California League South Division Final: High Desert 9, Lancaster 4

High Desert leads series 2-1.

W- Collin Wiles

L- Brock Dykxhoorn

Lancaster home runs: Osvaldo Duarte (3, solo in 5th), Bryan Muñiz (2, solo in 6th), Marc Wik (2, 2-run in 9th)

The JetHawks launched 3 home runs that accounted for all of their runs in this game, but the Mavericks had already built up an 8-0 lead after the 3rd.

Osvaldo Duarte put Lancaster on the board with his solo homer in the 5th inning. Bryan Muñiz went 3-5 and smacked a solo shot of his own in the 6th, and Marc Wik came on as a pinch-hitter for Duarte in the 9th and clubbed a 2-run homer.

Brock Dykxhoorn went 5 innings and allowed 8 runs (6 earned) on 12 hits (solo and 2-run homers) and struck out 3. Ralph Garza Jr. stopped the bleeding by allowing a run on 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 2 in 4 innings.

Jose Luis Hernandez will start game 4 of this series. First pitch is at 6:35 Pacific.

Game 3 Stars

Bryan Muñiz, 1B

3-5, solo HR (2)

Ralph Garza Jr., RHP

4 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 2 K

Marc Wik, UTIL

Pinch-hit 2-R HR (2) in 9th

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, August 15, 2016

Iowa 6, Fresno 4

W- Gerardo Concepcion (2-3)
L- Brendan McCurry (1-1, 3-5 season)
S- Spencer Patton (11)

Fresno home runs: Danny Worth (9, solo in 1st)

The Grizzlies managed to tie the game with 3 runs in the 6th... only to see the Cubs re-take the lead with a homer in the 7th.

Fresno was held to just 4 hits in this game; Danny Worth's solo homer in the 1st opened the scoring. In the 6th inning, Colin Moran led off with a single, and then Worth and Jon Kemmer drew walks to join him on the bases. Max Stassi drew a walk to bring in Moran. Jon Singleton followed with a sac fly, and Alejandro Garcia added an RBI single. Garcia finished 2-4 on the night.

Brad Peacock went 5.2 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits (solo homer), walked 2, and struck out 7. Brendan McCurry was the first man out, and the two runs he allowed in his 2.1 innings came on a home run hit by Tim Federowicz in the 7th inning. McCurry allowed 2 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Jordan Jankowski struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Tonight, the Grizzlies will begin a 4-game series with Omaha, and Keegan Yuhl will get the start. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi was off

For the final time in 2016, the Hooks will embark on their tour of Arkansas. In the first leg of this tour, they'll start a 3-game series with Northwest Arkansas tonight at 7:05. Evan Grills will take on Ashton Goudeau.

High Desert 8, Lancaster 5

W- Collin Wiles (3-7)
L- Josh James (9-4)
S- Clayton Cook (1)

Lancaster home runs: Myles Straw (1, led off game), Jason Martin (19, 2-run in 1st), Marc Wik (4, solo in 6th)

Both teams scored 3 runs in the 1st, but the JetHawks were largely quiet afterwards.

4 of Lancaster's 5 runs in this game scored on home runs. Myles Straw led off the game with his first home run as a pro. Later in the 1st inning, Jason Martin launched a 2-run homer. Johnny Sewald hit an RBI single in the 8th inning. Straw and Wik both finished 2-4 on the evening.

Josh James allowed 5 runs on 10 hits (solo homer), walked 4, and struck out 4 in 5.2 innings. Scott Weathersby pitched the final 2.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits (2-run homer) and struck out 2.

Game 2 of this series will start at 7:05 Pacific.

Clinton 9, Quad Cities 3

W- Pedro Vasquez (2-2)
L- Yoanys Quiala (2-9)

QC home runs: Hector Roa (4, 2-run in 2nd), Anthony Hermelyn (4, solo in 2nd)

The Banditos had a 3-run 2nd inning.... unfortunately, that was the only inning in which they scored. The LumberKings finished this game on a 9-0 run.

Hector Roa opened the scoring with a 2-run homer, and Anthony Hermelyn followed by whacking a solo homer. Spencer Johnson and Ryne Birk both went 2-4.

Yoanys Quiala went 2.1 innings and allowed 6 runs (4 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him) on 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Zac Person tagged in for 4 innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1; he inherited a bases-loaded situation from Quiala, and one of the runners scored. Juan Carlos Santos pitched 1.2 innings and allowed 3 runs on 3 hits, walked 2, and fanned 4.

Agapito Barrios will start game 2 of this series. He'll take on Pablo Lopez at 6:30.

Tri-City is on its All-Star break

The New York-Penn League All-Star game will take place tonight in Wappingers Falls, New York. First pitch is 5:35 Eastern. RHP Enrique Chavez, C Chuckie Robinson, and 1B Taylor Jones will represent the ValleyCats.

Kingsport 5, Greeneville 4

W- Jose Carlos Medina (2-1)
L- Jorge Guzman (0-2, 1-3 season)

Greeneville home runs: None.

The Appy Astros walked off with a loss to drop the Kingsport portion of the series.

Connor MacDonald put Greeneville on the board with an RBI single in the 4th inning. Reiny Beltre hit a one-out double in the 5th and wound up scoring on a passed ball to give Greeneville the lead. The K-Mets responded with 2 in the bottom of the 5th to regain the lead, but the Appy Astros scored 2 of their own in the 6th to go back in front. Frankeny Fernandez hit a one-out single, stole his way to 3rd, and scored on a wild pitch. Ray Henderson, who was at bat at the time, followed by ripping an RBI double. Henderson finished 2-4 on the night; after his two steals, Fernandez now has 13 on the year.

Carlos Sanabria went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Jorge Guzman went 3.2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 7; the winning run scored with 2 outs in the 9th.

The series finale is just underway in Greeneville. Patrick Sandoval is taking on Sixto Torres.

GCL Mets 3, GCL Astros 1

W- Jose Geraldo (1-0)
L- Leovanny Rodriguez (2-5, 3-5 season)
S- Ezequiel Zabaleta (1)

GCL home runs: None.

Both teams scored in the 2nd inning, but the Kissimmee Stros couldn't muster up any more runs. Wilson Amador's RBI single was it for them. Edgar Lorenzo finished 2-4.

Leovanny Rodriguez went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits and struck out 4. Enoli Paredes struck out 2 over 3 perfect innings, and Dariel Aquino allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 2 innings.

DSL Astros Orange 6, DSL Rangers2 2

W- Maikel Sepulveda (2-0)
L- Juan Castillo (2-4)

Orange home runs: None.

A 3-run 6th inning tipped the scales in the Orange team's favor.

Yordan Alvarez opened the scoring with a sac fly in the 1st inning. Jose Carrillo drove in another run with a groundout in the 5th inning. The Orange team got RBI singles from Ramiro Rodriguez, Renaigel Martis, and Kendy Moya in the 6th, and Ramiro grounded into a force out that allowed Ronaldo Urdaneta to score in the 7th inning. Moya went 2-3 with a double and a run scored.

Maikel Sepulveda went 5 innings and allowed an unearned run on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Asael Uribe waas the first man out of the bullpen, and he allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 2. The one hit that Christian Mejias allowed in the 8th was a solo home run to Stanley Martinez. He walked 2 and struck out 1. Freylin Garcia struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Monday's Stars

Maikel Sepulveda, LHP, DSL Astros Orange: W (2-0), 5 IP, 4 H, unearned run, BB, 3 K

Zac Person, LHP, Quad Cities

4 IP, 2 H, BB, K

Myles Straw, OF, Lancaster

2-4, solo HR (1), 2 R; first pro HR

Marc Wik, UTIL, Lancaster

2-4, solo HR (4); 3rd consecutive game with HR

Photo from MiLB.com

Ray Henderson, C, Greeneville

2-4, 2B, RBI

Photo by Bryan Green

Enoli Paredes, RHP, GCL Astros

3 IP, 2 K

Happy Birthday - 7/18

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to ...

IF/OF Marc Wik (23)
Wik was born July 18, 1992 in Fremont, California, and was drafted in the 21st round in 2012 out of Chabot College in Hayward, California. He is currently playing for the Advanced A Lancaster JetHawks.

Marc Wik - May 2015

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Tweet of the Day

I'm tired and hungry and still on this bus. Jack in the box for a little late night snack when we get back to the caster

— mgw (@marcwik24) July 16, 2015

Tweet of the Day

Wik doubles down the RF line! A cycle for Marc Wik. Single in the 2nd, homered in the 3rd, triples in the 6th, double in the 8th. #JetHawks

— Jason Schwartz (@jasondschwartz) June 3, 2015

Tweet of the Day

@ajreed18UK with 3 bombs tonight and white stallion aka @Brett_Phillips8 with a dope catch jumping into the wall. Glad they in my team!

— mgw (@marcwik24) May 7, 2015

Tweet of the Day

Gonna be sad leaving my girl behind... Oh wait ain't got one lol #singlemicringleberry #nowehhwehh #BASEBALLisBETTER #iguess
— mgw (@marcwik24) March 10, 2015

Tweet of the Day

Errrbody with there significant other and I'm over here going on my second jog of the day lol #chunky #wehhwehh #onemonth
— marc wik (@marcwik24) February 15, 2015

Happy Birthday - 7/18

Happy Birthday to ~

OF Marc Wik (22)
A 21st round draft pick in 2012 out of Chabot College in California, Wik did some fill-in work with a couple of games at Lancaster and at Corpus Christi, but has spent the bulk of his season with Quad Cities after a late June promotion from Tri-City. In his first 36 games this season, Wik is hitting .231/.329/.373.

Two former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

1B/PH Harry Spilman (60)
Spilman came to Houston via a trade from the Reds in June 1981 for SS/2B Rafael Landestoy. In 223 games from 1981 to 1985, he hit .222/.286/.313, much of that as a pinch hitter. After retiring from baseball, Spilman went into coaching and served as the Astros hitting coach from mid-2000 to 2004.

RHP Josh Banks (32)
A second round pick by the Blue Jays in 2003, Banks signed with Houston as a free agent in 2009 and pitched in only one game for the Astros in 2010 going 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA and a 3.000 WHIP in four innings.

Tweet of the Day

Pregame selfie with the one and only @marcwik24 pic.twitter.com/KJyl4vLuuA
— Bryan Radziewski (@BryanRadziewski) June 20, 2014

Tweets of the Day

Depression is starting to sink in leaving such a wonderful place
— Daniel Minor (@DMinor91) June 17, 2014

@marcwik24 I left Las Vegas
— Daniel Minor (@DMinor91) June 17, 2014

The Lancaster All-Star break ends today. Back to the grind!

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, May 5, 2014


Oklahoma City 5, Omaha 1

W- Mike Foltynewicz (3-1)
L- Ramon Troncoso (1-2)
S- Paul Clemens (1)

OKC home runs: None.

The RedHawks earned the split thanks to a couple of big 2-out hits and a combined 1-hitter from the pitching staff.

The story of the day would have to be Mike Foltynewicz. Let's just say that things got a little, uh.... testy on Twitter a couple of nights ago and leave it at that. The real story was his performance on the mound yesterday afternoon. He threw 6 innings and allowed 1 hit, a solo homer to Melky Mesa in the 3rd. The Storm Chasers only got 3 baserunners on him: Mesa's homer, and 2 walks (in the 1st and 4th). Foltynewicz struck out a career-high 12, including the final 6 batters he faced. He struck out everyone in Omaha's lineup except for Matt Fields. Paul Clemens tagged in for 3 perfect innings, striking out 1 to close it out. Together, they retired the final 16 Omaha batters, and 20 of the final 21.

Robbie Grossman led off the 3rd inning with a single. He would advance to 2nd on a sac bunt from Ronald Torreyes, and Jon Singleton got on via an intentional walk soon after. They would both advance on a Domingo Santana groundout. A Gregorio Petit walk loaded the bases, and then Kiké Hernandez laced a 1-1 pitch down the right field line to open the scoring. Andy Simunic would follow up with an RBI single to give the RedHawks a 3-0 lead.

Grossman drew a walk to begin the 7th and would come all the way around to score on a Torreyes double. Torreyes moved to 3rd on Jon Singleton's groundout and wound up scoring the final run of the afternoon on a wild pitch from Donnie Joseph. He added another double in the top of the 9th. Torreyes, Hernandez, and Simunic all had 2-hit days, while Grossman scored twice.

The RedHawks are headed home to kick off a 4-game series with Memphis. Jake Buchanan will get the start against Tim Cooney in the opener. First pitch is at 7:05.


Corpus Christi 6, San Antonio 3

W- Tommy Shirley (3-2)
L- John Hussey (1-1)
S- Jorge De Leon (2)

CC home runs: Marc Wik (1, 2-run in 6th)

The Hooks took a 2-1 lead in the 4-game set as the bullpen effectively backed up the reigning Pitcher of the Month, Tommy Shirley, who was alright himself. Also, in his first game outside of the Appalachian League, Marc Wik stole the show. Three safeties topped the field goal.

Shirley threw 5.1 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3. Both runs came in the form of back-to-back homers from Kyle Gaedele (the grandnephew of Eddie Gaedel, the shortest baseball player ever) and Lee Orr (who's from Louise, the town after El Campo when you head south on 59) in the 3rd. All 3 hits that Shirley allowed went for extra-bases; Austin Hedges doubled off of him. He wasn't at his sharpest, but he was still effective enough.

Travis Ballew was the first man out of the Corpus bullpen and got the final 2 outs of the 6th without incident. He did serve up a home run to Yeison Asencio to begin the 7th, but shook that off to retire the side, striking out 2. Pat Urckfitz worked around a single and an error to throw a scoreless 8th, striking out 1. Jorge De Leon finished it up with a 1-2-3 9th, striking out Gaedele to end it.

The Hooks got deuces in 3 innings. Joe Sclafani started things off by reaching on an error in the 1st, advanced to 3rd on another error, and scored the first run of the game on an Andrew Aplin force out. Later in the inning, Jio Mier added an RBI single. After Mier grounded out to begin the 4th, the catchers reached; Tyler Heineman walked and advanced to 3rd on a René Garcia double. Heineman scored on Marc Wik's groundout, and Sclafani brought Garcia home with a single. Wik would go on to deposit a 2-run homer onto the berm in left field in the 6th for the Hooks' final 2 runs. That was his first homer since August 21, 2012, when he was playing with Greeneville. Nolan Fontana and Preston Tucker had 2 hits apiece. Aplin was the only member of the starting 9+1 to not have a hit, but he did get an RBI on the force out in the 1st.

In the series finale, it appears that the tandem system will be back online, according to the Hooks' game notes from yesterday. Matt Heidenreich and Brady Rodgers will take on Josh Geer at 7:10.


Lake Elsinore 7, Lancaster 4

W- Joe Ross (3-2)
L- Lance McCullers (1-2)
S- Brandon Alger (1)

The JetHawks clawed their way back from an early 6-0 hole, but some missed opportunities prevented them from completing the comeback; they went 0-13 with runners in scoring position.

Lance McCullers only lasted 1.2 innings in this one, as he gave up 6 runs (5 earned) on 4 hits and walked 3. This was his first outing this season in which he failed to record a strikeout. Juan Minaya did an excellent job of picking McCullers up; he followed with 4.1 no-hit innings, walking 1 and striking out 7. Jamaine Cotton threw the final 2 innings and gave up a run on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1.

After a lull in the 3rd in which neither team scored, the JetHawks went on a little 4-0 run over the second third of the game. They got on the board with a pair in the 2nd; after Teoscar Hernandez beat out a bunt single, he scored on a Carlos Correa triple. Correa wound up scoring on a sac fly from Dan Gulbransen. Danry Vasquez led off the 5th with a double and would score 2 groundouts later. Hernandez and Correa led off the 6th with singles. They'd advance to 2nd and 3rd on a Rio Ruiz groundout, which really had some potential. However, all that came of that situation was a Gulbransen groundout that scored Hernandez. Correa finished 3-4, while Hernandez was 2-4 with 2 runs scored; he's on a 4-game hitting streak, and he's posted multiple hits in 3 of those 4. Danry Vasquez finished 2-4 with a run scored; both of his hits were doubles, and it was his 2nd straight 2-hit night.

Forgot to mention this, but this is a battle for 1st in the California League South. With the loss, Lancaster is now 2 games behind Lake Elsinore. Game 2 features another intriguing pitching matchup, as Josh Hader will face off against Zach Eflin. First pitch is at 6:05 Pacific.

Cedar Rapids 5, Quad Cities 2

W- Brandon Bixler (2-1)
L- Chris Lee (0-1)
S- Hudson Boyd (5)

QC home runs: Chase McDonald (1, solo in 5th)

The River Bandits dropped the opener and were condemned to a 3rd straight loss as their bats were held in check. They only had 4 hits in this game; one of them was a solo homer by Chase McDonald (1) in the 5th. Brett Phillips led off the 6th by reaching on an error, and after advancing station-to-station, he would score on a Conrad Gregor fielder's choice. That run actually tied the game. However, the Kernels broke the tie with a 3-run top of the 8th.

Andrew Thurman went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Chris Lee was saddled with the loss; he allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and walked 3 in 3 innings of work. Andrew Walter threw a scoreless 9th despite facing a bases-loaded situation. He allowed a pair of singles, walked 1, and struck out 2 in the frame.

The middle game of this series will be a morning/early afternoon game. Will there be a little OKC Matinee Magic in store for Quad Cities? Jandel Gustave will face Josue Montañez at 11 A.M.

Three Stars: Position Players

3.

Carlos Correa, SS, Lancaster

3-4, 3B, RBI, R

2.

I spy Batman.

Enrique Hernandez, Utility, Oklahoma City

2-4, 2B, 2 RBI

1.

Marc Wik, OF, Corpus Christi

1-4, 2-R HR (1), 3 RBI; season debut

Honorable Mentions: Ronald Torreyes, Andy Simunic, Teoscar Hernandez, Danry Vasquez, Preston Tucker

Three Stars: Pitchers


3.

Photo courtesy of Bryan Green

Juan Minaya, RHP, Lancaster 
4.1 IP, BB, 7 K

1 (tie). OKC 1-hitter, led by Studmuffin himself.

Mike Foltynewicz, RHP

W (3-2), 6 IP, H (solo HR), ER, 2 BB, 12 K

#471425789 / gettyimages.com

Paul Clemens, RHP

Save (1), 3 IP, K

Tweet of the Day

Goodnight America see you mañana! Adios from Venezuela #lifeofatrailblazer
— marc wik (@marcwik24) October 16, 2013

An Interview with Greeneville OF Marc Wik

It's easy to write about the George Springers of the world, but I like to look past the top 20 prospects and identify players who may surprise. One such player is Greeneville OF Marc Wik. Wik was drafted in the 21st round in 2012 out of Chabot College in Hayward, California. I first saw Wik last season when I visited Greeneville and he intrigued me. I knew that he was playing with a shoulder issue and I wanted to see what he could do in his second season after having surgery to correct the problem over the off-season. He hasn't disappointed me with his solid season, hitting .283/.442/.342 in 41 games. He has drawn 33 walks while only striking out 21 times. In August, the 21-year old lefty is hitting .302/.474/.372.

But I feel like there is more in there. He looks like a guy who's going to hit for power, but he hasn't done much of that yet. I talked with Greeneville Manager Josh Bonifay about Wik who acknowledged that "he has the body type to have power and he runs well for his size." Bonifay, a former hitting coach, went on to explain that Wik needs to fine-tune his approach in the batter's box, "He gets a little drifty at time, his head movement. So that causes him to not be able to be consistent with the strike zone yet. If [you] go forward, it makes a 95 mile an hour fastball 100. If [you] stay centered, you’re still going to transfer your weight to the front, but your head's got to be still, and his head is still moving a little bit too much."

Bonifay likes Wik's versatility in the field, "He’s able to play left field and right field. His arm strength is really good for a corner outfielder. Like I said he’s got to fine tune some little things within his swing, but he has all the tools to become a pretty good baseball player. He works hard. He can play both of the corner positions. Centerfield is yet to be determined, but I put him in centerfield and he’s played a pretty efficient centerfield. If he fine-tunes a lot of these things, he’s got a pretty good chance."

Marc Wik - August 2013

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Here is what Marc had to say when I talked to him earlier this month, edited for brevity and clarity ~

WTH: Can you tell me a little about the shoulder injury?

MW: I was playing all my sophomore year with the bad left shoulder which is on my glove hand. It would dislocate during games and I would just pop it back in to keep playing so I was just happy to get drafted again [Wik was drafted in the 20th round by Baltimore in 2011]. It was either that or go to college, but school's not big for me so I figured I might as well just start playing the game I love [because it was] possible I might not get another opportunity because of my shoulder. [How is the shoulder now?] It’s never going to be the same. With most injuries, it’s hard to come back and be stronger, but as of now I’m still working at it.

WTH: Is the shoulder injury a factor in your power numbers?

MW: I wouldn't completely base it on that because I'm still figuring the swing out. Figure out ways to be on time and not get too out in front and hit the ball hard. [Does he think he will develop more power?] Eventually, yes.

WTH: What do you bring to the game that another player may not?

MW: To be honest, I’m not too sure. I feel like I have an above average arm for the outfield and I can play multiple positions. I played left, center and right all year and I can also play the infield which kind of works to my abilities and helps me as a player hopefully move up in the organization.

WTH: What do you feel you've accomplished this season and what do you need to work on?

MW: I’d say as of now just staying healthy and making sure I don’t have problems with [my shoulder] because if I don’t stay healthy, I’m not going to be able to play. I’m trying to shed some weight and hopefully after the off-season, come back a lot lighter to help me become faster. That will help.

WTH: What Astros pitcher would you least like to face?

MW: I’d have to say Chris Lee. He’s a left-handed pitcher so lefty/lefty is hard. We don’t face them all too often. And he throws pretty hard. He has a good slider and change up so I think he’d be a difficult match up for me. I’ve faced him. I think I got a hit off of him once, but other than that, he’s tough to handle.

WTH: Who on the team makes you laugh?

MW: Everybody. We’ve got a great group of guys in the clubhouse. We have a lot of fun together. As you can see, it helps because we’ve been winning ball games. It’s just a great group of guys. We’re in there, we all talk to one another, we all mess around with one another so it’s just amazing. It’s a great group.

WTH: How do you like playing for first year Manager Josh Bonifay?

MW: Great guy. He gets it. He’s tough, tough, tough but he doesn’t push you [too hard]. He knows what we need to do so he tells us if we’re making a mistake. He’ll correct us. It’s always positive encouragement.

WTH: Speaking of coaches, do the players on the team have any idea who Hitting Coach Cesar Cedeno is?

MW: Some of us do. Most of us know that he played back in the 70s and 80s. [Do they know how good he was?] Some of us do and some of us don’t. I just know he was an All-Star I think five years [actually four years] and he played 17 years in the big leagues. He doesn’t like to brag too much, but if you ask he’ll tell you what he did. If you ask, he’ll tell you his greatest memory was, I think, hitting a home run during the All-Star game or something.

WTH: What is your walk-up song?

MW: It’s a Dominican based song. It’s by Toxic Crow. It’s called the Wegue Wegue. It sounds close to my last name so I figured that [I would use it].

WTH: Can you tell me something about yourself that most people don't know and might be surprised to hear?

MW: I can dunk a basketball. Or at least I used to be able to.

WTH: What would you do if you couldn't play baseball?

MW: Probably play basketball, at least try. Sports have been everything for me ever since I was young.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

I'm looking forward to seeing Wik's power develop. He already is showing good plate discipline and a plus outfield arm. If he can just find that power that I think is there, he may surprise a few people but, frankly, I won't be one of them.

Marc left me with some final words, "My goal was to get here and I’m finally here. Now I’ve got to just stay healthy and make the best of my opportunities."

Thank you for your time, Marc, and the best of luck as your career continues to unfold.

Astros Minor League Recaps

Monday's Games

Tuscon over Oklahoma City 7-5
Paul Clemens got the start and the loss as he gave up seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and three walks over five and a third. Eric Berger (2.2IP 1H 1BB 3SO) took it the rest of the way with an effective relief outing. Down 7-0, the Redhawks finally managed to get on the board in the sixth with two scoring on a Jon Singleton RBI single. The final three came across in the eighth on a two-run Brandon Laird home run and a Che-Hsuan Lin RBI single. This is the RedHawks third loss in a row and their division lead over Albuquerque has dwindled to two games.

Wisconsin over Quad Cities 9-1
Mark Appel got roughed up to the tune of seven runs on nine hits over three and a third innings. He struck out two. Mitch Lambson provided three and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief before giving way to Jamaine Cotton for the final two frames. Cotton allowed two unearned runs. The offense only managed four hits with Austin Elkins getting half of them. Elkins also drove in the only River Bandits run in the eighth with an RBI double.

Johnson City over Greeneville 7-5 (completion of 7/22 suspended game)
Jandel Gustave (4IP 8H 5R/4ER 4BB 5SO HR) had started this one back on July 22nd and had faced four batters in the fifth without recording an out before he was taken out in favor of Raul Rivera. With the bases loaded, Rivera struck out one batter before the game was suspended. Fast forward three weeks and Rivera was tasked with basically starting a game with the bases loaded, one out and a one run lead. Rivera allowed one of those runners to score and two of his own in the seventh, but he gets a big old asterisk on this loss -- tough way to come in the game. It did not help that, despite doubles from Angel Ibanez and Raul Rivera, the offense wasn't able to cross the plate again after the game re-commenced.

Greeneville over Johnson City 8-4 in 7 innings
Starter Edison Frias (5IP 9H 4R 3SO) got the win and was followed by a scoreless inning apiece from Sebastian Kessay and Chris Munnelly. Greeneville was down 3-0 after the first, but came back and chipped away at that lead, and then some. Wallace Gonzalez (2x4 2-2B 2RBI R) doubled in two runners in the second. Three more scored in the third on a Marc Wik (2x2 2BB RBI 3R) RBI single and a two-run line drive single off the wall from Christian Moronta (2x4 2RBI SB). It was Darwin Rivera's (2x4 2B 2RBI) turn in the fifth as he singled in a pair. Wik scored the final run in the seventh.

GCL Astros over GCL Tigers 3-2
Luis Ordosgoitti put up a very nice start as he works his way back from injury, allowing only one unearned run on three hits and two walks while striking out six. Matt Heidenreich pitched a perfect inning in his latest rehab appearance. Jorge Perez allowed the second Tigers run and was followed by Erick Gonzalez who earned the win in relief as the Astros scored the go-ahead run in the eighth. The offense took advantage of a little wildness from Tigers pitching. Yonathan Mejia doubled to start the seventh and then Jean Batista reached on a hit by pitch. Two wild pitches and a sac fly later, both had scored. Similarly, Javaris Reynolds singled to start the eighth, moved to second on a sac bunt, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball. Jason Martin also doubled in the game and Jose Solano went two-for-three.

DSL Astros over DSL Royals 3-0
Harold Arauz (W, 6IP 1H 1BB 4SO), Cristhopher Santamaria (2IP 2SO) and Angel Heredia (1IP 1SO) combined to one-hit the Royals. Arauz actually gave up a single to the first batter of the game and a walk to the second batter of the game, but then settled in the rest of the way. The only other baserunners in the game were in the fifth and seventh as Arauz and Santamaria each hit a batter. Hector Roa (2x4 2B RBI R) doubled in the first Astros run in the fourth. Marlon Avea drove in one in the sixth and Randy Cesar had an RBI double in the seventh. Luis Payano was two-for-three and scored a run, and Brauly Mejia went three-for-four with a double and a run.

Player of the Day: Marc Wik got on base every time up last night, drove in one and scored three times. You can't do much more than that to help your team win. In his last 10 games, Wik is hitting .345/.513/.414).

Pitcher of the Day: Harold Arauz, Cristhopher Santamaria and Angel Heredia share the honors today for their combined one-hitter. Nice job guys!!!

Astros Minor League Recaps

Sunday's Games

Oklahoma City over Colorado Springs 5-2
Jake Buchanan (W, 4-2) went the first seven, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four, and was followed by perfection from Jason Stoffel and Kevin Chapman out of the bullpen. OKC got on the board early with a George Springer (2x4 RBI R) single driving in Trevor Crowe (3x3 2R) in the first, and put two more up on a Brandon Laird (2x4) two-run double. Rene Garcia (1x4) singled in the final two runs in the sixth. Ruben Sosa was two-for-two.

Corpus Christi over Midland 2-1 in 10 innings
It was a terrific AA debut by David Rollins as he pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing only one run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Jonas Dufek and Pat Urckfitz pitched the final four and a third scoreless innings. The Hooks took advantage of an error and a walk to score their first run in the bottom of the eighth to tie things up. Max Stassi (2x5 2B R) hit a ground rule double in the 10th and scored on a Domingo Santana single for the walk off win. Kike Hernandez was two-for-four, and both Erik Castro and Michael Burgess doubled in the game.

Lancaster over High Desert 6-5
The Heart Attack 'Hawks are back with another come-from-behind win. Down 5-1 going into the fifth, the JetHawks put up five unanswered runs while starter Colton Cain (6.1IP 11H 5R/2ER 0BB 2SO HR) and the bullpen (Michael Dimock, Travis Ballew and Kenny Long) kept High Desert off the scoreboard for the final five innings. Luis Alvarez' solo shot in the third accounted for Lancaster's first run. They scored three more in the fifth with help from High Desert's two errors, a walk and a wild pitch, and two more in the seventh as High Desert loaded the bases with no outs by way of two walks and a hit batter. Because of the High Desert miscues, Lancaster scored its six runs on only seven hits, six of them singles. Matt Duffy was one-for-four with two RBI.

Cedar Rapids over Quad Cities 3-2
Brian Holmes got his first start for Quad Cities since completing his rehab assignment with the GCL and did a nice job. He threw six innings (2H 2BB 3SO) with only one run coming across in the first inning as a lead-off triple came around to score in the frame. Daniel Minor pitched two scoreless innings before giving way to Juan Minaya who gave up two runs (one earned) to give Cedar Rapids the walk off-win. Quad Cities drew first blood in the first inning with a bases-loaded walk, but didn't score again until the ninth inning when Teoscar Hernandez doubled and was driven in by a Carlos Correa (3x5) single. Danry Vasquez was two-for-five and scored a run, and Dan Gulbransen drew three walks in the game.

Tri-City over Aberdeen 9-3
Zach Morton (5.2IP 3H 2R 1BB) got the start and the much-needed win. Andrew Walter did a great job with a perfect two and a third innings and four strikeouts. J.D. Osborne gave up the final Aberdeen run in the ninth. Tri-City had the lead from the third inning on, but it was a slim 3-2 lead going in to the eighth. Six runs scored in the final two innings gave the 'pen all the breathing room they needed to end the losing streak at nine games. The first runs came in the third on a Brett Booth sac fly and a Conrad Gregor RBI double, and another in the fourth as Ronnie Mitchell (3x5 2B 3R) doubled and was driven in by a Ryan Dineen single. The 'Cats got four runs across in the eighth on only two singles, thanks to four walks, five wild pitches from two different pitchers and a throwing error. The final two came in the ninth on a Jon Kemmer RBI double and a Ryan Dineen sac fly. James Ramsay went two-for-five with a double and stole a base.

As a side note, congratulations are due to LHP Chris Cotton, RHP Michael Feliz and SS Chan Moon as they were named to the New York-Penn League All-Star squad.

Greeneville over Kingsport 17-1
See Appy Astros Eyewitness report of the game here.

Player of the Day: Marc Wik went four-for-five with a triple, drove in three and scored three in the huge Greeneville win. Wik was injured when I saw him in Greeneville last season, but he is obviously healthy now. He has hit .389/.488/.444 in his last 10 games.

Pitcher of the Day: Jordan Mills' start for Greeneville was simply terrific - only two hits and no walks allowed in five innings and striking out seven for the win.

Eyewitness Report: 8/4/13 G-Stros 17, K-Mets 1

It only counts as one win in the standings but it was a solid statement.  Greeneville stretched its two game lead to three with an all around dominate performance.  Here are the highlights:

The night got off to a good night when Little Appy and I got our Jose Altuve give away t-shirts when we walked in the gate.

On The Mound
When a team scores 17 runs in a game, it can be tempting to overlook the pitching but that would be a mistake.  Jordan Mills started the game for the G-Stros and pitched five solid innings facing just one batter over the minimum. His line read: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

Unofficially, I had him at 58 pitches with 43 of them for strikes!  Of the seven strikeouts, five were swinging and two were looking.  The two hits were both doubles.  One was a ball that bounded over third baseman Tyler White down the left field line.  The other was another ball down the left field line.   

Austin Chrismon relieved Mills and pitched the next three innings.  The first pitch he delivered was deposited over the wall for a solo HR.  After that, he settled down allowing just one more hit.  He struck out three and walked one.  He threw several very nice curves on the night.

Tyler Brunnemann finished off the game with a rather eventful ninth.  After striking out the first batter, he walked the next batter on four pitches.  He the gave up a double down the right field line that luckily went under the gate for a ground rule double. Otherwise it is a run scoring triple.  He walked the next batter on a full count pitch to load the bases before getting a visit from the pitching coach.  The very next pitch went for a 4-6-3 double play to wrap up the game.

At The Plate

15 hits. 6 BB. 1 HBP and 1 reached on a drop third strike. That is 23 base runners on the night and 17 scored.   The team was 7-10 with runners in scoring position.  Every Astro who played scored a run.  Even Angle Ibanez who struck out in his only at bat.  He reached when the third strike got by the catcher and he reached first safely.  It was just one of those nights.

Marc Wik went 4 for 5 with three singles and a bases clearing stand up triple to the gap in right center. Wik scored three runs on the night to lead the team. 

Tyler White was 2 for 4 with a two run homer before leaving the game in the seventh.

Chase McDonald went 3 for 4 - all singles - plus a walk.  The one time he got out required a nice play by the shortstop.  McDonald hit the ball toward left field.  The SS dove to his right and threw from his knees to nab McDonald or he perfect night.

Juan Santana only had one hit but it was a big hit.  A three run HR to left field.  He also had a sac fly to plate the final run of the game.

Ariel Ovando went 2 for 4 on the night and led the team with five RBI.  He had three run HR to RF that got out in a hurry.  He latter had a hustle double on a ball hit in shallow center.  He rounded first and realized that both the shortstop and the second baseman had gone out to try to catch the ball and 2nd was unattended.  He cruised in for a stand up double on a ball that was just out of the reach of the second baseman.  He later walked in the game with the bases loaded for his final RBI of the night.

Brian Holberton was 2 for 4 with both of his hits coming in the seven run third inning.  He lead off the inning with a single to left and then added a double down the right field line later in the inning.  He added a walk in the ninth. 

The game was out of hand in the ninth but the K-Mets couldn't get the Astros out so they resorted to bringing in their closer who got a double play ball with the bases loaded to put an end to the massacre.

In The Field

Tyler White made several nice plays at third.  He made a leaping grab of a line drive and a nice play ranging to his left in the third.  He added another good play to his left in the fourth.  He also applied a tag to catch a runner attempting stealing third in the first.   The runner was out by two feet thanks to a great throw by Brian Holberton.

The other play I have circled in my score book as a 3-6-1 double play to end the seventh.  First baseman McDonald fielded the ball moving to his right.  He made the throw to the SS Thomas Lindauer who threw back to pitcher Austin Chrismon covering first.  Just like you work on in in PFPs.

The one error of the night was charged to Lindauer on a ball that was hit up the middle.  He got to the ball in time but couldn't field it cleanly to make the throw.  It would have been a very nice play had he pulled it off. He made a similar play later in the game. 

Happy Birthday - 7/18

OF Marc Wik (21)
A 21st round draft pick in 2012 out of Chabot College in California, the lefty hitting outfielder is currently hitting .261/.382/.348 over 16 games in his second season at Greeneville.

Former Astros with birthdays today

1B/PH Harry Spilman (59)
Spilman came to Houston via a trade from the Reds in June 1981 for SS/2B Rafael Landestoy. In 223 games from 1981 to 1985, he hit .222/.286/.313, much of that as a pinch hitter. After retiring from baseball, Spilman went into coaching and served as the Astros hitting coach from mid-2000 to 2004.

RHP Josh Banks (31)
A second round pick by the Blue Jays in 2003, Banks signed with Houston as a free agent in 2009 and pitched in only one game for the Astros in 2010 going 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA and a 3.000 WHIP in four innings.

Funky Foto Friday

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

Roberto Peña

Ariel Ovando

Marc Wik

Jose Altuve

 

Folty and Company

 

Kiké Hernandez

Jon Singleton

Tweet of the Day

marc wik ‏@marcwik24

Nothing better than Mexican food after a good round of batting practice #yummy