Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, August 7, 2017

Let's play two in the Dominican Republic!

El Paso 14, Fresno 9

W- Jose Valdez (3-3)
L- Kevin Comer (5-4)

Fresno home runs: Preston Tucker (21, solo in 4th)

Despite getting 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st before recording an out, the Grizzlies got battered on Monday by 4 El Paso home runs and were outscored 14-4 the rest of the way.

A.J. Reed opened the scoring by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 1st. Jack Mayfield and Jon Kemmer followed by walking in two more runs, which prompted a pitching change. Garrett Stubbs grounded into a force out that scored Reed, and Mayfield ended up scoring on an error. Reed ripped an RBI double in the 2nd inning, Stubbs hit an RBI single in the 3rd, and Tucker smacked a solo homer in the 4th. Mayfield scored on a Drew Ferguson groundout in the 7th inning. Mayfield (2B, RBI, 2 R) and Kemmer (2B, RBI, R) both finished 2-4.

It was not a banner night for the Fresno pitching staff, but Ashur Tolliver did retire the side in order in the 9th, getting two flyouts and a groundout.

It's Tuesday, so you know what that means... Taco Tuesday! Kent Emanuel takes on former Astro Jordan Lyles in game 2. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks will start a 3-game series against Tulsa at 7:05. Brock Dykxhoorn will take on Josh Sborz in game 1.

Buies Creek was off

Matt Bower will face Mike Shawaryn at 7:05 Eastern as the Carolina Stros kick off a 3-game series in Salem.

Quad Cities 8, Beloit 5

W- Carson LaRue (12-4)
L- Zack Erwin (5-3)

QC home runs: Abraham Toro-Hernandez (4, 10 season; solo in 2nd), Josh Rojas (9, solo in 5th), Chuckie Robinson (12, 2-run in 6th)

After the Snappers scored twice in the opening half-inning, the Banditos responded with 8 unanswered runs to seize control of this game. Beloit made things a little interesting late, but the Banditos were able to secure their 7th consecutive win.

Carson LaRue started things off and shook off those early runs to throw 5.1 innings, allowing 8 hits, walking 1, and striking out 7. Lucas Williams was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 4 in 1.2 innings of work. Dustin Hunt allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2 in the 8th, and Salvador Montaño pitched the 9th, allowing a run on a wild pitch, a double, walking 1, and striking out 2.

Abraham Toro-Hernandez led off the bottom of the 2nd with a homer to put the Banditos on the board. Daz Cameron followed by drawing a walk. He moved to 2nd base on a Josh Rojas single and scored on a Kristian Trompiz single. Ray Henderson kept the line moving with an RBI single, and Luis Payano drew a walk to load the bases. Ronnie Dawson struck out and Chuckie Robinson popped out in foul ground, but Troy Sieber came through with a single to bring Trompiz in.

Henderson added another RBI single to his ledger in the 3rd inning. Rojas led off the 5th with a homer, and after Dawson walked to lead off the 6th and advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch, Robinson launched his second 2-run homer in as many nights. Rojas (solo HR, 3 R) and Henderson (2B, 2 RBI) had 3 hits apiece, while Sieber (RBI) and Trompiz (RBI, R) both finished with 2 hits.

Cristian Javier takes on Seth Martinez as Quad Cities wraps up this series. First pitch is at 6:35.

Tri-City 4, Aberdeen 3

W- Reggie Johnson (5-0)
L- Jimmy Murphy (1-2)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats took this game and the series thanks to a wild 8th inning. Aberdeen broke a 1-1 tie with a pair in the top half and Tri-City responded with 3 in the bottom half to take the lead.

No one in the lineup recorded an RBI. Corey Julks scored the ValleyCats' first run of the evening on a double play in the 2nd inning. J.J. Matijevic hit a one-out double in the bottom of the 8th and scored on an error that allowed Adrian Tovalin to reach.

Tovalin, who advanced to 2nd on the error, moved to 3rd on Colton Shaver's single and scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Shaver made way for Andy Piñeda, who stole 2nd (13), advanced to 3rd on the wild pitch that allowed Tovalin to score, and scored what turned out to be the winning run on an error that allowed Julks to reach. Shaver finished 2-4 on the evening.

Alex House and Hunter Martin started it off with 3 innings apiece. House allowed a homer to Mason McCoy to start the game, a double, and struck out 5. Martin allowed 2 hits and struck out 3. Parker Mushinski allowed 2 runs (1 earned), a bunt single, walked 3, and struck out 3 in 1.2 innings. Reggie Johnson retired all 4 Aberdeen hitters he faced and struck out 3 of them.

Tri-City will begin a 3-game series in Lowell at 6:35 Eastern.

Greeneville and Burlington was postponed

Due to rain. A doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 5:00 Eastern. Leovanny Rodriguez will face Nathan Webb in game 1. The second game will start 30 minutes following the conclusion of game 1; the Appy Astros' starter for that game is TBA.

Game 1: DSL Athletics 6, DSL Astros Blue 2

W- Alexander Calderon (3-1)
L- Jean Reyes (0-1)

Blue home runs: None.

Team Blue got their two runs in game 1 in the 5th inning: Leonardo Gonzalez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Kendy Moya followed by walking in another run. Gonzalez finished 2-2.

Jean Reyes allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 4 in 4 innings. Bryan Solano was the first man out of the bullpen in game 1 and went 2 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits, walking 2, and striking out 4. Angel Matos worked around a walk to throw a scoreless 7th.

Game 2: DSL Athletics 1, DSL Astros Blue 0

W- Livan Sanchez (1-1)
L- Angel Ortega (2-2)
S- Ruber Aquino (8)

Blue home runs: None.

The only hit that the Blue team could muster up in game 2 was a single from Yorbin Ceuta. Yeuris Ramirez walked twice, while Ronaldo Urdaneta stole 2 bases (21).

Angel Ortega went 4 innings and allowed the only run on 3 hits and struck out 1. Jervic Chavez walked 1 and struck out 2 over 2 scoreless.

Game 1: DSL Rangers1 2, DSL Astros Orange 1

W- Jesús Linares (5-1)
L- Fredis Guerrero (3-1)
S- Darel Torres (4)

Orange home runs: None.

The Orange team outhit the Rangers 12-6, but lost in the column that matters most.

Luis Barajas had a pinch-hit RBI single in the 7th. Fildex Perfecto scored, but Michael Garcia was thrown out at the plate to end the game as he attempted to score the tying run. Ramiro Rodriguez, Marco Van Der Wijst, and Deury Carrasco all finished 2-3.

Fredis Guerrero went 5 innings and allowed a run on 6 hits and fanned 4. Luis De Paula walked a batter in the 6th who eventually scored on... a throw from the outfield that went to the wrong target, I guess. De Paula also had a strikeout in the inning.

Game 2: DSL Rangers1 13, DSL Astros Orange 0

W- Sergio Suarez (3-1)
L- Elian Rodriguez (0-3)

Orange home runs: None.

Uhhh... the second game didn't go as well for Team Orange. I think I'll just leave it at that.

Monday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Jervic Chavez, LHP, DSL Astros Blue: 2 IP, BB, 2 K in game 2 of doubleheader

Josh Rojas, IF, and Ray Henderson, C/2B, Quad Cities

Rojas: 3-3, solo HR (9), 3 R

Henderson: 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Don't forget to check out Jayne's interview with Josh Rojas!

Carson LaRue, RHP, Quad Cities

W (12-4), 5.1 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K

Alex House's and Hunter Martin's photos are their mugshots on MiLB.com.

Alex House, RHP, Hunter Martin, RHP, and Reggie Johnson, RHP, Tri-City

House: 3 IP, 2 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 5 K

Martin: 3 IP, 2 H, 3 K

Johnson: W (5-0), 1.1 IP, 3 K

Jack Mayfield, IF, and Preston Tucker, OF, Fresno

Mayfield: 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R

Tucker: Solo HR (21), 3 R

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, July 18, 2017

The rain wiped out a good part of the Astros' low minors schedule on Tuesday.

Fresno continues to pour it on in Sin City.

Fresno 19, Las Vegas 12

W- David Martinez (6-7)
L- Mitch Atkins (2-3)

Fresno home runs: Tony Kemp (7, led off game), A.J. Reed (17, 2-run in 1st), Max Stassi (11, solo in 2nd), D.J. Fisher (21, solo in 5th), Preston Tucker (16, 2-run in 7th), Tyler White (17, 2-run in 8th)

After putting 22 on the board on Monday, the Grizzlies turned around and put up 19 more. Both teams combined for 31 runs on 36 hits, 10 of which were home runs. Fresno scored in 7 of 9 innings.

Everyone in the Fresno lineup drove in a run; Reid Brignac was the only player who didn't score or have a hit. Tony Kemp wasted little time in extending his hit streak to 23 when he homered to kick things off.

It wasn't a great night for the pitching staff, but once again, the Grizzlies offense laid waste to Vegas' pitchers.

Kyle Smith allowed 5 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 5 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and failed to record an out in the 1st. David Martinez went 3.2 innings and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits (2 2-run homers), walked 1, and struck out 5. Kevin Comer went 2 innings and the one scoring play he allowed was a 2-run homer to Gavin Cecchini in the 5th. He allowed 3 other hits and struck out 3. Brendan McCurry and Andrew Thome finally brought order to the game with scoreless outings; McCurry allowed 2 hits and struck out 3 in 1.1 innings, while Thome struck out 3 over 2 perfect frames.

Trent Thornton takes on Tyler Pill in game 3 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Frisco 6, Corpus Christi 1

W- Tyler Davis (1-1)
L- Akeem Bostick (4-2, 6-3 season)

CC home runs: Dex McCall (2, 6 season; solo in 5th)

The Hooks were handcuffed on Tuesday.

Dex McCall's solo blast in the 5th was Corpus Christi's only scoring play and one of just three hits they recorded on the evening. The other two hits were singles from Tony Nuñez and Arturo Michelena.

Akeem Bostick went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 4 hits (3-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 5. Ryan Thompson was the first man out of the Corpus bullpen and allowed 2 hits, one of which was a solo homer. He also struck out 3. Nick Hernandez allowed a run on a single and struck out 1 in the 9th.

Alex Winkelman starts the series finale against Collin Wiles. First pitch is at 7:05.

Myrtle Beach 5, Buies Creek 4

W- Duncan Robinson (1-2)
L- Hector Perez (4-4, 5-5 season)
S- Pedro Araujo (6)

BC home runs: None.

The Carolina Stros nearly managed to steal one despite being down 5-0. Unfortunately, no cigar for them.

Hector Perez went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 6 hits, walked 4, and struck out 6. He's the first pitcher in the system to strike out 100 batters this season. Justin Ferrell and Carlos Sierra pitched 2 innings apiece out of the bullpen; Ferrell allowed 2 runs on 2 hits (grand slam; 2 runs charged to Perez), walked 1, and struck out 4. Sierra allowed a hit and struck out 1.

Buies Creek got on the board in the 6th thanks to a Taylor Jones RBI single and an error that allowed Jake Rogers to come home. Rogers ripped an RBI double in the 8th and Anthony Hermelyn added a sac fly. The threat continued when Stephen Wrenn and Spencer Johnson walked to load the bases, but they were all stranded to end the frame. Myles Straw went 2-5 with a stolen base (27) and scored twice.

The Carolina Stros begin a 4-game home-and-away set with Carolina on Thursday, with the first 2 games coming on the road.

Quad Cities was off

Carson LaRue takes on Mike Ellenbest at 6:35 as the Banditos begin a 3-game series with the Lansing Lugnuts.

From Monday: Connecticut 1, Tri-City 0

W- Brad Bass (1-2)
L- Kit Scheetz (0-1)
S- Brandyn Sittinger (1)

TC home runs: None.

The Tigers' lone tally in the 1st inning held up after play resumed.

Kit Scheetz allowed a run on 4 hits and struck out 1 in 1.2 innings. Colin McKee and Reggie Johnson came on to throw 3.2 innings apiece; McKee was first and all he did was issue 2 walks and strike out 7. Johnson allowed a hit and fanned 6.

All Tri-City got on offense in this game were singles from J.J. Matijevic, Kristian Trompiz, and Jake Meyers.

Tri-City 3, Connecticut 1

W- Ben Smith (3-1)
L- Oswaldo Castillo (1-1)
S- Jesús Balaguer (2, 3 season)

TC home runs: Luis Payano (3, solo in 3rd), Connor MacDonald (2, solo in 6th)

The ValleyCats got even by taking the regularly scheduled contest.

Reid Russell opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. Luis Payano smacked a solo homer in the 3rd and Connor MacDonald launched one in the 6th to cap off the night.

Juan Robles allowed a run on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 6. Ben Smith allowed a hit and struck out 2 over 2 scoreless and Jesús Balaguer struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 7th to close it out.

Tri-City and Connecticut will wrap up their series shortly with an 11:00 AM Eastern start.

Greeneville and Danville was postponed

Due to rain. A doubleheader is scheduled to start at 5:00 Eastern. Felipe Tejada takes on Jasseel De La Cruz in game 1 and Leovanny Rodriguez goes up against Odalvi Javier in the nightcap.

Tuesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

Fresno Grizzlies: W 19-12 @ Las Vegas

19 R, 19 H

All players in the lineup recorded at least one RBI.

Tony Kemp: solo HR (7) to lead off game; 23-game hitting streak

Tyler White: 2-6, 2-R HR (17), 3 R

Derek Fisher: 4-6, 2 2B, solo HR (21), 4 R

Teoscar Hernandez: 3-5, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R

Preston Tucker: 3-6, 2B, 2-R HR (16), 3 RBI, 2 R

A.J. Reed: 3-5, 2-R HR (17), 3 R

Balaguer's picture is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Colin McKee, RHP, Reggie Johnson, RHP, Ben Smith, LHP, and Jesús Balaguer, RHP, Tri-City

McKee: 3.2 IP, 2 BB, 7 K (career-high)

Johnson: 3.2 IP, H, 6 K

Smith: W (3-1), 2 IP, H, 2 K

Balaguer: Save (2, 3 season), IP, 2 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, June 21, 2017

The A teams on their final night off made for a rather quiet night in the system.

Fresno was off

The Grizzlies start a 4-game series with Sacramento tonight at 7:05 Pacific. Charlie Morton will begin a rehab assignment and he'll take on Andrew Suarez. Morton has been on the DL since May 25 due to a lat strain.

San Antonio 7, Corpus Christi 4

W- Michael Kelly (7-2)
L- Kent Emanuel (3-4)
S- Trey Wingenter (5)

CC home runs: None.

The Hooks were behind the 8-ball early, trailing 5-0 after 1.5 innings. This early deficit proved to be too much to overcome.

Corpus got a couple in the 2nd on a Garrett Stubbs RBI groundout and a Ramon Laureano RBI single. Jack Mayfield hit an RBI single in the 4th, and Kyle Tucker scored on an error following a J.D. Davis single in the 7th. Jon Singleton went 2-4 with a double and scored twice. Mayfield (2B, RBI, R, SB) and Jason Martin (2B, 3B) also finished with 2 hits.

Kent Emanuel went 6 innings and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits (grand slam), walked 4, and struck out 2. The 2 runs that Jacob Dorris allowed in his 2 innings came on a 2-run homer hit by Noah Perio in the 7th. Dorris allowed 2 other hits and struck out 2. Riley Ferrell worked around a hit to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 1.

Akeem Bostick will start the first game of a 4-game set against Frisco. He'll go up against Ariel Jurado at 7:05.

Buies Creek was off

The Carolina Stros will begin a 4-game series in Winston-Salem at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities was off

Quad Cities welcomes Cedar Rapids to Modern Woodmen Park for a 4-game series. Game 1 starts at 6:35.

Tri-City 5, Lowell 4

W- Humberto Castellanos (1-0)
L- Joan Martinez (0-1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats entered the win column for the first time in 2017 in walk-off fashion.

Patrick Sandoval turned in 5 solid innings, allowing a run on 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 8. The Spinners got to Leovanny Rodriguez in the 6th, though. Rodriguez only got 2 outs (both via strikeout) and allowed 3 runs on 2 hits and walked 2. Reggie Johnson got Rodriguez out of a bases-loaded predicament and went on to throw 2.1 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 2, and striking out 3. Humberto Castellanos worked around a couple of hits to throw a scoreless 9th, striking out 1.

Vicente Sanchez doubled in the 2nd and scored TC's first run of the season on an infield single from Andy Piñeda. Sanchez hit a sac fly in the 3rd and Piñeda followed with an RBI sac bunt. Frankeny Fernandez led off the 9th with a single and Ruben Castro ripped a double to join him on the bases. Sanchez went down on strikes, but an error allowed Piñeda to reach, and Fernandez and Castro scored the tying and winning runs.

Piñeda finished 2-3 and was credited with an RBI on what turned out to be the winning play. Troy Sieber (2B) and Castro (2B, R) also had 2 hits on the evening. Fernandez finished 3-4 and scored twice.

Ricardo Castro takes the mound in game 2. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

DSL Astros Blue 5, DSL Braves 2

W- Angel Macuare (1-1)
L- Jhonny Diaz (2-1)

Blue home runs: Brandon Benavente (1, 2-run in 8th), Ronaldo Urdaneta (1, solo in 8th)

This game was called with 1 out in the 9th due to rain. The Blue team broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of home runs in the 8th.

Both teams scored in the 3rd; Team Blue got their run on an Angel Tejeda RBI single. Kendy Moya scored on an error that allowed Anthony Rodriguez to reach in the 5th. Brandon Benavente whacked a 2-run homer in the 8th inning and Ronaldo Urdaneta went back-to-back with a solo blast. Tejeda finished 2-4.

The one run that Antonio Pujols allowed in his 4 innings came on a solo homer hit by Yenci Peña in the 3rd. He allowed 2 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Jean Reyes and Bryan Solano pitched an inning apiece; Reyes worked around a hit and a walk to throw a scoreless 5th, striking out 1. Solano allowed a run on a groundout, a run, and walked 2. Angel Macuare allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 2.1 scoreless innings.

DSL Astros Orange 6, DSL Indians/Brewers 3

W- Diosward Gonzalez (1-1)
L- Henry Garcia (0-1)
S- Luis De Paula (1)

Orange home runs: None.

Team Orange only scored in one inning and only had 4 hits. They had as many hits as they did strikeouts. They won anyway.

Carlos Perdomo allowed 4 hits and struck out 3 over 3 scoreless innings. Angel Ortega recorded a strikeout in a 1-2-3 4th inning. Diosward Gonzalez went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits and struck out 2. Luis De Paula worked around a couple of walks in order to save the game.

The Orange team scored all 6 of their runs in the 8th without a hit. Only in the Dominican Summer League.

Freudis Nova got plunked to lead off the inning and Euclides Chavez drew a walk to join him on the bases. Jose Carrillo got hit to load the bases, and Jose Alvarez got plunked to bring Nova in for the Orange team's first run of the day. Jeury Castillo drew a bases-loaded walk, which prompted the Brewdians to make a pitching change.

Carrillo scored on a wild pitch. Gerry Castillo, who was at the plate at the time, eventually walked. While Michael Garcia was at the plate, Alvarez scored on a passed ball and Jeury scampered home on a wild pitch. Garcia ended up coaxing a walk. He then stole 2nd and Renaigel Martis walked to re-load the bases for Deury Carrasco, who walked to bring Gerry Castillo home.

Alvarez had 3 of Team Orange's 4 hits, all of which were singles; Carrasco had the other hit. Martis walked 4 times. Team Orange drew 12 walks on the day.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Antonio Pujols, LHP, DSL Astros Blue: 4 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), ER, BB, 4 K
Jose Alvarez, C/1B/OF, DSL Astros Orange: 3-3, RBI, R, 2 SB (3)

Patrick Sandoval, LHP, and Reggie Johnson, RHP, Tri-City

Sandoval: 5 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 8 K

Johnson: 2.1 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K

Andy Piñeda's picture taken by Bryan Green

Frankeny Fernandez, OF, and Andy Piñeda, OF, Tri-City

Fernandez: 3-4, 2 R

Piñeda: 2-3, 3 RBI

Jack Mayfield, IF, Corpus Christi

2-3, 2B, RBI, R, SB (6)