Astros Minor League Playoff Recaps

Results for Wednesday, September 5, 2019

It's playoff time in Minor League Baseball!

PCL Semifinals: Round Rock 5, Iowa 4 (11 innings)

Round Rock leads 1-0.

W- Brendan McCurry
L- Dillon Maples

RR home runs: Drew Ferguson (1, 2-run in 2nd)

The Cubs scored twice in the top of the 11th to break a 2-2 tie... and then the E-Train walked off with the victory in the bottom half.

Kent Emanuel was excellent in his 6.1 innings as he allowed two runs (one inherited runner charged to him) on five hits, walked one, and struck out a season-high ten batters; his regular-season high for strikeouts was six. Ralph Garza Jr. walked two and struck out three in 2.2 innings and Brendan McCurry allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and struck out one in the final two innings.

Drew Ferguson launched a two-run home run in the 2nd inning to open the scoring. This was Round Rock's only scoring play in the nine regulation innings. Ferguson drew a walk in the 11th and Jamie Ritchie kept the game alive with a two-out single. They both advanced on a wild pitch and then Alex De Goti drew a walk to load the bases for Chas McCormick. Another wild pitch allowed Ferguson to score and McCormick won the game with a two-run single. McCormick and Ferguson both finished with three hits on the night.

Brandon Bielak will take on Tyson Miller in game two of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Carolina League South Semi-Final Game 1: Down East 3, Fayetteville 0

Down East leads series 1-0.

W- Sal Mendez
L- Nivaldo Rodriguez
S- Joe Kuzia

Fayetteville home runs: None.

Due to the threat of Hurricane Dorian, the decision was made to have a doubleheader on Wednesday.

Miguelangel Sierra homered in the 5th... but he forgot to touch home plate (he did, actually). He was called out and was credited with a triple instead. That did break up the no-hitter, though.

Nivaldo Rodriguez allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and struck out seven in 5.2 innings. César Rosado allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out one in 1.1 innings of relief.

Carolina League South Semi-Final Game 2: Fayetteville 3, Down East 0

Series tied 1-1.

W- Austin Hansen
L- Scott Engler
S- Humberto Castellanos

Fayetteville home runs: Jeremy Peña (1, 2-run in 3rd)

The Woodpeckers returned the favor with a 3-0 win of their own to get on the board in this series.

All three Fayetteville runs came in the 3rd as Jeremy Peña smacked a two-run homer and David Hensley drew a bases-loaded walk.

Austin Hansen allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out three over 5.1 shutout innings and Humberto Castellanos struck out three over 1.2 perfect innings to complete the shutout.

The series shifts to Kinston and will resume on Friday, weather and field conditions permitting.

Midwest League West Semi-Final: Quad Cities 4, Cedar Rapids 1

Quad Cities leads 1-0.

W- Valente Bellozo
L- Luis Rijo
S- Layne Henderson

QC home runs: None.

Quad Cities got a couple of runs in the 8th to pull away from the Kernels in game one of this Midwest League semi-final series.

Alex McKenna scored the first run of the evening on a wild pitch in the 1st inning and scored another run on a sac fly from Ramiro Rodriguez in the 5th. Wilyer Abreu capped off the scoring by ripping a two-run double in the 8th. Abreu, McKenna, and Alex Holderbach all finished 2-4 in this game; both of Wilyer's hits were doubles.

Valente Bellozo allowed four hits, one of which was a solo homer, walked two, and struck out six in six innings. Luis de Paula retired all four men he faced, striking out two, and Layne Henderson got the five-out save, allowing one hit and striking out four.

Brett Daniels gets the start in game two as the series shifts to Quad Cities. He'll take on Matt Canterino at 6:35.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Chas McCormick, OF, and Drew Ferguson, OF, Round Rock

McCormick: 3-6, walk-off 2-R single in 11th

Ferguson: 3-4, 2-R HR (1), 2 R

Kent Emanuel, LHP, Round Rock

6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER (one inherited runner charged to him), BB, 10 K

Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers: W 4-1 @ Cedar Rapids

9 IP, 5 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 2 BB, 12 K

Valente Bellozo: W, 6 IP, 4 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Luis de Paula: 1.1 IP, 2 K

Layne Henderson: Save, 1.2 IP, H, 4 K

Wilyer Abreu, OF, Quad Cities

2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI

Fayetteville Woodpeckers pitchers: W 3-0 vs. Down East (game 2)

7 IP, 4 H, BB, 6 K

Austin Hansen: W, 5.1 IP, 4 H, BB, 3 K

Humberto Castellanos: Save, 1.2 IP, 3 K

Jeremy Peña, SS, Fayetteville

1-3, 2-R HR (1) in game 2 of doubleheader

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Happy Blogiversary!

Tri-City sweep!

Round Rock 20, El Paso 12

W- Brendan McCurry (3-1)
L- Robbie Erlin (0-1)

RR home runs: Kyle Tucker 2 (30; 2-run in 1st, 2-run in 6th), Alex De Goti 2 (13; solo in 2nd, 3-run in 5th)

32 runs, 38 hits, eight home runs... just another night in Triple-A.

Everyone in Round Rock's lineup recorded at least one hit. Alex De Goti hit for the cycle; he and Kyle Tucker launched two home runs. The E-Train scored in every inning.

José Urquidy didn't have much fun on the mound but fortunately, the offense and the bullpen picked him up. Brendan McCurry was the first man out of the Express bullpen and he walked three and struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings. Brad Peacock threw a 1-2-3 7th inning and Ralph Garza Jr. allowed a solo homer and struck out three over the final two innings.

Kent Emanuel will take on Jerry Keel in game two of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Mountain.

Frisco 5, Corpus Christi 2

W- Tyler Phillips (5-8)
L- Brett Adcock (1-8)
S- DeMarcus Evans (4)

CC home runs: Osvaldo Duarte (12, solo in 1st)

The Hooks were held to just two hits as they dropped this series in the Metroplex.

Osvaldo Duarte scored both of Corpus Christi's runs in this game; he whacked a solo homer in the 1st and scored on an error that allowed Colton Shaver to reach in the 6th inning.

Brett Adcock went 1.2 innings and allowed five runs on four hits (solo homer), walked two, and struck out three. Carlos Sanabria was the first man out of the Corpus bullpen and he struck out four in 2.1 innings; one of his strikeout victims struck out on a ball in the dirt and managed to reach base safely. Colin McKee and Andre Scrubb pitched two scoreless innings apiece; McKee walked two and struck out two and Scrubb walked one and struck out three.

Brandon Bailey gets the start for Corpus in the opener of a four-game series in Midland. He'll face Kyle Friedrichs at 7:00.

Fayetteville 13, Wilmington 5

W- Luis Garcia (8-4)
L- Jonathan Bowlan (5-3)

Fayetteville home runs: Miguelangel Sierra (10, 2-run in 2nd)

The Woodpeckers blew this game wide open with nine runs in the 8th. Wilmington responded with three runs in the 9th but the 11-run cushion proved to be comfortable enough.

Luis Garcia turned in a fine outing as he allowed just two hits, walked three, and struck out ten over six shutout innings; the ten punchouts tie a career-high. Joey Gonzalez went two innings and he allowed two runs on three hits, walked one, and struck out three. Riley Cabral got the 9th and allowed two hits, one of which was a three-run homer, walked one, and struck out the side.

Miguelangel Sierra opened the scoring in the 2nd by whacking a two-run homer. Fayetteville got two more in the 3rd on a pair of RBI singles from Michael Papierski and Scott Manea. The real fun began in the 8th.

Cal Stevenson and Papierski walked to lead off the inning and then Fayetteville got three consecutive RBI singles from Ross Adolph, Chandler Taylor, and Manea. Sierra added an RBI double to his ledger and then David Hensley and Scott Schreiber followed with RBI singles. Hensley and Schreiber both advanced on a passed ball and Stevenson drew another walk to load the bases for Papierski, who hit an RBI single. Schreiber scored when Adolph beat a double play attempt and Stevenson capped off the inning by scoring on a wild pitch.

Stevenson was the only player in the Woodpeckers' lineup to go hitless, but he did score twice in the 8th. In fact, everyone in the lineup scored a run. Manea finished 3-4 on the night while Sierra and Schreiber both finished 2-4 with two runs scored.

J.P. France will go up against Kris Bubic in the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 4, Clinton 3

W- Luis de Paula (1-1)
L- Josh Roberson (1-3)
S- Lupe Chavez (2)

QC home runs: Wilyer Abreu (2, 3-run in 2nd)

The Banditos, doing business as the Quad Cities Treasure Hunters on Tuesday, staved off a comeback attempt from the LumberKings to take the opener of this series.

Wilyer Abreu launched a three-run homer in the 2nd to open the scoring and Oscar Campos ripped an RBI double in the 4th. Campos finished 2-3 on the night.

Felipe Tejada walked one and struck out three over three scoreless innings. Luis de Paula was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and he allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out four in two scoreless innings. Lupe Chavez got the last four innings and he allowed three runs on five hits, walked two, and struck out six.

The Banditos and LumberKings will continue their series at 6:35 as Jonathan Bermúdez takes on Remey Reed.

Tri-City 3, Lowell 2

W- Shea Barry (2-1)
L- Kris Jackson (2-3)

TC home runs: None.

The Spinners scored twice in the 8th to take the lead... only for the ValleyCats to walk off with the win in the bottom of the 9th. That's now six straight victories for Tri-City.

Peyton Battenfield and Derek West started things off with three scoreless innings apiece. Battenfield allowed one hit, walked one, and struck out three; West also allowed a hit and walked one and also struck out five. Hunter Brown tagged in for two innings and he allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three. Shea Barry allowed a hit in a scoreless 9th.

Yeuris Ramirez reached on an error in the 7th which allowed C.J. Stubbs to score the game's first run. Nate Perry drew a walk with one out in the 9th and Juan Ramirez came on to pinch-run for him. Juan advanced to second on a wild pitch and Stubbs joined him on the bases after drawing a walk. Luis Santana grounded into a force out and just narrowly beat a game-ending double play. Yeuris tied the game with an RBI single and Santana scored the winning run on a wild pitch.

Tri-City will now start a new series with Hudson Valley and they'll kick it off with a doubleheader starting at 5:05 Eastern. This is to make up a game that was originally scheduled for July 6.

DSL Royals1 6, DSL Astros 0

W- Dario Peralta (2-2)
L- Danny Subero (0-2)

DSL home runs: None.

Tough afternoon for the Dominican 'Stros as the Royals put the clamps on them.

The only hits they mustered up were singles from Omar Díaz, Ricardo Balogh, and Ayendy Ortiz.

Danny Subero pitched 1.1 innings and allowed three runs on three hits, walked four, and struck out one. Luis Vega was the first man out of the DSLStros' bullpen and he allowed a hit and struck out three over 2.1 scoreless innings. Miguel Padilla allowed an RBI triple, walked two, and struck out one in 1.1 innings. Fabricio Reina got the last four innings and he allowed two unearned runs on four hits, walked three, and struck out one.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

Round Rock Express: W 20-12 @ El Paso

20 R, 23 H, E

Bullpen: 4.1 IP, H (solo HR), ER, 3 BB, 5 K

The Express scored in all nine innings of Tuesday's game.

Kyle Tucker: 3-4, 2 HR (30), 5 RBI, 4 R

Alex De Goti: 5-6, 2 HR (13), 6 RBI, 3 R; hit for the cycle

Nick Tanielu: 3-6, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R

Drew Ferguson: 3-5, 3B, 4 R

Brendan McCurry: W (3-1), 1.1 IP, 3 BB, 2 K

Brad Peacock: IP; one groundball out, two fly ball outs

Ralph Garza Jr.: 2 IP, H (solo HR), ER, 3 K

Luis Garcia, RHP, Fayetteville

6 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 10 K

Scott Manea, C, and Miguelangel Sierra, IF, Fayetteville

Manea: 3-4, 2 RBI, R

Sierra: 2-4, 2B, 2-R HR (10), 3 RBI, 2 R

Peyton Battenfield, RHP, and Derek West, RHP, Tri-City

Battenfield: 3 IP, H, BB, 3 K

West: 3 IP, H, BB, 5 K

Andre Scrubb's photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Corpus Christi Hooks bullpen

6.1 IP, 3 BB, 9 K

Carlos Sanabria: 2.1 IP, 4 K

Colin McKee: 2 IP, 2 BB, 2 K

Andre Scrubb: 2 IP, BB, 3 K

Felipe Tejada, RHP, and Luis de Paula, RHP, Quad Cities

Tejada: 3 IP, BB, 3 K

De Paula: 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, June 19, 2019

A league-wide off day in the Pacific Coast League and the A teams on the last day of their All-Star breaks meant that there was a light slate on the farm.

Round Rock was off

The E-Train makes a stop in Iowa for a four-game series. José Urquidy will start game one and he'll take on Matt Swarmer at 7:08.

Arkansas 7, Corpus Christi 3

W- Justin Dunn (5-3)
L- Layne Henderson (1-2)

CC home runs: None.

The Travelers took control with three runs in the 6th and three more in the 7th.

Bryan Abreu went 5.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits, walked one, and struck out six. Layne Henderson got the last two outs of the 6th and the first out of the 7th, but he bore the brunt of the Travs' assault, although he wasn't on the mound for most of it. Henderson allowed four runs (three inherited runners charged to him) on three hits, walked three, and struck out two. Carlos Sanabria and Colin McKee got four outs apiece; Sanabria allowed a hit and walked four and McKee allowed a solo homer and struck out two.

Chuckie Robinson hit an RBI single in the 2nd inning to open the scoring. Max Stassi drove in another run in the 3rd with a groundout and Granden Goetzman hit an RBI single in the 6th.

George Springer is expected to begin his rehab assignment as the Hooks begin a four-game series with Springfield at 6:15. Cristian Javier takes on Tommy Parsons.

Fayetteville was off

The Woodpeckers will begin the second half with a four-game series in Myrtle Beach tonight at 7:05 Eastern.

Quad Cities was off

The Banditos return to action with a four-game set in Beloit at 6:30. Cody Deason gets the start in game one.

Aberdeen 12, Tri-City 6

W- Ryan Conroy (1-0)
L- Jayson Schroeder (0-1, 0-2 season)

TC home runs: None.

The Ironbirds busted this game open with four runs in the 3rd and then put the ValleyCats away with five more runs in the 7th.

Korey Lee drove in his first run as a pro with a groundout in the 1st inning. Nathan Perry grounded into a force out in the 3rd and an error on the play allowed Deury Carrasco to score. In the 8th, Perry ripped an RBI double and he scored on an infield single from Hector Martinez. A wild pitch allowed Zach Biermann to score another run and Joe Perez hit an RBI single in the 9th. Carrasco finished 2-5 and scored on the error in the 3rd.

Jayson Schroeder went 2.1 innings and allowed six runs (four earned) on three hits, walked six, and struck out five. Luis de Paula was the first man out of the bullpen; his first task was to get Schroeder out of a bases-loaded jam without incurring any further damage and he did so successfully. In 2.2 innings, de Paula two hits, walked one, and struck out three. Christian Mejias went 1.2 innings and allowed five runs (one inherited runner charged to him) on three hits, walked two, and struck out one. Miguel Figueroa allowed a run on four hits and struck out two in 1.1 innings.

The ValleyCats will look to avoid the sweep at 7:05 Eastern.

DSL Astros 3, DSL Royals1 2

W- Jherson Pereira (2-0)
L- Leandro Mendez (0-1)

DSL home runs: None.

The Dominican 'Stros scored a pair of runs in the 9th to take the lead and then they staved off a rally from the Royals 1 to get the win.

Tomás Ramirez put the DSL team on the board with an RBI single in the 3rd. They loaded the bases to lead off the 9th and Omar Díaz put them in the lead by drawing a walk to bring in Yohander Martinez. Ricardo Toro added a sac fly one batter later. Martinez finished 2-3 on the day.

Reimy Beltre went five innings and allowed a run on a solo homer, two other hits, walked one, and struck out four. Jherson Pereira got the last four innings and he allowed a run on four hits and struck out two.

The Astros will take on the Rays 1 at 11:00 AM Atlantic.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Reimy Beltre, RHP, DSL Astros: 5 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), ER, BB, 4 K
Jherson Pereira, RHP, DSL Astros: W (2-0), 4 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 K
Tomás Ramirez, OF, DSL Astros: 2-3, RBI

Luis de Paula, RHP, Tri-City

2.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K

Bryan Abreu, RHP, Corpus Christi

5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K