Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Friday, May 19, 2017

Welcome to the Carolina League, Jorge Alcala!

Fresno 10, Memphis 2

W- Kevin Comer (1-0)
L- Luke Weaver (3-1)

Fresno home runs: D.J. Fisher (10, solo in 7th)

Memphis starter Luke Weaver allowed just one run in his four starts prior to this contest. The Grizzlies tagged him for 6 runs in the first two frames; 4 of those runs were earned. Fresno scored 4 more in the 7th for good measure as they took game 1 from the Redbirds.

Mike Hauschild went 4.1 innings and allowed 2 runs on 8 hits, walked 5, and struck out 3. The bullpen picked him up and finished this one off with 4.2 scoreless innings.

Kevin Comer was first; he got Hauschild out of a bases-loaded predicament in the 5th and went on to throw 1.2 perfect frames, striking out 2. Reymin Guduan followed with 2 innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 3. Aaron West worked around a hit to finish the game, striking out 1 in the 9th.

D.J. Fisher and Teoscar Hernandez hit one-out singles in the 1st inning to bring up Colin Moran, who put the Grizz on the board with an RBI single. Teoscar wound up scoring on a wild pitch, and Tyler White, who was at the plate at the time, wound up ripping an RBI double. Reid Brignac and Andrew Aplin led off the 2nd with singles; Brignac eventually scored on a Tony Kemp groundout. Fisher reached on a fielder's choice and Teoscar singled and advanced to 2nd on the play. They both scored on an error that allowed Moran to reach; he ended up moving to 3rd on another error on the play.

Fisher led off the 7th with a homer. The Grizzlies then got an RBI single from A.J. Reed, an RBI double from Juan Centeno, and a run-scoring groundout from Brignac. Centeno extended his hitting streak to 16 games with that two-bagger. Fisher (solo HR, 3 R), Teoscar (RBI, 2 R), Moran (RBI, 2 R), Reed (2B, RBI, R), and Andrew Aplin all finished with two hits on the evening. Fisher is the first man in the system to hit 10 home runs this year.

Francis Martes will go up against Marco Gonzales in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 2, Frisco 1 in 10 innings

W- Josh James (3-1)
L- Joe Filomeno (0-2)
S- Andrew Thome (2, 3 season)

CC home runs: Jon Singleton (8, solo in 2nd), Antonio Nuñez (2, solo in 10th)

Nine innings wasn't enough to decide the outcome of this game, but the Hooks only needed one extra inning to do just that.

The two solo shots you see above were the Hooks' only scoring plays of the game. Tony Nuñez entered this season with zero career home runs; he now has two after sending one out in the first extra frame to put Corpus in front. Drew Ferguson went 2-4 with a stolen base (9); he is now on a 16-game hitting streak. He appeared as a pinch-runner on May 11 but did not have a plate appearance, so his streak is technically still active.

Rogelio Armenteros issued a walk and struck out 5 in 5 shutout innings. Josh James tagged in for 4 innings and allowed an unearned run on a wild pitch, 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Andrew Thome earned the save with a 1-2-3 10th; he got two groundball outs and struck out Drew Vettleson to end the game.

Cy Sneed gets the call in game 2. He'll face Ariel Jurado at 7:05.

Buies Creek 7, Down East 1

W- Jorge Alcala (1-0, 3-0 season)
L- Wes Benjamin (2-4)
S- Sebastian Kessay (1)

BC home runs: Spencer Johnson (1, 4 season; 3-run in 5th), Ryne Birk (3, 2-run in 7th)

Make it 2-0 for the Astros system over the Rangers on Friday night.

The Carolina Stros broke a 0-0 game wide open by scoring 4 runs in the 5th inning. Three of those runs came off the bat of one Spencer Johnson, who connected for his first Carolina League home run.

Before Johnson launched that 3-run homer off Wes Benjamin, Ryne Birk opened the scoring with a sac fly. Jason Martin went 3-4 with a sac fly in the 6th, and Birk capped off the scoring with a 2-run blast in the 7th. Johnson and Myles Straw both finished 2-4. After a terrible slump that saw his average drop to .218 on May 10, Birk has responded with hits in 7 of his last 8 games.

Jorge Alcala was a winner in his first Carolina League start; he went 6 innings, and the one run he allowed came on a solo homer hit by Josh Altmann in the 6th. Alcala allowed 2 other hits, walked 3, and fanned 6. Sebastian Kessay struck out 2 over 3 perfect frames to finish off the game.

Yoanys Quiala will take on Richelson Peña in game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 6:00 Eastern.

Kane County 5, Quad Cities 0

W- Jon Duplantier (4-0)
L- Enoli Paredes (0-3)
S- Jake Winston (1)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos are not enjoying their time in Chicago's suburbs... they were blanked for the second consecutive night.

Rodrigo Ayarza went 2-4 and was the only player on either side to finish with a multi-hit game. Ayarza also extended his hitting streak to 8 games. Stephen Wrenn tripled, which was Quad Cities' only extra-base hit of the evening.

Enoli Paredes went 4.1 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 3. Ronel Blanco extracted him from a bases-loaded jam in the 5th and then got victimized by some not-good defense in the 7th; Quad Cities committed 3 errors in the bottom of the 7th which led to 4 runs, all of which were unearned. Blanco went 2.2 innings and allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1. Salvador Montaño threw a 1-2-3 8th.

Ryan Hartman gets the start in game 3. First pitch is at 6:30.

Friday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Jorge Alcala's photo by Bryan Green

Buies Creek Astros pitchers

W 7-1 @ Down East

9 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 3 BB, 8 K

Jorge Alcala: W (1-0, 3-0 season), 6 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), ER, 3 BB, 6 K

Sebastian Kessay: Save (1), 3 IP, 2 K

Always one in every crowd.... @BigJohnson_34 pic.twitter.com/sVUN2pdDIW

— QCBanditPhotog (@QCBanditPhotog) April 27, 2017

Photo by Rich Guill

Spencer Johnson, 1B, Buies Creek

2-4, 3-R HR (1, 4 season)

Ryne Birk, 2B, Buies Creek

1-3, sac fly, 2-R HR (3), 3 RBI

Corpus Christi Hooks pitchers

W 2-1 (10 innings) @ Frisco

Rogelio Armenteros: 5 IP, BB, 5 K

Josh James: W (3-1), 4 IP, 5 H, unearned run, BB, K

Andrew Thome: Save (2, 3 season), IP, K

Antonio Nuñez, IF, Corpus Christi

Go-ahead solo HR (2) in 10th

Derek Fisher, OF, Fresno

2-5, solo HR (10), 3 R

Fresno Grizzlies bullpen

W 10-2 vs. Memphis

4.2 IP, 4 H, BB, 6 K

Kevin Comer: W (1-0), 1.2 IP, 2 K

Reymin Guduan: 2 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K

Aaron West: IP, H, K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, May 10, 2017

The A teams were in the spotlight on Wednesday with Corpus and Fresno getting (much-needed) days off.

Fresno was off

The Grizzlies will start a 4-game series in Oklahoma City at 7:05. David Paulino will make his season debut after starting the year on the DL. He'll face Fabio Castillo.

Corpus Christi was off

Kyle Smith will start the first game of a 4-game set against Midland at 7:05. He'll be opposed by Heath Fillmyer.

Salem 7, Buies Creek 2

W- Matt Kent (2-2)
L- Hector Perez (1-1, 2-2 season)

BC home runs: None.

The Carolina Stros were done in  by a 5-run 2nd inning from the Red Sox.

Hector Perez lasted 1.2 innings and allowed 5 runs (1 earned, 2 inherited runners charged to him), 2 hits, walked 5, and struck out 3. Sebastian Kessay was the first man out of the Buies Creek bullpen and looked to extract Perez from a bases-loaded situation, which he couldn't quite do; two of the runners that he inherited from Perez ended up scoring on a single. Kessay didn't allow any runs of his own in 2.1 innings of work; he allowed one other hit, walked 2, and struck out 3. Elieser Hernandez tagged in to throw 4.1 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits (solo homer), walking 1, and striking out 9. Howie Brey recorded the final two outs of the 9th via strikeout.

Jason Martin doubled to lead off the bottom of the 1st and scored the first run of the evening on a Kyle Tucker groundout. Ryne Birk scored the Astros' other run when Johnny Sewald got picked off and got caught in a rundown. Birk seized the opportunity to scamper home. Martin finished 2-4 and Christian Correa went 3-4 with a double.

The Astros will look to avoid the sweep at 7:00 Eastern. Buies Creek's starter is TBA; whoever he is, he'll take on Roniel Raudes.

Bowling Green 10, Quad Cities 2

W- Brock Burke (4-0)
L- Cionel Perez (1-2)

QC home runs: None.

Cionel Perez's rollercoaster introduction to American pro baseball continues. I honestly would not attempt to read too much into his early struggles. He is essentially a guy in a totally new world.

Cionel only lasted 1.2 innings and allowed 6 runs on 7 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. Salvador Montaño was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen and went 3 innings, allowing 3 unearned runs (2 inherited runners charged to him) on 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 5. Gabriel Valdez pitched the final 3.1 innings and the one run he allowed came on a 3-run homer hit by Rene Pinto in the 5th; two of those runs were charged to Montaño. Valdez allowed 4 other hits, walked 3, and struck out 3.

Stephen Wrenn led off the 2nd with a double and scored Quad Cities' first run on a single from Spencer Johnson, who finished 2-4. Randy César also went 2-4 and scored the Banditos' other run on an error in the 6th that also allowed Chuckie Robinson to reach.

Forrest Whitley will start the first of a 3-game series in Dayton which will get underway at 6:00 Eastern. He'll take on Scott Moss.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Spencer Johnson, 1B, Quad Cities

2-4, RBI

Elieser Hernandez, RHP, Buies Creek

4.1 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), 2 ER, BB, 9 K

Jason Martin, OF, Buies Creek

2-4, 2B, R

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Organization sweep!

Fresno 1, Las Vegas 0

W- Dayan Diaz (1-0)
L- David Roseboom (0-1)

Fresno home runs: None.

There was only one scoring play in this game, and it belonged to the Grizzlies, who snapped their 5-game losing streak in walk-off fashion. Jon Kemmer drew a 2-out walk in the bottom of the 9th, advanced to 3rd on an errant pickoff throw, and scored the only run of the night on a single from Colin Moran.

Brady Rodgers allowed 3 hits and struck out 4 over 4.1 scoreless innings. He left in the 5th with an apparent injury after striking out Travis Taijeron to begin the inning. The bullpen picked him up and completed the shutout. Aaron West allowed 2 hits and walked 1 in 1.2 innings. Kevin Comer was next, and he went 2 innings, allowing 4 hits and walking 1. Dayan Diaz struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th.

Edison Frias will start game 3 of this series. He'll face Wilfredo Boscan at 7:05 Pacific.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks will begin a 4-game series with Frisco tonight at 7:05. Kent Emanuel will take on Yohander Mendez.

Buies Creek 4, Myrtle Beach 3

W- Ralph Garza Jr. (1-0)
L- Oscar De La Cruz (1-2)
S- Ryan Deemes (2)

BC home runs: None.

The Astros managed to take 2 of 3 from the Pelicans by shaking off an early 2-run homer and turning the tables with a 3-run 5th inning.

Christian Correa sparked the big 5th inning with a leadoff double. Eduardo de Oleo drew a walk and the two of them advanced on a sac bunt from Anibal Sierra. Myrtle Beach starter Oscar de la Cruz proceeded to uncork a wild pitch that allowed Correa to score Buies' first run of the evening. Myles Straw, who was batting at the time, compounded de la Cruz's misery by knocking him out of the game with an RBI triple. Osvaldo Duarte greeted the new pitcher, Jeremy Null, with an RBI single to tie the game. In the 6th, Correa managed to beat out an inning-ending double play and scored the go-ahead run on a triple from de Oleo. Dex McCall went 3-4 while Straw finished 2-5.

Justin Ferrell went 4 innings, and the two runs he allowed came on a home run hit by Bryant Flete in the 1st inning. He also allowed 2 singles, walked 5, and struck out 4. Ralph Garza Jr. was the first man out of the Astros bullpen and he allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 3 in 1.2 scoreless innings. He left with a couple of men on in the 6th for Nick Hernandez, who got him out without further incident. Hernandez ended up pitching 2 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Ryan Deemes retired all four Pelicans he faced to get the save, striking out 2.

The next stop on Buies Creek's two-week road trip is Zebulon, North Carolina, where they'll play 4 with the Carolina Mudcats. Franklin Perez will start the first game and he'll face Cody Ponce at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 7, Burlington 2

W- Ryan Hartman (1-0)
L- Sam Pastrone (0-3)
S- Erasmo Pinales (1)

QC home runs: Marcos Almonte (2, 2-run in 6th), Spencer Johnson (2, solo in 8th)

The Banditos swept the Bees in dominating fashion. In the three games, Quad Cities outscored Burlington 34-5 and clubbed 12 home runs.

Ryan Hartman turned in another solid start for Quad Cities. He went 6 innings and the one run he allowed came on a solo homer hit by Jordan Serena to lead off the 5th. Hartman allowed 4 other hits (all singles) and struck out 1. Erasmo Pinales pitched the final 3 innings and he also allowed a solo homer; Brennan Morgan took him deep to open up the 9th inning. Other than that, Pinales also had a rather painless outing; the other hit he allowed was a single, and he walked 1 and struck out 1 to get the save.

Alex De Goti kept the opening frame alive with a walk. He then advanced to 3rd on a Randy César single and scored the first run of the day when Stephen Wrenn ripped a double. César and Wrenn both drew walks to lead off the 4th to bring up Spencer Johnson, who ripped a 2-run double. Johnson did not have to wait long to come home because one batter later, Chuckie Robinson laced an RBI single. Johnson walked to lead off the 6th and advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch. Robinson went down on strikes, but Marcos Almonte came through, clubbing his second home run in as many days. Johnson capped off a nice day by smacking a homer to lead off the 8th. He finished 2-3 and scored 3 runs. César and Robinson also had two-hit days.

Quad Cities will now begin a 4-game series with the Clinton LumberKings. Carson LaRue will get the start in game 1 and he'll go up against Tim Viehoff. First pitch is at 6:35.

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

.@BigJohnson_34 pic.twitter.com/qmAj0mtlYQ

— QCBanditPhotog (@QCBanditPhotog) April 8, 2017

Photo by Rich Guill
 Spencer Johnson, 1B, Quad Cities
2-3, 2B, solo HR (2), 3 RBI, 3 R

Ryan Hartman, LHP, Quad Cities

W (1-0), 6 IP, 5 H (solo HR allowed), ER, K

Buies Creek bullpen: W 4-3 @ Myrtle Beach

5 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 8 K

Ralph Garza Jr.: W (1-0), 1.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K

Nick Hernandez: 2 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 3 K

Ryan Deemes: Save (1), 1.1 IP, 2 K

Fresno Grizzlies pitchers: W 1-0 vs. Las Vegas

9 IP, 9 H, BB, 7 K

Brady Rodgers: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 4 K

Aaron West: 1.2 IP, 2 H, K

Kevin Comer: 2 IP, 4 H, BB

Dayan Diaz: W (1-0), IP, 2 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, April 9, 2017

Organization sweep!

Fresno 5, Reno 3

W- Ashur Tolliver (1-0)
L- Keyvius Sampson (0-1)

S- Tyson Perez (1)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Grizzlies stormed out of the gate with a 4-0 lead after the 1st inning, which turned out to be just enough for them to take their first series of the year.

Edison Frias went 4.1 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Ashur Tolliver was the first man out of the Fresno bullpen, and in 1.2 innings, he walked 3 and struck out 1. Aaron West allowed a run on 3 hits and struck out 3 in 2 innings of work, and Tyson Perez threw a 1-2-3 9th to get the save.

The first 6 hitters for the Grizzlies all reached base safely. Tony Kemp walked to lead off the inning and advanced to 3rd on a D.J. Fisher double. Teoscar Hernandez walked to load the bases for A.J. Reed, who ripped a 2-run double to open the scoring. Colin Moran and Preston Tucker followed with RBI singles. Reed hit another double to lead off the 3rd inning and scored on a Reid Brignac single. Reed finished 2-3; both of his hits were doubles and he came around to score twice.

In the series finale, Francis Martes will make his AAA debut. He'll face Frank Duncan at 6:35 Pacific.

Corpus Christi 7, Northwest Arkansas 3

W- Eric Peterson (1-0)
L- Pedro Fernandez (0-1)

CC home runs: Alejandro Garcia (1, 2-run in 4th)

The Naturals tied the game at 2 thanks to runs in the 5th and the 6th, but the Hooks erupted for 5 runs in the 8th to re-establish control.

Alejandro Garcia opened the scoring with his 2-run homer in the 4th inning. This would be their only scoring play until that big 8th inning. 

Garrett Stubbs ripped a double to lead off the inning and Jamie Ritchie replaced him on the basepaths. J.D. Davis followed by smacking an RBI double to put Corpus back in front. Although Jon Singleton was the first casualty of the inning following a strikeout, a Garcia single and a Drew Ferguson walk loaded the bases for Jack Mayfield, who promptly cleared them with a triple. He came home with Corpus Christi's final run on a single from Bryan Muñiz. 

Davis (2B, R), Singleton (2B, R), Garcia (2-R HR, 2 R), Mayfield (2B, 3B, 3 RBI), and Tony Nuñez all finished with two hits on the day.

Rogelio Armenteros had a strong showing on the mound as he allowed 2 runs (1 earned, 1 inherited runner charged to him), a single, walked 2, and struck out 10 batters in 5.2 innings. It's the first time that he's recorded double-digit strikeouts in his career. Eric Peterson and Michael Freeman pitched 1.2 innings apiece to close it out. Peterson allowed the runner he inherited from Armenteros to score, along with a run of his own, on 4 hits and struck out 4. Freeman's 1.2 innings were a little less tense as he allowed just one hit and fanned one. 

Brock Dykxhoorn will start game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Buies Creek 2, Winston-Salem 0

W- Franklin Perez (1-0)
L- Max Beatty (0-1)
S- Ralph Garza Jr. (1)

BC home runs: Ryne Birk (1, solo in 2nd)

The Carolina Stros swept their first-ever series as Franklin Perez and Ralph Garza Jr. joined forces to throw a 3-hit shutout.

Perez allowed just one hit, walked 3, and struck out 5 over 5.1 innings, and Garza allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 over the final 3.2 innings to secure the win.

Ryne Birk led off the 2nd with a solo homer to put the Astros on the board. Dex McCall ripped a 1-out double in the 4th. Two wild pitches later, he came home with the other run. Kyle Tucker finished 2-3. Tucker, McCall, and Birk accounted for all of Buies' offensive production on Sunday afternoon.

The season-opening homestand concludes with 3 games against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Framber Valdez will start the opener, and he'll take on Casey Bloomquist at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 18, Wisconsin 11

W- Edgardo Sandoval (1-0)
L- Braden Webb (0-1)

QC home runs: Daz Cameron 2 (2; grand slam in 4th, solo in 9th), Spencer Johnson (1, grand slam in 1st), Stephen Wrenn (1, 2-run in 8th)

Both teams combined for 29 runs, 31 hits (7 home runs), and 8 errors. The Banditos' blasts were more impactful, as Daz Cameron and Spencer Johnson launched grand slams. Everyone in the Quad Cities lineup had a hit and scored a run.

The offensive show of force really helped pick up a Quad Cities pitching staff that didn't have its best afternoon. Tyler Britton went 4 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 2. Abdiel Saldaña was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen, and in 2 innings, he allowed 6 runs on 5 hits (2 solo homers), walked 1, and struck out 1. Edgardo Sandoval pitched the final 3 innings, and the one run he allowed came on a solo homer hit by Tucker Neuhaus in the 8th. Sandoval allowed one other hit, walked 1, and struck out 4.

2016 1st-rounder Forrest Whitley makes his 2017 debut as the River Bandits begin a 3-game series in Peoria. He'll face Steven Farinaro at 6:30.

Sunday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Franklin Perez and Ralph Garza Jr,, RHPs, Buies Creek

Perez: W (1-0), 5.1 IP, H, 3 BB, 5 K

Garza: Save (1), 3.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K

Daz Cameron's photo taken by Bryan Green

Daz Cameron, OF, Spencer Johnson, 1B/DH/OF, and Stephen Wrenn, OF, Quad Cities

Cameron: 3-6, 2 HR (2, including a grand slam), 5 RBI

Johnson: 2-5, grand slam (1)

Wrenn: 2-3, 3B, 2-R HR (1), 3 R

Rogelio Armenteros, RHP, Corpus Christi

5.2 IP, H, 2 R (1 unearned), 2 BB, 10 K

Alejandro Garcia's photo from MiLB.com

Jack Mayfield, IF, and Alejandro Garcia, OF, Corpus Christi

Mayfield: 2-4, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, R

Garcia: 2-5, 2-R HR (1), 2 R

A.J. Reed, 1B, Fresno

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

Meet the 2017 Quad Cities River Bandits

2017 marks the fifth season of the Quad Cities River Bandits' second stint as a minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros.

Photo from Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page

The Quad Cities River Bandits play at Modern Woodmen Park, located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa. Davenport is the largest of the four cities that make up the Quad Cities region, which spans Iowa and Illinois. The other three cities that make up the Quad Cities are Bettendorf (Iowa), Moline, and Rock Island (both in Illinois).

One of the iconic features of Modern Woodmen Park is its Ferris wheel. The ballpark also provides a stunning view of the Centennial Bridge, which connects Rock Island and Davenport.

The Banditos play in the Midwest League's Western division, which they share with Beloit (A's), Burlington (Angels), Cedar Rapids (Twins), Clinton (Mariners), Kane County (D-Backs), Peoria (Cardinals), and Wisconsin (Brewers).

Russ Steinhorn will be at the helm of the River Bandits. He's back in America after his journey overseas to serve as the manager of the Astros' DSL Blue team in 2016. Ben Rosenthal will serve as the hitting coach, and Drew French is the pitching coach.

2016 first-rounder Forrest Whitley will headline an intriguing pitching staff that also features fireballer Jorge Alcala and a rising arm in Hector Perez.

Derick Velazquez, a seventh-round pick in 2014, has resurfaced after missing two years due to multiple arm surgeries. Tyler Britton and Ryan Hartman are two 2016 draftees who had solid professional debuts and are looking to build on that momentum.

Daz Cameron will return for a second shot at the Midwest League. He'll be joined in the outfield by 2016 second-round pick Ronnie Dawson and Stephen Wrenn, who took the New York-Penn League by storm before cooling off a little after getting promoted to Quad Cities. There will be some power in this lineup; Taylor Jones swatted eight home runs with Tri-City, and Spencer Johnson clubbed ten across three levels after leading Division I with 24 home runs at Missouri State. Wrenn and Dawson are power threats themselves. Anibal Sierra makes his way stateside after spending his debut season in the Dominican Summer League.

Quad Cities opens at home against Wisconsin on Thursday at 6:35.

A FEW RIVER BANDITS-RELATED TWITTER ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW

Team - @QCRiverBandits
Russ Steinhorn, manager - @Russ_Steinhorn
Craig Wieczorkiewicz, Midwest League Traveler - @MWLTraveler
Rich Guill, team photographer - @QCBanditPhotog
Steve Batterson, sportswriter for the Quad-City Times - @sbatt79
Jake Levy, play-by-play announcer - @JakeLevyVoice

So... without further ado, here are your 2017 Quad Cities River Bandits!

Italics - player bats/throws left-handed
Asterisk - player is a switch hitter

Oldest player on roster: Spencer Johnson (born November 1, 1993)
Youngest player on roster: Forrest Whitley (born September 15, 1997)

The youngest guy on the roster is also the largest guy on the roster. Whitley is 6'7", 240, which just beats out Taylor Jones, who is also 6'7", but weighs 225.

Randy César, who was signed in 2011, is the longest-tenured player on the team.

STAFF

Manager: Russ Steinhorn
Hitting Coach: Ben Rosenthal
Pitching Coach: Drew French
Development Coach: Jason Bell
Athletic Trainer: Elliot Diehl
Strength & Conditioning: Hazael Wessin

PITCHERS

Forrest Whitley - August 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Brett Adcock - 4th round, 2016 draft (Michigan); played at Tri-City in 2016
Jorge Alcala - International free agent, 2014 (Dominican Republic); GCL/Greeneville/Tri-City
Tyler Britton - 21st round, 2016 draft (High Point); Greeneville/Tri-City/Quad Cities
Ryan Hartman - 9th round, 2016 draft (Tennessee Wesleyan); Tri-City
Dustin Hunt - 10th round, 2016 draft (Northeastern); Tri-City
Carson LaRue - 14th round, 2016 draft (Cowley Community College); GCL/Greeneville
Hector Perez - International free agent, 2014 (Dominican Republic); Tri-City/Quad Cities
Erasmo Pinales - International free agent, 2012 (Dominican Republic); Tri-City
Abdiel Saldaña - International free agent, 2013 (Panama); Greeneville/Tri-City/Quad Cities
Edgardo Sandoval - International free agent, 2014 (Panama); Tri-City, with cameos in Lancaster and Corpus Christi
Carlos Sierra - International free agent, 2016 (left Cuba legally, pitched in Spain after leaving); Tri-City/Quad Cities
Derick Velazquez - 7th round, 2014 draft (Fresno State); last played in 2014 with Tri-City
Forrest Whitley - 1st round, 2016 draft (Alamo Heights HS, San Antonio); GCL/Greeneville

CATCHERS

Chuckie Robinson - July 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Ray Henderson-Lozano - 22nd round, 2016 draft (Grayson College); Greeneville
Jake Rogers - 3rd round, 2016 draft (Tulane); Tri-City/Quad Cities
Chuckie Robinson - 21st round, 2016 draft (Southern Miss); Tri-City

INFIELDERS

Alex De Goti and Ronnie Dawson - July 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Rodrigo Ayarza - Minor league free agent, 2014; Tri-City with a cameo in Corpus Christi
Randy César - International free agent, 2011; Tri-City/Quad Cities
Alex De Goti - 15th round, 2016 draft (Barry); Tri-City
Taylor Jones - 19th round, 2016 draft (Gonzaga); Tri-City
Spencer Johnson - 16th round, 2016 draft (Missouri State); Greeneville/Tri-City/Quad Cities
Anibal Sierra - International free agent, 2016 (defected from Cuba); DSL Blue

Why is Jonathan Arauz not here? Well....

Astros minor league shortstop Jonathan Arauz has been suspended 50 games after testing positive for Methamphetamine.

— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) April 4, 2017

OUTFIELDERS

Carmen Benedetti - 12th round, 2016 draft (Michigan); Tri-City
Daz Cameron - Competitive balance round A, 2015 draft (Eagle's Landing Christian Academy, McDonough, Georgia); Quad Cities/Tri-City
Ronnie Dawson - 2nd round, 2016 draft (Ohio State); Tri-City
Stephen Wrenn - 6th round, 2016 draft (Georgia); Tri-City/Quad Cities

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, August 9, 2016

El Paso 5, Fresno 1

W- Jason Jester (1-2)
L- Keegan Yuhl (0-1, 8-4 season)
S- Rafael De Paula (1)

Fresno home runs: D.J. Fisher (1, 17 season; solo in 6th)

The Grizzlies' bats were silenced on Tuesday. 

D.J. Fisher whacked a solo home run in the 6th that constituted Fresno's only scoring play; it was also their only extra-base hit of the game.

Keegan Yuhl went 6 innings and allowed 4 tuns on 7 hits (2-run homer) and struck out 9. Aaron West allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 1 over the final 2 innings.

Brady Rodgers will start the series finale. He'll face Carlos Pimentel at 7:05 Mountain.

Northwest Arkansas 4, Corpus Christi 1

W- Yender Caramo (3-6)
L- Evan Grills (4-5, 7-6 season)
S- Mark Peterson (8)

Both teams had 8 hits in this game, but the Naturals won in the column that matters most.

Nick Tanielu finished 2-4 and scored on a double play in the 7th inning. This was the only run that Corpus could get out of a bases-loaded, no out situation in the inning. J.D. Davis also went 2-4 at the plate. Yulieski Gurriel went 0-3 in his first game with the Hooks.

Evan Grills allowed 4 runs on 5 hits (3-run homer), walked 2, and struck out 5 over 6 innings. Kyle Smith tagged in to throw 3 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 3.

In game 2 of this series, Kent Emanuel will face Ashton Goudeau. First pitch is at 7:05.

Lancaster 8, Inland Empire 1

W- Josh James (9-3)
L- Jeremy Rhoades (4-11)

Lancaster home runs: None.

The JetHawks seized control of this game with a 5-run 3rd inning. 

Josh James shook off a 1st-inning run and ended up throwing 6 solid innings. He allowed 7 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. Elieser Hernandez threw a 1-2-3 7th, striking out 1, and Ralph Garza Jr. walked 2 and struck out 2 over the final 2 innings.

All 5 of Lancaster's runs in the 3rd inning came with two outs; they strung together 6 hits in a row. Keach Ballard and Bobby Boyd kept the inning alive with singles, and then Osvaldo Duarte followed with an RBI double to put them on the board. One batter later, Drew Ferguson smacked a 2-run double. Bryan Muñiz added an RBI single, and Jason Martin capped off the scoring in the inning with an RBI triple. Martin added an RBI single to his ledger in the 5th, and Jamie Ritchie drove in the final two runs of the evening with a double later in the inning.

Duarte (2B, RBI, 2 R), Ferguson (2 2B, 2 RBI, R), Muñiz (RBI, 2 R), Martin (3B, 2 RBI, R), and Ballard all finished with 2 hits in the game. 

Rogelio Armenteros will start game 2 of this series. He'll face Garrett Nuss at 7:05 Pacific.

Quad Cities 6, Burlington 2

W- Agapito Barrios (1-0, 1-2 season)
L- Jaime Barria (8-6)

QC home runs: Stephen Wrenn (1, 10 season; solo in 1st), Randy César (3, 4 season; solo in 5th)

A big 2nd inning gave the Banditos the momentum in this game.

Agapito Barrios turned in 6.2 fine innings; the one run he allowed came on a solo homer hit by Matt Thaiss in the 1st inning. Barrios allowed 3 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Chris Murphy allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 over the final 2.1 innings.

Both teams hit solo home runs in the 1st; Stephen Wrenn responded to Thaiss' solo homer by launching one of his own. Kristian Trompiz led off the 2nd with a double and advanced to 3rd on a Hector Roa single. After Anthony Hermelyn drew a walk to load the bases, Arturo Michelena followed with a 2-run double. Myles Straw added an RBI single, and Wrenn added an RBI groundout to his ledger. Randy César smacked a solo homer in the 5th for the final Quad Cities run. Trompiz and Straw both finished 2-4.

Quad Cities has today off; they'll begin a 4-game series in Peoria tomorrow.

Lowell 8, Tri-City 6

W- Dioscar Romero (4-2)
L- Abdiel Saldaña (0-1, 1-1 season)

TC home runs: Spencer Johnson (6, 8 season; 2-run in 2nd)

The Spinners scored 3 in the 8th inning to take the lead, and the first game of this massive series.

Spencer Johnson hit a 2-run home run for the third consecutive game; this one put Tri-City on the board in the 2nd inning. He and Ronnie Dawson hit RBI singles in the 4th inning. Marcos Almonte ripped an RBI double in the 7th and scored on a single from Tyler Wolfe. Johnson finished 3-4 on the evening, and Taylor Jones went 2-3 with a double and 2 runs scored.

Sebastian Kessay and Abdiel Saldaña both went 3.2 innings. Kessay allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits, walked 5, and struck out 5, while Saldaña allowed 2 runs (both inherited runners charged to him) on 3 hits and fanned 2. Nick Hernandez got the final two outs of the 8th, but not before allowing 3 runs in the inning. He allowed both of Saldaña's runners to score and one of his own on 2 hits and struck out 1.

In game 2, Edgardo Sandoval will face Kevin Steen. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

Pulaski 2, Greeneville 1 in 13 innings

W- Phillip Diehl (2-0)
L- Reggie Johnson (2-2)

Greeneville home runs: None.

All of the scoring was done in one inning. Unfortunately for the Appy Astros, Pulaski managed to score one more run than they could.

After 24 zeroes were posted on the scoreboard, Luis Payano broke the tie by scoring on an error in the top of the 13th. Ray Henderson, who was credited with an RBI on the play, finished 2-7 with a double. Greeneville could not convert on a bases-loaded, one out situation in the 13th. Troy Sieber, Carlos Machado, and Reiny Beltre had 2 hits apiece.

Cristian Javier allowed 2 hits, walked 4, and struck out 8 over 5 shutout innings. Ben Smith and Devon Carr followed with 3 scoreless innings apiece out of the bullpen; Smith allowed a hit, walked 3, and struck out 5, while Carr allowed 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. Reggie Johnson threw a 1-2-3 12th inning, but the Yankees got to him in the 13th for the winning run. Johnson allowed Pulaski's two runs on 4 hits in 1.2 innings.

Jorge Guzman will be on the mound as the Appy Astros get set to start a 3-game series with Johnson City. He'll take on David Oca at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Nationals 5, GCL Astros 3 in 10 innings

W- Nick Conner (1-0)
L- Dariel Aquino (1-2)

GCL home runs: None.

The Kissimmee Stros fought back to tie the game and force extras..... only to see the Nationals re-take the lead in the first extra frame. 

In the 7th, Joan Mauricio laid down a sacrifice bunt, and on the errant throw, Jose Benjamin scored. Later in the 7th, Wilson Amador added a sac fly. Benjamin finished 2-3 and hit an RBI single in the 8th. 

David Paulino went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. Bryan Abreu tagged in for 4 innings and allowed a run on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5. Dariel Aquino pitched the 10th and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and walked 1.

DSL Astros Blue 11, DSL Marlins 6

W- Johsson Arias (3-0)
L- Edison Suriel (1-6)
S- Yonatan Quintin (1)

Blue home runs: Norberto Castellanos (1, 2-run in 6th)

The Blue team scored 11 runs despite only getting 5 hits in this game. 

Nicolás Miranda opened the scoring with an RBI groundout in the 1st inning. Alvaro Alvarez drew a walk in the 5th and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Enmanuel Valdez ripped a 2-run triple and then scored on a wild pitch. Nestor Tejada, who was at the plate at the time, followed with an RBI triple. Norberto Castellanos whacked a 2-run homer in the 6th, Alvarez and Ronny Rafael drew bases-loaded walks in the 7th, and Alfredo Angarita scored the final run of the day on a wild pitch.

Jheyson Caraballo allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 3 in 4 innings. Johsson Arias went 2.2 innings and allowed 6 runs on 5 hits, walked 4, and fanned 1. Yonatan Quintin walked 1 and struck out 2 in 2.1 innings.

DSL Astros Orange 2, DSL Phillies2 1

W- Yohan Ramirez (1-0)
L- Victor Sobil (0-1)
S- Cristofer Melendez (2)

Orange home runs: None.

The Phillies scored a run in the 9th, but the Orange team was able to hold them off.

Jose Abel Hernandez broke a scoreless tie in the 6th with a sac fly, and Renaigel Martis ripped an RBI triple in the 8th. 

Yohan Ramirez allowed 3 hits and struck out 1 over 5 shutout innings, and Cristofer Melendez allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5 over the final 4 innings.

Tuesday's Stars

Yohan Ramirez, RHP, DSL Astros Orange: W (1-0), 5 IP, 3 H, K

Enmanuel Valdez, IF, DSL Astros Blue: 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Spencer Johnson, OF/1B, Tri-City

3-4, 2-R HR (6, 8 season), 3 RBI

Agapito Barrios, RHP, Quad Cities

W (1-0, 1-2 season), 6.2 IP, 4 H (solo HR), ER, BB, 3 K 

Drew Ferguson, OF, Lancaster

2-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R

Josh James, RHP, Lancaster

6 IP, 7 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Kyle Smith, RHP, Corpus Christi

3 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Cristian Javier, RHP, Greeneville

5 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 8 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, August 8, 2016

El Paso 5, Fresno 2

W- Frank Garces (5-6)
L- Brad Peacock (5-6)
S- Kevin Quackenbush (2)

Fresno home runs: None.

The Grizzlies got on the scoreboard first, but the Chihuahuas quickly took control.

Both of Fresno's runs came in the 2nd inning as Jon Singleton scored on an error, and Nolan Fontana hit a sac fly that scored D.J. Fisher. Max Stassi finished 2-3.

Brad Peacock went 7 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits (solo and 2-run homers), walked 1, and struck out 5. Reymin Guduan allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 2 in the 8th inning.

Keegan Yuhl will make his AAA debut in game 3 of this series. He'll face former Astros farmhand Michael Dimock at 7:05 Mountain.

Corpus Christi was off

The Hooks will begin a 3-game series with Northwest Arkansas at 7:05. Evan Grills will face Yender Caramo. Yulieski Gurriel will also make his Hooks debut tonight.

Lancaster was off

The JetHawks are starting a 3-game series in Inland Empire tonight at 7:05 Pacific.

Burlington 8, Quad Cities 4 in 15 innings

W- Jared Walsh (1-1)
L- Adam Whitt (3-5)

QC home runs: Kristian Trompiz (3, solo in 2nd)

The Banditos unraveled late.

After Stephen Wrenn smacked a one-out triple in the 1st, Kyle Tucker brought him home with an RBI single. Kristian Trompiz whacked a home run to lead off the 2nd inning. In the 5th, Bobby Wernes and Myles Straw to lead off the 5th. Wernes was erased at 3rd on a force out, but Wrenn took his place on the bases. Straw and Wrenn successfully executed a double steal, and then a balk allowed Straw to score. Dex McCall, who was at the plate at the time, followed with an RBI single.

Everyone in the Quad Cities lineup had a hit; Straw led the way by finishing 4-7. Jake Rogers and Hector Roa had 2 hits apiece.

Yoanys Quiala went 5.2 innings and allowed 3 runs on 8 hits (solo homer), walked 1, and struck out 8. Zac Person was the first man out of the Quad Cities bullpen, and in 1.1 innings, he allowed a run on 2 hits and fanned 3. David Schmidt and Juan Carlos Santos were next, and they threw 3 scoreless innings apiece; Schmidt allowed 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1, and Santos walked 3 and struck out 4. Adam Whitt pitched 2 innings and allowed 4 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1.

In the series finale, Agapito Barrios will get the start. He'll take on his fellow Panamanian, Jaime Barria, at 7:00.

Brooklyn 14, Tri-City 3

W- Gabriel Llanes (3-5)
L- Austin Nicely (6-2)

TC home runs: Spencer Johnson (5, 7 season; 2-run in 2nd)

After shellacking the Cyclones on Sunday, the ValleyCats were reminded of that old adage: "Turnabout is fair play."

Ronnie Dawson and Spencer Johnson both finished 2-4 and were responsible for all 3 Tri-City runs. Johnson whacked a 2-run home run in the 2nd, and Dawson added an RBI single in the 6th. Everyone in the starting 9+1 recorded a hit; Marcos Almonte, who entered as a defensive replacement in the 6th, drew a walk in his only plate appearance.

Austin Nicely and Howie Brey both pitched 2 innings; Nicely allowed 7 runs (1 inherited runner charged to him) on 7 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 2. Brey allowed 4 unearned runs on 4 hits and walked 2. Carlos Sierra went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Angelo Serrano allowed a hit and struck out 2 in a scoreless 9th.

The ValleyCats will start a pivotal series in Lowell tonight; the Spinners lead them by 1 game in the New York-Penn League's Stedler Division. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

Greeneville 3, Pulaski 0

W- Jorge Alcala (1-0, 2-1 season)
L- Juan Jimenez (2-3)
S- Ricardo Castro (1)

Greeneville home runs: None.

Jorge Alcala and Ricardo Castro joined forces to throw a 4-hit shutout for the Appy Astros. Alcala allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3, and Castro allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4.

Reiny Beltre opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. He scored in the 5th when Stijn van der Meer reached on an error; van der Meer was credited with an RBI on the play. Abraham Toro drove in the final run of the evening with an RBI single in the 7th. Beltre and Vicente Sanchez both went 2-4 from the bottom of the order.

Cristian Javier will start the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

DSL Marlins 5, DSL Astros Blue 4 in 13 innings

W- Willi Garcia (1-3)
L- Juan Cuevas (6-5)

Blue home runs: Anibal Sierra (1, 2-run in 5th)

The Blue team scored a run in the top of the 12th to take the lead, but the Marlins managed to tie it in the bottom of the inning, and they walked off with the win.

Anibal Sierra put the Blue team on the board with a 2-run homer in the 5th inning. César Cortez ripped a two-out triple in the 6th and came home on a single from Brandon Benavente. Carlos Canelon added an RBI single in the 12th inning. Benavente went 3-3.

Juan Corniel went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits, walked 2, and struck out 5. Willy Collado was the first man out and threw a 1-2-3 5th. Javier Navas followed with 4 scoreless, allowing 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 4. Robert Corniel allowed a hit and walked 2 in 2 innings, and Juan Cuevas went 1.1 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits (game-tying solo homer in 12th), walking 1, and striking out 1.

DSL Phillies2 6, DSL Astros Orange 4

W- Alessandro Ciarla (1-0)
L- Asael Uribe (3-3)
S- Luis Ramirez (10)

Orange home runs: None.

The Phillies scored 2 in the 7th to take the lead and added an insurance run in the 8th.

Luis Coronel scored the Orange team's first run on a wild pitch in the 3rd. Yordan Alvarez also scored on an error, and Anthony Rodriguez hit a sac fly that turned into an inning-ending double play. Ramiro Rodriguez scored on an error in the 6th.

Maikel Sepulveda went 4.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 5. Freylin Garcia walked 1 and fanned 1 in 1.2 innings. Asael Uribe went 2 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and struck out 3. Gabriel Pirela allowed a hit in a scoreless 9th.

Monday's Stars

Javier Navas, LHP, DSL Astros Blue: 4 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 K

Myles Straw, OF, Quad Cities

4-7, R

Spencer Johnson, OF, Tri-City

2-4, 2-R HR (5, 7 season)

Photo from MiLB.com

David Schmidt, RHP, Quad Cities

3 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, K

Juan Carlos Santos, RHP, Quad Cities

3 IP, 3 BB, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Jorge Alcala, RHP, Greeneville

W (1-0, 2-1 season), 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K

Photo from MiLB.com

Ricardo Castro, RHP, Greeneville

Save (1), 4 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K

Photo by Bryan Green

Reiny Beltre, 3B, Greeneville

2-3, 2B, RBI, R