Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Salt Lake 3, Fresno 2

W- Steven Hensley (1-0)
L- Kevin Chapman (1-2)

Fresno home runs: None.

Once again, Fresno got some runs late, only to see Salt Lake walk off with a win. Joe Sclafani's error allowed Alfredo Marte to score the winning run in the 9th.

They were kept off the scoreboard until the top of the 9th, when L.J. Hoes ripped an RBI double to make it a 1-run game, one of his 5 hits on the night. After Jon Singleton was intentionally walked to load the bases and Matt Duffy became a strikeout victim, Preston Tucker tied the game at 2 with an RBI single. Unfortunately, Hoes was thrown out at home trying to score the go-ahead run.

Dan Straily went 4 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Richard Rodriguez was the first man out; he allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 3 innings of relief. Kevin Chapman was saddled with the loss; the walk-off run was unearned. He allowed 2 hits and struck out 1 in 1.2 innings.

In tonight's game, Alex White takes the mound. First pitch is at 5:35 Pacific.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks are in Frisco, where they'll play 4 games. In game 1, Mark Appel will take on Jake Thompson at 7:05.

Lancaster 5, Rancho Cucamonga 3

W- Troy Scribner (1-0)
L- Scott Barlow (1-1)
S- Chris Cotton (2)

Lancaster home runs: Chase McDonald (4, 2-run in 6th)

The JetHawks only scored in 1 inning, but that was enough for them to get the win. All 5 of their runs came in the 6th inning, and their lead held up despite allowing 2 runs in the 8th.

Troy Scribner was awesome in his 5 innings; he allowed a run on a wild pitch/strikeout, walked 1, and struck out 9. The only hit he allowed was a single to Tyler Ogle to lead off the 2nd. Evan Grills tagged in for 3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, walking 3, and striking out 1. Chris Cotton closed it out, striking out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Brian Holberton kicked things off in that big 6th inning with a single. Jack Mayfield followed by reaching on an error on a force out attempt, and they both advanced a base on a Brett Phillips sac bunt. Chan-Jong Moon tied the game with an RBI single. After J.D. Davis struck out for the 2nd out, A.J. Reed put Lancaster ahead with a 2-run double. Chase McDonald delivered the haymaker in the form of a 2-run home run, his 4th of the campaign. Moon finished 2-4.

The JetHawks return to The Hangar tonight as they welcome the Modesto Nuts for a 4-game set. Blaine Sims will take on Harrison Musgrave at 6:30 Pacific.

Quad Cities 6, Peoria 2

W- Joe Musgrove (3-0)
L- Austin Gomber (1-2)

QC home runs: Jake Nottingham (3, 2-run in 2nd), Ryan Bottger (1, solo in 4th), Jorge Martinez (2, 2-run in 5th)

The Banditos busted out the heavy artillery in this matinee as 5 of their 6 runs came off of the three home runs you see above. Alex Hernandez hit a double in the 6th for the only non-home run RBI. Kristian Trompiz finished 2-4 with a run scored; he's now on a 5-game hitting streak, and it's also the 3rd consecutive game in which he's recorded 2 hits. Mott Hyde went 0-2, but he drew 2 walks and scored 2 runs.

Joe Musgrove turned in another fine performance on the mound; he threw 5.2 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 9, which tied a career-high he set last July 16 against Aberdeen. The two relievers, Keegan Yuhl and Ryan Thompson, finished it off with 3.1 perfect frames. Yuhl struck out 1 in 1.1, and The Closer fanned 2 in 2.

Quad Cities looks for the sweep as Austin Chrismon takes on Daniel Poncedeleon at 7.

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Chan-Jong Moon, IF, Lancaster

2-4, game-tying RBI single in 6th, R

2.

Chase McDonald, 1B/DH, Lancaster

1-4, 2-R HR (4)

1. 

View image | gettyimages.com

L.J. Hoes, OF, Fresno
5-5, RBI 2B in 9th, R

Three Stars: Pitchers

3. 

Richard Rodriguez, RHP, Fresno

3 IP, H, BB, 2 K

2. 

Joe Musgrove, RHP, Quad Cities

W (3-0), 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 earned), BB, 9 K

1. 

Troy Scribner, RHP, Lancaster

W (1-0), 5 IP, H, ER, BB, 9 K

Honorable Mentions

- Keegan Yuhl and Ryan Thompson shut it down for Quad Cities.
- Kristian Trompiz is holding his own as the youngest regular in the River Bandits lineup.
- It's been a slow start for A.J. Reed, but he's got a hit in 6 of his last 7 games. Given his track record, expect him to really turn it on soon.
- After getting bombarded in his late-season cameo in Lancaster last season, Chris Cotton has absolutely shackled the California League so far.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, April 13, 2015

Fresno 9, Salt Lake 8

W- Richard Rodriguez (1-0)

L- Zach Stewart (0-1)

S- James Hoyt (1)

Fresno home runs: Jon Singleton (1, 3-run in 3rd), Domingo Santana (1, solo in 6th)

The Grizzlies started this one off well behind the 8-ball as the Bees struck for 6 in the top of the 1st inning. However, they responded with an 8-run 3rd inning, and Richard Rodriguez and the bullpen backed up Brady Rodgers as they restored some order to the game.

Rodgers struggled in his 4 innings as he gave up 7 runs on 11 hits and struck out 2. Rodriguez was the first man out; he allowed an unearned run on 2 hits and walked 1 in 2.2 innings. He left with 2 runners on in the top of the 7th for Kevin Chapman, who got the final out without incident. Josh Fields worked around a hit and a walk to throw a scoreless 8th, striking out 1, and James Hoyt closed it out with a 1-2-3 9th, striking out 1.

8 of the 9 Fresno runs came in the 3rd inning. Domingo's walk to lead off the inning turned out to be the spark that ignited it all. He advanced to 3rd on an L.J. Hoes single and scored the Grizzlies' first run on a Ronald Torreyes groundout. After a Joe Sclafani walk, Alex Presley hit an RBI single. One batter later, Jon Singleton clubbed a 3-run home run to make it a 1-run game. After Matt Duffy struck out, Preston Tucker and Max Stassi reached with singles. Santana, in his second trip to the plate in the inning, tied the game with an RBI single. Hoes proceeded to give the Grizz the lead with a 2-run single. The other run came in the 6th, courtesy of a solo homer smacked by Santana, who finished 2-3 with 3 runs scored and a walk. L.J. Hoes also went 2-3, while Preston Tucker finished 2-4. Tucker has recorded a hit in all 5 games.

Brad Peacock was originally scheduled to make his 2nd rehab start, but he was recalled to Houston, where he'll be starting against Oakland tonight. Salt Lake will have Garrett Richards on the mound for a rehab start. First pitch is at 6:35 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 6, Tulsa 3

W- Mike Hauschild (1-0)

L- Chin-hui Tsao (0-1)

S- Tyson Perez (1)

CC home runs: None.

Corpus Christi has stormed out of the gate with 5 straight wins. They were outhit 11-6 in this game, but they doubled up the Drillers in the column that matters the most. 

The difference was Carlos Correa's bases-clearing double in the 6th inning, which broke a 3-3 tie. Brandon Meredith kicked things off with a 2-run single in the 2nd, and in the 4th, Jio Mier hit an RBI single that was deflected into the outfield by Tulsa starter Matt Shelton.

Hooks pitchers did not issue a walk in this game. Mike Hauschild went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 8 hits (solo homer) and struck out 8. Mitch Lambson was the first man out, and he fired 2 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3. Jandel Gustave struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 8th, and Tyson Perez worked around a hit to record his first save of the season.

The Hooks will look to sweep their season-opening roadtrip as Aaron West and Kent Emanuel will square off against Chris Anderson this afternoon. First pitch is at 12:05.

Stockton 13, Lancaster 4

W- Lou Trivino (1-0)

L- Blaine Sims (0-1)

Lancaster home runs: None.

Tough night for the JetHawks pitchers as they got hammered by the Ports. It was an especially rough night behind the plate for Jobduan Morales, who was charged with 4 passed balls. 

Chase McDonald hit a sac fly in the 4th and ripped an RBI double in the 6th. The JetHawks added 2 more runs in the 6th as Danry Vásquez drove in a run on a groundout and Marc Wik hit an RBI double of his own. Danry finished 2-4 with a double. 

Blaine Sims went 5 innings and allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits, walked 4, and struck out 2. Randall Fant pitched the next 3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits (solo and 3-run homers), walking 1, and striking out 1. Chris Cotton pitched the 9th and allowed a 2-run homer to Franklin Barreto. He allowed one other hit, walked 1, and struck out 1.

In game 2 of this series, Edison Frias and Brian Holmes will take on Dylan Covey at 6:30 Pacific.

Quad Cities 6, Clinton 2

W- Brock Dykxhoorn (1-0)

L- Lukas Schiraldi (0-1)

S- Josh James (1)

QC home runs: D.J. Fisher (1, 2-run in 3rd), Jake Nottingham (2, solo in 3rd)

The Bandits took the series as they scored 6 in the first third of the game and got an outstanding start from Brock Dykxhoorn. 

The big Canadian allowed just 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 6 over 5 shutout innings. Josh James pitched the final 4 innings; the LumberKings spoiled the shutout when Nelson Ward hit a 2-run homer off of James in the 6th, but those were the only 2 runs they could muster up. James allowed one other hit, walked 2, and struck out 3.

Nick Tanielu had a big night at the plate, going 3-4 with 2 doubles, an RBI, and a run scored. His first double opened up the scoring in the bottom of the 1st. Kristian Trompiz hit a sac fly in the 2nd. After Jamie Ritchie led off the 3rd with a walk, D.J. Fisher smacked his 1st homer of the year. Tanielu followed that up with his 2nd double of the game, and he would score on a wild pitch/error. Jake Nottingham homered for the 2nd straight game; his solo shot was the final Quad Cities run of the game.

The Bandits will look for the sweep as they send Kevin Comer to the mound. He and Chris Lee will take on Jeffeson Medina at 7:00.

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

View image | gettyimages.com

L.J. Hoes, OF, Fresno
2-3, 2 RBI, R

2.

Nick Tanielu, IF, Quad Cities

3-4, 2 2B, RBI, R

1.

View image | gettyimages.com

Domingo Santana, OF, Fresno

2-3, solo HR (1), 3 RBI, 3 R, BB

Three Stars: Pitchers

3.

Richard Rodriguez, RHP, Fresno

W (1-0); 2.2 IP, 2 H, unearned run, BB

2.

Mitch Lambson, LHP, Corpus Christi

Hold (1); 2 IP, 3 H, 3 K

1.

Brock Dykxhoorn, RHP, Quad Cities

W (1-0); 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K

Honorable Mentions

- Jon Singleton continues his torrid start. Like I said, we haven't heard the last of him.
- Chase McDonald has really shined in the early going for Lancaster.
- Jake Nottingham has provided some outstanding early returns at the plate for Quad Cities.
- Kevin Chapman, Josh Fields, and James Hoyt kept Salt Lake at bay and secured the win.
- Carlos Correa does what Carlos Correa does: hit doubles. Pretty soon, those doubles will be turning in to homers... 

Happy Birthday - 3/5

Happy Birthday to ~

C Hayden Timberlake (19)
Signed out of Queensland, Australia in July 2013, Timberlake played his first professional season in the Dominican Summer League. In 22 games, he hit .188/.303/.250 and caught 50% (16 of 32) of would-be base stealers.

OF L.J. Hoes (25)
Originally drafted by Baltimore in the third round in 2008, Hoes came to Houston in the July 2013 trade that sent Bud Norris to Baltimore. In 35 games in Oklahoma City, he hit .397/.381/.391 and in 55 games for Houston .172/.230/.287.

Two former Astros celebrate today as well ~

LHP Erik Bedard (36)
Born in Ontario, Bedard was drafted by the Orioles in the sixth round in 1999 and came to Houston as a free agent in January 2013. In 32 games (26 starts) for the Astros in 2013, Bedard was 4-12 with a 4.59 ERA and a 1.483 WHIP. Bedard played with Tampa Bay in 2014 until his release on August 3rd.

CF Brian Hunter (44)
A second round draft pick for the Astros in 1989, Brian started his major league career in Houston (1994-1996) and ended it in Houston (2002-2003), but played for five other teams in between. He had a .278/.314/.377 batting line in 370 games for Houston. His best season at the plate was 1995 when he hit .302 in 78 games. Per Baseball-Reference, he was part of this trade to Detroit in December of 1996:

December 10, 1996: Traded by the Houston Astros with Doug Brocail, Todd Jones, Orlando Miller and cash to the Detroit Tigers for Brad Ausmus, Jose Lima, Trever Miller, C.J. Nitkowski and Daryle Ward.

He led the American League in stolen bases in 1997 and 1999.

Tweet of the Day

Venezuela has some beautiful women sheesh
— L.J. Hoes (@MRLJHOES2U) November 14, 2014

Happy Birthday - 3/5

Happy Birthday to ~

C Hayden Timberlake (18)
Signed out of Queensland, Australia in July 2013, Timberlake has not yet made his professional debut.

OF L.J. Hoes (24)
Originally drafted by Baltimore in the third round in 2008, Hoes came to Houston in the July 2013 trade that sent Bud Norris to Baltimore. In 46 games with the Astros after the trade, he hit .287/.337/.371.

Two former Astros celebrate today as well ~

LHP Erik Bedard (35)
Born in Ontario, Bedard was drafted by the Orioles in the sixth round in 1999 and came to Houston as a free agent in January 2013. In 32 games (26 starts) for the Astros in 2013, Bedard was 4-12 with a 4.59 ERA and a 1.483 WHIP. Bedard recently signed with Tampa Bay.

CF Brian Hunter (43)
A second round draft pick for the Astros in 1989, Brian started his major league career in Houston (1994-1996) and ended it in Houston (2002-2003), but played for five other teams in between. He had a .278/.314/.377 batting line in 370 games for Houston. His best season at the plate was 1995 when he hit .302 in 78 games. Per Baseball-Reference, he was part of this trade to Detroit in December of 1996:

December 10, 1996: Traded by the Houston Astros with Doug Brocail, Todd Jones, Orlando Miller and cash to the Detroit Tigers for Brad Ausmus, Jose Lima, Trever Miller, C.J. Nitkowski and Daryle Ward.

He led the American League in stolen bases in 1997 and 1999.

Trade Deadline Deals

Since I don't have time to post anything right now about the players the Astros acquired today in the trade deadline deals, I will point you to these Baseball America articles that outline what the team will be getting.

Justin Maxwell Trade

Bud Norris Trade