Astros Minor League Playoff Recaps

Results for Wednesday, September 5, 2019

It's playoff time in Minor League Baseball!

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

Round Rock leads 1-0.

W- Brendan McCurry
L- Dillon Maples

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

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

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

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

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

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

Down East leads series 1-0.

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

Fayetteville home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

Series tied 1-1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quad Cities leads 1-0.

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

QC home runs: None.

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

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

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

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

Wednesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

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

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

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

Kent Emanuel, LHP, Round Rock

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

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

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

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

Luis de Paula: 1.1 IP, 2 K

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

Wilyer Abreu, OF, Quad Cities

2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI

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

7 IP, 4 H, BB, 6 K

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

Humberto Castellanos: Save, 1.2 IP, 3 K

Jeremy Peña, SS, Fayetteville

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

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, August 11, 2019

Fayetteville sweep!

Albuquerque 6, Round Rock 5

W- Yency Almonte (2-3)
L- Brendan McCurry (3-3)

RR home runs: Jamie Ritchie (5, solo in 7th), Drew Ferguson (10, 2-run in 7th)

Hard to believe that the E-Train had a no-hitter through seven innings. The Isotopes scored five in the 8th to tie and walked off with the win in the 9th.

Rogelio Armenteros walked four and struck out four over 6.1 shutout and no-hit innings. Cy Sneed got an inning-ending double play after coming on for Armenteros in the 7th. Brad Peacock and Brendan McCurry had rough nights at the office.

Garrett Stubbs ripped an RBI double in the 5th and he came around to score on an error following a Jamie Ritchie single. Ritchie smacked a solo homer in the 7th and Drew Ferguson launched a two-run homer later in the inning. Everyone in the Round Rock lineup recorded a hit; Ritchie finished with two.

Framber Valdez goes up against Jeff Hoffman in game three. First pitch is at 6:35 Mountain.

Corpus Christi 8, Midland 2

W- Cristian Javier (7-3)
L- James Naile (6-7)
S- Bryan Abreu (2)

CC home runs: Jacob Meyers (9, 2-run in 5th), Jake Adams (16, solo in 7th), Colton Shaver (18, 3-run in 8th)

The Hooks bashed three home runs on Sunday as they avoided the sweep in West Texas.

Cristian Javier, well... he continued to do what he's done all season, namely, not give up hits. He allowed one hit, walked three, and struck out eight over five shutout innings. Bryan Abreu pitched the last four innings and he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, walked four, and struck out six. Abreu crossed the century mark in strikeouts in this outing; he's the 11th pitcher in the system to reach 100 strikeouts this season.

Osvaldo Duarte opened the scoring when he ripped an RBI double in the 5th. Aníbal Sierra added a sac fly and then Jacob Meyers launched a two-run homer. Jake Adams led off the 7th with a homer and Colton Shaver put the finishing touches on this game by whacking a three-run homer in the 8th. Everyone in the Corpus lineup recorded a hit; Adams went 2-4 and scored twice. He scored the other run on Sierra's sac fly in the 5th.

The Hooks will begin a four-game series with Frisco at 6:15.

Fayetteville 4, Winston-Salem 2

W- Jojanse Torres (9-0)
L- Taylor Varnell (0-1)
S- Humberto Castellanos (5)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

The Woodpeckers earned the sweep thanks to a three-run 5th that gave them the lead.

Chandler Taylor opened the scoring with a sac fly in the 3rd inning. Scott Schreiber provided the decisive hit in the 5th, a two-run triple that turned into a Little League home run. Corey Julks finished 3-4 with a couple of doubles and scored on Schreiber's triple. David Hensley went 2-4.

Jojanse Torres went five innings and allowed two runs on five hits, walked three, and struck out three. César Rosado was the first man out of the Fayetteville bullpen and he went 2.2 innings, allowing a hit, walking one, and striking out four. Humberto Castellanos got the four-out save, striking out one.

Fayetteville has Monday off. They'll start a three-game set with Down East on Tuesday.

Quad Cities 3, Wisconsin 2

W- José Bravo (6-5)
L- Tyler Gillies (3-2)

QC home runs: Oscar Campos (2, solo in 6th)

The Banditos edged out the Timber Rattlers behind a fine relief performance from José Bravo.

Alex McKenna opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 5th. After Wisconsin took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the 5th, Oscar Campos tied the game with a solo blast in the 6th. Orlando Marquez put Quad Cities back in front with a sac fly in the 8th. McKenna finished 2-5 on the afternoon.

Brett Daniels went 4.2 innings and he allowed two runs on five hits, walked two, and struck out three. Bravo stranded the two runners he inherited from Daniels to end the 5th and he went on to throw 4.1 scoreless, allowing a hit and striking out three.

Guadalupe Chavez will get the start in the series finale as the Banditos look for the sweep. He'll go against Adam Hill at 12:05.

Tri-City 5, Connecticut 1

W- Valente Bellozo (6-0)
L- Cristhian Tortosa (1-3)

TC home runs: Luis Santana (1, solo in 9th)

The ValleyCats stunned the Tigers as they scored four in the 8th and tacked on one more in the 9th for good measure.

Juan Pablo Lopez allowed a run on four hits, walked one, and struck out two in five innings. Valente Bellozo shut it down in the last four innings as he allowed just one hit and struck out eight.

A.J. Lee got plunked and Nate Perry walked to lead off the 8th. Jordan Brewer came in to pinch-run for Perry; he and Lee both advanced on C.J. Stubbs' flyout and then Korey Lee got a free pass to first to load the bases for Joe Perez, who promptly sent everyone home with a triple. Perez trotted home on a single from Luis Guerrero. Luis Santana capped off the evening when he launched a homer to lead off the 9th. Santana finished 3-4 in this one.

The ValleyCats and Tigers will continue this series at 7:05 Eastern.

GCL Cardinals 2, GCL Astros 1

W- Nathanael Heredia (5-1)
L- Misael Tamarez (3-4)
S- Luis Tena (1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Palm Beach 'Stros had ten hits but they only had one run to show for it.

Jayson Schroeder allowed an unearned run on a sac fly, walked two, and struck out two in two innings. Misael Tamarez was the first man out of the bullpen and he allowed an unearned run on three hits, walked one, and struck out three in three innings. Alfredi Jimenez struck out four over two perfect innings and Alex Palmer walked one and struck out one in a scoreless 8th.

Gerry Castillo finished 3-4 and he scored the GCLstros' only run of the day on a double from Rolando Espinosa in the 5th inning.

Sunday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Alfredi Jimenez, RHP, GCL Astros: 2 IP, 4 K; perfect outing

Cristian Javier, RHP, Corpus Christi

W (7-3), 5 IP, H, 3 BB, 8 K

Jake Adams, 1B, and Colton Shaver, 3B/C, Corpus Christi

Adams: 2-4, solo HR (16), 2 R

Shaver: 1-3, 3-R HR (18)

Tri-City ValleyCats pitchers: W 5-1 @ Connecticut

9 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 10 K

Juan Pablo Lopez: 5 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 2 K

Valente Bellozo: W (6-0), 4 IP, H, 8 K

Luis Santana, IF, and Joe Perez, 3B, Tri-City

Santana: 3-4, solo HR (1)

Perez: 1-3, go-ahead 3-run triple in 8th

Fayetteville Woodpeckers bullpen

4 IP, H, BB, 5 K

César Rosado: 2.2 IP, H, BB, 4 K

Humberto Castellanos: Save (5), 1.1 IP, K

Corey Julks, OF, Fayetteville

3-4, 2 2B, R

José Bravo, RHP, Quad Cities

W (6-5), 4.1 IP, H, 3 K

Jamie Ritchie, C, Round Rock

2-4, solo HR (5)

Rogelio Armenteros, RHP, Round Rock

6.1 IP, 4 BB, 4 K

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Sunday, July 14, 2019

Round Rock 10, Iowa 8 (10 innings)

W- Reymin Guduan (3-1)
L- James Norwood (3-1)

RR home runs: Derek Fisher (10, 3-run in 1st), Jack Mayfield (14, solo in 5th), Josh Rojas (15, walk-off 3-run in 10th)

The Cubs thought that they were going to steal one from the Express (doing business as the Chupacabras) when they scored three in the 9th to tie and one in the 10th to take the lead. Yeah, they thought.

Brandon Bielak pitched six innings and allowed four runs on seven hits (solo and three-run homers), walked five, and struck out two. Brendan McCurry was the first man out of the Round Rock bullpen and he allowed three hits and struck out one over two scoreless. Felipe Paulino couldn't get the last out of the game. He got two outs in the 9th and allowed three runs (one inherited runner charged to him) on three hits, walked one, and struck out one. Reymin Guduan allowed an unearned run on a sac fly, a double, and struck out two in 1.1 innings.

Derek Fisher launched a three-run home run in the 1st to kick things off. Jack Mayfield smacked a solo homer in the 5th. Alex De Goti hit a two-run single in the 7th and Mayfield added a sac fly to his ledger in the 8th. Drew Ferguson started the 10th in scoring position. Jamie Ritchie led off the 10th with a single and one batter later, Josh Rojas won the game by clubbing a three-run home run.

Rojas and Mayfield had three hits apiece while Fisher and Ritchie both finished with two on the night.

José Urquidy will start the opener of a four-game series with Memphis on Monday. He'll go against Genesis Cabrera at 7:05.

Corpus Christi 13, Midland 1

W- Yohan Ramirez (3-5)
L- Matt Milburn (5-6)

CC home runs: Seth Beer (21, solo in 3rd), Colton Shaver (12, 2-run in 3rd), Lorenzo Quintana (11, grand slam in 8th)

The Hooks took this series in emphatic fashion as they poured it on the Hounds early and often.

Brett Adcock pitched 3.2 innings and allowed a run on four hits, walked one, and struck out four. Yohan Ramirez was the first man out of the Corpus bullpen and he turned in 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit, walking one, and striking out four. Nick Hernandez and Carlos Sanabria finished things off with one scoreless inning apiece. Hernandez, who just came off the IL, allowed a hit and struck out two in the 8th. Sanabria got two groundouts and a fly ball out in a 1-2-3 9th.

J.J. Matijevic ripped a two-run double in the 1st to open the scoring. Corpus blew this game open with six runs in the 3rd and all of them came with two outs. Seth Beer kept the inning alive by launching a solo homer. Lorenzo Quintana followed with a single and he scored on a single from Matijevic. Colton Shaver followed with a two-run blast and then Aníbal Sierra and Bryan de la Cruz capped off the onslaught with RBI singles.

Shaver added an RBI single to his ledger in the 7th and Quintana provided the cherry with a grand slam in the 8th inning. Beer, Quintana, and Matijevic all finished with three hits. Everyone except Sierra scored; everyone in the lineup had a hit except for Abraham Toro, who still managed to score a run.

The Hooks have Monday off. They'll welcome the Northwest Arkansas Naturals to the Coastal Bend for a three-game series starting Tuesday.

Fayetteville 3, Potomac 1

W- Brett Conine (7-4)
L- Andrew Istler (0-1)
S- César Rosado (3)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

The Woodpeckers scored two runs in the 8th to nip the Nationals.

Corey Julks opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 3rd. Jake Adams smacked an RBI double in the 8th to break the tie and he scored the final run of the game on Michael Papierski's RBI single. Papierski finished 2-4 on the evening.

Shawn Dubin went five innings and he allowed a run on three hits, walked two, and struck out five. Brett Conine turned in 3.2 dominating innings as he allowed one hit, walked one, and struck out eight. César Rosado finished off the game with a strikeout.

Austin Hansen gets the start in the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 6, South Bend 4

W- José Alberto Rivera (5-3)
L- Riley Thompson (5-5)
S- Devin Conn (5)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos scored five in the 4th and held off a late charge from the Cubs to even the series.

José Alberto Rivera pitched six innings and allowed two runs on four hits, walked three, and struck out six. Luis de Paula went two innings in his Midwest League debut and he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, walked two, and struck out one. Devin Conn walked two and struck out one in the 9th to get the save.

That big 4th inning gave the Banditos control of this game. Freúdis Nova put Quad Cities on the board with an RBI double. Alex Holderbach and Jonathan Lacroix drove in runs with groundouts and then Ramiro Rodríguez and Alex McKenna followed with RBI doubles. Rodríguez added an RBI single to his ledger in the 6th; he and Freúdis both finished with three hits on the day.

Felipe Tejada faces Brendan Little in the series finale. First pitch is at 1:05 Eastern.

Tri-City 6, Connecticut 4

W- Juan Pablo Lopez (2-2)
L- Chavez Fernander (2-2)
S- Yeremi Ceballos (2)

TC home runs: Korey Lee (1, 2-run in 1st)

The ValleyCats also got even in their series by holding off a rally from their opponents.

Korey Lee hit his first professional home run in the 1st inning, a two-run blast that opened the scoring. He added a sac fly to his ledger in the 5th. Tri-City got a pair of RBI singles in the 6th from E.P. Reese and Juan Paulino and Preston Pavlica hit a bloop single that drove in a run in the 7th. Everyone in the ValleyCats lineup recorded at least one hit in this game.

Valente Bellozo allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out five over 3.2 scoreless. Juan Pablo Lopez was the first man out of the ValleyCats bullpen and he allowed three runs on five hits, walked two, and struck out four in 4.1 innings. Yeremi Ceballos allowed a run on two hits, walked one, and struck out one in the 9th.

Hunter Brown takes on Marco Jimenez in the series finale. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

GCL Astros 4, GCL Marlins 3 (10 innings)

W- Jherson Pereira (4-0)
L- Jesús Sanchez (0-1)

GCL home runs: None.

The Palm Beach 'Stros scored all four of their runs in the final three innings of this game, which culminated with them walking off with the win.

Yimmi Cortabarria hit an RBI single in the 8th. Dexter Jordan reached on an error and José Mendoza and Sean Mendoza came home with the tying runs. Jordan tried for the walk-off Little League home run but he was thrown out at the plate. José Álvarez started the 10th in scoring position. He advanced to third on a sac bunt from Cortabarria (who reached safely) and scored the winning run on a wild pitch. Álvarez and Cortabarria both had two hits on the day.

Brayan de Paula, facing his former organization, allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out seven over four scoreless innings. Diosmerky Taveras was the first man out of the GCL squad's bullpen and he allowed two runs on three hits, walked four, and struck out five. Danny Cody allowed a run on a sac fly, a hit, and walked one in 1.1 innings. Jherson Pereira got three outs despite facing two batters in the 10th, striking out one. How did that happen? Well, Álvarez picked the leadoff runner off second for the first out. Pereira hit the leadoff hitter, who proceeded to get picked off first. He wrapped up the inning with a strikeout.

Dominican Summer League All-Star Game

The American League topped the National League 5-4 in a game that was shortened by rain.

Yohander Martinez went 0-1 after entering the game to play third base in the 4th inning. Reimy Beltre needed one pitch to record the first out of the 5th.

Sunday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Brayan de Paula, LHP, GCL Astros: 4 IP, 2 H, BB, 7 K

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

Corpus Christi Hooks: W 13-1 @ Midland

13 R, 18 H, E

Seth Beer: 3-5, solo HR (21), 3 R

Lorenzo Quintana: 3-5, 2B, Grand Slam (11), 3 R

J.J. Matijevic: 3-5, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R

Colton Shaver: 2-5, 2-R HR (12), 3 RBI

Brett Adcock: 3.2 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 4 K

Yohan Ramirez: W (3-5), 3.1 IP, H, BB, 4 K

Josh Rojas, UTIL, Derek Fisher, OF, and Jack Mayfield, IF, Round Rock

Rojas: 3-6, walk-off 3-R HR (15), 2 R, SB (28)

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

Mayfield: 3-4, 2B, solo HR (14), 2 RBI, 2 R

Fayetteville Woodpeckers pitchers: W 3-1 vs. Potomac

9 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 BB, 14 K

Shawn Dubin: 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Brett Conine: W (7-4), 3.2 IP, H, BB, 8 K

César Rosado: Save (3), 0.1 IP, K

Ramiro Rodríguez, OF, Quad Cities

3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

José Alberto Rivera, RHP, Quad Cities

W (5-3), 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

Korey Lee, C, Tri-City

2-4, 2B, 2-R HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 R; first professional home run

Valente Bellozo, RHP, Tri-City

3.2 IP, H, BB, 5 K

Astros Farm Report: 7-15

Bringing you the latest news from down on the farm ...

Come back soon for interviews from my Tri-City trip!

ROSTER MOVES/TRANSACTIONS

Here are the latest roster moves. An ongoing list of all of the 2019 season transactions and roster moves can be found here.

7-14: C Tyler Krabbe (19th round 2019) assigned to the GCL
7-13: RHP Luis de Paula assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
7-13: OF Juan Ramirez assigned to Tri-City from the GCL
7-13: RHP Hansel Paulino (Quad Cities) released
7-13: RHP Edgardo Sandoval assigned to Tri-City (had been reported earlier to have retired)
7-12: RHP Cy Sneed optioned to Round Rock
7-12: RHP Forrest Whitley starting a rehab assignment with the GCL
7-11: LHP Framber Valdez recalled to Houston
7-11: RHP Carson LaRue assigned to Corpus Christi from Round Rock
7-11: RHP Brandon Bailey (Corpus Christi) placed on the 7-day IL
7-10: RHP Tanner Duncan assigned to Fayetteville from Round Rock
7-10: RHP Brad Peacock sent to Corpus Christi for a rehab assignment
7-10: RHP Cody Deason assigned to Fayetteville from Quad Cities
7-10: RHP Lupe Chavez assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
7-10: LHP Yeremi Ceballos assigned to Tri-City from Fayetteville
7-10: OF Luis Guerrero assigned to Tri-City from the GCL
7-10: RHP Miguel Figueroa assigned to Tri-City from Fayetteville
7-10: OF Andres Santana (Tri-City) released
7-10: SS Javier Bermudez (GCL) released
7-10: RHP Misael Tamarez assigned to the GCL from the DSL
7-9: RHP Colin McKee assigned to Corpus Christi from Round Rock
7-9: RHP Joe Smith assigned to Corpus Christi for a rehab assignment (activated 7-12)
7-9: IF Dexter Jordan (16th round 2019) assigned to the GCL
7-9: OF Roilan Machandy (Cuban 18-year old) officially signed and assigned to the DSL Astros on 7-10
7-8: RHP Dean Deetz (Round Rock) activated from the IL (assigned to Corpus 7-8 and then assigned to Round Rock 7-9)
7-8: 1B A.J. Reed (Round Rock) claimed off waivers by the White Sox
7-8: RHP Jose Urquidy optioned to Round Rock
7-8: RHP Leovanny Rodriguez assigned to Fayetteville from Corpus Christi
7-8: OF Jacob Meyers (Fayetteville) activated from the IL
7-8: RHP Jacob Billingsley (Fayetteville) placed on the 7-day IL retroactive to 7-7
7-8: C Ruben Castro (Fayetteville) placed on the 7-day IL
7-7: RHP Erasmo Pinales (Corpus Christi) activated from the IL
7-7: RHP Miguel Figueroa assigned to Fayetteville from Corpus Christi
7-6: RHP Leovanny Rodriguez assigned to Corpus Christi from Round Rock
7-5: RHP Ralph Garza (Round Rock) placed on the 7-day IL
7-5: RHP Colin McKee assigned to Round Rock from Corpus Christi
7-5: RHP Chad Donato assigned to Corpus Christi from Fayetteville
7-5: RHP Leovanny Rodriguez assigned to Round Rock from Fayetteville
7-5: OF Ross Adolph assigned to Fayetteville from Quad Cities
7-5: IF Michael Wielansky (Quad Cities) placed on the 7-day IL
7-5: RHP Abdiel Saldana sent to the GCL on a rehab assignment
7-5: SS Grae Kessinger assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
7-5: RHP Franny Cobos assigned to Tri-City from the GCL
7-5: RHP Kyle Serrano sent to Tri-City on a rehab assignment
7-4: RHP Brady Rodgers placed on the 7-day IL
7-4: RHP Carson LaRue assigned to Round Rock from Corpus Christi
7-4: LHP Brett Adcock (Corpus Christi) activated from the IL
7-4: RHP Miguel Figueroa assigned to Corpus Christi from Tri-City
7-4: RHP Layne Henderson assigned to Quad Cities from Corpus Christi
7-4: RHP Alex Palmer (20th round 2019) assigned to the GCL
7-3: RHP Justin Ferrell assigned to Round Rock from Corpus Christi
7-3: OF James Nix signed (35th round 2019)
7-3: RHP Layne Henderson assigned to Corpus Christi from Quad Cities
7-3: RHP Joey Gonzalez assigned to Fayetteville from Quad Cities
7-3: C Alex Holderbach (Quad Cities) activated from the IL
7-3: RHP Hansel Paulino assigned to Quad Cities from Tri-City
7-3: RHP Christian Mejias assigned to the GCL from Tri-City
7-3: 1B Ronaldo Urdaneta assigned to Tri-City from the GCL
7-2: RHP Tyler Ivey (Corpus Christi) sent to the GCL on a rehab assignment
7-2: RHP Jose Urquidy called up to Houston from Round Rock
7-2: 1B A.J. Reed (Round Rock) designated for assignment
7-2: OF Jacob Meyers (Fayetteville) placed on the 7-day IL
7-2: RHP Blair Henley assigned to Tri-City from the GCL
7-2: RHP Dean Deetz (Round Rock) sent to the GCL on a rehab assignment
7-2: SS Dauri Laurenzo signed (Dominican Republic)
7-2: C Fernando Caldera (Venezuela) signed
7-2: OF Everett Cooper (Bahamas) signed
7-2: OF Denfry de la Cruz (Dominican Republic) signed
7-2: IF Luis Encarnacion (Dominican Republic) signed
7-2: RHP Elvis Garcia (Venezuela) signed
7-2: OF Richi Gonzalez (Dominican Republic) signed
7-2: IF Danyuri Guzman (Dominican Republic) signed
7-2: RHP Eurys Martich (Dominican Republic) signed
7-2: OF Christopher Morales (Dominican Republic) signed
7-2: IF Josue Payano (Dominican Republic) signed
7-2: OF Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) signed
7-2: C Juan Santander (Venezuela) signed
7-1: LHP Reymin Guduan optioned to Round Rock from Houston
7-1: OF Jordan Brewer (3rd round pick) signed
7-1: RHP Kevin Holcomb (13th round 2019) assigned to the GCL Astros
7-1: LHP Julio Robaina assigned to the GCL from Tri-City
7-1: 2B Bryan Arias (28th round 2019) assigned to Tri-City

Players who started the 2019 season on the DL

C Ruben Castro - activated 5-25
RHP Nick Hernandez - activated 5-8
RHP Alex House
OF Alex McKenna - activated 4-29
RHP Hansel Paulino - activated 6-14
RHP Erasmo Pinales - activated 5-20
RHP Abdiel Saldana - activated 7-5
RHP Kyle Serrano - activated 6-26
RHP Jairo Solis

Restricted List
RHP Francis Martes (80-game suspension) - suspension ended 6-26, but will remain on the restricted list for the time being due to visa issues
1B/OF J.J. Matijevic (50-game suspension) - activated 6-21

2019 STANDINGS

Up and down arrows denote an increase or decrease in win percentage over the last week.

AAA ROUND ROCK (Pacific Coast League/American Southern Division)

🠉 2nd 55-39 .585 3.0GB W1

AA CORPUS CHRISTI (Texas League/South Division)

3rd 44-49 .473 3.5GB W1 (Overall)
🠋 3rd 11-13 .458 2.0GB W1 (Second Half)

ADV A FAYETTEVILLE (Carolina League/Southern Division)

4th 43-50 .462 22.0GB W1 (Overall)
⬌ 4th 12-12 .500 3.5GB W1 (Second Half)

LOW A QUAD CITIES (Midwest League/Western Division)
1st half Division Winner

1st 56-32 .636 -.-GB W1 (Overall)
🠋 3rd 13-9 .591 2.5GB W1 (Second Half)

SHORT SEASON A TRI-CITY (New York-Penn League/Stedler Division)
🠉 3rd 12-16 .429 8.0GB W1

ROOKIE LEVEL GULF COAST LEAGUE (East Division)
🠋 4th 7-10 .412 3.0GB W1

ROOKIE LEVEL DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE (Northwest Division)
🠉 T1st 20-16 .556 -.-GB L1

WATCH THIS SPACE

I plan to use "this space" to feature players who are currently flying below the radar, but who deserve a closer look.

Valente Bellozo - July 2019

Photo by Jayne Hansen

RHP Valente Bellozo was signed by the Astros out of Mexico on July 3, 2017, but did not pitch his first professional game until almost a year later. In Bellozo's first season with the Dominican Summer League Astros in 2018, he had a 1.74 ERA and a 0.871 WHIP in 14 appearances (51.2 innings). Bellozo actually allowed all 10 of his runs for the season in only two appearances, going scoreless in the other 12 games. Fast forward to 2019 and it appears that Bellozo's success was not a fluke. He leap-frogged the GCL and made his first appearance this year in short season A Tri-City's opener. After six appearances, Bellozo has a 1.46 ERA and a 0.851 WHIP in 24.2 innings of work. He is 19 years old.  Watch this space ...

FORMER ASTRO UPDATE

Brett Oberholtzer - June 2013

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Originally drafted by the Braves in the 8th round in 2008, LHP Brett Oberholtzer came to the Astros via the July 2011 Braves trade that sent Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens, Jordan Schafer and Juan Abreu to Houston in exchange for Michael Bourn and cash. Oberholtzer was subsequently traded to the Phillies, along with Vince Velasquez, Mark Appel, Tom Eshelman and Harold Arauz for Jonathan Arauz and Ken Giles in December 2015. The well traveled Oberholtzer was later claimed off waivers by the Angels and signed with the Blue Jays and Rockies in free agency. He is currently playing for the Somerset Patriots in the independent Atlantic League. In his first 13 starts for the Patriots, Oberholtzer is 7-1 with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.329 WHIP in 73 innings.

RANDOM PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Tupelo-Bald Cypress Swamp, Natchez Trace Parkway

Mississippi - June 2019

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Let's finish up a game and then play another one in the Dominican Republic.

Round Rock 7, Omaha 6

W- Felipe Paulino (1-0)
L- Andrés Machado (1-1)

RR home runs: Taylor Jones (14, walk-off 3-run in 10th)

The Storm Chasers broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the 10th but the E-Train got the last laugh by walking off with the win.

Round Rock trailed 4-0 early but they got back in the game with three runs in the 4th. Josh Rojas singled and Jack Mayfield walked to lead off the inning and Taylor Jones put the Express on the board with a single to bring in Rojas. Mayfield ended up scoring on a balk. Jones advanced to second and came home on a single from Kyle Tucker. Ferguson hit an RBI single in the 8th to tie the game.

Chas McCormick started the bottom of the 10th in scoring position. Rojas drew a walk but he was forced out at second. Jack Mayfield beat the double play attempt and Jones won the game with a three-run blast. Jones finished 2-4 on the night. The top four in the order scored all the runs; Rojas, Mayfield, and Jones all scored two runs while McCormick scored on the home run.

Brady Rodgers had a rare tough night as he only went 2.2 innings and allowed four runs (one inherited runner charged to him) on five hits (solo and two-run homers), walked two, and struck out one. Kent Emanuel restored order to this game with 5.1 technically scoreless innings; he did allow one of Rodgers' runners to score. No matter, he kept the E-Train in the game by allowing four hits and striking out three. Joe Smith and Felipe Paulino both pitched an inning; Smith struck out one in a 1-2-3 9th while Paulino allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits in the 10th.

Akeem Bostick takes on Foster Griffin in the fifth and final game of this series. First pitch is at 7:05.

Frisco 13, Corpus Christi 11

W- Joe Barlow (1-1)
L- Carlos Sanabria (4-2, 6-2 season)

CC home runs: J.J. Matijevic 2 (6, 8 season; 2-run in 3rd, 3-run in 7th), Aníbal Sierra (4, 5 season; solo in 2nd), Seth Beer (8, 17 season; 2-run in 5th)

The Hooks rallied to take a 10-8 lead in the 7th but the Roughriders scored five in the final two innings to take this wild affair. While the Hooks had four players score all the runs, everyone in Frisco's lineup scored at least once.

It was probably a tough night for the pitching when they issued 11 walks as a team, no one went three innings and the only person who turned in a scoreless outing was a position player.

Corpus opened the scoring in the 1st with a pair of RBI doubles from Seth Beer and Stephen Wrenn. Aníbal Sierra launched a solo homer in the 2nd. J.J. Matijevic launched a two-run homer, his first of the evening, in the 3rd. Beer clubbed a two-run shot of his own in the 5th and Matijevic struck again in the 7th by whacking a three-run home run. Osvaldo Duarte grounded into a force out that scored Matijevic in the 9th.

Abraham Toro went 4-5 with a double and scored four times. Beer and Matijevic both had three hits and scored three runs. Sierra went 2-4 and, well, he scored on his home run. Duarte stole a couple of bases, giving him 17 on the season.

Cristian Javier faces Jonathan Hernandez in the series finale. First pitch is at 7:05.

Salem 11, Fayetteville 1 (7 innings)

W- Dylan Thompson (2-6)
L- Luis Garcia (3-1, 7-1 season)

Fayetteville home runs: None.

Uh... no comment.

Shawn Dubin gets the start as the Woodpeckers look to avoid the sweep. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Quad Cities 4, Wisconsin 2

W- José Alberto Rivera (4-3)
L- Reese Olson (2-5)
S- Hunter Martin (1)

QC home runs: None.

Both teams scored in two innings. The Timber Rattlers scored one run in each of the two innings in which they scored. Meanwhile, the Banditos scored two runs in their two scoring innings. My math may be a bit rusty but two is greater than one.

Quad Cities got two in the 4th on an RBI single from Alex McKenna and a sac fly from César Salazar and two in the 5th on a Freúdis Nova RBI double and an Austin Dennis single. Salazar and Dennis had two hits apiece; Dennis also stole a base, his 15th on the season.

José Alberto Rivera went seven innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and struck out five. Hunter Martin got the last two innings and earned the save, allowing a hit, walking two, and striking out two.

Felipe Tejada faces Scott Sunitsch at 6:35.

Tri-City 2, Staten Island 1

W- Valente Bellozo (2-0)
L- Blakely Brown (1-1)
S- Angel Macuare (1)

TC home runs: None.

After getting smacked in the series opener, the ValleyCats got even by shackling the Yankees.

Valente Bellozo started things off by allowing two hits, walking one, and striking out four over five shutout innings. Angel Macuare took over for the final four innings and the one hit that he allowed was a triple that eventually turned into a run on a groundout and he also struck out five.

Andrés Santana was involved in both of Tri-City's scoring plays in this game as he scored the first run of the evening when he came home on a C.J. Stubbs groundout in the 1st. He drove in another run with a groundout in the 2nd inning. Nathan Perry and Luis Santana both finished 2-4.

Guadalupe Chavez will take the mound for the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

GCL Astros 14, GCL Cardinals 1

W- Dean Deetz (1-0, 3-0 season)
L- Luis Ortiz (0-2)

GCL home runs: Luis Guerrero (1, 3-run in 6th), Yeuris Ramirez (1, 2 season; 2-run in 6th)

The Palm Beach 'Stros got into the win column for the first time this season after going off for nine runs in the 6th.

Rolando Espinosa drove in a run with a groundout in the 3rd and an error allowed Colin Barber to score another run. Franklin Pinto ripped a two-run double in the 4th and he opened the floodgates in the 6th with a two-run triple.

Barber brought Pinto in with an infield single. Espinosa got on with another infield single and one batter later, Luis Guerrero launched the first home run of his professional baseball career. Nerio Rodríguez walked and that prompted the Cardinals to make a pitching change. Yeuris Ramírez greeted the new pitcher with a two-run homer. Javier Bermúdez and Sean Mendoza followed by drawing a walk and singling, respectively. A wild pitch and a passed ball allowed Bermúdez to score the ninth and final run of the inning. Barber smacked an RBI double in the 9th to cap things off.

The Palm Beach 'Stros will have to complete a suspended game against the Marlins before they play the regularly scheduled game tomorrow.

DSL Astros 5, DSL Marlins 1

W- Daniel Pacheco (1-1)
L- Henry Valencio (1-1)
S- Ronny Garcia (1)

DSL home runs: Miguel Palma (2, 2-run in 7th)

This game started on June 15 but was suspended due to rain.

Andrés Monzón drew a bases-loaded walk in the 4th before play was halted. He hit into a force out in the 6th and an error on the play allowed Ricardo Toro to score and another error following a single from Freddy Guilamo allowed him to score. Miguel Palma smacked a two-run homer in the 7th. Palma and Yohander Martinez both went 2-4.

Jeremy Molero allowed five hits, walked one, and struck out three in three innings. Daniel Pacheco took over for four innings and he allowed a run on five hits, walked three, and struck out four. Miguel Padilla allowed a hit and walked three in 1.1 innings and Ronny Garcia got the last two outs of the game.

DSL Marlins 3, DSL Astros 1

W- Breidy Encarnación (2-0)
L- Fabricio Reina (0-3)
S- Frank Valera (3)

DSL home runs: None.

Ayendy Ortiz scored the Dominican 'Stros only run in the regularly scheduled contest on an error in the 6th. Yohander Martinez turned in another multi-hit game, finishing 2-3.

Fabricio Reina allowed two runs on six hits, walked two, and struck out three in four innings and Edinson Batista allowed a run on three hits and fanned three in two innings.

These two teams are currently playing at the Astros' complex.

Tuesday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Miguel Palma, C, DSL Astros: 2-4, 2-R HR (2), 2 R

Taylor Jones, 1B/OF, Round Rock

2-5, walk-off 3-R HR (14), 4 RBI, 2 R

Kent Emanuel, LHP, Round Rock

5.1 IP, 4 H, 3 K

These are their mugshots on MiLB.com.

Tri-City ValleyCats pitchers: W 2-1 @ Staten Island

9 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 9 K

Valente Bellozo: W (2-0), 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K

Angel Macuare: Save (1), 4 IP, H, ER, 5 K

This is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

José Alberto Rivera, RHP, Quad Cities

7 IP, 4 H, 2 R (1 ER), 5 K

Jairo Lopez not pictured.

Yeuris Ramírez and Franklin Pinto's photos are their mugshots on MiLB.com.

Colin Barber's photo is from his Perfect Game profile page.

Yeuris Ramírez, IF, Franklin Pinto, OF, Colin Barber, OF, and Jairo Lopez, RHP, GCL Astros

Ramírez: 2-R HR (1, 2 season), 3 R

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

Barber: 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Lopez: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Abraham Toro, 3B, J.J. Matijevic, 1B, Seth Beer, 1B/OF, and Aníbal Sierra, SS, Corpus Christi

Toro: 4-5, 2B, 4 R

Beer: 3-5, 2B, 2-R HR (8, 17 season), 3 RBI, 3 R

Matijevic: 3-5, 2 HR (6, 8 season), 5 RBI, 3 R

Sierra: 2-4, solo HR (4, 5 season)