Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, July 17, 2017

Fresno 22, Las Vegas 8

W- Rogelio Armenteros (3-0, 5-3 season)
L- Ricky Knapp (4-11)

Fresno home runs: Reid Brignac 2 (11; 3-run in 5th, solo in 6th), D.J. Fisher (20, solo in 3rd), Preston Tucker (15, solo in 4th), Tony Kemp (6, solo in 5th), Jon Kemmer (16, grand slam in 6th)

The Grizzlies unleashed their fury on the 51s on Monday night in the form of 6 home runs and 22 runs. Each team has now hung 20 on the other; Vegas blasted Fresno 21-6 back on April 11.

Rogelio Armenteros didn't have his best outing, but he did enough and received some generous run support. He went 5 innings and allowed 5 runs on 8 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 4. Aaron West and Ashur Tolliver pitched 2 innings apiece; West allowed 3 hits while Tolliver allowed 3 runs on 4 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 2.

Kyle Smith gets the start in game 2 of this series. He'll go up against Mitch Atkins at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 7, Frisco 2

W- Josh James (4-3)
L- Ariel Jurado (7-7)
S- Franklin Perez (1, 3 season)

CC home runs: Dex McCall (1, 5 season; solo in 4th), Jason Martin (6, 13 season; solo in 8th)

Dallas Keuchel gave Arlington's AA team a glimpse of what awaits them if/when they make it to the big leagues.

In his first game since June 2, Keuchel allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 over 3 scoreless. Josh James and Franklin Perez followed with 3 innings; James walked 1 and struck out 2, while Perez allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 in his Texas League debut.

Offensively, the Hooks blew it open early with 5 runs in the 2nd inning. After they loaded the bases to start the frame, Bryan De La Cruz opened the scoring in emphatic fashion with a bases-clearing double. Ramon Laureano ripped a double to bring him home, and Jason Martin added an RBI single. In the 4th, Dex McCall smacked his first Texas League homer and Martin capped off the evening by launching a solo shot in the 8th.

Martin finished 4-4 on the night while McCall went 2-3 and scored twice.

Akeem Bostick takes on Tyler Davis in game 3. First pitch is at 7:05.

From Sunday: Buies Creek 5, Myrtle Beach 4

W- Brett Adcock (4-3, 5-3 season)
L- Jordan Minch (0-2)

BC home runs: None.

Before the Carolina Stros and Pelicans officially got down to business on Monday, there was the matter of Sunday's game, which was suspended due to rain heading into the 5th.

Both teams scored a run in the 3rd before play was halted; Buies Creek's came on a Taylor Jones RBI single. After the restart, the Astros scored 3 after stretch time thanks to RBI singles from Ryne Birk, Jake Rogers, and Jones. Myrtle Beach scored 3 of their own in the top of the 8th to tie, but Birk's sac fly in the bottom of the 8th put Buies Creek back in front. Jones finished 3-4, while Myles Straw and Alex De Goti had 2 hits apiece.

Cionel Perez went 4 innings and allowed a run on 6 hits and struck out 2 in his Carolina League debut. Brett Adcock pitched the last 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, walking 1, and striking out 5.

Myrtle Beach 2, Buies Creek 0 in 11 innings

W- James Norwood (3-0)
L- Sebastian Kessay (6-3)
S- Dakota Mekkes (2)

BC home runs: None.

This was supposed to be a 7-inning game, but since no one scored, they went on. Both teams combined to put up 20 zeroes on the scoreboard before the Pelicans got to the normally reliable Sebastian Kessay in the 11th for the only two runs of the game.

Stephen Wrenn tripled and Ryne Birk doubled. That was all for the Buies Creek offense in this one.

Ryan Hartman allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6 over 7 shutout innings. Sean Stutzman was the first man out of the Carolina Stros' bullpen and went 3 innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 5. Kessay allowed Myrtle Beach's 2 runs on a couple of RBI singles; he also walked 2 and struck out 2. Both runs also came with 2 outs.

Hector Perez will start the series finale. He'll take on Duncan Robinson, a Kinkaid alum, at 7:00 Eastern.

West Michigan 6, Quad Cities 2

W- Anthony Castro (7-2)
L- Yohan Ramirez (2-2)

QC home runs: None.

Both teams scored in the opening frame, but the Whitecaps took control by posting crooked numbers in a couple more innings.

Quad Cities opened the scoring when Chuckie Robinson hit into a fielder's choice and Osvaldo Duarte came home on the ensuing error. Duarte got caught in a rundown, but the shortstop who slid over to cover third base dropped the ball, allowing him to score. Troy Sieber hit an RBI single in the 6th. Carmen Benedetti went 2-4.

Yohan Ramirez allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4 in 5 innings of work. Robert Corniel also allowed 3 runs, but he did so in 2 innings. He also allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. Salvador Montaño worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 8th, striking out 1.

After a day off, the River Bandits are headed home to begin a 3-game series with Lansing on Wednesday.

Connecticut 1, Tri-City 0 through 1 inning

This game was suspended due to rain. They'll finish it up tonight with the regularly scheduled game to follow. Juan Robles will face Brad Bass.

Kit Scheetz allowed a run on 4 hits and struck out 1 in 1.2 innings.

Elizabethton 13, Greeneville 0

W- Jose Martinez (2-0)
L- Cole Watts (1-2)

Greeneville home runs: None.

Well... this game degenerated in rather ugly fashion. All 13 Twins runs came in the last two innings.

Hansel Paulino allowed 4 hits and struck out 5 over 5.2 shutout innings. Cole Watts and Austin Kerns bore the brunt of the Elizabethton onslaught... and I don't think anything more needs to be said.

The only offense that the Appy Astros could muster up were singles from Gilberto Celestino, Roman Garcia, and Reiny Beltre.

Greeneville heads to Danville to start a 3-game series. Felipe Tejada will take the mound in game 1 against Jasseel De La Cruz at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 10, GCL Marlins 1 in 6.5 innings

W- Chad Donato (1-1)
L- Dakota Bennett (0-1)

GCL home runs: Jose Benjamin (3, 3-run in 5th)

This game was called due to rain after the top of the 7th.

It was enough time for Jose Benjamin to hit for the cycle, though. He doubled in the 1st, ripped a 2-run triple in the 3rd, clubbed a 3-run homer in the 5th, and completed it with an RBI single in the 6th inning. Carlos Machado, Hector Martinez. Juan Piñeda, and Orlando Marquez also drove in runs.

Elieser Hernandez's rehab continued with 4.2 strong innings; he allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 8. Chad Donato allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2 over 2.1 scoreless to get his first professional win.

DSL Astros Blue 3, DSL Rays1 0 in 7 innings

W- Flaer Gonzalez (2-0)
L- Rafael Prensa (0-4)

Blue home runs: None.

This game was called with two outs in the bottom of the 7th due to rain.

There was only one inning with runs and it belonged to Team Blue. They got 3 in the 5th thanks to an RBI single from Leonardo Gonzalez; an error on the play allowed Rhandall Sanchez to score another run. Gonzalez, who made it to 2nd on the blunder, came home on a Ronaldo Urdaneta single.

Denilson Lugo allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 4 over 4 innings and Flaer Gonzalez allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 3 innings of work. Woo.

Monday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless otherwise noted.

The Buies Creek game that started on Sunday doesn't count towards this section... because it started on Sunday.

His mugshot on MiLB.com

Jose Benjamin, 1B, GCL Astros

4-4, 3-R HR (3), 6 RBI; hit for cycle

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

Fresno Grizzlies: W 22-8 @ Las Vegas

22 R, 22 H, E

All position players who appeared in the game recorded at least one hit.

Jon Kemmer: 4-6, grand slam (16), 6 RBI, 3 R

Reid Brignac: 3-4, 2 HR (11), 3 R

Tony Kemp: 3-6, solo HR (5), 2 RBI, 3 R; 22-game hitting streak

Ryan Hartman, LHP, and Sean Stutzman, LHP, Buies Creek

Hartman: 7 IP, 3 H, BB, 6 K

Stutzman: 3 IP, 2 H, 5 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Hansel Paulino, RHP, Greeneville

5.2 IP, 4 H, 5 K

Josh James, RHP, Corpus Christi

W (4-3), 3 IP, BB, 2 K

Jason Martin, OF, and Dex McCall, 1B, Corpus Christi

Martin: 4-4, 2 2B, solo HR (6, 13 season), 2 RBI

McCall: 2-3, solo HR (1, 5 season), 2 R

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Tacoma 5, Fresno 0

W- Joe Wieland (13-6)
L- Chris Cotton (0-1, 1-2 season)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Grizzlies were kept off the board, and the Rainiers put this game away with 3 runs in the 6th.

Alejandro Garcia had 2 of Fresno's 3 hits in this game, which were all singles. Tyler Heineman had the other single.

Brady Rodgers was pulled after 2 innings, walking 1 and striking out 4. Chris Cotton was the first man out, and in 3 innings, he allowed an unearned run on a groundout, a single, and walked 2. Reymin Guduan only recorded one out in the 6th; he allowed 3 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him), a single, and walked 2. Kevin Chapman allowed 2 hits and struck out 4 in 1.2 innings, and James Hoyt allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in the 8th.

David Paulino will start game 3 of this series. He'll face Jarrett Grube at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 4, Frisco 2

W- Trent Thornton (3-1, 10-5 season)
L- Ryne Slack (2-4)
S- Jacob Dorris (3, 13 season)

CC home runs: None.

Trent Thornton delivered yet another fine performance on the mound and the Hooks doubled up the Roughriders to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Thornton allowed 2 runs on 8 hits and struck out 2 in his 8 innings, and Jacob Dorris struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th to get the save.

Drew Ferguson led off the 4th with a triple and scored the Hooks' first run on a sac fly from Mott Hyde. Frisco re-took the lead with a run in the 5th, but Corpus scored the final three runs of the game.

Ferguson drew a two-out walk in the 6th and scored the tying run on a Conrad Gregor triple. J.D. Davis drew a bases-loaded walk in the 7th, and Roberto Peña drove in the final run of the evening with a groundout in the 8th. Ferguson and Nick Tanielu finished with 2 hits apiece in this game.

In game 3 of this series, Francis Martes will face Connor Sadzeck. First pitch is at 7:05.

Lancaster 15, Rancho Cucamonga 1

W- Brock Dykxhoorn (10-4)
L- Felipe Gonzalez (3-7)

Lancaster home runs: Jason Martin (23, 3-run in 8th)

The JetHawks turned this game into a laugher by scoring 11 runs in the final 3 innings.

Everyone in the starting 9+1 scored a run, and Jason Martin, fresh off a 2-homer night, launched another home run.

Brock Dykxhoorn dominated on the mound, allowing 3 hits, walking 2, and striking out 8 over 7 shutout innings. Rancho spoiled the shutout by scoring a run off of Juan Carlos Santos in the 8th. In 2 innings, Santos allowed 6 hits and struck out 1. 

In the series finale, Akeem Bostick will face Chris Anderson. First pitch is at 6:35 Pacific.

Kane County 5, Quad Cities 2

W- Alex Gunn (1-0)
L- Framber Valdez (1-3, 4-4 season)
S- Austin Mason (3)

QC home runs: Stephen Wrenn (3, 12 season; 2-run in 3rd)

Stephen Wrenn's homer gave the Banditos a 2-1 lead, but that was their only scoring play of the game, and the Cougars scored the final 4 runs of the game to win on Wednesday. Bobby Wernes finished 2-4 out of the leadoff spot.

Framber Valdez allowed 3 runs (2 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7 in 6.2 innings. Nick Hernandez got the final out of the 7th and the first two outs of the 8th; he allowed 2 unearned runs that scored after he left, 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Zac Person struck out 1 over the final 1.1 innings.

Hector Perez will start game 2 of this series. He'll go up against Carlos Hernandez at 7:00.

Vermont 5, Tri-City 3

W- Heath Bowers (3-7)
L- Erasmo Pinales (2-3)
S- Dalton Sawyer (3)

TC home runs: Connor Goedert (2, 7 season; solo in 3rd)

The ValleyCats tied the game at 3 in the top of the 6th... but the Lake Monsters quickly broke the tie with a 2-run home run in the bottom of the inning. 

Connor Goedert's solo blast in the 3rd inning put Tri-City on the board and tied the game at 1 at that point. Vermont responded with 2 in the bottom of the 3rd to regain the lead, but the ValleyCats clawed their way back into it, as Rodrigo Ayarza hit an RBI single in the 5th and Taylor Jones ripped an RBI double in the 6th. Ayarza went 2-4 out of the leadoff spot.

Jorge Alcala went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 9. Erasmo Pinales pitched 2 innings, and the 2 runs he allowed came on a home run hit by JaVon Shelby in the 6th inning. Pinales allowed one other hit, walked 2, and struck out 3. Devin Raftery threw a 1-2-3 9th; he got 2 groundouts and recorded a strikeout.

The ValleyCats are back at The Joe for their final home series of the season. Makay Nelson will start the first of a 3-game series with Staten Island at 7:00 Eastern, and he'll go up against his fellow Utahn, Kolton Mahoney.

Greeneville 6, Elizabethton 2

W- Jorge Guzman (2-3, 3-4 season)
L- Domenick Carlini (1-7)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros jumped out to a 5-0 lead to win their penultimate game of the season.

Juan Robles went 3 innings and allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Jorge Guzman was the first man out of the bullpen, and all he did in his 4 innings was allow 2 hits and strike out 5. The Twins spoiled the shutout with 2 runs off Reggie Johnson; both of them were unearned. Johnson allowed 2 hits and fanned 2 in his 2 innings of work.

Stijn van der Meer doubled to lead off the bottom of the 1st inning. He advanced to 3rd when Frankeny Fernandez laid down a sacrifice bunt and scored the first run of the evening on an Abraham Toro sac fly. In the 4th, Jonathan Arauz hit a sac fly and Ruben Castro added a 2-run single. Van der Meer hit a one-out single in the 5th and dashed home on a Frankeny Fernandez triple. Castro, who finished 2-4, capped off the scoring with an RBI triple in the 9th. Chaz Pal (2B, R) and van der Meer (2B, 2 R) also finished with 2 hits.

The Appy Astros will wrap up their season tonight at 7:00 Eastern. Diogenes Almengo will take on Jose Martinez.

GCL Astros 5, GCL Marlins 0

W- Bryan Abreu (2-4, 2-5 season)
L- Edward Cabrera (2-6)
S- Hansel Paulino (2)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros busted out for 4 runs in the 4th, and 4 pitchers combined to keep the Marlins off the board.

Tyson Perez made his 2016 debut in the second-to-last game of the season, and he allowed a hit and struck out 1 in a scoreless 1st inning. Bryan Abreu was the first man out, and in 3 innings, he allowed 3 hits and struck out 5. Ronel Blanco allowed 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4 over 2.2 scoreless, and Hansel Paulino walked 1 and struck out 4 over the final 2.1 innings.

Bernardo Heras opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 4th inning, and Brody Westmoreland followed with an RBI single of his own. L.P. Pelletier capped off the scoring in the inning with a 2-run single, and Jose Benjamin ripped an RBI double in the 5th. Benjamin finished 3-4, while Pelletier and Wander Franco both went 2-4.

This game served as the GCL Astros' season finale; today's game with the Cardinals was cancelled due to wet grounds.

Wednesday's Stars

Jose Benjamin, OF, GCL Astros: 3-4, 2B, RBI, R

Lancaster JetHawks

W 15-1 vs. Rancho Cucamonga

Kyle Tucker: 4-5, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R

Jason Martin: 3-5, 2B, 3-R HR (23), 4 RBI, 2 R

Aaron Mizell: 2-4, 3B, 3 RBI, R

Brock Dykxhoorn: W (10-4), 7 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K

Jorge Guzman, RHP, Greeneville

W (2-3, 3-4 season), 4 IP, 2 H, 5 K

Ruben Castro, C, Greeneville

2-4, 3B, 3 RBI

Trent Thornton and Jacob Dorris, RHPs, Corpus Christi

Thornton: W (3-1, 10-5 season), 8 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 K

Dorris: Save (3, 13 season), IP, 2 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, August 26, 2016

Sacramento 12, Fresno 10

W- Joan Gregorio (5-8)
L- Eury De La Rosa (0-2)
S- Tyler Rogers (1)

Fresno home runs: Jon Singleton (19, solo in 2nd), Tyler White (13, solo in 3rd), Danny Worth (10, solo in 4th), D.J. Fisher (4, 20 season; 3-run in 9th)

The Grizzlies nearly came back in a game that they trailed 6-0 after 1.5 innings and 12-4 heading into the 9th, but the 9th inning rally fell just short.

Jon Singleton put Fresno on the board with a solo homer in the 2nd inning. Tyler White and Danny Worth also launched solo homers in the 3rd and the 4th, respectively. D.J. Fisher hit a sac fly in the 6th and added an RBI single to his ledger in the 8th.

Two walks and an error loaded the bases for Colin Moran in the 9th inning, and he came through with a 2-run single. Singleton grounded into a force out that erased Moran from the basepaths, but he was able to reach and advanced to 2nd on defensive indifference. Fisher whacked a 3-run home run to cut the deficit to 2 runs, but one batter later, Jack Mayfield grounded out to end the game.

Fisher (3-R HR, 5 RBI), Worth (solo HR, 2 R), and Jon Kemmer (2 2B, 2 R) all finished with 2 hits in the game, while Moran went 3-5 with the 2-run single and scored a run.

Eury De La Rosa went 1.1 innings and allowed 5 runs (3 inherited runners charged to him) on 4 hits and walked 1. Chris Cotton was the first man out of the Fresno bullpen, and he was out there the longest. In 2.2 innings, he allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits (2-run homer) and walked 2. Aaron West allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and struck out 2 in the 5th. Albert Minnis was next, and he recorded a strikeout over 2 perfect innings. Reymin Guduan pitched the 8th inning and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 2, and Jandel Gustave retired the side in order in the 9th inning; he got 3 groundball outs.

David Paulino will start game 3 of this series. He'll take on Ty Blach at 7:05 Pacific.

Midland 5, Corpus Christi 2 in 11 innings

W- Jake Sanchez (7-5)
L- Kyle Smith (3-7)
S- Lou Trivino (1)

CC home runs: J.D. Davis (19, solo in 2nd)

The Hooks stayed alive by scoring a run in the bottom of the 10th to tie the game, but the Hounds quickly broke the tie with 3 in the top of the 11th, and Corpus couldn't mount a response.

J.D. Davis opened the scoring with a solo home run in the 2nd inning. Drew Ferguson led off the 10th with a double and scored the other Hooks run on an error following a fielder's choice hit by James Ramsay. Davis and Ferguson had two hits apiece in this game.

Trent Thornton went 7 innings, and the one run he allowed came on a solo home run hit by J.P. Sportman in the 4th inning. He allowed 4 other hits and struck out 7. Michael Freeman got a strikeout in a 1-2-3 8th inning. Kyle Smith pitched 2+ innings and allowed 4 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 4 hits (solo homer in 10th) and struck out 4. Jacob Dorris took ownership of the 11th, and while he struck out 2 and did not allow any runs of his own, the two runners that he inherited from Smith both scored on a double, which was the only hit that he allowed.

In the series finale, Francis Martes will face Brandon Mann. First pitch is at 7:05.

High Desert 6, Lancaster 2

W- Matt Milroy (3-0)
L- Alex Winkelman (0-4, 5-6 season)

Lancaster home runs: Osvaldo Duarte (6, 9 season; 2-run in 1st)

The JetHawks had a nice start, but they were kept off the scoreboard for the final 8 innings.

Osvaldo Duarte's 2-run homer in the 1st was Lancaster's only scoring play and their only extra-base hit of the game. Trent Woodward finished 2-3.

Brock Dykxhoorn went 6 innings, and the 2 runs he allowed came on a homer hit by Jose Cardona. He allowed 4 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Alex Winkelman pitched 2 innings and allowed 4 runs (all in the 8th) on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 1. Scott Weathersby walked 1 and struck out 1 in a scoreless 9th.

Tonight, the JetHawks will begin a 3-game weekend series in Modesto. Elieser Hernandez will face Ryan Castellani at 7:05 Pacific.

Cedar Rapids 12, Quad Cities 2

W- Lachlan Wells (6-3)
L- Hector Perez (2-1, 4-1 season)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos were swept out of Cedar Rapids to finish up a disastrous series. They were outscored 21-4 in this series and head back home on a 6-game losing streak.

Kristian Trompiz scored Quad Cities' first run on a wild pitch in the 8th, and Jake Rogers ripped an RBI double in the 9th inning, Hector Roa went 2-4; he doubled and scored on Rogers' hit.

Hector Perez went 3.1 innings and allowed 7 runs (4 earned, 3 inherited runners charged to him) on 5 hits, walked 4, and struck out 5. Adam Whitt was the first man out; he pitched 2.2 innings and allowed 5 runs (3 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Sebastian Kessay allowed a hit and struck out 3; he inherited 2 runners from Whitt, and one of them scored.

Enrique Chavez will start the first of a 4-game series with Wisconsin at 7:00. He'll be opposed by Jordan Yamamoto.

Tri-City 4, Auburn 3

W- Howie Brey (1-1)
L- Carlos Acevedo (2-4)
S- Austin Nicely (1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats picked up a crucial series win to give them some momentum for the home stretch.

Ryan Hartman pitched 4 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out 1. Howie Brey allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 1 in the 5th inning, and Austin Nicely pitched the final 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits (solo homer), walking 1, and striking out 1.

Rodrigo Ayarza singled to lead off the 4th and scored the first run of the game on a double from Carmen Benedetti. Ronnie Dawson brought Benedetti home with an RBI single. Benedetti added an RBI single to his ledger in the 5th, and Ayarza hit an RBI single in the 7th. Benedetti (2B, 2 RBI, R) and Marcos Almonte (SB) both finished 2-5, while Ayarza went 3-5 with 2 stolen bases (2). Almonte now has 5 stolen bases with Tri-City and 13 on the season.

Tonight, Tri-City will begin a 3-game series with Lowell at 7:00 Eastern. Jorge Alcala will make his Tri-City debut, and he'll take on Darwinzon Hernandez.

Greeneville 10, Danville 5

W- Devon Carr (2-3)
L- Jeremy Walker (3-2)

Greeneville home runs: Frankeny Fernandez (4, solo in 7th)

A 6-run 4th inning propelled the Appy Astros to the win on Thursday.

Stijn van der Meer singled to lead off the bottom of the 1st, advanced to 2nd on a passed ball, and scored the first run of the evening on a double from Abraham Toro. Troy Sieber followed with an RBI double of his own.

Carlos Machado led off the big 4th inning with a single, and Chaz Pal joined him on the bases with a single. Oscar Campos laid down a sacrifice bunt to move them over, and Machado ended up scoring on a wild pitch. Pal moved to 3rd and came home on a van der Meer single. Van der Meer stole 2nd, and Frankeny Fernandez joined him on the bases after getting plunked. Fernandez got forced out, but Toro took his spot, and Sieber drew a walk to load the bases for Reiny Beltre, who promptly cleared them with a triple. Toro added a sac fly to his line in the 5th, and Fernandez whacked a solo homer in the 7th inning.

Van der Meer (RBI, 2 R, SB), Toro (2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB), Sieber (2 2B, RBI, 2 R), and Machado (R, SB) all finished with 2 hits in the game.

Ben Smith went 2 innings and allowed a run on a pop-fly single, walked 3, and struck out 1. Devon Carr followed by striking out 3 over 3 perfect innings. Cristian Javier allowed a run on a sac fly in the 6th, walked 2, and struck out 2; one of his strikeout victims reached base. Dariel Aquino got the final out of the 6th with a strikeout and pitched the 7th inning, where he allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits and walked 2. Lucas Williams pitched the final 2 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits.

In the series finale, Jorge Guzman will face Jhon Martinez. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Mets 5, GCL Astros 2

W- Nicolas Debora (5-2)
L- César Rosado (3-3, 3-4 season)

GCL home runs: None.

The Mets took control with a 3-run 6th inning.

Jose Benjamin opened the scoring with an RBI double in the 4th inning. Nestor Muriel hit an RBI groundout in the 9th for the other GCL Astros run. Gilberto Celestino finished 2-3 with a run scored and 3 stolen bases (6, 15 season). Benjamin also had 2 hits, and he stole 2 bases on the day, giving him 5 with the Kissimmee Stros and 13 on the season.

Felipe Tejada walked 2 and struck out 2 over 3 scoreless innings. César Rosado also pitched 3 innings, but he allowed 3 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Hansel Paulino allowed a run on 2 hits in 2 innings, and Ian Hardman allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 2 in the 9th.

Thursday's Stars

Jose Benjamin, OF, GCL Astros: 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 SB (5, 13 season)

Carmen Benedetti, 1B/OF, Tri-City

2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R

Rodrigo Ayarza, UTIL, Tri-City

3-5, RBI, R, 2 SB (2)

Ryan Hartman, LHP, Tri-City

4 IP, 2 H, K

Photo from MiLB.com

Abraham Toro-Hernandez, 3B, Greeneville

2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (1)

Photo from MiLB.com

Devon Carr, LHP, Greeneville

W (2-3), 3 IP, 3 K

Trent Thornton, RHP, Corpus Christi

7 IP, 5 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 7 K

Colin Moran, 3B, Fresno

3-5, 2 RBI, R

Derek Fisher, OF, Fresno

2-3, 3-R HR (4, 20 season), 5 RBI

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, August 21, 2016

Albuquerque 4, Fresno 3

W- Shane Carle (5-8)
L- Evan Grills (0-1, 8-7 season)
S- Simon Castro (8)

Fresno home runs: Jon Kemmer (17, solo in 1st)

The Grizzlies mounted a 9th-inning rally that fell just short.

Jon Kemmer opened up the scoring by launching a solo home run in the 1st inning. This was Fresno's only run until the 9th inning.

Jon Singleton and D.J. Fisher got the rally started with singles, and then Andrew Aplin hit an RBI single with one out in the inning. Jack Mayfield added a sac fly to bring the Grizz to within one, but that was as close as they could get. Singleton, Fisher, and Colin Moran all had 2 hits in the game.

In his PCL debut, Evan Grills went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs that came off a couple of two-run homers. He allowed 6 other hits and struck out 2. Jandel Gustave, Kevin Chapman, and Jordan Jankowski all pitched a scoreless inning; Gustave and Chapman recorded a strikeout as they retired the side in order in the 6th and 7th, respectively, and Jankowski allowed 2 hits in the 8th.

In game 3 of this series, Keegan Yuhl will face Kyle Freeland. First pitch is at 6:35 Mountain.

Corpus Christi 1, Arkansas 0

W- Rogelio Armenteros (1-0, 7-6 season)
L- Zach Nuding (1-2)
S- Eric Peterson (3, 5 season)

CC home runs: Garrett Stubbs (4, 10 season; solo in 1st)

The Hooks finished 4-2 on their final tour of Arkansas this season after taking 2 of 3 from the Travs.

Garrett Stubbs finished 4-4, and his solo home run in the 1st inning was the only run of the game. J.D. Davis and Ramon Laureano had 2 hits apiece.

Rogelio Armenteros was a winner in his Texas League debut; he allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 over 7 shutout innings. Eric Peterson closed it out by striking out 2 over 2 perfect frames.

After a day off, the Hooks will start a series with Midland on Tuesday.

Lancaster 8, Lake Elsinore 5

W- Albert Abreu (1-0, 3-8 season)
L- Zech Lemond (6-5)
S- Kevin McCanna (1, 2 season)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks took the game and the series thanks to a 5-run 8th inning that swung the momentum in their favor.

Dean Deetz pitched 3 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits (2-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 7. Andrew Thome was the first man out of the Lancaster bullpen, and he allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in 2 innings. Albert Abreu came on to make his Lancaster debut, and he wound up throwing 3 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 3. Kevin McCanna allowed a hit and struck out 2 in a scoreless 9th to get the save.

Keach Ballard opened the scoring with a 2-run double in the 2nd inning and drove in another run with an RBI single in the 6th. Ballard walked to lead off the 8th, and Myles Straw joined him on the bases after hitting a single. They both advanced a base on a passed ball, and then a wild pitch allowed Ballard to score. Johnny Sewald, who was at the plate when all of that occurred, followed with an RBI single. Osvaldo Duarte popped out on a bunt attempt, but Kyle Tucker came through by ripping an RBI triple; he would score on a Trent Woodward sac fly. Jamie Ritchie, who walked and advanced to 2nd on the sacrifice fly, scored the final run of the evening on an error that allowed Jason Martin to reach.

Ballard finished 3-4 on the evening, while Sewald and Tucker both had 2 hits and stole a base. Sewald has 21 steals with Lancaster and 37 on the year, while Tucker, who stole his first in the California League, has 32 on the season. Jason Martin was 1-2 with 3 walks and 2 stolen bases (19).

The JetHawks are off today; they'll begin a 3-game series with High Desert at The Hangar tomorrow.

Kane County 9, Quad Cities 3

W- Carlos Hernandez (7-9)
L- Yoanys Quiala (2-10)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos ended up getting buried by a 6-run 6th inning that turned a 3-0 game into a laugher. They did manage to pull three runs back, but the damage was too significant.

3 of the River Bandits' 4 hits in the game came in the 6th, and they resulted in 3 runs. Stephen Wrenn ripped an RBI triple, Spencer Johnson laced an RBI double, and Pat Porter hit an RBI single.

Yoanys Quiala pitched 5+ innings and allowed 8 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 10 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 4. Chris Murphy and Adam Whitt pitched 2 innings apiece out of the bullpen; Murphy allowed a run on 3 hits (2-run homer) and struck out 4, while Whitt allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1.

Franklin Perez will get the start as the Banditos begin a new series in Cedar Rapids. He'll take on Brady Anderson at 6:35.

Tri-City and Hudson Valley was postponed

Due to rain. A doubleheader is scheduled for tonight with game 1 starting at 5:00 Eastern. Sebastian Kessay and Makay Nelson will start for Tri-City.

Burlington 10, Greeneville 1

W- Geoffrey Bramblett (5-1)
L- Jorge Guzman (0-3, 1-4 season)

Greeneville home runs: None.

Forgettable Sunday for the Appy Astros.

Jonathan Matute spoiled the shutout in the 8th when he scored on a wild pitch.

Jorge Guzman went 3.1 innings and allowed 6 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 6 hits (2-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 4. Lucas Williams went 1.2 innings and allowed 4 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2, and Carlos Sanabria struck out 2 over 3 perfect innings.

Diogenes Almengo will get the start as Greeneville looks to avoid the sweep. He'll face Travis Eckert at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 6, GCL Marlins 5 in 10 innings

W- Manuel Gonzalez (1-1)
L- Obed Diaz (0-1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros jumped out to a 4-0 lead, saw it vanish, then pulled themselves together to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th on their way to a walk-off win.

Enoli Paredes went 3.2 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 7. Leovanny Rodriguez was the first man out; he allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1 in 4.1 innings. Manuel Gonzalez allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 over 2 innings.

Andy Piñeda walked to lead off the 1st inning. An errant pickoff throw allowed him to advance all the way to 3rd, and he scored the first run of the day on a balk. Wilson Amador, who also walked, advanced to 2nd on a passed ball and scored on a Wander Franco single, and Gilberto Celestino ripped an RBI double. Piñeda scored on a passed ball in the 2nd inning. L.P. Pelletier tied the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the 9th, and Jose Benjamin was the hero, coming through with an RBI single in the 10th to win it for the GCL squad.

Piñeda (2 R, SB [16]), Benjamin (2B, RBI), and Celestino (2B, RBI, R) all finished with 2 hits on the day.

Sunday's Stars

Jose Benjamin, OF, GCL Astros: 2-5, 2B, walk-off RBI single in 10th inning

Garrett Stubbs, C, Corpus Christi

4-4, solo HR (4, 10 season)

Rogelio Armenteros and Eric Peterson, RHPs, Corpus Christi

Armenteros: W (1-0, 7-6 season), 7 IP, 4 H, BB, 3 K

Peterson: Save (3, 5 season), 2 IP, 2 K

Keach Ballard, IF, Lancaster

3-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R

Albert Abreu, RHP, Lancaster

W (1-0, 3-8 season), 3 IP, H, BB, 3 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Carlos Sanabria, RHP, Greeneville

3 IP, 2 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, June 30, 2016

Welcome to Triple-A, Alex Bregman and Teoscar Hernandez!

The Astros did battle with the Rays in the lower levels of the system.

Fresno 23, Salt Lake 3

W- Brady Rodgers (8-3)
L- Kyle Kendrick (6-3)

Fresno home runs: Preston Tucker 3 (7; 2-run in 1st, 2-run in 3rd, 2-run in 8th), Teoscar Hernandez (1, 7 season; 2-run in 5th), Jon Kemmer (5, 2-run in 6th)

Alex Bregman and Teoscar Hernandez joined the fold in Fresno and the Grizzlies celebrated the occasion with a show of brute force. Sometimes, words just cannot describe how dominant a team was on offense, so here is the box score.

Brady Rodgers didn't have his sharpest outing, but he performed well enough and greatly benefitted from some generous run support. In 5 innings, Rodgers allowed a run on 7 hits, walked 4, and struck out 2. Jordan Jankowski was the first man out of the Fresno bullpen; he went 2 innings and allowed a run on a double, walked 1, and struck out 2. Jandel Gustave pitched the 8th and allowed a run on a sac fly, a single, and walked 1. Josh Fields worked around a hit and a walk to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 2.

Mike Hauschild will start game 2 of this series. He'll take on Nate Smith at 6:35 Mountain.

Springfield 3, Corpus Christi 1

W- J.C. Sulbaran (1-1)
L- Cy Sneed (3-2)
S- Kevin Herget (6)

CC home runs: J.D. Davis (12, solo in 2nd)

The Hooks began life after Alex Bregman and Teoscar Hernandez with a loss. All of the scoring in this game was done in the 2nd inning. Unfortunately, Springfield scored more.

J.D. Davis finished 2-4, and his solo homer in the bottom of the 2nd was Corpus Christi's only scoring play.

Cy Sneed went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 7. Kyle Smith allowed 3 hits and struck out 3 over 5 scoreless innings.

Francis Martes will start game 2 of this series. He'll take on Andrew Morales at 7:05.

Lancaster 5, Lake Elsinore 1

W- Josh James (6-2)
L- Brandon Alger (3-1)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks offense didn't have much luck against Lake Elsinore starter Enyel De Los Santos, but they were able to get themselves going once the Storm went to their bullpen.

Tony Nuñez led off the 6th inning with a bunt single and advanced to 2nd on an error. He moved over to 3rd base on a sac bunt from Bobby Boyd. Johnny Sewald joined Nuñez on the basepaths by drawing a walk, and then he proceeded to steal 2nd (7, 23 season). The throw down to 2nd base was errant, which allowed Nuñez to score.

Jason Martin hit a bunt single to lead off the 7th and scored the go-ahead run on a Keach Ballard double. Ballard advanced to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt, and he'd be joined on the bases by Brooks Marlow, who got plunked, and Nuñez, who walked. Boyd and Sewald followed by drawing bases-loaded walks to add to the JetHawks' lead. Nuñez drove in the final run of the evening with an RBI single in the 9th inning. He finished 3-3 with 2 stolen bases (7, 16 season). Ballard finished 2-4.

Josh James pitched 6.2 innings and allowed a run on 10 hits (9 singles and a double), walked 2, and struck out 2. Ryan Deemes struck out 1 over 1.1 perfect innings, and Scott Weathersby worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 9th.

In game 2 of this series, Trent Thornton will face Brett Kennedy. First pitch is at 7:00 Pacific.

Quad Cities 6, Cedar Rapids 3

W- Yoanys Quiala (1-5)
L- Eduardo Del Rosario (0-2)
S- Chris Murphy (1)

QC home runs: Connor Goedert (5, solo in 6th), Pat Porter (4, solo in 6th)

Both teams recorded 7 hits in this game, but the Banditos took the series thanks to a 3-run 2nd inning. Whenever Cedar Rapids got within striking distance, the River Bandits found a way to respond.

Osvaldo Duarte hit a double with 1 out in the 1st inning and scored the game's first run on a wild pitch. Quad Cities loaded the bases in the 2nd inning on a single and a couple of walks, and then a balk was called, which allowed Christian Correa to score. Duarte, who was at the plate at the time, proceeded to smack a 2-run double. Both teams scored 2 runs in the 6th inning; the Kernels' runs cut the deficit to 1. However, Connor Goedert and Pat Porter restored the Banditos' advantage by clubbing back-to-back solo home runs. Duarte (2 2B, 2 RBI, R) and Correa both finished with 2 hits in the game.

Yoanys Quiala went 7 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Chris Murphy pitched the final 2 innings, allowing a hit and striking out 2.

The River Bandits will spend this weekend in suburban Chicago as they take on Kane County in a 3-game series. Matt Bower will get the start tonight, and he'll take on Emilio Vargas at 6:30.

Tri-City 8, Williamsport 4

W- Erasmo Pinales (1-2)
L- Felix Paulino (0-2)

TC home runs: Stephen Wrenn (6, 2-run in 1st)

An early offensive outburst helped the ValleyCats avoid the sweep.

Stephen Wrenn continues to terrorize New York-Penn League pitching; his 2-run home run in the 1st inning opened up the scoring. Tri-City also got an RBI single from Taylor Jones in the opening frame. TC put up 5 in the 3rd inning on a pair of RBI singles from Jake Rogers and Daz Cameron and a bases-clearing double from Ryne Birk. Daz finished 3-4 with 2 stolen bases (7, 11 season). Wrenn (2B, 2-R HR), Carmen Benedetti (BB, R), Jones (RBI, R), and Rogers (RBI, R) all had 2-hit nights.

Dustin Hunt allowed a run on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in 2.2 innings of work. Erasmo Pinales was the first man out of the ValleyCats bullpen; he threw 4 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 7. Ryan Hartman pitched the final 2.1 innings, allowing a run on 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 3.

Sebastian Kessay will be on the mound for Tri-City as they begin a 3-game series in Hudson Valley. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

Princeton 7, Greeneville 1

W- Peter Bayer (1-0)
L- Tyler Britton (1-1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros got on the scoreboard first, but it was all Princeton the rest of the way.

Jonathan Arauz's RBI single in the 1st inning was Greeneville's only scoring play and was one of just three hits on the evening for the Appy Astros. Justin Garcia and Ruben Castro had the other two hits.

Tyler Britton went 2.1 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 4 hits (solo homer) and struck out 3. Nathan Thompson had 2 inherited runners charged to him in 1.1 innings; he also allowed 3 hits and struck out 1. Lucas Williams pitched 2 innings and allowed a run on 6 hits and fanned 2, and Devon Carr allowed a run on 4 hits and struck out 2 in 2.1 innings.

Ricardo Castro will start the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Nationals 9, GCL Astros 7 in 10 innings

W- Jeremy McDonald (1-0)
L- Dariel Aquino (0-1)
S- Diomedes Eusebio (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros tied the game at 7 thanks to a 3-run 6th inning, but the Nationals went ahead once again with 2 runs in the first extra frame.

Jonathan Matute put the GCL club on the board with an RBI single in the 1st inning. They scored 3 in the 2nd on a pair of RBI singles from Reiny Beltre and Wilson Amador, who advanced to 2nd base on a balk and scored on an errant pickoff throw. Beltre drew a bases-loaded walk in the 6th and later scored when Andy Piñeda grounded into a force out. Joan Mauricio added an RBI infield single in the frame. Beltre (RBI, 2 R), Amador (RBI, R), and Oscar Campos (2B, R) all finished with 2 hits on the day.

Moreno Polanco only recorded 1 out in the 1st inning via strikeout while allowing 4 runs (3 inherited runners charged to him), an RBI single, and walking 2. Hansel Paulino was summoned early and he went 4.2 innings, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 8 hits, walking 1, and striking out 5. Jorge Alcala was next; he allowed 2 hits and fanned 8 over 4 scoreless innings. Dariel Aquino allowed the two go-ahead runs on 3 hits and walked 1 in the 10th while only getting 2 outs. Jose Ramos got the final out of the 10th, but the damage was done.

The GCL Astros are currently playing the Mets.

DSL Astros Blue 3, DSL Rays1 2

W- Ronel Blanco (3-0)
L- Angel Rodriguez (0-1)
S- Juan Lopez (3)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team held off a 9th-inning rally from the Rays to escape with the win.

Nicolás Miranda and Jose Benjamin had a hand in all 3 of the Blue team's runs in this game; Miranda tripled to lead off the game and scored on Benjamin's single. In the 8th, Miranda singled, and an error on the play allowed Ozziel Sanchez-Galan to score, and he advanced to 3rd on the play. Benjamin drove him in again, this time with a double. Benjamin finished 3-4, and Miranda finished 2-3.

Ronel Blanco allowed 3 hits and struck out 3 over 5 shutout innings. Jesus Bernaez threw a 1-2-3 6th, and Juan Lopez ran into trouble in the 9th, but he was able to pull himself together to close it out. In 3 innings, he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 5.

These two teams are currently playing at the Astros complex.

DSL Rays2 9, DSL Astros Orange 5

W- Oliver Batista (1-0)
L- Ezequiel Madera (0-1)

Orange home runs: Ramiro Rodriguez (2, solo in 9th)

5 errors doomed the Orange team in this one.

They scored 3 in the 3rd on a 2-run single from Alvaro Alvarez, and Vicente Mota grounded into a force out to score Kendy Moya. Moya ripped an RBI double in the 8th, and Ramiro Rodriguez launched a solo homer in the 9th inning. Moya finished 2-3.

Ezequiel Madera allowed 6 runs (3 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 3 hits and walked 3 in 2.2 innings. Cristofer Melendez went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs (both on a home run) on 5 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4. Cosme Zapata allowed an unearned run on 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 1 in 2.2 innings, and Gabriel Pirela recorded the final 2 outs of the 9th.

These teams are playing at the Rays complex.

Thursday's Stars

Ronel Blanco, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: W (3-0), 5 IP, 3 H, 3 K

Jorge Alcala, RHP, GCL Astros: 4 IP, 2 H, 8 K

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

Kyle Smith, RHP, Corpus Christi

5 IP, 3 H, 3 K

Tony Nuñez, IF, Lancaster

3-3, RBI, R, 2 SB (7, 16 season)

Photo from Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page

Fresno Grizzlies

W 23-3 @ Salt Lake

Preston Tucker: 5-6, 2B, 3 HR (8), 8 RBI, 5 R

Alex Bregman: 4-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 5 R; AAA debut

Teoscar Hernandez: 4-6, 3B, HR (1, 7 season), 3 RBI, 2 R; AAA debut

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, June 22, 2016

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

Fresno 2, Albuquerque 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

San Antonio 2, Corpus Christi 1 in 13 innings

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

CC home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

Lancaster was off

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

Quad Cities was off

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

Vermont 7, Tri-City 2

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

TC home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

DSL Astros Blue 3, DSL Dodgers2 2

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

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

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

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

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

DSL Phillies2 3, DSL Astros Orange 1

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

Orange home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

Four Stars (in three)

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

2.

Embed from Getty Images

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

Edison Frias, RHP, Corpus Christi

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

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

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, June 16, 2016

Let's play two in Frisco!

Fresno 4, Sacramento 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Game 2: Corpus Christi 2, Frisco 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bakersfield 6, Lancaster 4 in 12 innings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cedar Rapids 6, Quad Cities 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

DSL Astros Blue 11, DSL Athletics 5

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

Blue home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

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

DSL Astros Orange 4, DSL Rangers2 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

These two teams are currently playing at the Astros complex.

Five Stars (in four)

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

3.

Edison Frias, RHP, Corpus Christi

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

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

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

1.

Embed from Getty Images

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

Happy Birthday - 12/16

Happy Birthday to ~

OF Bryan de la Cruz (18)
Signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, De la Cruz spent his first professional season in the DSL, hitting .262/.387/.317 in 59 games.

RHP Aaron Vaughn (23)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2014, Vaughn started his season with the GCL and ended it with Tri-City with a very brief stop at Quad Cities in between. In a total of 22 bullpen appearances, Vaughn was 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA and a 0.938 WHIP. He walked six batters and struck out 23 in 26.2 innings of work.

LHP Zach Davis (23)
Drafted by Houston in the 25th round in 2014, Davis spent most of his season with the Greeneville Astros (2.04 ERA and 1.132 WHIP), earning a late season promotion to Tri-City for his final two appearances. He ended the season with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.377 WHIP.

OF Jose Benjamin (19)
An international signing out of the Dominican Republic, Benjamin played his first season for the Dominican Summer League Astros. In 42 games, he hit .235/.349/.309.

Three former Astros celebrate today as well ~

RHP Randy Hennis (49)

A second round pick by the Astros in 1987, Hennis only got a cup of coffee in the major leagues, but he did it up right. He pitched in three games (nine and two-thirds innings) in 1990, but he managed to keep his ERA perfect at 0.00 with a WHIP of 0.414. Nice. Ken Hoffman of the Houston Chronicle talked to Hennis a while back about his short but stellar career.

OF Chris Jones (49)

Originally drafted by the Reds in the third round in 1984, Jones came to Houston as a free agent in December 1991 and played in 54 games for the Astros in 1992, hitting .190/.271/.302.

OF Charles Gipson (42)
Drafted by Seattle in the 63rd round (no, that's not a typo) in 1991, Gipson signed with Houston as a free agent in January 2005. In 11 at-bats in 19 games, he hit .182/.250/.273. Frequently used as a pinch runner and a defensive replacement, Gipson is one of only a handful of non-pitchers with fewer career plate appearances (366) than games played (373).