Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, May 31, 2019

How were things down on the farm on the final day of May?

Round Rock 8, Iowa 1

W- Rogelio Armenteros (2-4)
L- Trevor Clifton (1-4)
S- Gabriel Valdez (1)

RR home runs: Lorenzo Quintana 2 (2, 6 season; 2-run in 3rd, solo in 8th)

A Cuban player went off. It was not Yordan Alvarez, who went 0-2 and was intentionally walked three times. Instead, it was Yordan's compatriot, Lorenzo Quintana, who went off as he blasted his first two home runs at the Triple-A level. I'll get to that in a moment.

Rogelio Armenteros, another member of the Cuban contingent, went off on the mound as he allowed a run on three hits, walked two, and struck out seven in six innings of work. Gabriel Valdez walked one and struck out two over the final three innings.

Quintana opened the scoring with a two-run shot in the 3rd inning. Kyle Tucker scored on a wild pitch in the 5th inning. Round Rock got a pair of RBI singles from Alex De Goti and Drew Ferguson in the 6th and they tacked on three more runs in the 8th for good measure as Quintana led off the inning with his second homer of the evening and then they got a couple of bases-loaded walks from Taylor Jones and Nick Tanielu. Quintana was the only player on either side to finish with a multi-hit game.

José Hernández-Urquidy will take on Adbert Alzolay in game three of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Frisco 6, Corpus Christi 5 (12 innings)

W- Locke St. John (3-2)
L- Layne Henderson (0-1)

CC home runs: Abraham Toro (10, grand slam in 8th)

The Hooks got back into this game with a grand slam before ultimately walking off with the loss in extras.

J.B. Bukauskas pitched 4.1 innings and allowed two runs on three hits, walked four, and struck out six. Hunter Martin was the first man out of the Corpus bullpen and the two runs he allowed in his 1.2 innings came on a homer. Martin also allowed two other hits and struck out one. Nick Hernandez and Colin McKee followed with two innings apiece. Hernandez struck out one in a perfect outing, while McKee allowed a run on two hits and walked two, one intentionally. Layne Henderson pitched a scoreless 11th inning but failed to record an out in the 12th, where the Roughriders scored the winning run against him. Henderson allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out one.

Corpus couldn't get anything going offensively until the 8th when they suddenly found themselves in a tie game when Abraham Toro launched a grand slam to put them on the board. Osvaldo Duarte started the 10th in scoring position and scored on Stephen Wrenn's double. Luis Santana led off the 12th at second base and advanced to third on an Alfredo Angarita sac bunt, but they couldn't push him across. Wrenn finished 2-6 on the evening.

Bryan Abreu gets the start for game two of this series and he'll go up against Tyler Phillips at 7:05.

Wilmington 5, Fayetteville 3

W- Daniel Tillo (4-4)
L- Chad Donato (3-6)
S- Tad Ratliff (12)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

Both teams scored in the same number of innings, but the difference here was the Blue Rocks putting up a pair of crooked numbers.

Jonathan Arauz extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a base hit in the 1st, put Fayetteville on the board with a sac fly in the 3rd, and scored on Michael Papierski's single in the 6th. Papierski drew a walk in the 9th and eventually scored on a single from Enmanuel Valdez. No one in the Woodpeckers lineup had more than one hit; Miguelangel Sierra's double was their only extra-base hit of the night.

Chad Donato went five innings and allowed three runs on five hits (two-run homer), walked one, and struck out four. Yohan Ramirez allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and struck out eight over the final four innings.

Brett Conine will start the series finale and he'll face Daniel Lynch at 5:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 13, Burlington 10 (10 innings)

W- Riley Cabral (1-0)
L- Mayky Pérez (0-2)

QC home runs: Michael Wielansky (2, 2-run in 2nd), David Hensley (3, 2-run in 4th)

The Banditos came out on top to open this series between the top two teams in the Midwest League's Western Division as they scored more runs in one extra inning than they did in the nine regulation innings.

Michael Wielansky opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the 2nd and the Banditos got two more runs in the inning on a Carlos Machado RBI triple and an RBI single from Austin Dennis. David Hensley launched a two-run homer in the 4th. Let's fast-forward to the 10th.

Dennis started the 10th at second base and he didn't have to wait long to score because Jeremy Peña led things off with an RBI single. Freúdis Nova walked and then Ruben Castro ripped an RBI double to bring Peña home. Wielansky followed by adding a two-run triple to his ledger. Trey Dawson proceeded to draw a walk. Ross Adolph went down on strikes for the first out, but Machado came through with a two-run single. Dennis capped off the assault with an RBI single.

Everyone in the original starting nine scored at least once. Peña, who now has a 13-game hitting streak, finished 4-6 on the night. Machado finished 3-5, while Dennis and Wielansky had two hits apiece.

R.J. Freure got the start and the one run he allowed in his four innings came on a solo homer. Freure also allowed three other hits, walked four, and struck out eight. Manny Ramirez came on for the 5th but he only got one out via the strikeout. He allowed three runs (two earned, one inherited runner charged to him) and walked three.

Felipe Tejada was the next man up and the one run he allowed came on a solo homer. He also allowed one of Ramirez's runners to score, but the solo homer was the only run that he allowed and was charged to him. Overall, Tejada pitched 3.1 innings and allowed two hits, walked two, and struck out nine. Riley Cabral allowed a run on two hits and walked one in 1.1 innings, and things got a bit nervy in the bottom of the 10th as the Bees got four runs off of Cody Deason; three of them were earned. Deason allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out two.

Deason is listed as the starter for game two of this series but his appearance in the 10th inning nixed that. Whoever gets the start for Quad Cities will take on Luis Alvarado at 6:30.

Friday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Round Rock Express pitchers: W 8-1 vs. Iowa

9 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 9 K

Rogelio Armenteros: W (2-4), 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Gabriel Valdez: Save (1), 3 IP, BB, 2 K

Lorenzo Quintana, C, Round Rock

2-3, 2 HR (2, 6 season), 3 RBI, 3 R

Yohan Ramirez, RHP, Fayetteville

4 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 8 K

Abraham Toro, 3B, Corpus Christi

Game-tying grand slam (10) in 8th inning

Nick Hernandez, RHP, Corpus Christi

2 IP, K; perfect outing

R.J. Freure, RHP, and Felipe Tejada, RHP, Quad Cities

Freure: 4 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 4 BB, 8 K

Tejada: 3.1 IP, 2 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 2 BB, 9 K

Austin Dennis, OF, Jeremy Peña, SS, Michael Wielansky, IF, and Carlos Machado, OF, Quad Cities

Dennis: 2-6, 2 RBI, R

Peña: 4-6, RBI, R; 13-game hitting streak

Wielansky: 2-4, 3B, 2-R HR (2), 4 RBI, 2 R

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

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, May 27, 2019

Let's finish up a game from last month and then play another one in Nashville!

From April 18: Round Rock 2, Nashville 0

W- Cy Sneed (3-5)
L- Tim Dillard (3-4)

RR home runs: Yordan Alvarez (20, solo in 3rd)

This game began on April 18 but was suspended due to severe weather. The first order of business on this Memorial Day was finishing up this game before getting to the regularly scheduled contest.

Corbin Martin originally started this game and he worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 1st, striking out one. Cy Sneed picked things up after play resumed and he didn't need any backup... he completed the shutout by allowing two hits, walking one, and striking out ten over the final eight innings.

Yordan Alvarez launched a solo homer with two outs in the 3rd and Jamie Ritchie hit a sac fly in the 4th inning. Alvarez went 2-4 and was the only player on either side to finish with more than one hit in this game.

Round Rock 8, Nashville 4 (9 innings)

W- Gabriel Valdez (1-0, 3-2 season)
L- Zac Curtis (1-1)

RR home runs: None.

The E-Train seized control of this game thanks to a five-run 9th inning.

Brandon Bielak turned in a bare minimum quality start (6 IP, 3 ER) in his Triple-A debut, allowing six hits, walking three, and striking out five. Gabriel Valdez got the last three innings and he allowed an unearned run on two hits, walked one, and struck out five.

Myles Straw put Round Rock on the board with an RBI single in the 3rd inning. Yordan later added another run when he grounded into a force out that allowed Aníbal Sierra to score. He then ripped an RBI double in the 5th. The Sounds got that run back in the bottom of the 5th to tie the game... so let's fast-forward to the 9th.

A.J. Reed led off the 9th in scoring position and Nick Tanielu led things off with a walk. Quintana hit into a force out that resulted in Reed getting erased at third, but Sierra came through with a two-run double to break the tie. After Alex De Goti drew a walk, Kyle Tucker ripped an RBI double. Straw added a sac fly and Yordan capped off the scoring with an RBI single. Yordan, Straw, Tucker, and Quintana all finished with two hits in this game.

Game four of this series will start at 6:35. TBA will be opposed by Seth Maness.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks will begin a three-game series in Midland at 6:30. Brett Adcock will face Grant Holmes.

Lynchburg 5, Fayetteville 2

W- Juan Hillman (3-4)
L- Nivaldo Rodríguez (0-2, 3-3 season)
S- Anthony Gose (3)

Fayetteville home runs: Jonathan Arauz (4, solo in 6th)

The Woodpeckers' bats were held in check on Memorial Day as they could only muster up four hits.

Jonathan Arauz scored both of Fayetteville's runs in this game; he reached on a force out in the 4th and scored on Marty Costes' double. Arauz then launched a home run to lead off the 6th, extending his hitting streak to 11 games.

Nivaldo Rodríguez pitched five innings and allowed five runs on six hits (three-run homer), walked three, and struck out four. César Rosado allowed a hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings in his first appearance since coming off the injured list. Nick Hernandez struck out one in a 1-2-3 8th.

The Woodpeckers will have Tuesday off as they head home. They will start a four-game series with the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Wednesday.

Quad Cities 5, Wisconsin 0

W- Brett Daniels (2-3, 3-3 season)
L- Aaron Ashby (3-2)

QC home runs: Freúdis Nova (1, solo in 6th)

The Banditos earned a series win by shutting out the Timber Rattlers on Memorial Day.

Austin Hansen allowed two hits, walked four, and struck out six in 4.2 innings and Brett Daniels allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out six over the final 4.1 innings to complete the shutout.

Jeremy Peña opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st inning. This would be the only scoring play until the 5th, when Austin Dennis hit a sac fly. Peña later hit into a force out that allowed Trey Dawson to score. Freúdis Nova led off the 6th with a homer and Dennis capped off a 3-3 day with an RBI single in the 7th inning. Dennis also stole a couple of bases, giving him ten on the season.

The Banditos will begin a three-game series against Beloit at 6:35. José Bravo will go against Joe DeMers.

Monday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers: W 5-0 vs. Wisconsin

9 IP, 3 H, 5 BB, 12 K

Austin Hansen (right): 4.2 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 6 K

Brett Daniels: W (2-3, 3-3 season), 4.1 IP, H, BB, 6 K

Austin Dennis, OF, Quad Cities

3-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R, 2 SB (10)

Yordan Alvarez, 1B/OF, Round Rock

Game 1: 2-4, solo HR (20)

Game 2: 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI

Corbin Martin's participation occurred a month ago, but he's still part of the shutout.

Round Rock Express pitchers: W 2-0 @ Nashville; completion of a game suspended on April 18

9 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 11 K

Corbin Martin: IP, BB, K

Cy Sneed: W (3-5), 8 IP, 2 H, BB, 10 K

Gabriel Valdez, RHP, Round Rock

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

Jonathan Arauz, IF, Fayetteville

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

11-game hitting streak, also scored both of Fayetteville's runs

Fayetteville Woodpeckers bullpen

3 IP, H, 3 K

César Rosado: 2 IP, H, 2 K; first appearance since April 29 (was on IL)

Nick Hernandez: IP, K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, May 22, 2019

A slate of day games turned up empty for the farm.

Round Rock 4, San Antonio 0

W- Cy Sneed (2-5)
L- Bubba Derby (0-3)

RR home runs: Yordan Alvarez (19, 2-run in 1st), Taylor Jones (9, solo in 2nd), A.J. Reed (3, solo in 2nd)

Yordan Alvarez continues to do Yordan Alvarez things and Cy Sneed flirted with perfection. He ultimately fell short in that pursuit, but he and Gabriel Valdez ended up combining on a two-hit shutout.

Sneed and Valdez allowed one hit apiece. Sneed, who took a perfect game into the 8th inning, struck out four over eight innings and Valdez struck out one in the 9th to complete the shutout. Sneed's bid for the perfecto ended when Cory Spangenberg hit a double off of him with one out in the 8th.

Alvarez opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the 1st and then Taylor Jones and A.J. Reed launched back-to-back solo homers in the 2nd. No one on either side finished with a multi-hit game.

Forrest Whitley takes on Jimmy Nelson in game three of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Amarillo 7, Corpus Christi 6

W- Miguel Díaz (2-0)
L- Brett Adcock (0-5)
S- Brandon Bednar (3)

CC home runs: Josh Rojas 2 (5; solo in 4th, solo in 6th), Stephen Wrenn (2, solo in 1st), Lorenzo Quintana (4, solo in 4th), Chas McCormick (3, solo in 4th), Abraham Toro (8, solo in 6th)

The Hooks hit six home runs... and lost. Baseball sure can be dumb.

Stephen Wrenn hit a solo homer in the 1st to open the scoring. With two outs in the 4th, Lorenzo Quintana, Josh Rojas, and Chas McCormick hit back-to-back-to-back solo home runs to put the Hooks back in front. Abraham Toro smacked a homer to lead off the 6th and Rojas launched another solo homer later in the inning. Rojas finished 3-4 on the afternoon while Wrenn, McCormick, and Chuckie Robinson all had two hits on the day.

Wrenn tripled to lead off the 8th but was stranded there. Rojas, McCormick, and Robinson all singled to lead off the 9th but once again, they were all stranded to end the day.

Brett Adcock went five innings and allowed seven runs on eight hits (two two-run homers), walked one, and struck out five. Jonathan Bermúdez threw three perfect innings in relief, striking out two.

Corpus will head home to start a four-game series with Frisco at 6:15. As this weekend is Memorial Day weekend, the Hooks will transform into the Blue Ghosts to commemorate the USS Lexington, the World War II-era aircraft carrier that is docked in Corpus Christi Bay that now functions as a museum. For the background behind its nickname, "The Blue Ghost," click the link and it will take you to the Lexington's Wikipedia page.

Winston-Salem 4, Fayetteville 3 in 10 innings

W- Luís Ledo (3-1)
L- Nivaldo Rodríguez (0-1, 3-2 season)

Fayetteville home runs: Scott Manea (4, solo in 9th)

The Woodpeckers broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the 9th, but the Dash responded by re-tying the game in the bottom of the 9th and they wound up walking off with the win with another run in the first extra frame. This was Fayetteville's fifth walk-off loss of the season.

Enoli Paredes had another fine outing as he allowed a run on three hits, walked one, and struck out five in five innings of work. Nivaldo Rodríguez tagged in for 4.1 innings and allowed three runs on six hits (solo homer) and issued an intentional walk.

Colton Shaver went 3-4 with a pair of RBI singles in the 4th and the 6th. Scott Manea whacked a solo homer with one out in the 9th to put the Woodpeckers up 3-2.

J.P. France will start the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Kane County 9, Quad Cities 3

W- Kai-Wei Lin (1-0)
L- José Alberto Rivera (0-2)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos pounded out 14 hits but only had three runs to show for their efforts.

Jonathan Lacroix hit an RBI single in the 6th and Ramiro Rodríguez smacked a two-run triple in the 8th inning. Austin Dennis finished 4-5 out of the leadoff spot. Rodríguez and Jeremy Peña had two hits apiece, and Marty Costes went 3-4.

José Alberto Rivera went five innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on ten hits (solo homer), walked one, and struck out two. Jayson Schroeder, the Astros' second-round pick in last year's draft, made his 2019 debut with three innings out of the bullpen and he allowed three runs on three hits, walked three, and struck out four.

José Bravo will get the start in the series finale. He'll face Jackson Goddard at 6:30.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

No photo available for Jonathan Bermúdez.

Josh Rojas, UTIL, Stephen Wrenn, OF, Chas McCormick, OF, and Jonathan Bermúdez, LHP, Corpus Christi

Rojas: 3-4, 2 solo HR (5); 4 HR in last two games

Wrenn: 2-5, 3B, solo HR (2); 2nd consecutive game with HR

McCormick: 2-4, solo HR (3)

Bermúdez: 3 IP, 2 K; perfect outing

Photo by Bryan Green

Enoli Paredes, RHP, Fayetteville

5 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 5 K

Colton Shaver, IF, Fayetteville

3-4, 2 RBI singles

Austin Dennis' photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com. Flickr is currently down for maintenance.

Ramiro Rodríguez, OF and Austin Dennis, OF, Quad Cities

Rodríguez: 2-5, 3B, 2 RBI

Dennis: 4-5, R

These are their mugshots on MiLB.com. Flickr is currently down for maintenance.

Round Rock Express pitchers: W 4-0 vs. San Antonio

9 IP, 2 H, 5 K

Cy Sneed: W (2-5), 8 IP, H, 4 K; perfect through 7.1 IP

Gabriel Valdez: IP, H, K

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com. Flickr is currently down for maintenance.

Yordan Alvarez, 1B/OF, Round Rock

1-4, 2-R HR (19)

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, May 17, 2019

Nashville 9, Round Rock 3

W- Tim Dillard (2-2)
L- Cy Sneed (1-5)

RR home runs: Derek Fisher (7, solo in 9th)

The Sounds jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and that deficit proved to be too much for Round Rock to overcome.

Derek Fisher finished 3-5 and scored two of the three Express runs in this game. He scored on Yordan Alvarez's RBI single in the 3rd and then smacked a solo homer in the 9th inning. Myles Straw preceded Yordan's RBI single with an RBI base hit of his own. Alvarez and Alex De Goti both finished with two hits apiece.

The pitching got peppered to death in this one as 11 of Nashville's 12 hits were singles.

Cy Sneed only lasted 1.2 innings as he allowed three runs on four hits, walked three, and struck out one. Ralph Garza Jr. got Sneed out of a bases-loaded predicament unscathed, but Nashville ended up getting to him as well. In 1.1 innings, Garza allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits, walked one, and struck out two. Forrest Whitley came on for four innings and he allowed four runs on six hits, walked two, and struck out four. Brendan McCurry got the last two innings and struck out two in a perfect outing.

Ryan Hartman faces Seth Maness in game three of this series. First pitch is at 6:05.

Corpus Christi 1, Midland 0

W- Gabriel Valdez (2-2)
L- Daulton Jeffries (0-3)
S- Carlos Sanabria (2, 3 season)

CC home runs: None.

There was only one run in this game and fortunately, it belonged to the Corpus Christi Hooks. Midland had plenty of chances for their own but they were thwarted with some fine defensive work.

Carmen Benedetti made a catch at the wall in the 5th and then with two outs and runners on the corners, Ronnie Dawson ended the inning by running down a ball in the gap. With runners on the corners and two outs in the 7th, Dawson made a diving stop to rob Greg Deichmann of extra bases and keep the Hounds off the board.

Tyler Ivey allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out six in four innings of work. Gabriel Valdez was the first man out of the Hooks bullpen and he allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out one in three innings. Carlos Sanabria completed the shutout by walking one and striking out two over the final two innings.

Granden Goetzman's sac fly in the 2nd was the only scoring play in this game. Abraham Toro, who scored that one run, finished 2-3.

Carson LaRue gets the start in game three and he'll face Matt Milburn at 7:00.

Carolina 9, Fayetteville 2

W- Dylan File (4-3)
L- J.P. France (0-4)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

A couple of big early innings from the Mudcats doomed the Woodpeckers.

J.P. France pitched three innings and allowed seven runs (five earned) on eight hits (2-run homer), walked two, and struck out three. Nick Hernandez was the first man out of the bullpen and he allowed a run, a hit, walked one, and struck out six in 2.2 innings. The run was an inherited runner that scored off a two-run home run that Leovanny Rodríguez allowed in the 6th. Leovanny went two innings and allowed two other hits while striking out five. Jacob Billingsley struck out one over 1.1 perfect innings.

Jonathan Arauz went 2-4 and hit an RBI single in the 4th. Corey Julks had a sac fly in the 5th.

Game two of this series begins at 5:00 Eastern.

Peoria 8, Quad Cities 0

W- Collin Schmid (1-0)
L- José Alberto Rivera (0-1)

QC home runs: None.

All of the scoring in this game was done in one inning... by the Chiefs.

José Bravo allowed five hits, walked one, and struck out two over five shutout innings. José Alberto Rivera came on for his season debut but I'm sure he'd like a mulligan. Riley Cabral was called upon to pick up the mess but he bored his share of Peoria's assault in the 6th. In 1.2 innings, Cabral allowed three runs on four hits, walked three, and struck out two. Devin Conn worked around a couple of walks to throw a scoreless 8th inning.

One night after scoring 21, all Quad Cities could muster up were singles from Austin Dennis, Alex McKenna, Marty Costes, David Hensley, and César Salazar.

R.J. Freure goes up against Kyle Leahy at 6:35.

Friday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

José Bravo, RHP, Quad Cities: 5 IP, 5 H, BB, 2 K

Nick Hernandez, RHP, and Leovanny Rodríguez, RHP, Fayetteville

Hernandez: 2.2 IP, H, ER (inherited runner that was charged to him), BB, 6 K

Rodríguez: 2 IP, 3 H (2-R HR allowed), ER, 5 K

Derek Fisher, OF, Round Rock

3-5, solo HR (7), 2 R

Brendan McCurry, RHP, Round Rock

2 IP, 2 K

Corpus Christi Hooks pitchers: W 1-0 @ Midland

9 IP, 4 H, 5 BB, 9 K

Tyler Ivey: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K

Gabriel Valdez: W (2-2), 3 IP, 2 H, BB, K

Carlos Sanabria: Save (2, 3 season), 2 IP, BB, 2 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, May 12, 2019

A rainout in Frederick meant that only the upper-level affiliates were in action on Mother's Day.

Round Rock 4, Oklahoma City 2

W- Akeem Bostick (3-1)
L- Dennis Santana (0-2)
S- Brendan McCurry (4)

RR home runs: Yordan Alvarez (15, 3-run in 1st)

Yordan Alvarez's rampage continues.

Alvarez went 2-4 and whacked a three-run home run in the 1st to open the scoring. Round Rock's other scoring play came in the 6th when Jack Mayfield scored on a wild pitch. Mayfield also finished 2-4 on the afternoon.

Akeem Bostick had an inherited runner charged to him when Dean Deetz hit a man with the bases loaded in the 6th. He also allowed two hits, walked four, and struck out four in 5.1 innings of work. Dean Deetz and Reymin Guduan both pitched 1.2 innings; Deetz allowed a solo homer, walked one, and struck out three, while Guduan allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out one in a scoreless outing. Brendan McCurry walked the first man he faced, which loaded the bases, but he was able to secure the victory by getting a groundout to end the game.

The Express and Dodgers will continue their series at 7:05.

Amarillo 4, Corpus Christi 2

W- Emmanuel Ramirez (2-4)
L- Carson LaRue (0-1)
S- Andrés Muñoz (2)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks, doing business as the Raspas on Sunday, were foiled in their attempt to sweep the series as their bats went quiet.

Osvaldo Duarte singled to lead off the 1st and scored Corpus Christi's first run of the day on a balk. He also hit a sac fly in the 7th. Aníbal Sierra went 2-3 and stole his first base of the season. Duarte also stole a base, giving him nine on the year.

Carson LaRue pitched four innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits (solo homer), walked two, and struck out five. Gabriel Valdez turned in his best outing of the season as he allowed an unearned run on four hits and fanned four in 4.2 innings. Justin Ferrell allowed a single to the first man he faced before getting the final out of the 9th.

The Lone Star Series in the Texas League fires up again as the Hooks welcome the Frisco RoughRiders to South Texas for a three-game set. Brandon Bailey will start game one and he'll face Jonathan Hernandez at 6:15.

Fayetteville and Frederick was canceled

Due to rain. This game will not be made up as it was the final meeting between the Woodpeckers and the Keys in the first half.

Chad Donato, who was originally scheduled to start this game, will start the first game of a new series. The Woodpeckers are heading home to start a three-game series with the Salem Red Sox at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities returns to action on Monday

With a doubleheader in Cedar Rapids. Game one will begin at 5:30; R.J. Freure will take on Josh Winder. Quad Cities has not announced a starter for game two.

This twinbill will kick off a 12-game roadtrip for the Banditos. I'm sure they're ready to get going again after unexpectedly getting this weekend off.

Sunday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Yordan Alvarez, 1B/OF, Round Rock

2-4, 3-R HR (15)

Akeem Bostick, RHP, Round Rock

W (3-1), 5.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 BB, 4 K

The run was an inherited runner that scored and was charged to him.

Gabriel Valdez, RHP, Corpus Christi

4.2 IP, 4 H, unearned run, 4 K

Osvaldo Duarte, UTIL, Corpus Christi

1-3, RBI, R, SB (9); involved in both of Corpus Christi's scoring plays

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Sacramento 12, Fresno 2

W- Casey Kelly (9-7)
L- Cy Sneed (8-5)

Fresno home runs: Yordan Alvarez (2, 14 season; solo in 7th)

The Rivercats have proven to be a serious thorn in the Grizzlies' collective side all season. I have no further comments to add, but at least Yordan Alvarez went deep.

Mike Hauschild will take on Shaun Anderson in the finale of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Frisco 4, Corpus Christi 1

W- Tyler Davis (2-7)
L- Brandon Bielak (2-1, 7-4 season)
S- Reed Garrett (12)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks pounded out a dozen hits but only had one run to show for it.

Josh Rojas ripped a double with two outs in the 8th and scored that one run on a single from Alex De Goti, who finished 3-4 with a stolen base (4) on the evening. That double from Rojas was Corpus Christi's only extra-base hit of the contest. Rojas went 2-3 and also stole a base; he now has 15 in the Texas League and 27 on the season. Andy Piñeda finished 2-4.

Brandon Bielak pitched 5.2 innings and allowed two runs on five hits (solo homer), walked four, and struck out five. Kit Scheetz was the first man out of the Hooks bullpen and allowed a run on three hits and struck out two in two innings, and Ronel Blanco allowed a run on three hits and struck out three in 1.1 innings.

Hector Perez will start the first of a four-game series in Midland at 7:00. He'll take on Jesús Luzardo.

Buies Creek 1, Salem 0 in 10 innings

W- Carlos Sanabria (1-0, 3-1 season)
L- Jake Cosart (3-1)

BC home runs: None.

Nine innings came and went without a run, but the Carolina Stros finally broke the deadlock with a run in the first extra frame to walk off with the victory.

Chuckie Robinson led off the bottom of the 10th in scoring position and moved to third on a sac bunt from Jonathan Arauz. Jake Meyers got a free pass to first to set up the double play, but Corey Julks lifted one high enough and far enough for Robinson to dash home with the winning run. Ronnie Dawson went 2-4 and stole a couple of bases (26).

Meanwhile on the mound, three pitchers combined to hold the Red Sox to one hit over the ten innings. Brandon Bailey went five innings and didn't allow any; he walked two and struck out five. Gabriel Valdez allowed that one hit. He went four innings and struck out three. Carlos Sanabria worked around a walk to throw a scoreless top of the 10th.

Game two of this series is at 6:00 Eastern. Cristian Javier will take on Darwinzon Hernandez.

Quad Cities 2, South Bend 1

W- Peter Solomon (7-1)
L- Erling Moreno (0-2)
S- Willy Collado (3)

QC home runs: None.

Both teams had five hits, but the Banditos had more in the column that matters most.

Parker Mushinski allowed a run on three hits, walked three, and struck out four in 4.2 innings. Peter Solomon tagged in to throw 3.1 scoreless, allowing two hits and striking out four, and Willy Collado worked around a catcher's interference call in the 9th to secure the victory.

Chandler Taylor hit a one-out double in the 2nd, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored the game's first run on a sac fly from Colton Shaver. Taylor added an RBI single to his ledger in the 6th that brought in Seth Beer. Taylor finished 2-4 on the night.

César Rosado will get the start in game two of this series. He'll face Javier Assad at 6:35.

Brooklyn 11, Tri-City 5

W- Christian James (2-0)
L- Juan Pablo Lopez (1-1)

TC home runs: Alex McKenna 2 (2; 3-run in 1st, solo in 8th)

A big night from Alex McKenna was not enough for the ValleyCats to withstand an offensive onslaught from the Cyclones.

McKenna went 2-4 and both of his hits left the yard for his first two home runs as a pro. He put Tri-City on the board with a three-run blast in the bottom of the 1st and later launched a solo shot in the 8th. Austin Dennis hit an RBI single in the 9th inning. Carlos Machado finished 2-3 with a double.

Devin Conn got two outs in the 1st and allowed three runs (one earned, two inherited runners charged to him) and walked one. Juan Pablo Lopez was the first man out of the ValleyCats bullpen and allowed three runs (two inherited runners charged to him) on three hits, walked one, and struck out two in 2.2 innings. Felipe Tejada was next, and he allowed two runs on five hits (three-run homer), walked two, and fanned six in 3.2 innings. Luis De Paula got two outs in the 8th, but he allowed three runs on three hits (solo homer) and walked three. J.P. France got the last out of the 8th with a strikeout and went on to strike out two more in a 1-2-3 9th.

Tri-City will look to avoid the sweep at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Mets 6, GCL Astros 3

W- Jurgen Jimenez (3-1)
L- Angel Macuare (1-2)
S- Malky Mena (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Palm Beach Stros got three runs in the 2nd, but the Mets ended up scoring the game's last six runs in a game that featured a rehabbing Yoenis Céspedes.

Freudis Nova singled to lead off that 2nd inning and moved to second base on a passed ball. He then stole third. Deury Carrasco worked the walk and he and Nova pulled off a double steal to open the scoring. Carrasco stole third and scored on a Ronaldo Urdaneta single. Urdaneta stole second, advanced to third on an Andrés Santana groundout, and scored on a Juan Ramirez groundout. Freudis and Nerio Rodriguez finished with two hits apiece on the day.

Angel Macuare went 4.1 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, one of which was a three-run homer hit by Céspedes. He also walked two and struck out three. Kyle Serrano and Daniel Bello pitched one inning apiece, or more accurately, recorded three outs apiece. Serrano got the last two outs of the 5th and the first out of the 6th; he retired all three Mets he faced, striking out one. Bello got the last two outs of the 6th and the first out of the 7th, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits, walking two, and striking out one. Freylin Garcia walked one in 1.2 innings of work.

DSL Marlins 3, DSL Astros 2

W- Leudy Martinez (4-0)
L- Jose Antonio Hernandez (2-2)
S- Jesús Sanchez (2)

DSL home runs: None.

The Academy couldn't quite complete the comeback.

Jose Antonio Hernandez and Ernesto Jaquez both pitched four innings in this one. Hernandez allowed three runs on six hits, walked one, and struck out two. Jaquez continues to be absurd on the mound as he walked one, hit another batter, and struck out nine in a hitless outing. Jaquez has allowed just three hits in his last 24.2 innings pitched. Jose Betances worked around a couple of hits in order to throw a scoreless 9th.

Victor Mascai hit a sac fly in the 6th to put the DSL squad on the board. Jose Mendoza singled to lead off the 8th; he made his way to third thanks to a couple of wild pitches and scored on a Javier Bermúdez single. Mendoza scored both of the Academy's runs in this game. Bermúdez and Abraham Castillo both finished 2-4.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Ernesto Jaquez, RHP, DSL Astros: 4 IP, BB, hit batter, 9 K

Buies Creek Astros pitchers: W 1-0 (10 innings) vs. Salem

10 IP, H, 3 BB, 8 K

Brandon Bailey: 5 IP, 2 BB, 5 K

Gabriel Valdez: 4 IP, H, 3 K

Carlos Sanabria: W (1-0, 3-1 season), IP, BB

These are their mugshots on MiLB.com.

Quad Cities River Bandits bullpen

4.1 IP, 2 H, 4 K

Peter Solomon: W (7-1), 3.1 IP, 2 H, 4 K
Willy Collado: Save (2), IP, 2 groundouts, 1 lineout

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Alex McKenna, OF, Tri-City

2-4, 2 HR (2), 4 RBI; first two HRs of pro career

Alex De Goti, IF, and Josh Rojas, UTIL, Corpus Christi

De Goti: 3-4, RBI, SB (4)

Rojas: 2-3, 2B, R, SB (15, 27 season)

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Saturday, June 16, 2018

Fresno 6, Round Rock 1

W- Trent Thornton (5-4)
L- Adrian Sampson (3-3)

Fresno home runs: Jack Mayfield (8, solo in 6th)

Trent Thornton was magnificent as the Grizzlies shackled the Astros' old AAA team.

Thornton had a no-hitter going for 7.2 innings. He ultimately went eight innings and allowed a hit, walked two, and struck out three. The Express spoiled the shutout by scoring a run against Buddy Boshers in the 9th. Boshers allowed three hits in the inning, but he pulled himself together to secure the win.

Garrett Stubbs singled to lead off the 3rd, advanced to third base on a double from Myles Straw, and scored the first run of the evening on a sac fly from Kyle Tucker. In the 5th, J.D. Davis drew a bases-loaded walk and A.J. Reed added a sac fly. Jack Mayfield launched a solo homer with one out in the 6th. Two batters later, Tony Nuñez drew a walk and dashed home on Straw's triple. Little Tuck followed by ripping an RBI double.

Straw finished 3-5 and a homer shy of the cycle in his AAA debut. Stubbs went 2-4 and scored twice.

Rogelio Armenteros will take on Dustin Hurlbut (snicker) in game two of this series. First pitch is at 1:05.

Corpus Christi and Midland was canceled

Due to rain. The Hooks had been leading 9-8 in the top of the 5th. This game will not be made up as it was the final game between both teams in the first half.

I'm sure Jorge Alcala and Erasmo Pinales are happy that their lines for this game won't count towards their season stats... I'm not so sure that Josh Rojas and Yordan Alvarez are feeling the same way. Rojas was 3-3 and led off the game with a homer, while Alvarez launched two home runs in what was supposed to be his first game since coming off the disabled list.

Corpus will duke it out with San Antonio for the Texas League South Division first-half crown. Cionel Perez will take on Jerry Keel in game one. First pitch is at 4:05.

Buies Creek 4, Potomac 2

W- Gabriel Valdez (3-3)
L- Matt Crownover (3-5)
S- Ronel Blanco (4)

BC home runs: Jonathan Arauz (1, 5 season; solo in 5th)

Scoring four runs in a game doesn't seem like a lot these days, but for a team that's been shut out in two straight, it's a welcome sign for the Carolina Stros.

Gabriel Valdez turned in a career night as he allowed just one hit, walked two, and struck out six over seven shutout frames. The Nationals got their two runs off of Adam Bleday in the 8th as they tried to stage a late uprising. Bleday, who got two outs in the inning, allowed a hit and walked three. Ronel Blanco put the fire out and got the save. He walked one and struck out two over the final 1.1 innings.

Osvaldo Duarte led off the 4th with a triple and scored when Ronnie Dawson reached on a fielder's choice. Abraham Toro, who walked and reached second safely, moved to third when Jake Adams grounded into a double play and scored on a single from Corey Julks. Jonathan Arauz smacked a solo homer in the 5th inning. Toro hit an RBI single in the 8th. Duarte finished 2-4, as did Julks, who was making his Carolina League debut.

Brandon Bailey faces Sterling Sharp in the series finale. First pitch is at 1:05 Eastern.

Quad Cities 2, Burlington 1

W- Tanner Duncan (1-1)
L- Oliver Ortega (2-3)
S- Carlos Sanabria (7)

QC home runs: None.

With this victory, the Quad Cities River Bandits have won the first half of the Midwest League's Western division and the playoff berth that comes with it.

Ruben Castro went 3-4 and scored both Quad Cities runs in this game. Miguelangel Sierra brought him in with a single in the 1st and Colton Shaver ripped a double to score him in the 3rd. Shaver finished 2-4.

Jairo Solís went two innings and allowed an unearned run on a single, walked five, and struck out two. The bullpen picked him up with seven scoreless to close it out. Tanner Duncan and Willy Collado pitched three innings apiece; Duncan struck out three in a perfect outing, while Collado allowed two hits and fanned five. Carlos Sanabria worked around a hit in the 9th to earn the save, striking out two.

Yohan Ramirez will face Houston Christian and TCU alum Mitchell Traver in the Banditos' first-half finale. First pitch is at 1:15.

Vermont 6, Tri-City 2

W- Slater Lee (1-0)
L- Tim Hardy (0-1)

TC home runs: None.

The Lake Monsters scored all six of their runs in the final three innings to seize control of this game. Tri-City had their chances though... they couldn't convert. The ValleyCats went 1-12 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base. 

Juan Robles allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out five over 4.2 shutout innings. Vermont got to the ValleyCats bullpen. Tim Hardy went 3.1 innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits, walked one, and struck out four. Juan Pablo Lopez allowed three runs on three hits, two of which left the park, in the 9th.

Gilberto Celestino scored the first run of the game on an error in the 4th and hit an RBI single in the 7th. He finished 2-3 on the night.

Tri-City will wrap up its first series of the season at 5:00 Eastern.

DSL Astros 3, DSL Dodgers Robinson 0

W- Fabricio Reina (1-1)
L- Juan Gonzalez (0-1)
S- Ronny Garcia (1)

DSL home runs: None.

Both teams had nine hits in this game, but the Astros scored all the runs.

Yefri Carrillo tripled to lead off the game and scored on a single from Jose Alvarez. Carrillo scored again on a wild pitch in the 5th. Junior Marte singled in the 8th and scored when Rolando Espinosa grounded into a force out. Carrillo went 3-4 on the day, while Alvarez finished 2-4.

Valente Bellozo has bounced back from a rough debut to throw four scoreless in each of his last two appearances. He allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out five. Fabricio Reina allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out two in 2.2 innings. Flaer Gonzalez allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out one in 1.1 innings, and Ronny Garcia tightroped out of a bases-loaded jam to close it out. He allowed a hit, walked two, and struck out two.

Saturday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Valente Bellozo, RHP, DSL Astros: 4 IP, 3 H, BB, 5 K
Yefri Carrillo, OF, DSL Astros: 3-4, 3B, 2 R

Trent Thornton, RHP, Fresno

W (5-4), 8 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K; no-hitter through 7.2 IP

Myles Straw, OF, Fresno

3-5, 2B, 3B, RBI, 2 R, SB (1, 36 season) in AAA debut

Tanner Duncan's and Willy Collado's photos are their mugshots on MiLB.com.

Quad Cities River Bandits bullpen: W 2-1 vs. Burlington

7 IP, 3 H, 10 K

Tanner Duncan: W (1-1), 3 IP, 3 K

Willy Collado: 3 IP, 2 H, 5 K

Carlos Sanabria: Save (7), IP, H, 2 K

Ruben Castro, C, Quad Cities

3-4, 2 R; scored both Quad Cities runs

Gabriel Valdez, RHP, Buies Creek

W (1-1), 7 IP, H, 2 BB, 6 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Gilberto Celestino, OF, Tri-City

2-3, RBI, R

Yordan Alvarez, LF/1B, and Josh Rojas, UTIL, Corpus Christi

Rojas, 3-3, solo HR (6, 7 season), 2 R

Alvarez: 2-4, 2 2-R HR (8) in first game since being activated from DL

Unfortunately, these stats will not count.