If he's reading this, I hope he'll understand. Plus, as, D.J. Fisher, he'll fit right in with A.J. Reed and J.D. Davis!. 

Three Stars: Position Players

Corpus sweeps the Three Stars for position players on this Opening Night.

3.

Conrad Gregor, 1B

3-5, RBI, 2 R

2. 

Brandon Meredith, RF

2-4, 3-R HR (1)

1. 

Tony Kemp, 2B

4-5, 2 RBI, R, BB, SB (1)

Three Stars: Pitchers

All three of these guys were outstanding on the mound after coming out of the bullpen, so it wouldn't really be fair for me to rank them. So, Mitch Lambson, Kevin Comer, and Edison Frias are all sharing the top spot.

Kevin Comer, RHP, Quad Cities

W (1-0), 4 IP, 2 K

Mitch Lambson, LHP, Corpus Christi

W (1-0), 2.1 IP, H

Edison Frias, RHP, Lancaster

W (1-0), 4 IP, 2 H, 4 K

Honorable Mentions

There were some pretty solid performances from this first night of Minor League Baseball, but alas, I can only choose 3 standout performances for position players and pitchers. Here are a few other noteworthy highlights:

- Angel Báez made a pretty good first impression with his new organization.
- Although the 5 walks are definitely a minus, Brad Peacock still managed to keep Las Vegas off the scoreboard in both the run and the hit columns.
- Brett Phillips got off to a nice start with his triple and RBI single.
- Tyler Brunnemann pretty much picked up where he left off in the California League championship series.
- Jake Buchanan cruised through his 4 innings; he only needed 30 pitches!

Happy Birthday - 12/18

Happy Birthday to ~

DH/1B/LF Chris Carter (28)
Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 15th round in 2005, Carter came to the Astros, along with Brad Peacock and Max Stassi, in the February 2013 trade that sent Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez to Oakland. In 145 games for Houston in 2014, Carter hit .227/.308/.491 with 21 doubles, one triple, 37 home runs (second in the AL) and 88 RBI. He dropped from first to second place in strikeouts in the league in 2014, letting Mike Trout have the honors for the year.

RHP Edison Frias (24)
Frias was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. Frias pitched for the Quad Cities team in 2014, compiling an 8-5 record with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.326 WHIP in 17 games (12 starts).

These former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

LHP Rudy Owens (27)
Originally drafted by the Pirates in the 28th round in 2006, Owens came to Houston in the 2012 trade that sent Wandy Rodriguez to Pittsburgh. Owens made his major league debut for Houston in a spot start on May 23, 2014, but otherwise pitched his entire season with AAA Oklahoma City. In 25 games (21 starts), he was 8-5 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.252 WHIP. He recently signed with Oakland as a free agent.

OF Mike White (76)
Originally drafted from the Angels in the minor league draft in 1961, White played in 100 games for the 1963 and 1964 Colt .45's and the 1965 Astros, hitting .264/.311/.321.

RHP Jim Clancy (59)
A fourth round pick by the Rangers in 1974, Clancy signed with Houston as a free agent in December 1988. In 96 games (36 starts) for Houston from 1989 to 1991, he had a 9-25 record with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.478 WHIP. His best years were for the Toronto Blue Jays for whom he pitched for 12 seasons and won his one All-Star nod in 1982.

RHP Willie Blair (49)
Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 11th round in 1986, Blair came to Houston in a December 1991 trade with the Indians. In 29 games (eight starts) pitched for the Astros in 1992, he was 5-7 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.258 WHIP. Most recently, he was the bullpen coach for the San Diego Padres in 2014.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, June 6, 2014

Omaha 6, Oklahoma City 2

W- Louis Coleman (1-0)
L- Jason Stoffel (0-1)

OKC home runs: Kiké Hernandez (5, 6 season; solo in 4th), Carlos Perez (3, solo in 8th)

Well there you have it. Those 2 solo shots were the entire OKC offense. Hernandez went 2-4 and was the only RedHawk with a multi-hit evening.

David Martinez kicked things off with 6 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 4. Alex White and Jason Stoffel were battered by Matt Fields. White served up a 2-run homer to him in the 7th, and he slammed Stoffel in the 8th. White struck out 2, and Stoffel walked 1 and fanned 1.

Game 3 of this series has a pretty solid name matchup as Mike Foltynewicz takes on Sugar Ray Marimon. First pitch is at 7:05.

Corpus Christi 2, Midland 0

W- Jordan Jankowski (1-1)
L- Chris Jensen (2-6)
S- Pat Urckfitz (3)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks avoided the sweep thanks to a magnificent performance on the mound from Jordan Jankowski.

JJ allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7 over 7.1 shutout innings. And, Pat Urckfitz brought it home, allowing a hit and striking out 1 over 1.2 innings.

Only 4 hits for each side, but the Hooks got the runs. Nolan Fontana led off the 4th with a double and scored the first run of the game on a Carlos Perdomo single. An error would allow Perdomo to advance to 3rd on the play. Jonathan Meyer added another RBI single in the 7th inning to put Corpus up 2-0.

The Hooks will head home to begin a 4-game set with San Antonio. In the opener, Kyle Smith will face TBA; the notes for this game lists James Needy as the Missions starter. First pitch is at 7:10.

Lancaster 8, Visalia 5

W- Matt Heidenreich (2-0, 3-0 season)
L- Keith Hessler (1-2)
S- Dan Minor (2)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks put up 5 in the top of the 8th which erased a 5-3 deficit (they had been down 4-0 after 4 innings) and the score you see above is how it turned out after they were through with their rally.

Zach Morton pitched 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Matt Heidenreich tagged in for 3 innings and gave up a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Dan Minor got the save with his 12th straight scoreless appearance; he worked around a 1-out single and struck out 2. Minor has gone nearly 2 months without allowing a run.

Danry Vásquez put the JetHawks on the board with an RBI groundout in the 5th. They would put up 2 more in the 6th, thanks to an RBI double from Jobduan Morales and a sac fly from Conrad Gregor. Those 2 runs made it a 1-run game. After the Rawhide got one run back in the 7th to extend their lead to 2, the Hawks began their comeback.

Rio Ruiz drew a 1-out walk and advanced to 2nd on a passed ball. Morales followed suit by drawing a free pass himself, and then Gregor brought Rio home to kick off the scoring in the inning. Morales was struck down at home as he tried to score from 2nd on a Jack Mayfield single, but Lancaster still got the tying run across as Ruben Sosa laid down a bunt single to score Gregor. Sosa then stole 2nd (14), and Vásquez drew a walk to load the bases to bring up probably the last person you would want to face with the bases loaded: Tony Kemp. He drew 3 walks, and the 3rd one gave the JetHawks the lead. One batter later, Teoscar Hernandez finished his night on a positive note with a 2-run single. Before that, he earned himself a golden sombrero.

Game 2 of this series pits Kyle Westwood against Spencer Arroyo. First pitch is at 7:00 Pacific.

Quad Cities 4, Burlington 0

W- Edison Frias (3-3)
L- Ryan Etsell (4-2)

QC home runs: None.

Well look at that. The two teams that were looking to avoid sweeps did so, and they did so with shutouts. The Bandits jumped ahead of the Bees and are now 1 game behind Peoria for that 2nd playoff spot in the Midwest League West.

Thomas Lindauer kicked things off with an RBI double in the 2nd. Tyler White finished 2-5... he added an RBI double in the 6th. Catfish Elkins added an RBI single in the 8th, and later in the inning, he would score on a sac bunt from Tanner Mathis. Brett Phillips went 2-3 with a triple, a steal (10) and 2 runs scored. James Ramsay had 2 steals (16).

Edison Frias pitched 5 shutout innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and fanned 5. Evan Grills followed up with 3 scoreless and allowed a hit, a walk, and struck out 3. Frederick Tiburcio finished it up by striking out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Quad Cities will be home for the weekend. They'll host Peoria for 3 beginning at 6:00. Kevin Comer will take on Blake McKnight.

DSL Rays 6, DSL Astros Blue 5

W- Luis Nuñez (2-0)
L- Albert Abreu (0-1)
S- Diego Castillo (1)

Blue home runs: None.

Well, the difference turned out to be a 2-run bottom of the 1st for the Rays. Both teams had a 1-run frame (Blue in the 3rd, Rays in the 4th) and they both scored 3 in the 5th inning.

Well (again), it would've been the most awesome thing ever if Wander Franco went his whole career without striking out. (Whoa, expectations way, way too high.) He struck out for the first time as a professional in this game. But..... he did draw 2 more walks, giving him a 5-game multi-walk streak and a 13:1 BB:K ratio. The only game in which he didn't draw a walk was the first one. And all he did was club a 3-run homer in that game. Whoops, sidebar. He ripped a 2-run double in the 5th in this game and would score on a wild pitch.

Nestor Tejada hit a 1-out triple in the 1st and would score the 1st run of the morning on a Connor MacDonald groundout. Joan Mauricio hit an RBI double in the 3rd. Edgar Lorenzo, Hayden Timberlake, and Jonathan Matute finished with 2 hits apiece.

Albert Abreu pitched 4 innings and allowed 6 runs (4 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. He faced 3 batters in the 5th and did not retire any of them. Carlos Hiraldo got 2 outs in the 5th, but allowed the runner he inherited from Abreu to score. He allowed 2 hits and walked 1. Josue Uribe walked 2 and struck out 1 over 1.2 scoreless, and Jose Rosario struck out 3 over 1.2 perfect frames.

The Blue team will head out to the A's complex to play a game later this morning.

DSL Yankees2 12, DSL Astros Orange 10

W- Javier Calvo (2-0)
L- Starlyn Taveras (0-1)
S- Freddery Arias (1)

Orange home runs: None.

Once again, the Orange team could not hold a substantial lead. They had been up 10-4, but the Yankees put up 4 in the 7th and 4 more in the 8th. Ugh.

Osvaldo Duarte and Cristopher Luciano finished with identical lines: they both went 2-5 with a couple of doubles, an RBI, and a run scored.

Luciano's 1st double led off the bottom of the 2nd; he would score the Orange's first run of the morning on a single from Gabriel Bracamonte. Later in the inning, Wilson Amador hit a sac fly, and Bracamonte scored on an errant pickoff throw.

They batted around in the 4th, sending 12 men to the plate and scoring 6 runs in the process. Ihan Bernal hit an RBI single, then Amador reached on an error that allowed Bryan De La Cruz to score. Duarte got in on the fun with an RBI double, and then Frankeny Fernandez chipped in with an RBI single. Luciano grounded into a force out that scored Duarte, and an error on the play allowed Fernandez to score. Fernandez scored on a wild pitch in the 6th.

Once again, the rawness of Dominican Summer League pitchers was in full effect yesterday, as both teams combined for 20 walks, 8 wild pitches, and a passed ball. Starlyng Sanchez pitched 4.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and struck out 6. Juan Hernandez went 2.1 innings and allowed 4 unearned runs (3 inherited runners charged to him), a hit, walked 3, and fanned 3. Jose Ramos walked 2 and allowed all 3 runners he inherited from Hernandez to score while failing to record an out in the 7th. Cristhopher Santamaria retired the only batter he faced to end the 7th. Starlyn Taveras got 2 outs in the 8th, but he gave up 4 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him), a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3. Hansel Paulino got the final out of the 8th, but not before he allowed 2 of Taveras' runners to score. He also got the 1st out of the 9th and allowed a hit and walked 3. Bryan Abreu got the last 2 outs of the 9th, walking 1.

The Orange team is the only winless team in the entire DSL. They'll host the Mets 2 later this morning.

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Tyler White on Twitter: @twhite409

Tyler White, 3B, Quad Cities

2-5, 2B, RBI 

2.

Conrad Gregor, 1B, Lancaster

1-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB

1.

Enrique Hernandez, Utility, Oklahoma City

2-4, solo HR (5, 6 season)

Three Stars: Pitchers

3.

David Martinez, RHP, Oklahoma City

6 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K

2. Quad Cities shutout!

Grills and Frias photos courtesy of Bryan Green. Tiburcio picture by John Whinery.

Edison Frias, RHP

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

Evan Grills, LHP

3 IP, H, BB, 3 K

Frederick Tiburcio, RHP

IP, K

1. Corpus Christi shutout!

Jordan Jankowski, RHP

W (1-1), 7.1 IP, 3 H, BB, 7 K

Pat Urckfitz, LHP

1.2 IP, H, K

Happy Birthday - 12/18

Happy Birthday to ~

1B/LF/DH Chris Carter (27)
Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 15th round in 2005, Carter came to the Astros, along with Brad Peacock and Max Stassi, in the February 2013 trade that sent Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez to Oakland. In 148 games for Houston in 2013, Carter hit .223/.320/.451 with 24 doubles, two triples and a team-leading 29 home runs and 82 RBI. He also had the ignominious distinction of striking out 212 times, landing third on the all-time season record list.

LHP Rudy Owens (26)
Originally drafted by the Pirates in the 28th round in 2006, Owens came to Houston in the 2012 trade that sent Wandy Rodriguez to Pittsburgh. Owens had surgery for a stress fracture in his foot and missed most of the 2013 season, making only four appearances with Oklahoma City in April. In the Dominican winter league, Owens went 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA and a 0.986 WHIP in 10 starts. He held batters to a .191 batting average.

RHP Edison Frias (23)
Frias was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. Frias started and ended his 2013 season with the Tri-City team, but spent the majority of the season with the Rookie League Greeneville team. In a combined 12 appearances (10 starts) between the two venues, he was 4-3 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.214 WHIP.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

OF Mike White (75)
Originally drafted from the Angels in the minor league draft in 1961, White played in 100 games for the 1963 and 1964 Colt .45's and the 1965 Astros, hitting .264/.311/.321.

RHP Jim Clancy (58)
A fourth round pick by the Rangers in 1974, Clancy signed with Houston as a free agent in December 1988. In 96 games (36 starts) for Houston from 1989 to 1991, he had a 9-25 record with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.478 WHIP. His best years were for the Toronto Blue Jays for whom he pitched for 12 seasons and won his one All-Star nod in 1982.

RHP Willie Blair (48)
Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 11th round in 1986, Blair came to Houston in a December 1991 trade with the Indians. In 29 games (eight starts) pitched for the Astros in 1992, he was 5-7 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.258 WHIP. Most recently, he was the bullpen coach for the San Diego Padres in 2013.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Monday's Games

Albuquerque over Oklahoma City 6-4
Starter Jarred Cosart (5IP 6H 3R/1ER 3BB 7SO) fell behind early thanks to a fielding error from Jon Singleton and a throwing error from Cody Clark, leading to two unearned runs in the first. Kevin Chapman (1IP 2H 2R/1ER 1BB 1SO) was similarly victimized by a Jonathan Villar throwing error as only one of his two runs allowed were earned. Jason Stoffel (2IP 2H 1R 1BB 1SO) followed before giving way to a perfect ninth from Josh Zeid (2SO). Zeid has only allowed one run in his last nine outings. The RedHawks didn't get on the board until the fifth when Brandon Laird (2x4 BB) and George Springer (1x2 2BB 2R) hit back-to-back solo home runs, followed by a Che-Hsuan Lin RBI single. In the seventh, OKC scored their final run as Jon Singleton (2x4 R) drove in George Springer with a single. Robbie Grossman was two-for-four and Jonathan Villar was one-for-four with a triple.

Tulsa over Corpus Christi 3-0
Starter Bobby Doran (5IP 6H 2R/1ER 1BB 2SO) was charged with the loss. Kenny Long gave up the third and final run of the game in the sixth, and was followed by scoreless relief from Andrew Robinson, Carlos Quevedo and Pat Urckfitz. Andrew Robinson had a perfect inning with two strikeouts; in his last eight appearances, he has a 1.54 ERA and a 1.200 WHIP. Despite the bullpen doing its best to keep the Hooks in the game, the offense only managed two singles and four walks in the game and never got a run across.

Lancaster over Bakersfield 8-5
Chris Devenski (3.2IP 8H 4R 5SO) didn't have the smoothest of starts, as three of his four runs scored via the long ball. T.J. Geith allowed one more run across before giving way to four scoreless innings from Brady Rodgers (3H 0BB 2SO). Lancaster worked from behind, with the first JetHawks' runs scoring on a Brandon Meredith (2x4) three-run home run in the fourth, but they pulled ahead with three more in the seventh and added on a couple of insurance runs in the eighth. Andrew Aplin was one-for-four with an RBI double and a walk; Carlos Perdomo doubled as well. Delino DeShields went two-for-four with an RBI single, a walk and a run scored. He was also feeling frisky on the base paths and swiped three bags on the night, bringing his season total to 23.

Quad Cities over Clinton 9-8
Colton Cain (3IP 7H 4R/2ER 2BB 1SO) got the start and was followed by Jamaine Cotton (3.1IP 8H 4R 1BB HR). Mitch Lambson rounded off things by pitching a scoreless two and two-thirds innings and giving the River Bandits the opportunity to do exactly what they did ... come back late. QC chipped away at the Clinton lead with one in the third on a Jesse Wierzbicki RBI double and one in the fourth on a Teoscar Hernandez RBI single. The Bandits got to within two as they added four more runs in the sixth and seventh, setting up a three-run ninth for the win. Brett Phillips was three-for-five with a double and two RBI; Jordan Scott was two-for-five with a double, RBI and run scored; Roberto Pena was two-for-five and scored two runs; and Austin Elkins went two-for-three with a double, two walks, an RBI and scored three times.

Tri-City at Vermont Postponed

Greeneville over Burlington 7-0 in 7 innings (Game 1)
Edison Frias (6IP 3H 5SO) and Christian Garcia (1IP 1SO) combined to shutout Burlington while the Greeneville bats got busy. Marc Wik (2x4 R), Ariel Ovando (2x3 HR 2RBI 2R) and Bobby Borchering (2x3 2-2B BB R) all had multi-hit games. Jack Mayfield was one-for-one with two walks and a two-run double.

Greeneville over Burlington 8-1 in 7 innings (Game 2)
Enderson Franco (4H 1R 1BB 3SO) allowed the only Burlington run of the day in his five innings of work before giving way to scoreless frames from Ryan Connolly and Gonzalo Sanudo. Greeneville got on the board early, scoring two runs in the first on not one but two throwing errors on the same play. But it was Greeneville's big six-run fourth inning with 11 batters coming to the plate that sealed Burlington's fate. Juan Santana (2x4 2B 2RBI 2R), Marc Wik (2x4), Bobby Borchering (2x4 HR 2RBI R), Ariel Ovando (2x4 2B R), and Angel Ibanez (3x3 BB RBI R) all had particularly good games.

GCL Phillies at GCL Astros Postponed

DSL Astros over DSL Indians 12-1
Starter Elieser Hernandez (4IP 1H 1R 4BB 5SO) gave up the sole Indians run on a solo home run as the Astros two-hit the Tribe. Scoreless relief followed from Rayderson Chevalier (3IP 1BB 2SO), Robert Corniel (1IP 1H) and Cristhopher Santamaria (1IP 1SO). The Astros got busy and banged out 15 hits, including five doubles and a Hector Roa home run, his fourth of the season.

DSL Astros
Player	Pos	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	AVG
Luis Payano	CF	5	2	3	1	0	0	2	1	1	.196
Arturo Michelena	3B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.223
1- Jarico Reynoso	PR-LF	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.179
Alexander Melendez	RF	5	3	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	.600
Hector Roa	LF-1B	5	2	2	0	0	1	2	0	1	.286
Randy Cesar	1B-3B	6	3	3	2	0	0	2	0	3	.213
Marlon Avea	C	4	2	2	0	0	0	2	1	1	.222
Jean Estrella	2B	3	0	1	1	0	0	2	1	0	.268
Jean Carlos Cortorreal	DH	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	.000
Kristian Trompiz	SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.175
Totals		39	12	15	5	0	1	12	6	8	.228

Player of the Day: Alexander Melendez has only been with the DSL Astros for four games, but he has come out swinging. Honorable mention goes to Austin Elkins for his great night.

Pitcher of the Day: Edison Frias pitched a gem on his way to his first win of the season.