Happy Birthday - 12/28

Happy Birthday to ~

C Ryan McCurdy (26)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2010, McCurdy spent the bulk of his time in 2013 in Lancaster, also playing a handful of games in Corpus Christi. In 24 games with the JetHawks, he hit .254/.418/.282 and also caught the Mother's Day 2013 no-hitter thrown by Kyle Hallock and Luis Cruz.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Jose Sosa (died June 8, 2013 at age 60)
Signed by the Astros as a free agent from the Dominican Republic in 1970, Sosa pitched in 34 games for Houston in 1975 and 1976 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.636 WHIP.

1B/3B Ray Knight (61)
A 10th round pick by the Reds in 1970, Knight came to Houston in a December 1981 trade which sent Cesar Cedeno to the Reds. In 391 games played for the Astros from 1982 to 1984, he hit .283/.331/.393. Knight was an All-Star for the Reds in 1980 and for Houston in 1982. The Astros traded him to the Mets in August of 1984; he was World Series MVP for New York in 1986.

IF Bill Hall (34)
Originally drafted by Milwaukee in the sixth round in 1998, Hall signed with Houston as a free agent in December 2010. In 46 games for the Astros in 2011, he hit .224/.272/.340. In 2013, Hall played in the Angels organization until his release in May 2013, after which he played for the Independent League Long Island Ducks.

Astros Minor League Roster Moves

I've gotten behind again on reporting the latest roster moves. Here's what I have for the last few days.

Oklahoma City
OF Eric Thames claimed off waivers from the Orioles and assigned to Oklahoma City
RHP Hector Ambriz designated for assignment

Corpus Christi
C Carlos Corporan to Corpus Christi for rehab assignment
C Ryan McCurdy activated from the DL
C Brett Clements placed on the 7-day DL

Lnacaster
RHP Vincent Velasquez placed on the 7-day DL
OF Chris Epps assigned from Oklahoma City to Lancaster
Also of note, OF Tanner Mathis was sent from Greeneville to Lancaster but has not officially been activated according to MiLB.

Tri-City
RHP Edgar Gonzalez sent to Tri-City for rehab assignment
RHP Tanner Bushue retired (see this Astros County post for more info)

Astros Minor League Roster Moves

Oklahoma City
RHP Bobby Doran assigned from Corpus Christi to Oklahoma City
C Rene Garcia assigned from Corpus Christi to Oklahoma City

Corpus Christi
LHP David Rollins assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi
C Ryan McCurdy assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi

Lancaster
RHP Kyle Smith obtained in trade with Kansas City and assigned to Lancaster
[UPDATED] C Luis Alvarez assigned from Quad Cities to Lancaster

Quad Cities
LHP Josh Hader obtained in trade with Baltimore and assigned to Quad Cities

Roster Moves

(A couple of these are older moves, but I'm posting in case you missed them.)

Houston
RHP Brad Peacock recalled to Houston

Oklahoma City
OF Robbie Grossman optioned to Oklahoma City
RHP Josh Fields assigned to Oklahoma City for rehab assignment

Corpus Christi
LHP Sergio Escalona assigned to Corpus Christi from Extended Spring Training

Lancaster
C Ryan McCurdy placed on the 7-day DL
RHP Aaron West activated from the DL

Quad Cities
1B Jon Singleton activated from the restricted list and assigned to Quad Cities

Tweet of the Day

brandon meredith ‏@bmeezytrain
I'm so damn happy for my teammate Ryan mccurdy.. His first time catching a no hitter.. #greatguy #crimedog

Just Another Day in Lancaster

So, how was your day on Sunday, Jayne? Well, I'm glad you asked. After lazing around the hotel room, it started out with a fantastic brunch at a wonderful local Mexican restaurant before I headed over to The Hangar about 11:00 or so.

I got to the ballpark and had a simply terrific conversation with Manager Rodney Linares, just talking baseball. Then I did a couple of interviews with David Rollins, Brandon Meredith and Delino DeShields that I enjoyed immensely.

Before long it was getting close to time for the game and players started to filter out on the field. I hung out down by the dugout, getting some pictures and shooting the breeze with Jonas Dufek about our mutual midwestern roots.

Before you know it, it was time for the anthem and I took my seat ... front row and slightly to the left of home plate. And when I say I took my seat, that was a process that took a few minutes because of the blistering heat of the day. I don't know if that's where the phrase "hot seat" originated, but it might as well have.

But I was ready, slathered in sunscreen and wearing my floppy Panama hat and soon the action got started at about 2:01.  It wasn't long before it became obvious that we were going to be treated to a pitchers' duel. Kyle Hallock was very impressive through the first few innings as was Stockton's Jake Brown. After three and a half innings, only three batters had reached base, all on errors and the scoreboard was looking like this. The time was 2:45.

In the bottom of the frame, Andrew Aplin led off with a double, ending Brown's shot at a no-hitter for the day.

Aplin then advanced on an M.P. Cokinos ground out ....

... and scored on a Preston Tucker sac fly.

Jake Brown's shot at a no-hitter might have been over, but Hallock's kept going, as he induced his last two outs of the fifth inning on a ground out and a line out.

After five innings, the scoreboard was looking like this. The time was 3:03.

Then lefty Luis Cruz came in for the sixth. Six minutes later, at 3:09, he had already retired his first three batters.

After seven innings, the scoreboard was looking like this. The time was 3:29 and Cruz had struck out his second and third batters of the day in the top of the frame.

Another six minutes elapsed and another "0." The time was 3:35.

In the bottom of the frame, Brandon Meredith singled, stole second base, and then motored around on a Matt Duffy ground out and a Delino DeShields sac bunt to score an insurance run.

I was a little wrapped up in the moment and forgot to take a scoreboard picture between innings, but this was taken at 3:53, just seconds before ...

... this happened. (I apologize for the screeching on the video.)

And then this happened ...

And this is what it looked like after all was said and done. Time of game - 1:52.

After the game, I headed to the clubhouse and caught up with Kyle Hallock who was as cool ...



... as Luis Cruz was excited.



I also found out it was Rodney Linares' 300th win as a Manager. A combined no-hitter, a team win (with sterling defense from Matt Duffy and Nolan Fontana, among others, and great catching from Ryan McCurdy) and a milestone for the skipper. It doesn't get much better than that.

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

My mother is no longer with me, and I have no children of my own. Since I think of all the Astros minor leaguers as my boys, I thought it was a fitting Mother's Day present. All I can say is ... it was a lovely day. Thank you.

Roster Moves

CORPUS CHRISTI
1B Rafy Valenzuela assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi
OF Drew Muren assigned from Lancaster to Corpus Christi

LANCASTER
C Ryan McCurdy assigned from Corpus Christi to Lancaster

Happy Birthday - 12/28

Happy Birthday to ~

C Ryan McCurdy (25)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2010, McCurdy played at three different levels in the 2012 season as he pitched in to cover as catcher injuries mounted up. In 55 games between Lancaster, Corpus Christi and Lexington, he hit .203/.348/.287.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Jose Sosa (60)
Signed by the Astros as a free agent from the Dominican Republic in 1970, Sosa pitched in 34 games for Houston in 1975 and 1976 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.636 WHIP.

1B/3B Ray Knight (60)
A 10th round pick by the Reds in 1970, Knight came to Houston in a December 1981 trade which sent Cesar Cedeno to the Reds. In 391 games played for the Astros from 1982 to 1984, he hit .283/.331/.393. Knight was an All-Star for the Reds in 1980 and for Houston in 1982. The Astros traded him to the Mets in August of 1984; he was World Series MVP for New York in 1986.

IF Bill Hall (33)
Originally drafted by Milwaukee in the sixth round in 1998, Hall signed with Houston as a free agent in December 2010. In 46 games for the Astros in 2011, he hit .224/.272/.340. Since being released by Houston, he has gone on to play in the Giants, Yankees and Orioles organizations. He is currently a free agent.

Roster Moves

Lexington
C Ryan McCurdy was assigned from Greeneville to Lexington.

Greeneville
SS Jose Fernandez was assigned from Lexington to Greeneville.

Also, there is conflicting information on MiLB.com (shocker, I know) but it appears that LHP Kyle Hallock is being activated for a rehab assignment with the GCL Astros. He had surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow early in the season and has been rehabbing in Kissimmee.

Roster Moves

Corpus Christi
3B Andy Simunic was activated from the DL.
IF Jordan Kreke was placed on the temporary inactive list.

Greeneville
RHP Lance McCullers was assigned from the GCL to Greeneville.
C Ryan McCurdy was assigned from Corpus Christi to Greeneville.

Roster Moves

Oklahoma City
RHP Aneury Rodriguez was placed on the Temporary Inactive List.
RHP Hector Ambriz was activated from the DL.

Corpus Christi
C Jair (Jay) Fernandez was assigned from Oklahoma City to Corpus Christi.

Lexington
C Ryan McCurdy was assigned from Corpus Christi to Lexington.

DSL
Angel Heredia was activated from the restricted list.
LHP Erick Hurtado was assigned to the DSL.
RHP Jesus Castillo was assigned to the DSL.

Roster Moves

Houston/Oklahoma City
The Astros claimed utility player Steve Pearce off waivers from Baltimore. In order to make room on the 40-man roster for Pearce and for RHP Armando Galarraga, RHP Aneury Rodriguez and RHP Enerio del Rosario were outrighted (removed from the 40-man roster) to Oklahoma City. In order to make room on the active 25-man roster for Galarraga, LHP Fernando Abad was optioned to Oklahoma City. A corresponding move to the 25-man roster will have to be made before today's game in order to activate Pearce. Got all that? Phew.

Oklahoma City
RHP Jarred Cosart has been placed on the 7-day DL (blister problems again).

Corpus Christi
C Ryan McCurdy was assigned from Lexington to Corpus Christi (made official)

Lancaster
RHP Jose Trinidad was placed on the 7-day DL.
OF Drew Muren was assigned from Corpus Christi to Lancaster (made official).

Lexington
C Cristian Moronto was assigned from Greeneville to Lexington.

GCL
LHP Chris Lee was assigned from Greeneville to the GCL.

Roster Moves

Oklahoma City
RHP Enerio del Rosario was assigned from Houston to Oklahoma City to make room for new signing RHP Chuckie Fick.

Corpus Christi
According to Greg Rajan, C Ryan McCurdy is being assigned from Lexington to Corpus Christi. Expect to see Rene Garcia placed on the DL after an apparent knee injury during Friday's game.

Lancaster
RHP R.J. Alaniz was placed on the 7-day DL (yes, he was just recently activated from the DL).
CF Grant Hogue was placed on the 7-day DL.
1B Rafy Valenzuela was activated from the temporary inactive list.
RHP Jason Chowning was released.
OF Telvin Nash was placed on the 7-day DL.
According to Greg Rajan, OF Drew Muren is being assigned from Corpus Christi to Lancaster.

GCL
RHP Krishawn Holley was assigned to the GCL.

DSL
RHP Francisco Baso was assigned to the DSL.

Roster Moves - 6/30

Two moves according to Greg Rajan of the Corpus Christi Caller Times.

Corpus Christi
Jake Goebbert was assigned from Oklahoma City to Corpus Christi

Lexington
Ryan McCurdy was assigned from Corpus Christi to Lexington

Minor League Schedule and Results

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Lexington at Hickory at 6:00 CST
Probable Pitchers: LHP Luis Cruz (4-1, 2.50) and TBD

Arkansas at Corpus Christi at 7:05 CST
Probable Pitchers: RHP A.J. Schugel (2-4, 3.04) and RHP Ross Seaton (3-3, 3.48)
Available on MiLB.tv

Oklahoma City at Albuquerque at 8:05 CST
Probable Pitchers: RHP Mickey Storey (1-2, 5.40) and RHP Stephen Fife (3-3, 5.32)
Available on MiLB.tv

Inland Empire at Lancaster at 9:00 CST
Probable Pitchers: LHP Max Russell (2-4, 4.50) and RHP Ruben Alaniz (4-1, 3.75)

THURSDAY'S RESULTS

Game 1: Oklahoma City over Colorado Springs 7-4
Jordan Lyles only pitched two innings (33 pitches) which presumably leaves him open to start in one of the Astros doubleheader games in Colorado on Monday on short rest. He gave up two hits, including a solo home run. Aneury Rodriguez pitched the next 3.2 innings, giving up three runs on five hits with no walks, two strikeouts and a home run. Rodriguez got the win and David Carpenter got a four out save (his first), allowing only one hit. Oklahoma City had 10 hits, including a Ruggiano home run and a Scott Moore double (both went two-for-four); Fernando Martinez was three-for-four with a caught stealing.

Corpus Christi over Arkansas 13-4
It wasn't exactly smooth sailing for Jarred Cosart, with 12 hits, a hit batter and a balk, but he held on through seven innings for the win. Kevin Chapman and Henry Villar pitched the final two innings of scoreless relief. And the Hooks batters brought their big boy bats, particularly Jose Martinez (three-for-five with two doubles, a home run and three RBIs), Jon Singleton (four-for-five with a home run and four RBIs), and Ryan McCurdy (two-for-four with a double and a grand slam).

Game 2: Colorado Springs over Oklahoma City 9-2
I'm not sure what's going on with Dallas Keuchel (L, 4-4) in his last couple of starts, but they have not been pretty. In Keuchel's first seven appearances, he gave up a total of 13 earned runs. In his last two starts, he's given up 19 earned runs. Keuchel only lasted 3.2 innings in this one with Juan Abreu, Adalberto Flores and Jonnathan Aristil taking it the rest of the way. Scott Moore was two-for-three, Fernando Martinez and Brett Wallace both doubled and Brad Snyder hit a solo home run.

Inland Empire over Lancaster 12-6
Inland Empire jumped all over starter Jorge de Leon as he gave up six runs (four earned) on six hits over two innings. Three fielding errors and back to back home runs didn't help his cause. Zach Grimmett fared a tad bit better over five innings of relief; unfortunately, he pitched 5.1 innings and that last third of an inning was his undoing as he ended the night with six runs on eight hits. Jose Trinidad had clean up duty. Domingo Santana was two-for-three with a double, home run (his third in the last two games), two RBIs and scored three runs. Erick Castro and Jonathan Meyer also had two hits for the night.

GAME OF THE DAY
Lexington over Hickory 7-3

What went right: Solid pitching and solid hitting.

Mike Foltynewicz has spoiled me. I found myself disappointed that, despite the fact that he got his sixth win, he only just had a quality start. Three runs allowed. Pffft. Not acceptable. Seriously, though, I would like to see him get stretched out a bit. He's only pitched more than six innings once. Carlos Quevedo pitched two scoreless innings of relief and Jason Chowning closed it out with a scoreless frame. The Legends had thirteen hits, including a two-run home run by Roberto Pena and a triple by Delino DeShields, six walks and three stolen bases (and only one of those was DeShields).

Mike Foltynewicz (W, 6-1) - 6IP 7H 3R 2BB 7SO
Carlos Quevedo - 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 2SO
Jason Chowning - 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1SO (0.78 ERA & 0.826 WHIP)

Delino DeShields - 2x3 3B RBI 2BB 2R SB(30th) CS(2nd)
Jordan Scott - 3x4 RBI BB SB CS
Zach Johnson - 0x5 RBI(48th) SO
Matt Duffy - 2x4 BB 2R SB
Roberto Pena - 1x5 HR 2RBI R
Chris Epps - 2x5 2RBI SO
Jimmy Howick - 2x4 2-2B R

What went wrong: Zach Johnson and Brandon Meredith both had 0-fers, but Johnson still managed an RBI and Meredith walked and scored a run.

PITCHER OF THE DAY
No one really blew me away, but I'll go with David Carpenter for getting a four-out save, his first of the season.

PLAYER OF THE DAY
Ryan McCurdy gets some love for hitting his first professional home run and doing it right with a grand slam.

Tweet of the Day

Alex Sogard ‏@ASoggyBottom

Big Props to McCurdy on his 1st pro bomb! He did it big by going Granny style #BigMac #baller #Dukiesareproud

Roster Moves - 5/3

CC
C Chris Wallace moved to the temporary inactive list.
C Ryan McCurdy assigned from LAN to CC.

It appears that Wallace may have sustained a minor injury that wouldn't necessitate a trip to the DL, but would leave the Hooks with only one catcher if he takes a day or two to recover.

Roster Moves - 4/29

HOU/OKC
IF Brian Bixler was optioned to OKC.
RHP Jordan Lyles was recalled to Houston.

RHP Jordan Lyles was to be sent back to OKC after his start to make room for Marwin Gonzalez to come off the paternity list.

LAN
I missed a roster move from 4/28 as C Ryan McCurdy was assigned to Lancaster.

Happy Birthday - 12/28

C Ryan McCurdy (24)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2010, this Florida native spent the 2011 season at Tri-City (plus one AB at Lexington) where he put up a .324/.388/.382/.770 batting line.  He was even better with runners on (.347) and runners in scoring position (.357).

Former Astros with birthdays today

RHP Jose Sosa (59)
Pitched in 34 games for Houston in 1975 and 1976

1B/3B Ray Knight (59)
Played for Houston from 1982 to 1984 (All-Star in 1982)
Batted .283/.331/.393/.724
Broke my heart when he married Nancy Lopez

IF Bill Hall (32)
Played in 46 games for Houston in 2011