Astros Minor League Recaps

Saturday's Games

Greeneville Astros 3, Bristol White Sox 4 
Greeneville scored three runs before Bristol answered back Saturday and once they did Greeneville fell behind. Troy Scribner took the start for the Astros and threw four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks as he struck out four. Krishawn Holley (3-1) tossed the final six outs and earned his second blown save and the loss. Holley gave up two runs on two hits, walked one and struck out one. Chase McDonald (1X4 R HR RBI SO) scored Greeneville's last run of the game when he hit a solo knock in the sixth inning. Tanner Mathis went nothing-for-one at the plate but scored a run in the fifth after drawing a walk, one of three he drew in the game.

GCL Astros 7, GCL Phillies 8

The Astros held a seven to two lead entering the ninth inning and allowed six runs to score in the bottom of the ninth, resulting in a loss. Jorge Perez and Joe Musgrove both pitched in the ninth inning and only Perez (.1 IP 2H 4ER 2BB) recorded an out. Together they allowed six runs on six hits and two walks. Musgrove (0-3), who allowed the final two runs, picked up the loss and his first blown save. Yonathan Mejia (2X5 R 2B HR 2RBI SO) began the scoring in the first inning with a two-run shot that scored Javaris Reynolds (2X3 2R 2BB SO). Jose Solano and Joel Silfa both went two-for-four in the game with a run scored. Solano also picked up his 21^st RBI of the season.

DSL Astros 7, DSL Indians 2

The DSL Astros nearly shut out their opponent on Saturday before giving up a pair of runs in the ninth inning. Joselo Pinales (2-0) picked up the win, going the first five innings on the mound and giving up just a hit and walk while he was there. Pinales struck out six. Luis Payano closed out at one-for-four batting with a couple walks, a strike out and a pair of RBI and run scored. Payano hit a triple in the fourth that plated the first two runs for Astros. Kristian Trompiz also hit one-for-four, but collected three RBI and a walk in the game. Payano and Trompiz accounted for six of their team’s seven runs on the day.

Tri-City Valley Cats 2, Aberdeen IronBirds 6

The Valley Cats scored first and last, but at one run an installment it was not enough for the win. It might have been had Tri-City not committed three errors which led to four unearned runs in the game. Chris Cotton strode to the hill first and worked four and a third, recording five runs (2ER) on seven hits (HR) and four Ks. Cotton (3-3) would take the loss.  Brett Booth and James Ramsay split four of Tri-City’s seven hits, both going two-for-four. Ramsay scored a run and hit a triple while Booth hit a two-bagger and struck out once.

Quad Cities River Bandits 5, Cedar Rapids Kernels 2

Starting pitcher Joe Bircher went seven innings on Saturday allowing just a run on a pair of hits and essentially slowed the Kernels offense down to just a trickle. Bircher (3-1) also struck out two on route to the win. While Bircher was working his magic the Quad Cities bats were busy. The River Bandits had 11 hits in the game and Carlos Correa and Austin "Catfish" Elkins were responsible for seven of them. Correa finished at four-for-five batting with a pair of RBIs and a strikeout while Elkins went three-for-four with two runs scored and an RBI, ending up a double short of cycling. Saturday's win is Quad Cities' seventh consecutive and moves them to half a game back in the second half standings (behind the Kernels).

High Desert Mavericks 9, Lancaster JetHawks 12

The JetHawks were down nine to three headed into the fifth inning. Through the fifth and sixth Lancaster scored nine uncontested runs and rode that rally to the win, marking their sixth double-digit score in a row. MP Cokinos (1X2 R HR 2RBI 2BB) and Luis Alvarez (2X3 2R 3B HR 2RBI BB) helped with the comeback, both hitting two-run homers in the sixth inning. Andrew Aplin (2X3 3R 2B 3RBI 2BB) also helped, batting in a run in the fifth and two in the sixth. Aplin stole a base too. Delino DeShields didn't have any RBIs but managed to keep himself in scoring position, hitting four-for-five in the game with three doubles and a triple, scoring three runs and striking out once. Kyle Smith, in his debut with the Houston organization, made it only two outs into the game, allowing four runs on four hits (HR) and walking a trio. Tyson Perez, who pitched the fifth through eighth, picked up the win, tallying three hits and a walk in his four innings of work. Travis Ballew earned his 18th save after completing the ninth with one hit, a walk and a K.

Midland RockHounds 8, Corpus Christi Hooks 1

The Hooks had two hits and one run in their loss at home on Saturday. The run came by way of a two out, Preston Tucker (1X2 R HR RBI BB) solo shot in the fourth inning. Ronald Torreyes (1X4) singled in the sixth inning for the only other hit of the game. Tucker also drew the only Hooks walk of the game. Kyle Hallock, who took the loss, (0-1) pitched the first four and a third, recording five runs, four hits (HR), four walks and four Ks.

Colorado Springs Sky Sox 5, Oklahoma City RedHawks 24

Sometimes the best offense is not a good defense. Sometimes the best offense is simply having tons of offense. The latter is certainly the strategy the RedHawks employed on Saturday at home as they won their ninth game in a row. Bobby Doran started on the mound and worked four and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, a pair of walks, while striking out three. Eric Berger (4-3) clocked in for the next one and a third, keeping it scoreless, allowing a hit, walking one and striking out three to pick up the win. Jon Singleton hit a grand slam in the first inning and Brandon Laird followed in the second with a three-run knock. Seven players had multiple hits for Oklahoma City and three had more than four RBI. There were 20 hits all told and they scored no less than three runs in five separate innings. Only one RedHawk struck out the game. Here's a look at the box score chronicling the RedHawks Saturday slug fest:

Player of the Day: The baseball gods shone on the Astros farm Saturday and so WTHB will shine as well. There were several outstanding performances yesterday and that means five guys are going to have to share the honor today.

First, Jon Singleton for his Grand Salami—a guarantee of the honors any day.

Next there is Brandon Laird who hit a three run homer and collected seven RBI on the day. That is rare and slightly intimidating.

Third, we have Carlos Correa, who was on fire, batting four-for-five Saturday to bring his RBI total to 63—pretty sweet.

Fourth is Mr. Delino DeShields. DeShields hit three doubles and a triple Saturday! How is that not honor worthy?

Last, but certainly not least, is "Catfish" Elkins who came up a double short of hitting for the cycle—another solid game.

So, in summation, if you think any of these guys doesn't deserve the honors today take it up with him. Just remember, they all know how to swing a bat.

Pitcher of the Day: Joe Bircher personified the expression "to be in the driver's seat" Saturday. For seven innings he slowed Cedar Rapids to a crawl and allowed his team get out ahead for the win. Nicely done.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Friday’s Games

Quad Cities River Bandits 6, Beloit Snappers 3 (14)

The River Bandits scored five runs in the 14^th inning Friday to win and break a tie that had held since the third frame. Jordan Jankowski pitched the first five innings Friday, allowing one run in the third over two hits (HR) and recording 1-2-3 sets in every other inning he worked. Jankowski finished with four Ks and a pair of walks. Gerardo Sanchez, who threw four innings (9-12), had a nice outing, allowing one hit and striking out six. Mitchell Lambson (2-2) followed Sanchez and picked up the win while giving up two runs on two hits, walking one and striking out three. John Neely signed in for the last two outs and earned his ninth save of the season after giving up a hit and a walk. Quad Cities got on the board in the third inning when Carlos Correa (3X6 2B RBI SO) hit an RBI single to score Terrell Joyce (1X4 2R 2BB 2S0). Joyce was on board after hitting a leadoff double, his eighth of the year. The 14^th inning scoring was initiated by a Jonathan Singleton (1X6 R HR 2RBI 3SO) two run homer and also saw a two RBI double by Jordan Scott (1X1 2B 2RBI) before Joyce scored the River Bandits’ final run on a Teoscar Hernandez single (1X7 RBI SO).

Visalia Rawhide 12, Lancaster JetHawks 10

Lancaster got out to a hot start in this game but dropped eight runs in the fourth and saw their winning streak come to and end on Friday. Blair Walters took the start and pitched three and a third before leaving the game because he was hit in the arm by a liner. Walters allowed four runs (2ER) on five hits (2HR) during his stint. Jonas Dufek (0-2) entered in the third to replace Walters and allowed six runs on five hits and a walk while recording just one out to earn the loss. Brandon Meredith (1X3 2R HR 4RBI 2BB) finished Friday with four RBI, three coming from a three-RBI homer in the first to get the JetHawks on the board. Matt Duffy (3X5 2R 2B HR RBI) and Andrew Aplin (3X5 R 2B RBI) both hit three-for-five in the game. Aplin tallied his ninth longball of the year on a solo shot in the fourth.

Corpus Christi Hooks 3, Arkansas Travelers 5

The Hooks didn’t have quite enough offensive momentum to overtake their opponents in this game Friday and saw their win streak end too. Bobby Doran started things off on the mound for Corpus and allowed a run on two hits, two walks and four Ks in his five innings at the wheel. Pat Urckfitz (2-2), who came on an out into the seventh, took the loss and tallied his first blown save after recording two runs on three hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Drew Muren went three-for-four at the plate Friday with a double and run scored. George Springer had two hits in the game (2X4), both doubles and also picked up a walk and a strikeout.

Omaha Storm Chasers, Oklahoma City RedHawks 

-Postponed

Player of the Day: Jon Singleton homered in his third straight game to help the River Bandits add to their win streak and start the game off in style. These honors are just icing on that cake.

Pitcher of the Game: The whole Quad Cities crew did well on Friday, but Jankowski, Sanchez and Lambson really stood out. So all three are gonna get it today. Jankowski threw four 1-2-3 frames, Sanchez gave up just a hit and K-ed six over four innings and Lambson, well, he K-ed three in a row in the 13th. Great games, guys.

Roster Moves

(A couple of these are older moves, but I'm posting in case you missed them.)

Houston
RHP Brad Peacock recalled to Houston

Oklahoma City
OF Robbie Grossman optioned to Oklahoma City
RHP Josh Fields assigned to Oklahoma City for rehab assignment

Corpus Christi
LHP Sergio Escalona assigned to Corpus Christi from Extended Spring Training

Lancaster
C Ryan McCurdy placed on the 7-day DL
RHP Aaron West activated from the DL

Quad Cities
1B Jon Singleton activated from the restricted list and assigned to Quad Cities

Funky Foto Friday

I've been playing over the last few days with a site called BeFunky that lets you apply all kinds of different effects to photos. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

Roberto Peña

Ariel Ovando

Marc Wik

Jose Altuve

 

Folty and Company

 

Kiké Hernandez

Jon Singleton

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects - Astros Trivia

As you probably already know by this point, Baseball America released its Top 100 Prospect list this morning. The Astros had five players on the list:

SS Carlos Correa - #13
1B Jonathan Singleton - #27
OF George Springer - #37
RHP Lance McCullers - #50
2B Delino DeShields - #99

Curiously, Mike Foltynewicz wasn't placed on the list despite being ranked above Delino DeShields in the team rankings.

How long has it been since the Astros have had at least five players on Baseball America's Top 100 list? 1998 was the last time and the players were:

OF Richard Hidalgo - #19
RHP Scott Elarton - #28
OF Lance Berkman - #64
RHP Wade Miller - #76
1B Daryle Ward - #97

The Astros also had five on the list in 1990 (the first year of the BA Top 100 list), six in 1991, five in 1994 and five in 1996. The most ever on the list were seven in 1995:

OF Brian Hunter - #5
LHP Billy Wagner - #17
OF Richard Hidalgo - #34
SS Orlando Miller - #51
OF Bobby Abreu - #52
3B Phil Nevin - #59
RHP Scott Elarton - #63

Only once before, in 1991, did the Astros have four players in the Top 50:

SS Andujar Cedeno - #2
3B Jeff Bagwell - #32
RHP Darryl Kile - #34
RHP Jeff Juden - #48

Who has ranked as high or higher than Carlos Correa who is ranked at #13 this year?

SS Andujar Cedeno - #2 (1991)
OF Brian Hunter - #5 (1995)
OF Eric Anthony - #8 (1990)
RHP Darryl Kile - #11 (1990)
OF Lance Berkman - #13 (1999)
RHP Roy Oswalt - #13 (2001)

Correa seems to be in pretty good company sitting at Lucky 13 in 2013.

Astros Minor League Depth - First Base

It's time to take a look at the Astros minor league depth, position by position, as we approach Spring Training. Today, we will look at the first basemen in the organization who had the best seasons in 2012.

The embedded chart shows first basemen in the organization ranked from high to low in terms of OPS. I have noted their current age, the last level at which they played and, if they spent significant time at multiple positions, that information is included as well. I am not including players who spent time at the major league level in 2012, such as Brett Wallace.

Erik Castro, who barely leads this list over Jonathan Singleton, divided his time almost equally between 1B and DH in 2012. I would caution against those who are inclined to dismiss Castro as a prospect because of the "Lancaster effect" and the fact that he will be 25 going in to the 2013 season. He was 100% healthy in 2012 for the first time since injury sidetracked his career in 2010. I can certainly see Castro successfully moving up in the system in 2013. He may even get back to playing third base as well which would only add to his versatility and value to the organization. One key for him is to cut down on his strikeout rate.

At first glance, you may be unimpressed by Zach Johnson's .238 batting average, but look a little closer. Johnson was tied with Castro for an organization-leading 108 RBI. He got those RBI any way he could, including grounding into force outs and an organization-leading 14 sac flies, and productive outs don't exactly boost a player's batting average. His 38 doubles ranked in the organization behind only the 39 doubles hit by Brandon Barnes before his call-up to Houston. 

The only one of these players who is new to the organization is Michael Martinez, a 2012 draftee who had a solid debut season with Greeneville. Jesse Wierzbicki in his second season with the Astros and Rafael Valenzuela in his third year both had good seasons as well. Valenzuela was an integral part of the Lancaster team's late run to the playoffs and Wierzbicki was named MVP of the Tri-City team.

One surprise for me from this list was that Jean Batista actually spent more time at first base than he did at either of the middle infield positions as he has in the past. It may just be a temporary situation as players jockey for playing time, but interesting to watch in any event.

Jonathan Singleton, of course, just got popped with a 50-game suspension for testing positive for what has been widely reported as marijuana. He will be allowed to participate in Spring Training, and his suspension will start once the season begins.

One player who doesn't appear on this list who will bear watching in 2013 is Chase Davidson. He only played in a handful of games in 2012, all at DH, before sitting out the remainder of the season with an undisclosed injury. When I interviewed Jeff Luhnow in November, he mentioned that he was eager to see what Davidson could do once healthy.

Tuesday: Second Base

Tomorrow is Another Day

Yesterday was a tough day for Astros fans as the BBWAA, in its infinite wisdom (or lack thereof), failed to do what is right and, in my mind, inevitable by giving Craig Biggio the requisite 75% of the vote necessary to be enshrined in Cooperstown. It didn't help matters when it was announced shortly thereafter that Astros top prospect 1B Jon Singleton was suspended 50 games for using a "substance of abuse," which substance was widely reported to be marijuana.

First things first. I'll admit that even though I didn't expect Biggio to make it on the first ballot after reading all the reports of hang-wringing and angst among many of the so-called "Keepers of the Purity of Cooperstown," I was disappointed that he wasn't closer. He led all vote-getters with 68.2%, but I had really hoped and expected to see him get slightly higher. But ultimately only 39 votes separated him from a trip to Cooperstown this summer.

Many people who are much smarter and more eloquent about these matters have written reams about the problems with the BBWAA and the candidacies of all of the players who were snubbed this year, including our own Jeff Bagwell who inched slightly closer in the voting, but seems destined to be slow-walked into the Hall. I will leave it to them to opine on those things, but I do hope that more people who follow baseball for a living are given the opportunity to vote on these things eventually.

But I have learned in life that worrying about things over which I personally have no control is not healthy or productive. I will vent my anger and then I will move on. I may be totally misguided, but I have faith that enough members of the BBWAA will do the right thing next year, even if they are shamed into doing so by their peers, that I went ahead and put down a deposit for a Cooperstown bed and breakfast for July 2014 as I cancelled a different reservation for this year.

I want to see Biggio go in to the Hall of Fame because for us Houstonians he is Mr. Baseball. He has given us so many wonderful memories and given so much back to the community. And as trite as it may sound, Biggio really did play the game "the right way." I would love to see Biggio and Bagwell go in to the Hall of Fame together, but I really don't see that happening. If Biggio becomes the first player wearing an Astros cap to be inducted, that will feel right.

The second piece of news from yesterday about Singleton's suspension was met with moans and groans (and a few bad jokes) by Astros fans. Yes, it is unfortunate, but Jonathan Mayo wrote this piece that should keep Astros fans from jumping off any cliffs. The worst part is that Singleton tested positive twice which shows a real lapse in judgment.

Singleton is young, though. He only turned 21 in September. Sometimes people need to see real consequences to their actions to wake up and face up to their responsibilities. This whole episode can eventually become a distant, unpleasant memory. That is up to Singleton. There was another player for the Astros who did something very stupid when he was a young man, much stupider than what Singleton just did and he turned out OK.

Minor League Recaps

Friday's Recaps

DSL Mariners DSL Astros

-Cancelled

GCL Astros 1 GCL Nationals 2 (8)

GCL was 3-hit shutout in their first game of the day, Friday. Not all was lost however, because they still managed to score a run on a trio of hits with Juan Santana's RBI single to score Ydarqi Marte in the 6th inning. Erick Gonzalez picked up his third blown save in the 7th frame after giving up a run on a couple hits. Rodney Quintero (0-3) took the loss, pitching just 2 outs in the 8th. Quintero walked a batter, struck 1 out, allowed 1 hit and the game-winning run during that time.

GCL Astros 3 GCL Nationals 6

GCL scored 3 in the 5th inning in this one, but starting pitcher Enderson Franco (3-2) allowed 6 runs (5ER) on 11 hits through 7 and it wasn't enough.  Franco also walked a pair and struck out 6. Teoscar Hernandez had a multi-hit night, batting 2 for 4 with a double, solo homer and run scored.

Greeneville Astros 1 Danville Braves 7

Greeneville got on the board with a run in the first on Friday, but that was the only score.  The Astros had 4 hits all night and Terrell Joyce had 3 of them, going 3 for 3 at the plate.  Greenville fell behind after a 5 run 3rd inning in which starting pitcher Kevin Comer (3-4) allowed all those runs on 6 hits with a walk and 3 Ks. Comer took the loss.  Carlos Correa had the other hit of the game, going 1 for 3 with a walk.

Vermont Lake Monsters 4 Tri-City ValleyCats 7

Two words: Jarrod McKinney.  McKinney batted 2 for 3 Friday and both of his hits were homers.  The first was a 2-run shot in the second inning and the next was a solo knock in the fourth.  Preston Tucker (2X4, RBI) and Jesse Wierzbicki (2X3, 2B) both scored runs as well.  Aaron West got the start and went 4 innings on the mound allowing 2 runs on 7 hits, walking 1 and striking out 3.  Jamaine Cotton (2-1) came on for the next 3 frames and picked up the win, allowing 1 run on 4 hits with 4 Ks.

Charleston RiverDogs 3 Lexington Legends 2

Lexington scored a couple runs in the fifth inning but that wasn’t enough to offset the 3 runs Jonas Dufek (6-4) allowed through the first 6 innings on Friday at home.  Dufek collected the runs on just 5 hits and a walk while striking out 8 batters and logging the loss.  Chan Moon went 2 for 4 at the plate and now has a .270 average in 173 Abs for Lexington. The Legends didn’t record an extra base hit in the game.

Lake Elsinore Storm 4 Lancaster JetHawks 9

This game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Erik Castro hit a 2-out, solo HR.  Castro ended up hitting 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI, bringing his season total to 100.  Grant Hogue hit 1 for 2 with a double, RBI, walk and 2 stolen bases.  Delino DeShields didn’t have a hit in the game but drew a walk, scored 2 runs and stole 3 bases of his own, bringing his record setting total to 96 for the season.   On the mound Blair Walters (2-2) had a nice outing, earning the “W” after pitching 7 innings and allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits, 1 walk and K-ing 5.

Midland RockHounds 4 Corpus Christi Hooks 2

This game was the completion of the game from the previous night, which saw a power outage at the park and dancing by Kiké Hernandez and Andy Simunic.  Rob Rasmussen had a shutout going through 5 innings Thursday when the game was called.  Jake Buchanan (5-7) picked up the last 4 innings on Friday and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits, walked 2 and K-ed 3 while recording the loss and his first blown save.  George Springer finished 3 for 4 at the plate with a run scored and Jonathan Singleton hit 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Midland RockHounds 6 Corpus Christi Hooks 7

This game saw Corpus Christi scrapping back the entire time to even the score and finally score the winning run on Jonathan Singleton’s solo, walk off homerun to lead off the ninth inning.  According to Greg Rajan of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Singleton’s said it was his first walk off homer ever.  Singleton ended up 2 for 5 in the game with 2 runs scored.  Jake Goebbert was on at the plate too, hitting 2 for 3 with a double, 2 runs scored and a walk.  Ben Orloff got in on the action too, batting 3 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Jason Stoffel (2-1) collected the win after going the last frame on the mound.  In his time, Stoffel gave up a hit and struck out 2.

Oklahoma City RedHawks 3 Iowa Cubs 5

The RedHawks got on the board first Friday but were playing catch up the rest of game and ended up a few runs short.  Starting pitcher Edgar Gonzalez got Oklahoma City started strong, only being charged with a pair of runs (1ER) while walking 2 and striking out the same.  Brian Sanches came on to pitch 2 outs in the seventh inning and in his time allowed 2 runs on 3 hits.  Sanches picked up his second blown save and moved his record to 1-3 with the loss.  Jimmy Paredes was on fire offensively Friday, hitting 3 for 4 with a 2-bagger, run scored and a RBI.  Paredes also stole his 36^th base of the year in the game.  Matt Downs batted 2 for 3 with a run scored and a walk.

Player of the Day:  Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a 3-way tie.  ‘Lino DeShields stole 3 bases Friday and earned a share of the title with Mr. Jon Singleton who hit not only the game winner in walk off fashion, but also the first walk off of his career.  Equal amongst these guys is Jarrod McKinney who hit 2 for 3 on Friday, both hits being taters for a total of 3 runs.

Pitcher of the Day:  Jamaine Cotton, come on down.  Cotton earned his second “W” of the season Friday after logging 3 innings of work and allowing just a single run on 4 hits in that time.  Cotton also struck out 4 and made every female in the front row swoon.

   

Minor League Recaps

Saturday's Results

DSL Astros 3 DSL Rays 5

The Astros tried to mount a rally in the ninth inning Saturday, but it proved to be too little, too late, moving their record to 22-43 on the season.  Jean Carlos Cortorreal had a multi-hit game, going 2 for 5 with a double and a RBI.  Mesac Laguna also had a double with his only hit in 4 ABs, his 12th of the season.  After coming on in the second for 4 frames of work, Juan Hernandez (0-4) collected his fourth loss of the year.  Hernandez allowed 4 runs on 5 hits, walked 1 and K-ed 4 during his shift. 

GCL Astros GCL Nationals

-Suspended

Burlington Royals 0 Greeneville Astros 2

Greeneville played a very impressive game of baseball Saturday at home.  Adrian Houser, Tanner Bushue and Zachary Dando combined for a 7-hit shutout and didn't issue any free passes all game.  Houser (3-4) picked up the win after throwing the first 5 frames and through that time he allowed just 5 hits and struck out 3.  Zachary Dando acquired his first save, taking the helm for the final 2 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 4.  At the plate, Angel Ibanez had a good night, hitting 2 for 4 and scoring both runs.  Ibanez was hit in first in the first inning by Rio Ruiz (1X3) and again in the eighth inning by Terrel Joyce (2X4).

Staten Island Yankees 5 Tri-City ValleyCats 2

The ValleyCats offense was stifled at home on Saturday.  Tri-City batsmen had 5 hits all game spread across 4 batters.  Tyler Heineman finished 2 for 4; his 2 hits scored both runs for his team.  Aaron West (6-1) had a tough outing, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits, walking 1, striking out 5 and collecting his first loss through 5 and a 2 thirds.  Jeremiah Minors came on to finish the game out after West and allowed just 4 hits, striking out 3.

Lexington Legends 3 Rome Braves 5

This game got off to a positive start Saturday with Brandon Meredith's 15th homer, a solo shot to center field, getting Lexington on the board.  Meredith ended up 1 for 1 at the plate with 2 runs scored and 3 walks.  Chris Epps batted 2 for 4 with a double and a RBI.  Legends pitching just couldn't contain the opposing offense in this game.  David Rollins (1-2) went the first 6 innings, taking the loss and allowing 4 runs on 6 hits including the go-ahead 2-run, 2-out homer in the fourth.  Rollins also walked 2 and struck out 4.

Lancaster JetHawks 3 Inland Empire 66ers 7

Lancaster has now dropped three games in a row and this one was no picnic.  David Martinez (7-5) got the start and took the loss, pitching 4 and two thirds while being charged with 6 runs (5 ER) on 8 hits with 1 walk.  Offensively this game was a test for the JetHawks too.  Lancaster struck out 11 times in Saturday and only collected 4 hits.  Andrew Aplin (1X3), Domingo Santana (1X4) and Alex Todd (1X2) all had a hit apiece and a RBI each too.  Domingo Santana now has 84 RBIs.

Corpus Christi Hooks 12 Springfield Cardinals 4

Corpus Christi came alive on Saturday and took a decisive win on the road at Hammons Field.  Jonathan Singleton led the charge, batting 4 for 6 with 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored and a massive 2 run homer in the first inning.  Austin Wates hit a tater of his own in the sixth inning, a 3 run shot to left field.  Wates ended up 1 for 4 on the night.  Jake Goebbert got in on the scoring too, hitting 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI of his own.   Matthew Heidenreich (2-1) started the game for the Hooks and after giving up 3 runs (0 ER) in the first inning he remained for 5 more scoreless frames and took the win.  Heidenreich ended up with those runs on 6 hits, 1 walk and 3 Ks.

Oklahoma City RedHawks 5 Round Rock Express 4

The RedHawks mounted a 4-run eighth inning to come from behind and take this win in Round Rock Saturday.  Jose Martinez hit 3 for 4 in the game with 2 RBI. Both of Martinez' RBI came on his go ahead 2-out, RBI single in the eighth inning.  Carlos Corporan hit his sixth homer of the year in the sixth inning, a solo shot to right field to start the inning and get Oklahoma City on the board.  Corporan finished the game 1 for 3 at the dish with 2 runs scored.  Jarred Cosart (1-2) came on to pitch in the seventh inning and stuck around to pick up the win, his first of the season with the RedHawks.  Over 2 frames, Cosart allowed 1 run on a hit, walked 1 and struck out 3.  Jose Valdez came on to close things out in the ninth inning and earned his 15th save of the season, giving up a hit and K-ing 2.  Valdez now has 49 strikeouts in 38.1 innings for Oklahoma City. 

Player of the Day:  Mr. Jon Singleton, come on down.  Singleton not only hit an impressive 4 for 6 yesterday (including a HR), but had 3 RBI and scored 3 runs to boot.  That's a one man show.

Pitcher of the Day: We have a 3-way tie today between Adrian Houser, Tanner Bushue and Zachary Dando.  These 3 guys combined their forces and shutout their opponent Saturday and did so without issuing any walks and striking out 10 (Bushue and Dando only gave up a hit apiece as they split the last 4 frames).  That is the definition of "teamwork."               

              

Happy Birthday - 9/18

RHP Ross Seaton (22)
I forget that he's still this young since 2011 was his fourth season in the Astros minor league system. Drafted in the 3rd round as a compensation pick in 2008 out of Second Baptist High School in Houston, Seaton spent the season in Corpus Christi where he improved on his 2010 numbers from Lancaster, finishing the season 4-9 with a 5.23 ERA and a 1.387 WHIP. He received Texas League pitcher of the week honors twice in 2011.

1B Jonathan Singleton (20)
Originally drafted by the Phillies in the 8th round in 2009, Singleton came to the Astros in the Hunter Pence trade in July. In 35 games at Lancaster, he hit .333 with a .393 OBP and a .456 SLG.

RHP Juan Minaya (21)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2008, this is Minaya's third season in the Astros organization. Used primarily as a starter at Lexington last season, he was moved to the Legend's bullpen this season where he has struggled, posting a 6.90 ERA and a 1.896 WHIP.

Four former Astros with birthdays today

CF Tony Scott (60)
Played for the Astros from 1981 to 1984

RHP Roger Mason (54)
Played for the Astros in 1989 (very briefly)

RHP Chris Holt (40)
Played for the Astros from 1996 to 2000

C Mitch Meluskey (38)
Played for the Astros from 1998 to 2000 and again in 2003