Astros August/September MiLB Standouts

The regular season may have come to a close on Monday, but the top five Astros minor league teams aren't quite finished as they head to the postseason. Here are a few of the players who have helped contribute to the success of their teams in August/September. I have highlighted a few of the more outstanding stats in red.

Note: If a player played at multiple levels during August/September, he is listed under his current level, but his stats are cumulative.

FRESNO

Kyle Tucker - June 2018

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Position Players

• OF Kyle Tucker: 19 G, .449/.522/.897/1.419, 3 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 6 SB:1 CS, 12 BB:14 K
• 3B J.D. Davis: 21 G, .351/.435/.740/1.175, 3 2B, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 2 SB:0 CS, 12 BB:14 K
• 3B Nick Tanielu: 22 G, .384/.413/.570/.983, 7 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB:7 K
• 2B Jack Mayfield: 30 G, .288/.348/.512/.860, 11 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB:2 CS, 8 BB:29 K
• OF Yordan Alvarez: 26 G, .282/.362/.456/.818, 6 2B, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 13 BB:28 K
• C Jamie Ritchie: 14 G, .277/.393/.426/.818, 4 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2 SB:0 CS, 7 BB:12 K
• SS Alex De Goti: 29 G, .297/.360/.406/.766, 8 2B, HR, 12 RBI, 3 SB:1 CS, 10 BB:16 K

OF Myles Straw stole 16 bases in 27 games (1 caught stealing) to end the regular season with 70 stolen bases (9 caught stealing).

Pitchers

• RHP Dean Deetz: 2-0 in 12 games, 1.29 ERA, 0.952 WHIP, 9 BB:26 K in 21 IP
• RHP Matt Ramsey: 0-1 in 14 games, 1.50 ERA, 0.944 WHIP, 7 BB:12 K in 20 IP
• RHP Akeem Bostick: 1-1 with 1 save in 6 games/4 starts, 2.51 ERA, 0.907 WHIP, 8 BB:37 K in 28.2 IP

CORPUS CHRISTI

Ryan Hartman - April 2018

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Position Players

• OF Ronnie Dawson: 28 G, .288/.336/.514/.850, 5 2B, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 6 SB:3 CS, 5 BB:33 K
• 3B Abraham Toro: 27 G, .281/.333/.438/.771, 10 2B, 3B, HR, 11 RBI, 1 SB:0 CS, 6 BB:25 K
• C Eduardo de Oleo: 14 G, .319/.319/.404/.723, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 0 BB:10 K

Pitchers

• RHP Erasmo Pinales: 0-0 with 2 saves in 8 games, 0.93 ERA, 0.724 WHIP, 2 BB:15 K in 9.2 IP
• RHP J.B. Bukauskas: 3-0 in 6 starts, 1.32 ERA, 0.853 WHIP, 15 BB:39 K in 34 IP
• LHP Kit Scheetz: 1-0 with 2 saves in 10 games, 2.03 ERA, 0.750 WHIP, 3 BB:15 K in 13.1 IP
• LHP Ryan Hartman: 2-1 in 6 games/3 starts, 2.08 ERA, 0.659 WHIP, 2 BB:40 K in 30.1 IP
• RHP Brandon Bielak: 0-3 in 5 starts, 2.48 ERA, 0.931 WHIP, 8 BB:30 K in 29 IP
• RHP Brandon Bailey: 1-0 with 1 save in 6 games/2 starts, 3.03 ERA, 0.980 WHIP, 10 BB:31 K in 32.2 IP

BUIES CREEK

Chad Donato - July 2018

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Position Players

• OF Corey Julks: 27 G, .305/.373/.543/.916, 10 2B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 4 SB:1 CS, 12 BB:26 K
• OF J.J. Matijevic: 28 G, .261/.352/.559/.910, 9 2B, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 1 SB:3 CS, 16 BB:34 K
• 1B Jake Adams: 22 G, .316/.357/.474/.831, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 SB:2 CS, 6 BB:20 K
• OF Bryan de la Cruz: 24 G, .313/.389/.398/.787, 5 2B, 3B, 15 RBI, 3 SB:0 CS, 10 BB:18 K
• C Chuckie Robinson: 16 G, .293/.364/.414/.777, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB:1 CS: 6 BB:13 K
• OF Seth Beer: 26 G, .272/.316/.456/.774, 4 2B, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 0 SB:1 CS, 4 BB:21 K
• C Carlos Canelon: 16 G, .302/.345/.377/.722, 2B, HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB:1 CS, 2 BB:20 K

Pitchers

• RHP Chad Donato: 6-0 in 6 starts, 1.23 ERA, .0.709 WHIP, 7 BB:46 K in 36.2 IP
• RHP Carson LaRue: 3-1 in 6 games/4 starts, 1.61 ERA, 0.929 WHIP, 12 BB:24 K in 28 IP
• RHP Brendan Feldmann: 0-1 with 2 saves, 1.80 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 7 BB:20 K in 15 IP
• RHP Abdiel Saldana: 0-0 in 5 games/3 starts, 2.05 ERA, 1.091 WHIP, 4 BB:23 K in 22 IP
• RHP Enoli Paredes: 4-0 in 6 games, 2.08 ERA, 0.808 WHIP, 3 BB:14 K in 8.2 IP
• RHP Peter Solomon: 1-0 in 4 games/2 starts, 2.37 ERA, 0.789 WHIP, 3 BB:21 K in 19 IP
• RHP Jose Luis Hernandez: 2-2 in 6 games/5 starts, 2.43 ERA, 1.020 WHIP, 4 BB:28 K in 33.1 IP
• RHP Tyler Ivey: 1-0 with 1 save in 5 games/4 starts, 2.70 ERA, 1.114 WHIP, 8 BB:23 K in 23.1 IP
• RHP Colin McKee: 2-1 with 2 saves in 7 games, 2.92 ERA, 1.216 WHIP, 5 BB:21 K in 12.1 IP

QUAD CITIES

Parker Mushinski - July 2018

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Position Players

• OF Alex McKenna: 19 G, .329/.388/.534/.922, 4 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 2 SB:0 CS, 6 BB:20K
• OF Jonathan Lacroix: 28 G, .308/.339/.523/.863, 6 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 1 SB:1 CS, 5 BB:28 K
• OF Marty Costes: 23 G, .268/.388/.463/.851, 8 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 SB:2 CS, 8 BB:14 K

Pitchers

• LHP Parker Mushinski: 0-0 with 2 saves in 8 games, 0.00 ERA, 0.628 WHIP, 4 BB:28 K in 14.1 IP
• RHP J.P. France: 1-0 with 1 save in 6 games, 0.69 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 4 BB:21 K in 13 IP
• RHP Luis Garcia: 4-0 in 6 starts, 1.16 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 9 BB:30 K in 31 IP
• RHP Humberto Castellanos: 2-0 with 2 saves in 9 games, 1.84 ERA, 1.091 WHIP, 3 BB:20 K in 14.2 IP
• RHP Willy Collado: 0-2 with 2 saves in 8 games, 2.13 ERA, 0.632 WHIP, 2 BB:16 K in 12.2 IP
• RHP Bryan Abreu: 1-1 with 1 save in 5 games/4 starts, 2.61 ERA, 1.113 WHIP, 11 BB:37 K in 20.2 IP
• RHP Tanner Duncan: 2-0 with 1 save in 8 games, 2.84 ERA, 1.184 WHIP, 7 BB:17 K in 12.2 IP

TRI-CITY

Carlos Machado - July 2018

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Position Players

• OF Carlos Machado: 28 G, .355/.385/.473/.857, 8 2B, 3B, HR, 14 RBI, 2 SB:1 CS, 6 BB:13 K
• OF Andy Pineda: 20 G, .288/.382/.441/.823, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 6 SB:3 CS, 7 BB:13 K
• 3B Enmanuel Valdez: 27 G, .272/.342/.466/.808, 8 2B, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 5 SB:3 CS, 10 BB:17 K
• C Oscar Campos: 19 G, .271/.307/.486/.792, 6 2B, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 2 BB:9 K

Pitchers

• RHP Joey Gonzalez: 1-1 with 1 save in 8 games, 0.79 ERA, 0.529 WHIP, 2 BB:12 K in 11.1 IP
• RHP R.J. Freure: 0-0 in 7 games/3 starts, 0.96 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, 9 BB:22 K in 18.2 IP
• RHP Brett Daniels: 2-0 in 6 games/2 starts, 0.92 ERA, 0.864 WHIP, 6 BB:22 K in 19.2 IP
• RHP Brett Conine: 0-0 in 6 games/2 starts, 2.08 ERA, 1.096 WHIP, 7 BB:19 K in 17.1 IP
• RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez: 3-0 with 1 save in 6 games/3 starts, 2.55 ERA, 0.973 WHIP, 9 BB:27 K in 24.2 IP

RHP Ernesto Jacquez had a 0.89 ERA and a 0.787 WHIP in 6 appearances in August; however, his one September start did not go quite so well (vast understatement).

GULF COAST LEAGUE

Position Players

• OF Juan Ramirez: 16 G, .344/.369/.525/.894, 7 2B, 2 3B, 10 RBI, 3 SB:3 CS, 3 BB:6 K
• SS Freudis Nova: 14 G, .313/.364/.521/.884, 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 4 SB:3 CS, 4 BB:6 K

Pitchers

• LHP Jervic Chavez: 1-0 with 3 saves in 6 games, 0.00 ERA, 0.783 WHIP, 4 BB:3 K in 7.2 IP
• RHP Bryan Solano: 0-0 in 5 games, 1.50 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 5 BB:11 K in 12 IP
• LHP Julio Robaina: 0-1 in 3 games/2 starts, 2.00 ERA, 0.778 WHIP, 2 BB:9 K in 9.0 IP
• RHP Alfredi Jimenez: 0-2 in 4 games/2 starts, 2.12 ERA, 0.882 WHIP, 4 BB:17 K in 17 IP

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE

Position Players

• C Jose Alvarez: 12 G, .367/.459/.500/.959, 4 2B, 4 RBI, 1 SB:1 CS, 6 BB:6 K

Pitchers

• RHP Franny Cobos: 0-0 in 4 games/2 starts, 0.00 ERA, 0.735 WHIP, 2 BB:11 K in 16.1 IP
• RHP Jose Antonio Hernandez: 0-2 in 5 games/2 starts, 0.59 ERA, 0.913 WHIP, 4 BB:20 K in 15.1 IP
• RHP Wender Oberto: 3-1 in 5 games/2 starts, 1.35 ERA, 0.850 WHIP, 1 BB:15 K in 20 IP

July 2018 Standouts
June 2018 Standouts
May 2018 Standouts
April 2018 Standouts

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Needed a little time off, but I'm back in the saddle. Sort of.

How did the Astros' Class A clubs fare in their battles with their counterparts from the Brewers?

Fresno 9, Sacramento 2

W- Rogelio Armenteros (8-1)
L- Daniel Camarena (0-8)

Fresno home runs: Jack Mayfield (15, solo in 1st), J.D. Davis (16, 3-run in 3rd)

The Grizzlies stormed out to a 7-0 lead and cruised to the win against their rivals from Northern California.

Jack Mayfield got things started when he smacked a homer in the 1st inning. Fresno got three in the 2nd on a couple of sac flies from Garrett Stubbs and Alex De Goti and an RBI single from Myles Straw and J.D. Davis added three more when he whacked a home run in the 3rd inning. In the 6th, Stubbs scored on a botched force out attempt and A.J. Reed drove in the final run of the evening with a sac fly.

Everyone in the lineup recorded a hit; J.D. led the way with a 3-4 night. Stubbs and Yordan Alvarez had two hits apiece.

Rogelio Armenteros went 5.2 innings and allowed two runs on four hits, one of which was a solo homer, walked five, and struck out seven. Riley Ferrell was the first man out of the Grizzlies bullpen and he threw 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and fanning four. Matt Ramsey struck out one in a 1-2-3 9th.

This California rivalry continues at 7:05 Pacific.

Midland 3, Corpus Christi 2 in 10 innings

W- Corey Walter (3-6)
L- Justin Ferrell (6-2, 7-2 season)
S- Kyle Finnegan (10)

CC home runs: None.

The Hounds scored one in the 8th to tie and nipped the Hooks with a run in the first extra frame.

Both Corpus Christi runs came in the 5th on a pair of doubles from Josh Rojas and Lorenzo Quintana. Rojas and Chas McCormick both went 2-4.

Akeem Bostick allowed a run on three hits, walked two, and struck out five in five innings. Brandon Bailey went four innings and the one run he allowed came on a homer in the 8th inning that tied the game at 2. Bailey allowed one other hit, walked one, and struck out three. Justin Ferrell came on for the 10th and allowed what turned out to be the winning run on a single, walked one, and got two outs in the inning, one via strikeout. Kit Scheetz got the last out of the 10th.

Brock Dykxhoorn will face Brian Howard in game two of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Buies Creek 5, Carolina 4 in 10 innings

W- Colin McKee (3-1, 6-2 season)
L- Daniel Brown (6-4)

BC home runs: Colton Shaver (1, 16 season; 2-run in 4th)

Buies Creek saw a 4-0 lead vanish but they managed to walk off with the victory in the first extra frame.

J.B. Bukauskas allowed two hits, walked four, and struck out seven over five shutout innings. Although he tied a season-high in walks issued, he's really done well to save what was on the verge of becoming a lost year. Carlos Sanabria was the first man out of the Carolina Stros' bullpen and he allowed three runs on four hits (two-run homer), walked two, and struck out one in two innings. The one run that Colin McKee allowed in his three innings of work came on a homer; he allowed two other hits, walked one, and fanned six.

Bryan de la Cruz opened the scoring when he ripped a two-run double in the 1st inning. Buies Creek got two more on the board in the 4th when Colton Shaver launched a home run. Carlos Canelón started the 10th inning in scoring position and advanced on a sac bunt from Jake Meyers, who reached anyway thanks to an error. One batter later, J.J. Matijevic won the game with a base hit that brought Canelón in with the winning run. Matijevic went 2-4 on the night and Shaver finished 2-3 in his first Carolina League game.

The Carolina Stros and Mudcats will wrap up this series at 6:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 6, Wisconsin 1

W- Luis Garcia (6-2)
L- Nelson Hernandez (10-10)

QC home runs: Mike Papierski (5, 2-run in 3rd)

An early outburst and some stellar pitching got the Banditos the W.

Luis Garcia went five innings and allowed a run on two hits, walked one, and struck out four. Humberto Castellanos and Parker Mushinski finished it off with two scoreless innings apiece. Castellanos fanned four in a perfect outing and Mushinski struck out five, working around a couple of errors to finish off the game.

Quad Cities loaded the bases to lead off the 2nd inning and got two runs out of it thanks to an error. Marty Costes was able to reach and the gaffe allowed Alfredo Angarita and Miguelangel Sierra to score. Sierra hit a two-run single in the 3rd and one batter later, Mike Papierski smacked a home run. Sierra finished 3-4 and scored twice, while Jonathan Lacroix went 2-3 with a run scored.

César Rosado will start the middle game of this series. He'll take on Scott Sunitsch at 7:05.

Tri-City 5, Brooklyn 2

W- Shawn Dubin (2-1)
L- Jose Butto (1-1)
S- Luis de Paula (3)

TC home runs: Drew Ferguson (1, 3 season; 2-run in 2nd), Michael Wielansky (2, solo in 4th)

A fast start allowed the ValleyCats to get the win. This victory allows them to keep their one-game lead over Lowell in the NYPL's Stedler division.

Brett Daniels started things off by walking one and striking out three over four no-hit innings. Shawn Dubin was next and he allowed a run on three hits, walked three, and struck out five in his three innings of work. Mark Moclair and Luis de Paula both pitched an inning. Moclair allowed an unearned run on an errant pickoff throw in the 8th but was able to limit the damage. He came on for the 9th but he allowed a single to the leadoff man and walked the next batter, so Luis de Paula was summoned to close it out, which he did without any serious hiccups. De Paula got a force out, a line drive out, and a flyout to finish the game.

Enmanuel Valdez doubled with one out in the 1st and moved to third on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Carlos Machado brought him in with a single. Nathan Perry led off the 2nd with a double and scored as Andy Piñeda took his place at second base. Piñeda stole third and scored on Drew Ferguson's homer. Michael Wielansky whacked a solo homer in the 4th inning. Valdez, Machado, and Alex Holderbach all finished 2-4 on the night.

Tri-City and Brooklyn will finish up this series at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 7, GCL Nationals 0

W- Angel Macuare (4-3)
L- Luis Reyes (0-1)

GCL home runs: Freúdis Nova (6, solo in 9th)

The Palm Beach Stros blanked their complex mates on Tuesday.

Julio Robaina and Angel Macuare both threw four shutout innings in this one. Robaina allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out two, while Macuare allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out two. Jervic Chavez completed the shutout, working around a hit batter to do so.

Yeuris Ramirez opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st. Yorbin Ceuta smacked an RBI triple in the 2nd and scored on a sac fly from Juan Ramirez. Andrés Santana ripped an RBI double in the 3rd inning and added a sac fly in the 5th. Wilyer Abreu reached on an error and advanced to second base to lead off the 6th and scored on a Rhandall Sanchez single. Freúdis Nova capped off the day by whacking a solo homer in the 9th inning. Juan, Yeuris, Freúdis, Sanchez, and Ceuta all finished with two hits on the afternoon.

DSL Astros 5, DSL Marlins 2

W- Antonio Placencia (1-0)
L- Yoilan Quinonez (1-2)
S- Flaer Gonzalez (3)

DSL home runs: None.

The Academy seized control with three runs in the 8th to break a 2-2 tie.

Heitor Tokar and Jose Antonio Hernandez started things off with three innings apiece. Tokar allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, walked one, and struck out four, while Hernandez allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out eight in a scoreless outing. Antonio Placencia won his pro debut as he allowed a hit and struck out one in two scoreless innings, and Flaer Gonzalez allowed a hit and struck out two in the 9th to close things out.

Franklin Pinto singled to lead off the game and scored the first run of the game on an error that allowed Victor Mascai to reach. Jeury Castillo scored in the 6th on a force out. Enmanuel Morillo put the Academy in front when he cleared the bases with a double in the 8th inning.

Tuesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

DSL Astros bullpen: 6 IP, 4 H, BB, 11 K
Jose Antonio Hernandez: 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 8 K
Antonio Placencia: W (1-0), 2 IP, H, K
Flaer Gonzalez: Save (3), IP, H, 2 K

Julio Robaina, RHP, GCL Astros: 4 IP, H, BB, 2 K
Angel Macuare, RHP, GCL Astros: W (4-3), 4 IP, 4 H, BB, 2 K

Photo uploaded by Oz Ocampo

Freúdis Nova, IF, GCL Astros

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

Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers: W 6-1 @ Wisconsin

9 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 13 K

Luis Garcia: W (6-2), 5 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 4 K

 Humberto Castellanos: 2 IP, 4 K

Parker Mushinski: 2 IP, 5 K; faced two batters over the minimum due to two errors

Miguelangel Sierra, IF, Quad Cities

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

Brett Daniels, RHP, Tri-City

4 IP, BB, 3 K

Colton Shaver, IF, Buies Creek

2-3, 2-R HR (1, 16 season) in Carolina League debut

J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, and Colin McKee, RHP, Buies Creek

Bukauskas: 5 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 7 K

McKee: W (3-1, 6-2 season), 3 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), ER, BB, 6 K

Akeem Bostick, RHP, Corpus Christi

5 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K

J.D. Davis, 3B, Fresno

3-4, 3-R HR (16), 2 R

Riley Ferrell, RHP, Fresno

2.1 IP, H, 4 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, July 2, 2018

Sacramento 4, Fresno 3 in 10 innings

W- Ray Black (2-0)
L- Brendan McCurry (3-3)

Fresno home runs: Jon Kemmer (12, solo in 4th), J.D. Davis (8, solo in 6th)

The Grizzlies got their leadoff runner home in the first extra frame, but the RiverCats got theirs home... and then some to walk off with the victory.

Jon Kemmer and J.D. Davis slammed solo homers in the 4th and the 6th, respectively, which represented Fresno's two runs in regulation. Nick Tanielu started the 10th in scoring position and came home when Myles Straw hit into a fielder's choice. Davis and Taylor Jones both finished 2-4 on the night.

Brock Dykxhoorn allowed a run on seven hits, walked one, and struck out four in seven innings of work. Reymin Guduan and Brendan McCurry both recorded four outs. Guduan had an inherited runner charged to him; he also allowed a hit,walked one, and struck out two. McCurry served up a walk-off two-run homer to Chris Shaw in the bottom of the 10th. He allowed one other hit, walked one, and struck out three.

Cy Sneed goes up against Jordan Johnson in the series finale. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 7, Northwest Arkansas 2

W- Justin Ferrell (4-1, 5-1 season)
L- Franco Terrero (2-4)

CC home runs: Yordan Alvarez (12, 2-run in 9th), Lorenzo Quintana (4, solo in 9th)

Down to their last inning, the Hooks made it count as they seized control with six runs in the 9th.

Ryan Hartman went six innings and allowed a run on seven hits, walked one, and struck out eight. Justin Ferrell was the first man out of the Corpus bullpen and allowed an unearned run on two hits and fanned four in his two innings of work. Erasmo Pinales worked around a hit and a walk on his way to a scoreless 9th.

Randy César opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st inning. This would be Corpus Christi's only scoring play until they went nuts in the 9th.

Alex De Goti kicked things off in the final inning with a double. He advanced a base on an error that allowed Aníbal Sierra to reach and scored the tying run on a single from Chas McCormick, which prompted the Naturals to make a pitching change. McCormick was erased at second base, but Stephen Wrenn beat out the double play attempt and Sierra managed to come home with the go-ahead run. Wrenn stole second and scored on César's second RBI single of the game. Yordan Alvarez followed by smacking a two-run homer and Lorenzo Quintana went back-to-back to cap off the onslaught.

César finished 3-5 on the evening, while Alvarez, Quintana, and Andy Piñeda all finished with two hits. Wrenn's stolen base in the 9th gives him 21 this season.

Framber Valdez will get the start in the Hooks' final game in the state of Arkansas during the regular season. He'll face Foster Griffin at 6:35.

Carolina 3, Buies Creek 2

W- Nattino Diplán (3-1)
L- Cristian Javier (3-1, 5-3 season)
S- Luke Barker (9)

BC home runs: Jake Meyers (1, 6 season; solo in 3rd)

Both teams scored a run in the 3rd and the 7th innings. The difference in this game was the Mudcats' run in the 4th.

Jake Meyers scored both of Buies Creek's runs in this game. He led off the third with his first Carolina League homer and scored on an Abraham Toro groundout in the 7th. Osvaldo Duarte finished 2-4. The Carolina Stros went 0-9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base.

The two runs that Hector Perez allowed in his five innings came on a couple of solo homers. He allowed three other hits and struck out seven. Cristian Javier pitched 2.1 innings and allowed a run on three hits, walked one, and struck out three. Jesús Balaguer got a couple of groundouts in the 8th to finish the inning.

Buies Creek and Carolina will wrap up this series at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 4, Beloit 2

W- Leovanny Rodriguez (3-1)
L- Ivan Andueza (0-4)
S- César Rosado (2)

QC home runs: None.

Both teams scored twice in the 4th inning. However, the Banditos also scored in the 2nd and the 8th, so they emerged as the winners.

Leovanny Rodriguez went five innings and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out five. César Rosado turned in four scoreless to earn the save, allowing two hits, walknig four, and striking out five.

Logan Mattix doubled to lead off the 2nd and scored the first run of the night on an error that also allowed Scott Schreiber to reach safely. Quad Cities' two runs in the 4th came on a couple of RBI doubles from Colton Shaver and Schreiber. Seth Beer ripped a leadoff double in the 8th and scored the final run of the evening on a base hit from Shaver, who went 2-4. Mattix also went 2-4; both of his hits were doubles.

Jairo Solís will take on Mitchell Jordan in game two of this series. First pitch is at 7:00.

Tri-City 3, Vermont 2

W- Carlos Hiraldo (1-0, 2-0 season)
L- Brady Feigl (1-1)
S- Tim Hardy (1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats topped the Lake Monsters despite issuing eight walks on the evening. Vermont countered by committing three errors, while Tri-City played mistake-free defense.

Gilberto Celestino hit a two-run double in the 3rd to open the scoring and Alex McKenna ripped an RBI double in the 5th. Trey Dawson went 2-4 with a double, stole a base, and scored two of the ValleyCats' three runs in this game.

Jose Luis Hernandez and Carlos Hiraldo both pitched three innings to start off. Hernandez allowed a run on three hits, walked two, and struck out one, while Hiraldo turned in a scoreless outing, allowing three hits, walking two, and striking out three. Ian Hardman got the first out of the 7th with a strikeout, but he ended up walking the bases loaded and one of the free passes he issued turned into a run after he left the game. Juan Pablo Lopez walked one and struck out two in 1.2 innings and Tim Hardy struck out two in a 1-2-3 9th to close it out.

Mark Moclair will take on Abdiel Mendoza in game three of this series. First pitch is at 12:05 Eastern.

GCL Nationals 3, GCL Astros 0

W- Chris Vann (1-0)
L- Edgardo Sandoval (0-1)
S- Bobby Milacki (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Palm Beach Stros were kept off the board by their complex mates.

Rhandall Sanchez went 2-4.

Edgardo Sandoval allowed a run on five hits in three innings of work. Elián Rodriguez was the first man out of the GCL bullpen and he too allowed a run in his 2.1 innings. He also allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out two. Manny Ramirez allowed an unearned run on a sac fly, walked two, and struck out two in 2.2 innings.

DSL Marlins 2, DSL Astros 1

W- Yoilan Quinoñez (1-0)
L- Ricardo León (1-1)

DSL home runs: None.

All of the scoring in this game was done in the 9th inning. Unfortunately, the Marlins wound up walking off with the victory.

Javier Bermúdez broke the 0-0 tie with a sac fly that scored Junior Marte in the top half of the 9th. Yefri Carrillo finished 2-4 with a stolen base, his fourth of the year.

Wender Oberto and Heitor Tokar both threw four scoreless innings. Oberto allowed a couple of hits and struck out one while Tokar allowed a hit and struck out two. They also hit one batter apiece. The Marlins got both of their runs off of Ricardo León to win; Leon did not record an out in the 9th.

Monday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Photographer unknown, picture provided to Baseball Brazil

Wender Oberto (not pictured), RHP, and Heitor Tokar, RHP, DSL Astros

Oberto: 4 IP, 2 H, K

Tokar: 4 IP, H, 2 K

Ryan Hartman, LHP, Corpus Christi

6 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 8 K

Randy César, 3B/1B, Yordan Alvarez, LF/1B, and Lorenzo Quintana, C, Corpus Christi

César: 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R

Alvarez: 2-4, 2B, 2-R HR (12)

Quintana: 2-5, solo HR (4)

This is his mugshot on his player profile on the University of Kentucky's athletics website.

John Edward Dawson III (Trey Dawson), IF, Tri-City

2-4, 2B, 2 R, SB (3)

.@loganmattix10 pic.twitter.com/zOsT3Ul9QJ

— QCBanditPhotog (@QCBanditPhotog) June 18, 2018

.@ColtonSshaver pic.twitter.com/Nqe2Z9n6a1

— QCBanditPhotog (@QCBanditPhotog) June 2, 2018

Photos by Rich Guill

Logan Mattix, OF, and Colton Shaver, 1B, Quad Cities

Mattix: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R

Shaver: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R

César Rosado, RHP, Quad Cities

Save (2), 4 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 K

Brock Dykxhoorn, RHP, Fresno

7 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 4 K

J.D. Davis, 3B, Fresno

2-4, solo HR (8)

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, June 17, 2018

Fresno 6, Round Rock 1

W- Rogelio Armenteros (5-0)
L- Connor Sadzeck (3-3)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Grizz took the lead with a couple of runs in the 6th and salted this one away with four runs in the 9th.

Rogelio Armenteros went five innings and the one run he allowed came on a Tommy Joseph solo homer. He allowed three other hits, walked three, and struck out four. Ralph Garza Jr. walked one and struck out three over two scoreless. Kent Emanuel and Brendan McCurry both pitched scoreless innings; Emanuel walked one and struck out one in the 8th and McCurry allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out one in the 9th.

Jack Mayfield put Fresno on the board in the 6th with an RBI double and he scored the go-ahead run on a Nick Tanielu single. Tanielu scored on a wild pitch in the 9th and one batter later, J.D. Davis smacked a two-run, ground-rule double. He ended up scoring the final run of the day on an error that allowed A.J. Reed to reach. Davis, Mayfield, and Tanielu all went 2-4 on the afternoon.

Josh James will get the start in game three of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Corpus Christi 8, San Antonio 6

W- Riley Ferrell (2-2)
L- Rowan Wick (2-4)

CC home runs: Yordan Alvarez (7, 2-run in 6th)

The Hooks broke a 6-6 tie with two runs in the 8th and this win has set up a matchup for all the first-half marbles on Monday.

Cionel Perez went four innings and allowed two runs on five hits (solo homer) and struck out six. Kit Scheetz worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 5th, striking out one. Framber Valdez tagged in for 1.2 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits (solo homer) and walked one. Riley Ferrell did not allow a hit in his 2.1 innings, walking one and striking out four during his time on the mound.

Corpus scored twice in the 6th to tie the game and that set the stage for a thrilling finish. Yordan Alvarez provided the two runs in the 6th by launching a home run. Fortunately for him, this one will count towards his season statistics. The Hooks took the lead in the 7th thanks to four RBI singles from Aníbal Sierra, Stephen Wrenn, Josh Rojas, and Alvarez. Chas McCormick kept the 8th inning alive by drawing a walk. He then advanced to third on a Sierra single and scored the go-ahead run on an error that allowed Wrenn to reach. Rojas came through with an RBI single to bring in the final run of the night. Rojas, Alvarez, and Sierra all finished with two hits on the night.

Tonight is the final game of the first half and the Hooks will send out the San Antonian, Forrest Whitley, to the mound to help get them that playoff berth. He'll face Colin Rea at 7:05.

Potomac 4, Buies Creek 2

W- Sterling Sharp (5-3)
L- Brandon Bailey (2-7)
S- James Bourque (3)

BC home runs: None.

After taking a 4-2 decision on Saturday, the Carolina Stros were on the losing end of that same score on Sunday.

Brandon Bailey went 3.2 innings and allowed three runs on four hits, walked four, and struck out six. Jesús Balaguer walked two and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless, and Abdiel Saldaña allowed a run on three hits and struck out three in three innings of work.

J.J. Matijevic opened the scoring by ripping a double in the first inning and Jake Adams hit an RBI single in the 8th inning.

The 2018 Carolina League All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday in Zebulon, North Carolina, the home of the Carolina Mudcats. Ronnie Dawson, Abraham Toro, Brandon Bielak, and Brett Adcock will represent the Buies Creek Astros.

Quad Cities 5, Burlington 2

W- Yohan Ramirez (5-5)
L- Mitchel Traver (5-4)
S- Brendan Feldmann (1, 2 season)

QC home runs: Miguelangel Sierra (4, 2-run in 1st)

The Banditos punched their ticket to the playoffs on Saturday and closed out the first half of their season by sweeping the Bees out of the Quad Cities.

Miguelangel Sierra smacked a two-run homer in the opening frame to put the Banditos on the board first. Alfredo Angarita singled in the 3rd and Logan Mattix scored on the ensuing error. In the 4th, Jonathan Lacroix drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single from David Hensley. Hensley, who advanced to second thanks to an error on the play, scored on a single from Mattix. Angarita, Roman Garcia (2 2B), and Mattix all had two hits on the day.

Yohan Ramirez went five innings and allowed an unearned run on a passed ball, two hits, walked three, and struck out six. Four relievers pitched an inning apiece. Enoli Paredes was first and he struck out two in a 1-2-3 6th. Dean Deetz allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out the side in the 7th. Dariel Aquino allowed a run on three hits and struck out one in the 8th, and Brendan Feldmann struck out the side in order to close it out.

The 2018 Midwest League All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday in Lansing, Michigan. Quad Cities will send five players to Michigan's capital city: Yohan Ramirez, Bryan de la Cruz, Patrick Sandoval, Peter Solomon, and Parker Mushinski.

Vermont 4, Tri-City 3

W- Brandon Withers (1-0)
L- Luis de Paula (0-1)

TC home runs: Enmanuel Valdez (1, solo in 1st)

The Lake Monsters scored three in the 9th to condemn the ValleyCats to a series loss to open the season.

Enmanuel Valdez smacked a solo homer in the 1st to open the scoring and Alex Holderbach hit a two-run single in the 5th. Valdez's homer was Tri-City's only extra-base hit of the game.

Hansel Paulino allowed a hit, walked two, and struck out two over three scoreless innings. Carlos Hiraldo tagged in for five innings, allowing a run on four hits, walking three, and striking out two. Luis de Paula bore the brunt of Vermont's assault in the 9th as he allowed three runs on three hits and walked one.

The ValleyCats will now embark on their first roadtrip of the season to play three games in Aberdeen. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

Sunday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

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

Alvarez: 2-5, 2-R HR (7), 3 RBI

Rojas: 2-4, 2 RBI, SB (11, 23 season)

Riley Ferrell, RHP, Corpus Christi

W (2-2), 2.1 IP, BB, 4 K

This is his mugshot on Georgia College's athletics page.

Logan Mattix, OF, Quad Cities

2-3, 2B, RBI, R

J.D. Davis, 3B/1B, Fresno

2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Ralph Garza Jr., RHP, Fresno

2 IP, BB, 3 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, May 17, 2018

Pitching ruled the day out on the farm.

Corpus Christi sweep!

Fresno 9, El Paso 7

W- Matt Ramsey (2-1)
L- Colten Brewer (0-3)
S- Brendan McCurry (7)

Fresno home runs: J.D. Davis (4, solo in 9th), A.J. Reed (6, solo in 9th)

J.D. Davis had a monster night at the plate and the Grizzlies had to clean up a mess after squandering a 6-2 lead, which they did so successfully.

Davis wound up hitting for the cycle and also drew a walk. He opened the scoring with a two-run triple in the 1st, walked in the 3rd, hit an RBI single in the 4th, ripped an RBI double in the 6th, and completed the cycle with a homer to lead off the 9th inning.

After his triple, Davis scored on an A.J. Reed groundout. Jon Kemmer ripped an RBI ground-rule double in the 3rd inning. Tony Nuñez doubled to lead off the 8th and scored on a Kyle Tucker groundout. After Davis completed the cycle, Reed followed by launching a home run of his own.

Davis reached in all five of his plate appearances. Nuñez went 3-4, while Reed (solo HR, 2 RBI, 2 R), Kemmer (RBI ground-rule 2B), and Tyler White (2B, 2 R) all finished with two hits each.

Josh James went five innings and the two runs he allowed came on a home run hit by Dusty Coleman in the 3rd. James allowed two other hits, walked two, and struck out ten. James came one strikeout short of tying a career-high; he struck out 11 for Lancaster on June 14, 2016.

Kent Emanuel came on for the 6th and got roughed up, allowing four runs on three hits (two-run homer) and striking out one. Matt Ramsey stopped the bleeding by throwing two scoreless innings, allowing a hit, walking one, and striking out two. The Chihuahuas tried to get another comeback attempt going on Brendan McCurry in the 9th and they got a run off of him, but McCurry was able to right the ship and closed it out. He allowed a run on two hits, walked one, and struck out one.

David Paulino will face Jesse Scholtens in game two of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Mountain.

Corpus Christi 4, San Antonio 0

W- Ryan Hartman (3-1)
L- Lake Bachar (0-1)

CC home runs: Randy César (3, 2-run in 6th)

After getting swept out of San Antonio last weekend, the Hooks exacted a measure of revenge on their I-37 rivals by sweeping them out of Corpus Christi as Ryan Hartman, Erasmo Pinales, and Riley Ferrell joined forces on a shutout.

Hartman allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out a career-high 11 in 6.1 innings of work. This is Hartman's first career double-digit strikeout game. Pinales tagged in for 1.2 innings and issued a walk while striking out four. Ferrell completed the shutout by throwing a 1-2-3 9th inning; he got a groundball out, a lineout, and a popout to end the evening.

Myles Straw singled with two outs in the 3rd inning. He proceeded to steal second and scored the first run of the game on a Josh Rojas single. Rojas singled in the 6th, stole second, and scored on a single from Carmen Benedetti. One batter later, Randy César whacked a two-run home run. Rojas finished 3-4 and Straw went 2-4. They also stole a couple of bases; Straw now has 25, while Rojas has 18 on the season. César's homer extended his hitting streak to ten games.

Brock Dykxhoorn will get the start in the opener of a four-game series in Frisco. He'll take on Richelson Peña at 7:05.

Buies Creek and Winston-Salem was postponed

Due to rain. This game will be made up on May 23 in Winston-Salem as part of a doubleheader.

Buies Creek welcomes the Carolina Mudcats to Campbell University for the weekend. Gabriel Valdez will take on Cameron Roegner at 6:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 2, Cedar Rapids 1

W- Leovanny Rodriguez (1-0)
L- Carlos Suniaga (2-1)

QC home runs: Corey Julks (4, 2-run in 7th)

Both teams had one scoring play. Fortunately for the Banditos, their scoring play yielded more runs. Quad Cities took the last three games of this series from the Kernels after dropping the first two.

Corey Julks broke a 0-0 tie in the 7th with a two-run blast. Jake Meyers went 2-4 with a double out of the leadoff spot.

Parker Mushinski allowed a hit, walked two, and struck out five over five shutout innings. Leovanny Rodriguez pitched the last four innings and allowed a run on two hits, walked one, and struck out six.

Quad Cities will conclude their roadtrip with a weekend in Beloit. César Rosado will start the opener, which starts at 6:30.

Thursday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Corpus Christi Hooks pitchers: W 4-0 vs. San Antonio

9 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 15 K

Ryan Hartman: W (3-1), 6.1 IP, 4 H, BB, career-high 11 K

Erasmo Pinales: 1.2 IP, BB, 4 K

Riley Ferrell: IP; retired side in order in the 9th inning

Josh Rojas, IF, and Randy César, 3B, Corpus Christi

Rojas: 3-4, RBI, R, 2 SB (6, 18 season)
César: 2-R HR (3); 10-game hitting streak

Matt Ramsey's photo is his headshot on MiLB.com.

Josh James, RHP, and Matt Ramsey, RHP, Fresno

James: 5 IP, 3 H (2-R HR allowed), 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 K

Ramsey: 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K

J.D. Davis, 3B/1B, and A.J. Reed, 1B, Fresno

Davis: hit for cycle, 5 RBI, 2 R (4 HR this season)

Reed: 2-5, solo HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 R

Parker Mushinski's photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Leovanny Rodriguez's photo taken by Bryan Green.

Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers: W 2-1 @ Cedar Rapids

9 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 11 K

Parker Mushinski: 5 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K

Leovanny Rodriguez: W (1-0), 4 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 6 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, May 14, 2018

The Rockets are in the Western Conference Finals, but most of you may not care about that (that's a shame).

For those of you who aren't inclined to watching hoops, never fear. Minor league recaps are coming right up!

Fresno 4, Salt Lake 3

W- Reymin Guduan (3-1)
L- Jake Jewell (1-2)
S- James Hoyt (2)

Fresno home runs: Tim Federowicz (4, 2-run in 6th)

Fresno and Salt Lake both scored in two innings. The Grizzlies scored more in their two scoring innings and as a result, they came away with the victory on Monday.

Tim Federowicz put the Grizzlies on the board with a two-run home run in the 6th and Jon Kemmer put them in the lead with a two-run triple in the 8th. Federowicz and J.D. Davis scored all four of Fresno's runs in this game; they, along with Tony Kemp, all finished 2-4 on the evening. Kemp now has a 20-game hitting streak.

Mike Hauschild went five innings and allowed two runs on five hits, walked three, and struck out two. Matt Ramsey struck out five in two perfect innings out of the bullpen. Reymin Guduan and James Hoyt both threw an inning; Guduan allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless 8th, while Hoyt withstood a solo home run from Jose Briceño to close out the game, striking out one in the 9th.

Rogelio Armenteros will take on Osmer Morales in an afternoon edition of Taco Tuesday in Fresno. First pitch is at 11:05 AM Pacific.

Corpus Christi 2, San Antonio 1

W- Yoanys Quiala (3-3)
L- Miguel Diaz (1-2)
S- Riley Ferrell (2)

CC home runs: Taylor Jones (7, 2-run in 4th)

Both teams had one scoring play apiece in this game and it came in the form of a home run. The Hooks' home run resulted in more runs, though.

Taylor Jones smacked a two-run home run in the 4th inning which was Corpus Christi's only scoring play. Jones played 105 games between both Class A levels in 2017 and hit seven home runs. He's matched that total in 32 games with Corpus Christi.

Yoanys Quiala has had a rather bumpy road after throwing five innings of one-run ball in his first start of the season, but he turned in his best outing on Monday as he allowed just four hits and struck out six over seven shutout innings. Riley Ferrell finished it off, although Kyle Overstreet spoiled the shutout with a two-out solo home run in the 9th. Ferrell allowed one other hit and struck out two in his two innings of work.

Alex Winkelman will get the start in game 2 of this series. He'll face Logan Allen at 7:05.

Buies Creek was off

The Carolina Stros will begin a three-game series against the Winston-Salem Dash at 7:00 Eastern.

Cedar Rapids 5, Quad Cities 1

W- Brusdar Graterol (1-0)
L- Tyler Ivey (1-3)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos were shackled by Brusdar Graterol, who held them to just two hits and a walk and also struck out ten times against him in 5.2 innings.

Tyler Ivey went five innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, walked two, and struck out five. Peter Solomon allowed a run on three hits and struck out six in three innings of work.

Quad Cities spoiled the shutout in the 9th on a pop-fly RBI single from Mike Papierski, even though he got thrown out at second to end the game in a bid for a double.

Yohan Ramirez will face Edwar Colina in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 6:35.

Monday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Yoanys Quiala, RHP, Corpus Christi

7 IP, 4 H, 6 K

Taylor Jones, 1B, Corpus Christi

1-3, 2-R HR (7)

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Peter Solomon, RHP, Quad Cities

3 IP, 3 H, ER, 6 K

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

Matt Ramsey, RHP, Fresno, and Reymin Guduan, LHP, Fresno

Ramsey: 2 IP, 5 K

Guduan: W (3-1), IP, H, 2 K

Tim Federowicz's photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Tim Federowicz, C, J.D. Davis, 3B/1B/LF, and Jon Kemmer, OF, Fresno

Federowicz: 2-4, 2-R HR (4), 2 R

Davis: 2-4, 2 R

Kemmer: Go-ahead 2-R 3B in 8th