Former Astros in Foreign/Independent Leagues: 2018 Update

Time for an update on former Astros playing internationally or with the Indy League clubs as a few more players have come and gone since my original post. I'm including a few stats on selected players which are generally through 7/5/18. If you see any former Astros or former Astros farm hands that I missed, leave a note in the comments and I'll include them in my next update.

Each year MLB affiliates pick up players from independent baseball. Last year, RHP Kevin McCanna (Astros 2015 13th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) started his season with the independent Sioux City Explorers club, but was picked up by the Diamondbacks organization and 1B Conrad Gregor (Astros 2013 4th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system) was picked up by the Red Sox from the New Jersey Jackals. And 3B  Bobby Wernes (Astros 2015 30th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) had signed with the Traverse City Beach Bums, but was picked up by the Rockies organization before playing a single game for the Bums. There are several players on this list that could very well make their way back into affiliated baseball ... I wish them all the best of luck!

David Rollins - June 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

JAPAN CENTRAL LEAGUE

Hiroshima Carp
LHP Geronimo Franzua (2011-2013 Astros farm system)

Yakult Swallows
OF Nori Aoki (2017 Astros)
.306/.399/.459 in 68 games

JAPAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
1B/DH Japhet Amador (2013-2014 Astros farm system)

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
RHP Dennis Sarfate (2007 Astros)
It is Sarfate's 8th season playing in Japan.

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
3B Brandon Laird (2012-2013 Astros system)

Saitama Seibu Lions
IF Kaz Matsui (2008-2010 Astros)

Chiba Lotte Marines
3B Matt Dominguez (2012-2015 Astros)

KOREAN BASEBALL ORGANIZATION
(Not updated because Baseball-Reference info is missing)

Doosan Bears
OF Jimmy Paredes (2010-2013 Astros system)

LG Twins
RHP Henry Sosa (2011-2012 Astros system)
Sosa is in his 7th season with the KBO.

MEXICAN LEAGUE

Diablos Rojas del Mexico
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo (2013-2016 Astros farm system)
C Carlos Corporan (2011-2014 Astros)
RHP Juan Robles (2015-2018 Astros farm system) - signed 7/4

Guerreros de Oaxaca
RHP Arcenio Leon (2005-2012 Astros farm system)

Leones de Yucatan
RHP Paul Clemens (2011-2014 Astros system) - signed with South Maryland Blue Crabs 5/11
OF Leo Heras (2013-2016 Astros farm system)
OF/2B Ruben Sosa (Astros 2011 23rd round pick; 2011-2014 Astros farm system)

Olmecas del Tabsco
2B Anderson Hernandez (2010 Astros)

Pericos de Puebla
LHP Mitch Lambson (Astros 2011 19th round pick; 2011-2015 Astros farm system) - now playing in the American Association
C Bernardo Heras (2016-2017 Astros farm system)
C Hank Conger (2015 Astros)

Saraperos de Saltillo
LHP Raul Valdes (Astros 2014)

Sultanes de Monterrey
RHP Edgar Gonzalez (2012-2013 Astros)
C Luis Flores (2015 Astros farm system)

Tecolotes de los Dos Loredos
RHP Gerardo Sanchez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)
2B J.C. Thompson (2011-2012 Astros farm system)
RHP Fernando Nieve (2001-2008, 2011 Astros system) - signed 7/3

Tigres de Quintana Roo
OF Jason Bourgeois (2010-2011 Astros)
RHP Lupe Chavez (2015-2016 Astros farm system) - signed 7/3

Toros de Tijuana
RHP Hector Ambriz (2012-2013 Astros)
3B Jio Mier (Astros 2009 1st round pick; 2009-2015 Astros farm system)

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Lancaster Barnstormers
IF Rico Noel (2018 Astros farm system)
LHP Tommy Shirley (Astros 2010 9th round pick; 2010-2016 Astros farm system)

York Revolution
1B/OF Michael Burgess (2013 Astros farm system)
RHP Zac Grotz (Astros 2015 28th round pick, 2015 Astros farm system) - contract purchased by the Mets organization 6/10
RHP Jay Gause (Astros 2014 10th round pick; 2014 Astros farm system)

New Britain Bees
LHP Kevin Chapman (2012-2016 Astros system) - contract purchased by the Tigers organization 5/20
RHP Sam Gervacio (2005-2011 Astros system)
RHP Mark Hamburger (2013 Astros farm system)
LHP Andy Van Hekken (2008-2011 Astros farm system)
IF Reid Brignac (2017 Astros farm system)

Long Island Ducks
LHP Ashur Tolliver (2017 Astros system)

Pennsylvania Road Warriors
LHP Luis Cruz (Astros 2008 9th round pick; 2008-2015 Astros farm system)
1.70 ERA/1.108 WHIP in 25 games (37 IP)
C Marlon Avea (2011-2016 Astros farm system) - released 4/24
OF/1B Edwin Gomez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)

Somerset Patriots
LHP Brett Oberholtzer (2011-2015 Astros system) - contract purchased by the Rockies 4/24

Sugar Land Skeeters
RHP Jared Mortensen (Astros Rule 5 draft pick in December 2016; appeared in 3 games for Fresno in April 2017) - released 4/24
RHP Felipe Paulino (2003-2010 Astros system)
RHP Mitch Talbot (Astros 2002 2nd round pick; 2003-2006 Astros system) - contract purchased by the Cleveland organization 5/23
OF Luke Scott (2004-2007 Astros system) - released 4/23
OF Willy Taveras (2004-2006 Astros system) - released 4/23
2B Colin Walsh (2017 Astros farm system) - signed 5/5

South Maryland Blue Crabs
RHP Paul Clemens (2011-2014 Astros system) - signed 5/11

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks
RHP Travis Ballew (Astros 2012 23rd round pick; 2012-2015 Astros system)
2.78 ERA/1.237 WHIP in 23 games (32.1 IP)
LHP Sebastian Kessay (Astros 2013 22nd round pick; 2013-2017 Astros farm system)
2.25 ERA/1.275 WHIP in 7 starts (40 IP)

Gary Southshore Railcats
RHP Daniel Minor (Astros 2012 9th round pick; 2012-2105 Astros farm system)
2.62 ERA/1.121 WHIP in 11 starts (68.2 IP)

Sioux Falls Canaries
LHP Joe Bircher ( Astros 2012 10th round pick, 2012-2013 Astros farm system)
IF Tyler Wolfe (Astros 2016 39th round pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Winnipeg Goldeyes
OF Reggie Abercrombie (2008-2009 Astros system)
LHP Mitch Lambson (Astros 2011 19th round pick; 2011-2015 Astros farm system) - signed 6/14

Kansas City T-Bones
C Christian Correa (2015-2017 Astros system) - traded to Sussex County in the Can-Am League 5/16

Sioux City Explorers
OF Jay Austin (Astros 2008 2nd round pick, 2008-2012 Astros farm system)
.345/.410/.453 in 37 games
RHP Andrew Thurman (Astros 2013 2nd round pick, 2013-2014 Astros farm system) - released 5/15
1B Dex McCall (Astros 2014 31st round pick, 2014-2017 Astros farm system)
.297/.372/.388 in 45 games

Texas Airhogs
LHP Michael Freeman (Astros 2015 7th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system) - released 5/16
LHP Sean Stutzman (2016-2018 Astros farm system) - signed 6/30

Chicago Dogs
RHP Tyson Perez (Astros 2011 17th round pick; 2011-2017 Astros farm system)

St. Paul Saints
RHP Andrew Thome (2015-2018 Astros farm system) - signed 7/3
LHP Chris Nunn (2018 Astros farm system) - signed 7/2

CAN-AM LEAGUE

Ottawa Champions
RHP Austin Chrismon (Astros 2013 26th round pick, 2013-2015 Astros farm system)

Rockland Boulders
RHP Ryan Deemes (Astros 2015 36th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system) - released 6/21 (torn UCL; having TJ surgery)
C Marcus Nidiffer (2010 Astros farm system)
1B Conrad Gregor (Astros 2013 4th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system) - signed 5/23
.320/.425/.493 in 41 games

Sussex County Miners
LHP David Rollins (2012-2014 Astros farm system)
1.25 ERA/0.912 WHIP in 9 starts (64.2 IP)
C Martin Figueroa (Astros 2017 32nd round pick; 2017 Astros farm system)
.416/.536/.511 in 45 games
C Christian Correa (2015-2017 Astros system) - traded from the American Association

Trois-Rivieres Aigles
RHP Chris Murphy (Astros 2015 24th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system)
C Anthony Hermelyn (Astros 2015 4th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system)

FRONTIER LEAGUE

Schaumberg Boomers
RHP Kyle Westwood (2013 13th round pick; 2013-2015 Astros farm system)
On the suspended list

Washington Wild Things
OF Hector Roa (2012-2016 Astros farm system)
.302/.339/.473 in 44 games

Windy City Thunderbolts
RHP Devin Raftery (2016-2017 Astros farm system)
1.96 ERA/1.093 WHIP in 18 games/1 start (23 IP)

Evansville Otters
LHP Austin Nicely (Astros 2013 10th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system)

River City Rascals
RHP Reggie Johnson (2016-2017 Astros farm system) - released 5/18
RHP Lucas Williams (Astros 2016 40th round draft pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system) - released 5/17

Lake Erie Crushers
LHP Ben Smith (Astros 2014 17th round pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system) - released 6/13

PACIFIC ASSOCIATION

San Rafael Pacifics
C Ricky Gingras (Astros 2012 18th round pick; 2012-2014 Astros farm system)

Sonoma Stompers
LHP Cole Watts (Astros 2017 31st round pick; 2017-2018 Astros farm system)

Pittsburg Diamonds
C Gabriel Bracamonte (2014-2018 Astros farm system)

PECOS LEAGUE

Ruidoso Osos
SS Jose Fernandez (2010-2016 Astros farm system)

Trinidad Triggers
LHP Jose Orta (2016 Astros farm system)

Astros Farm Report: 5/28

Catching you up on the latest Astros MiLB news ...

Cristian Javier - July 2017

Photo by Jayne Hansen

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

6/2: IF/OF Sean Mendoza (18)
6/3: RHP Chad Donato (23)

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

5/27: RHP Ralph Garza assigned to Corpus Christi from Fresno
5/27: RHP Trent Thornton (Fresno) activated from the DL
5/26: OF Gilberto Celestino assigned to Corpus Christi from extended spring training
5/26: IF Jack Mayfield (Fresno) activated from the DL
5/24: RHP Brock Dykxhoorn assigned to Fresno from Corpus Christi
5/23: C Garrett Stubbs (Fresno) activated from the DL
5/23: OF Jake Marisnick recalled to Houston from Fresno
5/21: RHP Ralph Garza assigned to Fresno from Corpus Christi
5/21: RHP Hecduar Barcenas (DSL) released (signed out of Venezuela in July 2017 for $10,000)
5/21: OF Leonardo Gonzalez (DSL) released (signed out of Venezuela in July 2016)
5/21: LHP Antonio Pujols (DSL) released (signed out of the Dominican Republic in September 2016)
5/21: 1B Jon Singleton (Corpus Christi restricted list) released (8th round 2009 Phillies draft; came to Houston in the July 2011 Hunter Pence trade)

ASTROS MILB DISABLED LIST

527: OF Carmen Benedetti (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day DL
5/26: RHP David Paulino (Fresno) placed on the 7-day DL (retroactive to the 25th)
5/22: SS Antonio Nunez (Fresno) placed on the 7-day DL
5/16: LF Yordan Alvarez (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day DL
5/12: RHP Akeem Bostick (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day DL
5/12: 3B Adrian Tovalin (Quad Cities) placed on the 7-day DL
5/8: RHP Kevin Hill (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day DL
5/4: RHP Francis Martes (Fresno) placed on the 7-day DL
5/3+/-: RHP Gerardo Bojorquez had TJ surgery per Instagram post
5/2+/-: OF Patrick Mathis out for approx. 6 weeks per Instagram post
4/26: RHP J.B. Bukauskas (Quad Cities) placed on the 7-day DL
4/5: RHP Ryan Thompson assigned to Fresno (starting the season on the 7-day DL); according to Instagram Ryan has had surgery, but I don't know whether or not it was TJ
4/5: RHP Edgardo Sandoval (Quad Cities) placed on the 7-day DL
4/5: RHP Matt Ruppenthal assigned to Quad Cities (starting the season on the 7-day DL)
4/5: RHP Ángel Heredia (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day DL
4/5: RHP Nick Hernandez (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day DL (Tommy John)
4/5: RHP Jose Luis Hernández (Buies Creek) placed on the 7-day DL

I will be keeping track of all the releases, retirements, trades and signings for the 2018 season here.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

60% of my social media usage is actually just me clicking the “I don’t like this ad” button

— Cy Sneed (@CySneed) May 24, 2018

ASTROS MILB STANDINGS
Up and down arrows represent increase/decrease in win percentage over the prior week.

FRESNO (Pacific Coast League)

🠋1st 29-22 .569 -.-GB L2

CORPUS CHRISTI (Texas League)

🠋2nd 29-21 .580 1.0GB W2

BUIES CREEK (Carolina League)

🠉2nd 28-22 .560 1.0GB W1

QUAD CITIES (Midwest League)

🠉1st 28-22 .560 -.-GB W1

DSL ASTROS (Dominican Summer League)
Season starts 6/2/18

TRI-CITY (New York-Penn League)
Season starts 6/15/18

GCL ASTROS (Gulf Coast League)
Season starts 6/18/18

ASTROS MILB STANDOUTS FOR THE WEEK

Stats are for the week of 5/21 through 5/27.

FRESNO

OF Drew Ferguson: 7 games, .333/.500/.429
1B A.J. Reed: 7 games, .250/.464/.650 (Reed has drawn 17 walks to only 10 strikeouts in his last 15 games)

Also, C Garrett Stubbs has hit .375/.455/.750 in his first three games back after a two-week DL stint.

RHP Cy Sneed: 1 start, win, 0.00 ERA/0.250 WHIP, 8 IP (2 H, 0 BB, 7 K)
RHP Brock Dykxhoorn: 1 start, 1.50 ERA/0.667 WHIP, 6 IP (first AAA start)
LHP Buddy Boshers: 2 perfect bullpen appearances; 2.1 IP, 0 of 3 inherited runners scored
RHP Brendan McCurry: 2 perfect bullpen appearances, win, 2.1 IP, 0 of 2 inherited runners scored
LHP Reymin Guduan: 2 bullpen appearances; 0.00 ERA/0.667 WHIP, 3 IP

CORPUS CHRISTI

3B Randy Cesar: 7 games, .483/.483/.655
OF Stephen Wrenn: 7 games, .375/.464/.542, 4 SB
OF Myles Straw: 7 games, .346/.452/.423, 4 SB (31 SB through 48 games)

Also, Hooks catchers Lorenzo Quintana and Jamie Ritchie have hit a combined .333/.407/.625 for the week.

RHP Corbin Martin: 1 start, 0.00 ERA/0.261 WHIP, 7.2 IP (2 H, 0 BB, 9 K)
RHP Yoanys Quiala: 1 start, win, 1.80 ERA/0.400 WHIP, 5 IP
LHP Cionel Perez: 1 start, 1.93 ERA/1.071 WHIP, 2 BB:10 K, 4.2 IP
RHP Riley Ferrell: 3 bullpen appearances, save, 0.00 ERA/0.333 WHIP, 3 IP
LHP Chris Nunn: 2 bullpen appearances, 0.00 ERA/1.000 WHIP, 4 IP, 0 of 2 inherited runners scored
RHP Justin Ferrell: 2 bullpen appearances, 1.69 ERA/0.563 WHIP, 5.1 IP

BUIES CREEK

OF J.J. Matijevic: 7 games, .385/.393/.808 (2B, 2 3B, 2 HR)
OF Luis Payano: 6 games, .333/.391/.524
OF Ronnie Dawson: 7 games, .321/.321/.607
3B Abraham Toro: 8 games, .300/.344/.500

RHP Brandon Bailey: 1 start, win, 0.00 ERA/1.000 WHIP, 6 IP
RHP Hector Perez: 2 games (1 start), win, save, 1.00 ERA/0.667 WHIP, 9 IP
RHP Abdiel Saldana: 2 games (1 start), win, 2.00 ERA/0.889 WHIP, 9 IP
RHP Jorge Alcala: 2 games (1 start), save, 2.00 ERA/0.556 WHIP, 9 IP
RHP Jesus Balaguer: 1 perfect bullpen appearance, 3.1 IP, 0 of 3 inherited runners scored

QUAD CITIES

SS Jonathan Arauz: 7 games, .519/.567/.741
OF Jonathan Lacroix: 5 games, .417/.588/.583
OF Jake Meyers: 8 games, .364/.400/.576
OF Corey Julks: 7 games, .360/.448/.400

RHP Cristian Javier: 2 games (1 start), 0.00 ERA/0.500 WHIP, 10 IP, 1 BB: 18 K
RHP Yohan Ramirez: 2 starts, win, loss, 1.64 ERA/0.818 WHIP, 11 IP
RHP Leovanny Rodrigruez: 1 start, win, 0.00 ERA/0.400 WHIP, 5 IP
RHP Tyler Ivey: 1 game, save, 0.00 ERA/0.750 WHIP, 4 IP
RHP Juan Robles: 1 game, win, 0.00 ERA/0.900 WHIP, 3.1 IP (season debut)
LHP Adam Bleday: 2 bullpen appearances, 0.00 ERA/0.462 WHIP, 4.1 IP

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Justin Ferrell - August 2015

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Here is what I wrote about RHP Justin Ferrell coming in to the 2018 season:

In each of the last two seasons, Ferrell started out in the rotation, but ended up relegated primarily to the bullpen later in the season where his stuff played up. In 31.1 innings as a starter in 2017, he had a 7.18 ERA, a 1.619 WHIP and 12 walks to 25 strikeouts. In 51 innings out of the bullpen, he had a 2.47 ERA, a 1.176 WHIP and 17 walks to 64 strikeouts. 2018 will be the fifth season for the 2014 36th rounder out of Connors State College (OK) and he needs to be challenged to AA. Put him in the Hooks bullpen and give him a chance to sink or swim by the Bay. Ferrell will be 24 next month.

Key: Leave him in the bullpen and challenge him to the higher levels!

Well, thankfully both the Astros and Ferrell appear to have listened to me (yeah, right). He started the season working out of the bullpen for Buies Creek and quickly earned the promotion to Corpus Christi where he has managed to swim along quite nicely so far. Between the two venues, he is 2-1 with two saves, a 1.65 ERA, a 0.732 WHIP and five walks to 36 strikeouts in 12 appearances (27.1 innings). He has allowed only one of seven inherited runners to score and has been equally effective in long relief and late-inning short relief. For the season thus far, batters are hitting only .158 against him.

NEWS AND LINKS

In case you were wondering, RHP Forrest Whitley's season debut was pushed back due to a minor lat injury. He is expected to join the Corpus Christi rotation in mid-June. If you're planning a trip down, be forewarned that there are only four home games in the latter half of June so options are somewhat limited.

MiLB.com has noticed that Quad Cities RHP Cristian Javier is a pretty good ballplayer!!

And ditto from MiLB.com for OF J.J. Matijevic!

If you want to vote for your favorite Grizzlies, here's your chance.

And in case you missed any of these, here are my recent interviews (one more coming soon!):

OF J.J. Matijevic (Buies Creek)
RHP Brandon Bielak (Buies Creek)
LHP Brett Adcock (Buies Creek)
SS Alex De Goti (Corpus Christi)
1B Taylor Jones (Corpus Christi)
RHP Brock Dykxhoorn (Corpus Christi, since promoted to Fresno)

FORMER ASTROS UPDATE

Luis Cruz - May 2015

Photo by Jayne Hansen

LHP Luis Cruz is on the ultimate road trip as a part of the independent Atlantic League's Road Warriors and, so far, the change of scenery has done him good! In 10 relief appearances, Cruz has a 0.59 ERA, a 0.783 WHIP and has allowed one walk to 18 strikeouts in 15.1 innings pitched. Cruz was originally drafted by the Astros in the ninth round in 2008 out of his San Juan, Puerto Rico high school and spent eight seasons in the Houston organization. I reserve a special place in my heart for Cruz who combined with Kyle Hallock on Mother's Day 2013 to toss a no-hitter for the Lancaster JetHawks. (I'm assuming that it was just for me since I was in attendance at that game.)

WE'RE COMING TO TAKE YOUR JOBS (WOMEN IN BASEBALL)

This #MemorialDayWeekend we continue to remember those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice! THANK YOU to our veterans, those who are active duty, and their families!

Below are the names of #AAGPBL players that served. #MemorialDayWeekend2018 pic.twitter.com/IM1HMhRgfw

— AAGPBL Official (@AAGPBL) May 26, 2018

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, May 1, 2015

Their opponents got to them late....

Tacoma 2, Fresno 0

W- Forrest Snow (1-1)
L- Tyson Perez (0-1)
S- Lucas Luetge (1)

Fresno home runs: None.

Well, the Grizz had nothing going for them on offense as they were held to 2 hits. Preston Tucker and Matt Duffy both went 1-3.

Luis Cruz started it off with 5 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 3, and striking out 3. The Rainiers got their 2 runs off of Tyson Perez in the 6th inning; Perez went 2 innings and allowed 3 hits while striking out 2. Darin Downs worked around 2 hits to throw a scoreless 8th, striking out 1.

Brady Rodgers will take the mound in game 3; he'll face Sam Gaviglio at 5:05 Pacific.

Frisco 5, Corpus Christi 4

W- Francisco Mendoza (1-0)
L- Jandel Gustave (0-1)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th as they rallied to take a 4-3 lead, but that lead would be short-lived as the Roughriders re-took the lead with 2 of their own in the top of the 9th inning.

Corpus got on the board first as Carlos Correa drew a 2-out walk, stole his way to 3rd, and scored on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Jon Kemmer. Tony Kemp doubled with 1 out in the 5th and came home on a Tyler White single. Roberto Peña's 2-run single in the 8th inning put the Hooks on top, but they wouldn't be on top for long. Kemp finished 2-5.

Mike Hauschild pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits (7 singles and a double) and struck out 5. Dan Minor was the first man out; he walked 1 and struck out 2 over 1.1 scoreless. Jonas Dufek tossed 2 scoreless, walking 1 and striking out 1. Frisco cracked Jandel Gustave in the 9th; he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in the inning; the go-ahead run scored when he uncorked a wild pitch.

In game 2 of this series, Lance McCullers will face Alec Asher. First pitch is at 7:05.

Modesto 3, Lancaster 2

W- Carlos Estevez (3-0)
L- Edison Frias (2-2)

Lancaster home runs; A.J. Reed (4, solo in 4th)

The Nuts got 1 run in each of the final 3 innings as they walked off with the victory in the series opener.

Mr. Golden Spikes constituted the entire JetHawks offense as he drove in both runs. A.J. Reed opened up the scoring in the 1st with a sac fly, then led off the 4th with his 4th homer of the season. Brett Phillips stole his 2nd base of the season, while Danry Vásquez and Jose Fernandez both finished 2-4; Fernandez extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Brian Holmes was excellent as he allowed just 1 hit, walked 1, and struck out 7 over 5 shutout innings. Edison Frias pitched 3.1 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned, including the game-winner) on 4 hits and struck out 3.

Michael Feliz will be on the mound for game 2. He'll face Konner Wade at 7:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities 2, Wisconsin 1

W- Chris Lee (1-2)
L- Cy Sneed (1-2)
S- Ryan Thompson (1)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos got the win despite getting outhit 9-5; to me, they converted on just one more scoring opportunity.

In his season debut, Jason Martin was the River Bandits offense. He drew a bases-loaded walk in the 4th to tie the game at 1 and hit an RBI single in the 6th to put QC ahead. Everyone in the lineup drew a walk except for D.J. Fisher.

Chris Lee allowed a run on 6 hits and struck out 4 over 5 innings to get the victory. All but one of the hits he allowed were singles. Keegan Yuhl tagged in for 2.2 scoreless, allowing 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 4. The Closer, Ryan Thompson, shut it down; he allowed a hit, walked 1, and fanned 3 as he got the final 4 outs of the game.

The other 2 games in the series will start at 1:05. In game 2 of this series, Kevin Comer will face Zach Hirsch.

Three Stars: Position Players

Slim pickings here, so I'll just go with the guys who drove in 2 runs.

3.

Roberto Peña, C, Corpus Christi

2-run single in 8th inning

2. 

A.J. Reed, 1B, Lancaster

1-3, solo HR (4), 2 RBI

1. 

Jason Martin, OF, Quad Cities

1-3, 2 RBI

Three Stars: Pitchers

3.

Jonas Dufek, RHP, Corpus Christi

2 IP, BB, K

Dan Minor, RHP, Corpus Christi

1.1 IP, BB, 2 K

2. 

Luis Cruz, LHP, Fresno

5 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K

1. 

Brian Holmes, LHP, Lancaster

5 IP, H, BB, 7 K

Happy Birthday - 9/10

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Gerardo Juarez (22)
Signed by the Astros out of Nicaragua prior to the 2013 season, Juarez spent the majority of his 2014 season on the disabled list following just one outing in June. After coming back in August, Juarez had a 0.00 ERA and a 0.500 WHIP with one save in four innings.

RHP Kyle Smith (22)
Obtained in the July 2013 Justin Maxwell trade with Kansas City, Smith was originally drafted by that team in the fourth round in 2011. Smith spent the first month of the season with Lancaster, compiling a 4-0 record with a 2.60 ERA and a 1.084 WHIP in seven games (three starts) before his promotion to AA Corpus Christi in early May. In 21 games (13 starts) for the Hooks, Smith was 5.5 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.227 WHIP. In a total of 123 innings pitched, Smith walked 37 batters and struck out 127.

LHP Luis Cruz (24)
Drafted in the 9th round in 2008 out of high school in Puerto Rico, Cruz split the 2013 season between Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City. Between the two venues, he was 8-8 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.243 WHIP. In 124.2 innings, he walked 38 batters while striking out 118.

Three former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

LHP Randy "Big Unit" Johnson (51)
Randy is well-remembered by Houston fans for his dominance during the 1998 playoff run. Obtained at the trade deadline, he went 10-1 in 11 starts with a 1.28 ERA and a 0.984 WHIP. He helped to get the Astros to the post season, but even with an impressive 1.93 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP, he went 0-2 and Houston lost the NLDS to San Diego 3-1. Johnson appeared in 22 major league seasons for six teams, with the vast majority of his time spent in the Mariners and Diamondbacks organizations. Among many other accomplishments, Johnson was a 10-time All-Star, MVP for the 2001 World Series and a five-time Cy Young Award Winner.

1B Craig Cacek (60)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the ninth round in 1972, Cacek came to Houston in a December 1975 trade with the Mets. His sole major league experience consisted of seven games played for Houston during the 1977 season. He did manage to get his one hit in the bigs, but that's about it.

RHP Lance Pendleton (31)
A first round pick by the Yankees in 2005, Pendleton was picked up in the Rule 5 draft from the Yankees in 2010, returned prior to the 2011 season and ultimately claimed off waivers from the Yankees in September 2011. In four appearances he had a 17.36 ERA and a 2.357 WHIP.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, April 28, 2014

Oklahoma City 4, Round Rock 1

W- Darin Downs (1-2)
L- Daniel McCutchen (0-1)

OKC home runs: Domingo Santana (3, 2-run in 6th), Jon Singleton (9, solo in 8th)

The RedHawks took the opener with 4 unanswered runs.

Domingo Santana broke a 1-1 tie with his 2-run homer, and Jon Singleton sealed it with his PCL-leading 9th blast of the year. Everyone in the lineup had a hit except for Jonathan Meyer. Robbie Grossman went 2-4 with an RBI single in the 3rd that put OKC on the board and tied the game at 1. OKC got 2-4 nights from Grossman, Ronald Torreyes, and Carlos Perez.

Rudy Owens went 4 innings and gave up a run on 6 hits and struck out 4. Darin Downs was the first man out of the bullpen and threw 2 scoreless, allowing a hit and striking out 1. Jason Stoffel struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 7th, Kevin Chapman allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2 over 1.1 scoreless frames, and Josh Zeid got the final 2 outs of the evening, striking out 1.

Mike Foltynewicz will be on the mound for game 2 of this series. He'll be taking on Justin Germano at 7:05.

Corpus Christi 11, Frisco 2

W- Michael Dimock (1-0)
L- Alec Asher (1-3)

CC home runs: René Garcia (2, solo in 4th), Andrew Aplin (1, 2-run in 7th), Preston Tucker (5, solo in 7th)

The Hooks earned the split in emphatic fashion as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead after 4 innings, and after Frisco scored a pair in the 5th, buried them with 6 unanswered to close out the game.

Before Aplin went deep, he opened up the scoring with a 2-run single in the 3rd. Not long after that, Tucker joined in on the act with a 2-run ground rule double. René Garcia added to the lead by starting off the bottom of the 4th with a homer. Leo Heras clubbed an RBI triple in the 6th and wound up scoring on a wild pitch. Aplin and Tucker then destroyed Jon Edwards' soul by taking him deep in the 7th. And finally, Joe Sclafani provided the cherry with an RBI triple in the 8th. Tucker finished 3-4, Aplin went 2-5, and they were joined in the multi-hit club by Jio Mier, who finished 2-4 with a double and 2 runs scored.

Luis Cruz started off with 4 scoreless and allowed 2 hits while striking out 4. R.J. Alaniz tagged in for 2.2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, walked 4, and fanned 1. Michael Dimock finished it off with 2.1 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 1.

Corpus will now hit the road for 4 in scenic Midland, Texas. The starters for this series have not been announced yet. In the opener, someone will take the mound to take on Andrew Werner at 6:30.

High Desert 13, Lancaster 4

W- Tyler Olson (2-1)
L- Kyle Westwood (1-2)
S- Blake Hauser (1)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks were sent to their 3rd straight loss as the Mavericks scored a touchdown in the top of the 9th to complement their 3 safeties.

Kyle Westwood went 4 innings and allowed 4 runs on 5 hits (2-run homer), walked 3, and struck out 1. Mitch Lambson pitched the next 2 innings and gave up 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 4. Richard Rodriguez, who was just activated prior to the game, was the only JetHawk pitcher to have a scoreless outing, striking out 4 over 2 perfect frames. Juan Minaya bore the brunt of the High Desert assault, as he gave up 7 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 4 hits and walked 3, getting 2 outs in the 9th. Dan Minor got the final out of the 9th, but not before allowing a 2-run triple to Tim Lopes.

The offense didn't mail it in, though, as they got a pair in the 8th on a couple of RBI singles from Rio Ruiz and Bobby Borchering, and 2 more in the 9th on a Ruben Sosa RBI single and a Tony Kemp RBI triple. Kemp and Brandon Meredith had 2 hits apiece, while Sosa (5) and Teoscar Hernandez (8) stole a base.

In game 2 of this series, Lance McCullers and Kyle Smith will face Scott DeCecco. First pitch is at 6:30 Pacific.

Quad Cities and Clinton was postponed

There will now be two doubleheaders in this series. The first set of two will begin not long from now, with the first game beginning at 11 A.M. Andrew Thurman will start game 1 against Eddie Campbell, and Chris Lee will take on Tommy Burns in game 2.


Three Stars

3.

Domingo Santana, LF, Oklahoma City

Go-ahead 2-R HR (3) in 6th

Jon Singleton, 1B, Oklahoma City

Solo HR (9, leads PCL)

2.

Luis Cruz, LHP, Corpus Christi

4 IP, 2 H, 4 K

Richard Rodriguez, RHP, Lancaster

2 IP, 4 K (season debut)

1.

Andrew Aplin, CF, Corpus Christi

2-5, 2-R HR (1), 4 RBI, 2 R

Preston Tucker, RF, Corpus Christi

3-4, 2B, solo HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 R

Honorable Mentions: Jio Mier, Rudy Owens, Robbie Grossman, Tony Kemp, Michael Dimock

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, April 23


Oklahoma City was off

As part of a league-wide off day in the Pacific Coast League. Tonight, they'll begin a 4-game series at home against Nashville at 7:05. Mike Foltynewicz and Rudy Owens will start the opener against Ariel Peña.

Midland 3, Corpus Christi 1

W- Chris Jensen (2-0)
L- Luis Cruz (2-2)
S- Murphy Smith (1)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks were held in check as they couldn't muster up anything in support of Luis Cruz, who had a nice outing. He went 6 innings and the only blemish on his line was a solo homer from Jefry Marte in the 5th. Cruz gave up 3 other hits and struck out 3 in his outing. R.J. Alaniz, who was making his season debut, pitched the final 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2.

Nolan Fontana's RBI double in the 8th accounted for the lone Hooks run and the lone Hooks extra-base hit. Leo Heras went 2-4.

Tommy Shirley and Matt Heidenreich will be the pairing for the series finale, and they will face Andrew Werner at 7:10.

Inland Empire 4, Lancaster 3 in 12 innings

W- Eduard Santos (1-0)
L- Tyson Perez (0-1)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks walked off with a loss a half-inning after they spoiled a situation with 2 runners in scoring position and no outs.

Mark Appel, who is well below-form at the moment, labored through 2.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Juan Minaya was the first reliever out of the bullpen and struck out 2 over 1.2 perfect innings. Mitch Lambson worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 5th. Mike Hauschild came in to piggyback and threw 4 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1, and striking out 3. Tyson Perez was next up, and he went 2.1 innings and allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3. He got the loss, as J.D. Osborne allowed one of the 2 runners he inherited to score, as Sherman Johnson delivered the game-winning single with 1 out in the 12th. Osborne faced 2 66ers and did not retire either of them.

Brandon Meredith drew a 1-out walk in the 2nd, advanced to 3rd on a Danry Vasquez single, and scored Lancaster's first run on a sac fly from Carlos Perdomo. The JetHawks tied the game with a pair of RBI singles from Meredith and Carlos Correa in the 6th. Roberto Peña went 3-4 with a double, and Rio Ruiz was 2-6 with a double.

In the series finale, Kyle Westwood and Vince Velasquez will take on Nate Smith at 7:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities 7, Clinton 1

W- Andrew Thurman (2-1)
L- Carlos Misell (3-1)

QC home runs: None.

The River Bandits have put up 15, 11, and now 16 hits in the first 3 games of this series. The game was tied at 1 after the 1st inning, but QC scored the final 6 runs to win handily. Everyone in the lineup had a hit except for Jon Kemmer, who went 0-5 with a K.

Tanner Mathis led off the game with a triple and Chan-Jong Moon opened the scoring with an RBI single one batter later. Moon, who finished 4-5, hit a triple of his own in the 3rd and wound up scoring on the play, thanks to an error. Jobduan Morales went 3-3, and all of his hits were doubles. 2 of those (in the 4th and 7th) resulted in an RBI, and he also walked twice. Moon added a 2-run single in the 6th, and Chase McDonald finished 2-4 with an RBI single in the 8th. Conrad Gregor also had a nice night at the plate as he went 3-5 with a double. 3 straight multi-hit games for Gregor has raised his average to an even .300.

Chris Lee went 4 innings and allowed a run on 5 hits and struck out 2. Andrew Thurman also went 4 innings as he got the victory; he allowed a hit and struck out 5. And finally, Albert Minnis struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th. Thurman has really turned it up as of late; this was another outstanding stint on the mound after two rough ones to open the season.

In the series finale, Kent Emanuel and Jandel Gustave will take on Jake Zokan. First pitch is at 6:30.

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Carlos Correa, SS, Lancaster
1-4, RBI, R, 2 BB, 2 SB (4)

2. And I want Korean food, all of a sudden.

Moon cooking our meal... pic.twitter.com/lkk41uyV
— brandon meredith (@bmeezytrain) June 4, 2012

Chan-Jong Moon, SS, Quad Cities
4-5, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R

1.

Jobduan Morales, C, Quad Cities

3-3, 3 2B, 2 RBI, R, 2 BB

Three Stars: Pitchers

3.

Mike Hauschild's Twitter: @MikeHauschild3

Mike Hauschild, RHP, Lancaster

4 IP, H, BB, 3 K

2.

Luis Cruz, LHP, Corpus Christi

L (2-2), 6 IP, 4 H (solo HR), ER, 3 K

1.

Andrew Thurman, RHP, Quad Cities

W (2-1), 4 IP, H, 5 K

Andrew Thurman's last 3 appearances:  2-0, 0.68 ERA, 13.1 IP, 9 H, ER, BB, 18 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, April 14

Swept.

New Orleans 14, Oklahoma City 8

W- Bryan Evans (1-1)
L- David Martinez (2-1)

OKC home runs: George Springer (2, solo in 4th)

After 2 fine outings, Team DorInez (Bobby Doran and David Martinez) got knocked around as the RedHawks were forced to settle for a split in this series. This game was the last of 8 straight against New Orleans, and OKC finished 6-2 in this stretch. OKC rallied with 4 in the 7th to make it a 10-8 game, but the Zephyrs put it away with a 4-1 run in the final 2 innings, getting 2 in the 8th and 9th.

Jon Singleton was 1-3 with an RBI groundout in the 1st, walked twice, and scored twice. George Springer went 2-3 with a homer (2) to lead off the 4th inning. Erik Castro added an RBI single later in the inning. Ruben Sosa opened the scoring in the 7th with a sac fly, and then the RedHawks got a pair of bases-loaded walks from Max Stassi and Castro, with a Domingo Santana RBI infield single sandwiched in between. Andy Simunic was just added to the roster and made his debut in this game; he went 1-2 with a run scored after coming on for Ronald Torreyes in the 7th.

Martinez went 4 innings and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits and walked 2. Doran only went 3.1 innings and gave up 6 runs (1 inherited) on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. Darin Downs pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, walking 2, and striking out 1.

The RedHawks will now head out on a roadtrip. Their first stop will be in Colorado Springs for 4. Mike Foltynewicz and Rudy Owens will start the opener against Dan Houston. First pitch will be at 7:35/6:35 Mountain.

Springfield 2, Corpus Christi 1

W- Kurt Heyer (1-1)
L- Luis Cruz (2-1)
S- Dean Kiekhefer (2)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks just couldn't get the bats going, and couldn't capitalize on a fine pitching performance in which Luis Cruz and Ross Seaton combined on a 3-hitter.

Nolan Fontana (2-3 with a triple and a double) and Andrew Aplin (3-4) went a combined 5-7; Aplin drove in Fontana with his 3rd single of the night in the 6th. Fontana hit a double in the 1st and attempted to score on Aplin's 1st single, but was thrown out at home.

Luis Cruz went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Ross Seaton had a fine outing after tagging in, as he allowed a hit and fanned 5 over 4 scoreless frames.

Tommy Shirley and Matt Heidenreich will take the hill for the series finale, and they will be opposed by Zach Petrick. First pitch is at 7:10.

High Desert 11, Lancaster 10

W- Andrew Kittredge (1-1)
L- J.D. Osborne (0-1)
S- Will Mathis (1)

Lancaster home runs: Rio Ruiz (1, 3-run in 8th)

Just your garden-variety California League game, with 22 runs, 29 hits, and crooked numbers aplenty. Of course, as a garden-variety California League game, it got topsy-turvy late: the Mavs scored 4 in the bottom of the 7th to take a 9-6 lead. Lancaster responded with 4 of their own in the top of the 8th to regain the lead, which was 10-9, and then in the bottom of the inning, the Mavs plated 2 without getting a hit to re-take the lead for themselves.

Mark Appel made his first appearance in the biggest hitter's park in professional baseball, and his first foray into High Desert lasted 3 innings. He allowed 3 runs on 5 hits (2-run homer) and struck out 4. Juan Minaya allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 in the 4th. Mike Hauschild tagged in for 3 innings and gave up 5 runs on 8 hits (solo homer), walked 3, and struck out 3. J.D. Osborne came on for the 8th and issued 2 straight walks on 8 balls. Jamaine Cotton came on and walked the first batter he faced. He technically threw a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and walking one, but he allowed both of the runners that he inherited from Osborne to score via a double play and a wild pitch.

Teoscar Hernandez was on fire, as he went 3-5 with a 2-run double in the 3rd, another RBI double in the 6th, and an RBI single in the 8th. Rio Ruiz had a monster night as well; he finished 4-5 with a 2-run double of his own in the 3rd and a huge 3-run homer in the 8th which gave the JetHawks a 10-9 lead at that time. The only run that was not batted in was scored by Roberto Peña as he dashed home on a wild pitch in the 4th. It was a rather eventful night for Peña behind the plate as well; he was charged with 2 passed balls. On the flip side, he was 3-3 in catching potential base-stealers. High Desert CF Aaron Barbosa will be regretting the fact that he even thought about testing Peña, as he got caught stealing 2nd twice. The other victim was Vladimir Guerrero's nephew, Gabriel.

Carlos Correa lifted himself off the canvas by going 2-6 with 2 runs scored. However, he struck out with runners on 1st and 2nd to end the game.

knowyourmeme.com

Jordan Scott was 2-3 with a double, 2 walks, and 2 runs scored.

Game 2 of this series features the team of Kyle Westwood and Vince Velasquez as they take on Tyler Pike. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities and West Michigan was postponed

Due to snow. A doubleheader is scheduled for 4:30 P.M. Kent Emanuel will face Jeff Thompson in game 1, and Jandel Gustave will oppose Kevin Ziomek in game 2.

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Andrew Aplin's profile on Perfect Game

Andrew Aplin, RF, Corpus Christi

3-4, RBI single in 6th

Nolan Fontana, SS, Corpus Christi

2-3, 2B, 3B, R, BB

2.

Photo courtesy of Brian Green

Teoscar Hernandez, CF, Lancaster

3-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, outfield assist

1.

Rio Ruiz, 3B, Lancaster

4-5, 2 2B, 3-R HR (1), 5 RBI

Two Stars: Pitchers

1 (tie).

Ross Seaton, RHP, Corpus Christi

4 IP, H, 5 K

Luis Cruz, LHP, Corpus Christi

L (2-1), 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 earned), 2 BB, 3 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Thursday, April 10, 2014

Oklahoma City 8, New Orleans 2

W- David Martinez (2-0)
L- Chaz Roe (0-1)

OKC home runs: George Springer (1, solo in 8th), Jon Singleton (2, solo in 8th)

Sweep! The RedHawks also got their 5th straight win in the process as they broke a 2-2 tie with 6 runs in the 8th. Before that outburst, Japhet Amador had all the RBIs for OKC, as he hit an RBI single in the 4th and added a sac fly in the 6th. Then, George Springer led off the 8th with his 1st home run of the year, and the RedHawks never looked back. One batter later, Jon Singleton went back-to-back (2) to double OKC's lead. Ronald Torreyes chipped in with an RBI single that scored Max Stassi, and on the ensuing error, Domingo Santana scored. And finally, Gregorio Petit provided the cherry with a 2-run double. He, Springer, and Jonathan Meyer had 2 hits apiece. Everyone in the lineup had a hit except for Austin Wates, who missed out on the party by going 0-4 with a walk and 2 strikeouts, snapping his season-opening 6-game hitting streak.

Bobby Doran went 4.2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits (solo homer) and struck out 3. Raúl Valdés retired the only batter he faced to end the 5th. David Martinez tagged in to get the victory with 4 scoreless. He allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and fanned 2.

Both teams will face off against each other in another 4-game series; the only difference will be a change of venue. Rudy Owens and Mike Foltynewicz will face Elih Villanueva in the opener in OKC at 7:05. Owens and Foltynewicz will be starting on two different Opening Days: They got the nod for the actual one on May 3, and they'll be taking the hill for OKC's first home game.

Corpus Christi 6, Tulsa 0

W- Luis Cruz (2-0)
L- Dan Winkler (0-1)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks took the series opener despite being no-hit for 6 innings. But.... it appeared that the 7th inning stretch was exactly what the Hooks offense needed.

Nolan Fontana got things started by drawing a walk. Andrew Aplin then proceeded to break-up the no-hitter with a single that sent Fontana to 3rd. They didn't have to wait long for a 2nd hit, as Matt Duffy opened the scoring with a single to bring Fontana home. Preston Tucker followed suit by bringing Aplin home. Duffy would score the 3rd run of the game on a Leo Heras groundout. And then... what?

Still not sure what I just witnesses on that last scoring fiasco!!! Craziness!
— Sarah Nelson (@HooksFanSarah) April 11, 2014

What GameDay says:

Jiovanni Mier reaches on a fielder's choice out, second baseman Taylor Featherston to third baseman Joey Wong to catcher Tom Murphy. Preston Tucker out at home. Enrique Hernandez scores. Jiovanni Mier to 3rd. Throwing error by shortstop Cristhian Adames.

So, in conclusion:

The Hooks added 2 more in the 8th on an Aplin sac fly and another Duffy RBI single. Duffy finished 2-4. Fontana went 1-3 with a double and scored twice. Delino DeShields was 0-3, but drew a walk, scored, and stole a base (5).

Ross Seaton tossed 5 shutout innings and allowed 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. Luis Cruz had some harrowing moments in his 3 innings, but escaped unscathed every time. Most notably, he tightroped out of a bases-loaded, no out situation by getting 2 strikeouts and a force out at home. Cruz gave up 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Jordan Jankowski worked around a single to finish it, striking out 2.

In the middle game of this series, Matt Heidenreich and Tommy Shirley will face Jonathan Gray. First pitch is at 7:10.

Lancaster 6, Lake Elsinore 5 in 11 innings

W- Juan Minaya (1-0)
L- Trevor Gott (0-1)
S- Mitch Lambson (1)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The Storm forced extra innings with a pair in the bottom of the 9th, but the tie didn't last very long as Tony Kemp put the JetHawks ahead with a sac fly, and Mitch Lambson extricated himself from a little trouble to end it.

Kemp was 2-5 and scored the first run of the evening on a Teoscar Hernandez double. Hernandez also finished 2-5 and added a couple of steals (3). Brandon Meredith also had himself a 2-hit night; he led off the 4th on a single, advanced to 2nd on a Danry Vasquez groundout, and scored on an error that allowed Roberto Peña to reach. A pair of wild pitches in the 5th allowed Hernandez and Carlos Correa to score. Kemp hit a 2-out double in the 6th and would score on a ball that was smacked by Hernandez that was momentarily caught, then dropped. Hernandez wound up advancing to 3rd on the E, one of 4 on the night for Lake Elsinore.

Mark Appel fared much better in his second go; he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits (solo homer) and struck out 6 in 5 innings. Mike Hauschild had a solid piggyback outing, but the wheels fell off for him in the 9th. He went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Juan Minaya got the win by striking out 2 in a 1-2-3 10th, and Lambson worked around a hit and a walk to finish it off, striking out 2.

In game 2 of this series, Vince Velasquez and Kyle Westwood will join forces as they take on TBA at 7:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities 5, Lansing 3

W- Michael Feliz (1-0)
L- Brady Dragmire (0-1)
S- Andrew Walter (1)

QC home runs: None.

The River Bandits avoided the sweep as they scored 3 in the 7th and one more in the 9th to give themselves a little more separation.

Catfish Elkins was 0-4, but he brought home QC's first run of the evening with an RBI groundout in the 2nd. Jobduan Morales walked to lead off the 7th, and made has way to 3rd on a sac bunt and a groundout. Brett Phillips then drew a walk, and both of them would score on an from Lansing CF D.J. Davis that allowed Tyler White to take 2nd. White would eventually score on a Conrad Gregor single. James Ramsay doubled to begin the 9th and advanced to 3rd on a Phillips single. A White GIDP allowed Ramsay to score the all-important insurance run. Phillips finished 3-4 with a run scored and Gregor went 2-5.

Evan Grills had a very nice start; in 5 innings, he allowed a run on 5 hits and struck out 5. Michael Feliz tagged in for 2 innings, and he gave up 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Pat Christensen fanned 1 in a 1-2-3 8th, and Andrew Walter worked around a walk to close the door.

In the 2nd leg of their roadtrip, the River Bandits will travel to the heart of Michigan to play 3 games with the Great Lakes Loons. In the series opener, Gonzalo Sanudo and Adrian Houser will take on James Campbell. First pitch will be at 6:05 Eastern/5:05 Central.

Three Stars: Pitchers


3.

Mark Appel, RHP, Lancaster
5 IP, 3 H (solo HR), 2 ER, 6 K

2.

David Martinez, RHP, Oklahoma City
W (2-0), 4 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K

Evan Grills, LHP, Quad Cities

5 IP, 5 H, 5 K

1. Corpus Christi pitchers, combining on a shutout

Ross Seaton, RHP

5 IP, 5 H, BB, 6 K

Luis Cruz, LHP

W (2-0), 3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Jordan Jankowski, RHP

IP, H, 2 K

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Matt Duffy, 3B/1B, Corpus Christi

2-4, 2 RBI, R

Brett Phillips, CF, Quad Cities

3-4, R

2. The Lancaster 1-2 made their presence felt once again.

Teoscar Hernandez (#4 on right), CF

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

Tony Kemp, 2B

2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R

1. Cue "When will he be coming up?"

George Springer, RF, Oklahoma City
2-3, solo HR (1), 2 R, 2 BB, SB