Astros Minor League Recaps

Monday's Games

Oklahoma over Albuquerque 6-2
Bobby Doran got the start and the win, tossing seven innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits. He also walked three and struck out three. Those three hits would be the only ones Albuquerque would muster as Eric Berger and Jose Cisnero each threw a hitless inning. The RedHawks scored all of their runs in the first inning, four of them on four consecutive one-out bases loaded walks followed by a Ruben Sosa sac fly RBI and a Trevor Crowe (2x3 2BB R) RBI single.

Corpus Christi - Travel Day

Lancaster - Off Day

Quad Cities over Burlington 6-1
Another pitching staff tossing a three-hitter! Mark Appel threw the first five and allowed one run on two hits and no walks while striking out six. The one Burlington run scored on an Appel wild pitch. Mitch Lambson pitched two perfect innings with three strikeouts and Andrew Walter allowed one hit and one walk (with two K's) in the final two. The River Bandits scored three in the fourth inning on a Jobduan Morales bases-loaded walk and a two-RBI single from Tony Kemp (1x3 2BB R). The other three came across in the sixth on RBI singles from Danry Vasquez (2x4 BB 2RBI) and Bobby Borchering (1x3 BB RBI R). Teoscar Hernandez went two-for-four with a walk, stolen base (his 22nd) and run scored (he was also caught stealing). Austin "Catfish" Elkins was two-for-five with a stolen base (his 18th) and scored a run.

Vermont over Tri-City 7-2
Tanner Bushue got hit hard and early in this one to take the loss. In only two innings, he allowed six runs on five hits (two home runs) and a walk. Randall Fant allowed the final run across in his four innings. Charles Basford followed with three scoreless frames. Tri-City scored one in the second on an Adam Nelubowich RBI single and one in the seventh on a Ryan Dineen (2x4) RBI single scoring James Ramsay who had doubled in the inning. Tyler White was two-for-four. Tri-City dropped to second place in their division with the loss.

Elizabethton over Greeneville 2-0
Frederick Tiburcio allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out six in four innings and was saddled with the loss. Krishawn Holley (3IP 3H 4SO) and Chris Munnelly (1IP 2SO) provided scoreless relief. Greeneville was held to five hits in the shutout with two of those belonging to Chase McDonald (2x4 2B). Marc Wik walked twice.

GCL Phillies over GCL Astros 5-2
Kent Emanuel pitched the first three and Javier Lozano and Zach Dando pitched the last two with similar results, no hits and no runs. Unfortunately, the three innings in between didn't go quite so well. Austin Nicely allowed three runs in his two innings and Devonte German allowed two runs in his two. Nicely was charged with the loss. The Astros scored one in the fourth on a Jean Batista home run and one in the eighth on a Jason Martin sac fly scoring Mesac Laguna. Yonathan Mejia went two-for-four with a double. Jean Batista seems to be doing fine in his rehab assignment with the GCL. He's hitting .286/.306/.657 with two triples and three home runs in his last 10 games and it seems like he's ready for his next stop.

DSL Indians over DSL Astros 6-1
Edwin Villarroel allowed four of the Indians six runs over his four innings and came away with the loss. Five other pitchers combined over the final five innings and that is too much for me so here you go ...

DSL Astros
Player	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Edwin Villarroel (L, 4-5)	4.0	3	4	4	3	2	0	2.56
Juan Hernandez	1.0	1	1	1	0	1	0	2.41
Junior Garcia	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	2.81
Carlos Vasquez	0.2	1	1	1	2	1	0	4.26
Juan Delis	1.1	0	0	0	1	1	0	3.78
Geronimo Franzua	1.0	0	0	0	1	3	0	4.54
Totals	9.0	6	6	6	7	9	0	2.40

The Astros got their sole run in the fourth as Kristian Trompiz singled, advanced on two ground outs and scored on a passed ball. Trompiz' single was the only hit of the game; however, Marlon Avea did walk twice.

Player of the Day: Kristian Trompiz gets the nod today. Not only did he spoil the Indians shutout, he also ruined their no-hit bid.

Pitchers of the Day: I do not give the relief corps enough love. Today I want to acknowledge every relief pitcher who tossed hitless relief on Monday and it's a nice long list - Eric Berger, Jose Cisnero, Mitch Lambson, Javier Lozano, Zach Dando, Juan Delis and Geronimo Franzua. Delis also inherited bases loaded and did not allow any runners to score. He must know that that's the way to my heart!

Minor League Recaps

Saturday's Results

DSL Astros 3 DSL Rays 5

The Astros tried to mount a rally in the ninth inning Saturday, but it proved to be too little, too late, moving their record to 22-43 on the season.  Jean Carlos Cortorreal had a multi-hit game, going 2 for 5 with a double and a RBI.  Mesac Laguna also had a double with his only hit in 4 ABs, his 12th of the season.  After coming on in the second for 4 frames of work, Juan Hernandez (0-4) collected his fourth loss of the year.  Hernandez allowed 4 runs on 5 hits, walked 1 and K-ed 4 during his shift. 

GCL Astros GCL Nationals

-Suspended

Burlington Royals 0 Greeneville Astros 2

Greeneville played a very impressive game of baseball Saturday at home.  Adrian Houser, Tanner Bushue and Zachary Dando combined for a 7-hit shutout and didn't issue any free passes all game.  Houser (3-4) picked up the win after throwing the first 5 frames and through that time he allowed just 5 hits and struck out 3.  Zachary Dando acquired his first save, taking the helm for the final 2 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 4.  At the plate, Angel Ibanez had a good night, hitting 2 for 4 and scoring both runs.  Ibanez was hit in first in the first inning by Rio Ruiz (1X3) and again in the eighth inning by Terrel Joyce (2X4).

Staten Island Yankees 5 Tri-City ValleyCats 2

The ValleyCats offense was stifled at home on Saturday.  Tri-City batsmen had 5 hits all game spread across 4 batters.  Tyler Heineman finished 2 for 4; his 2 hits scored both runs for his team.  Aaron West (6-1) had a tough outing, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits, walking 1, striking out 5 and collecting his first loss through 5 and a 2 thirds.  Jeremiah Minors came on to finish the game out after West and allowed just 4 hits, striking out 3.

Lexington Legends 3 Rome Braves 5

This game got off to a positive start Saturday with Brandon Meredith's 15th homer, a solo shot to center field, getting Lexington on the board.  Meredith ended up 1 for 1 at the plate with 2 runs scored and 3 walks.  Chris Epps batted 2 for 4 with a double and a RBI.  Legends pitching just couldn't contain the opposing offense in this game.  David Rollins (1-2) went the first 6 innings, taking the loss and allowing 4 runs on 6 hits including the go-ahead 2-run, 2-out homer in the fourth.  Rollins also walked 2 and struck out 4.

Lancaster JetHawks 3 Inland Empire 66ers 7

Lancaster has now dropped three games in a row and this one was no picnic.  David Martinez (7-5) got the start and took the loss, pitching 4 and two thirds while being charged with 6 runs (5 ER) on 8 hits with 1 walk.  Offensively this game was a test for the JetHawks too.  Lancaster struck out 11 times in Saturday and only collected 4 hits.  Andrew Aplin (1X3), Domingo Santana (1X4) and Alex Todd (1X2) all had a hit apiece and a RBI each too.  Domingo Santana now has 84 RBIs.

Corpus Christi Hooks 12 Springfield Cardinals 4

Corpus Christi came alive on Saturday and took a decisive win on the road at Hammons Field.  Jonathan Singleton led the charge, batting 4 for 6 with 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored and a massive 2 run homer in the first inning.  Austin Wates hit a tater of his own in the sixth inning, a 3 run shot to left field.  Wates ended up 1 for 4 on the night.  Jake Goebbert got in on the scoring too, hitting 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI of his own.   Matthew Heidenreich (2-1) started the game for the Hooks and after giving up 3 runs (0 ER) in the first inning he remained for 5 more scoreless frames and took the win.  Heidenreich ended up with those runs on 6 hits, 1 walk and 3 Ks.

Oklahoma City RedHawks 5 Round Rock Express 4

The RedHawks mounted a 4-run eighth inning to come from behind and take this win in Round Rock Saturday.  Jose Martinez hit 3 for 4 in the game with 2 RBI. Both of Martinez' RBI came on his go ahead 2-out, RBI single in the eighth inning.  Carlos Corporan hit his sixth homer of the year in the sixth inning, a solo shot to right field to start the inning and get Oklahoma City on the board.  Corporan finished the game 1 for 3 at the dish with 2 runs scored.  Jarred Cosart (1-2) came on to pitch in the seventh inning and stuck around to pick up the win, his first of the season with the RedHawks.  Over 2 frames, Cosart allowed 1 run on a hit, walked 1 and struck out 3.  Jose Valdez came on to close things out in the ninth inning and earned his 15th save of the season, giving up a hit and K-ing 2.  Valdez now has 49 strikeouts in 38.1 innings for Oklahoma City. 

Player of the Day:  Mr. Jon Singleton, come on down.  Singleton not only hit an impressive 4 for 6 yesterday (including a HR), but had 3 RBI and scored 3 runs to boot.  That's a one man show.

Pitcher of the Day: We have a 3-way tie today between Adrian Houser, Tanner Bushue and Zachary Dando.  These 3 guys combined their forces and shutout their opponent Saturday and did so without issuing any walks and striking out 10 (Bushue and Dando only gave up a hit apiece as they split the last 4 frames).  That is the definition of "teamwork."