PreStros Morning Report: August 15

Oklahoma City (70-56), 3.0 up

Oklahoma City snapped a five-game losing streak in an 8-2 win over Tucson. Jake Buchanan did what Jake Buchanan does, throwing 7.2IP, 7H/2ER, 3K:1BB; Wade LeBlanc allowed a hit in 0.1IP, and Jorge De Leon threw a perfect 9th inning.

The top of the lineup was 6x12 - Trevor Crowe was 2x5, Jose Martinez was 2x4 with a double and a walk, and George Springer was 2x3 with a home run, two walks, and 3RBI. It's his 4th HR in his last seven games, and he has 10K:10BB in his last ten games. Jon Singleton was 1x3 with a homer, 2BB and 2RBI. Jimmy Paredes was 1x3 with a triple, walk, and 2RBI.

Man of the Match: George Springer

Corpus (31-22, 2.0 GB), 73-50 overall

Down 4-1 heading into the 8th at NW Arkansas, the Hooks jumped up and scored three in the 8th and two in the 9th (and allowed one in the bottom of the 9th) for a tight 6-5 win. Ross Seaton threw 6IP, 7H/4ER, 6K:2BB; Carlos Quevedo struck out two in 1IP and Jonas Dufek allowed 2H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 2IP - the first run Dufek had allowed in seven appearances for Corpus (sporting a hefty 15K:0BB rate).

Preston Tucker (2B, BB, RBI) and Drew Muren (2B) each had three hits. Ryan McCurdy was 1x2 with 2BB. But the offensive story is Max Stassi - his double in the 8th scored two runs to tie the game, and his double in the 9th scored the two go-ahead runs.

Man of the Match: Max Stassi

Lancaster (33-20, 6.5 up) 72-51 overall

Inland Empire was up 7-0 before Lancaster got on the board in the 6th. 8-2 Inland Empire win. Mike Hauschild allowed 6H/4ER, 6K:2BB in 4.2IP; Tyson Perez gave up 3H/3R (2ER) 2HBP in 1IP; Michael Dimock (0.2IP - 2H/1BB) and Kenny Long (0.1IP) got scoreless outings, and Gera Sanchez allowed 2H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 2.1IP.

Delino DeShields (SB), Nolan Fontana (SB) and Tyler Heineman (2B, 3B, 2RBI) had two hits each.

Man of the Match: Tyler Heineman

Quad Cities (30-21, 3.5 GB), 68-52 overall

Clinton got three straight two-out singles to walk off with a 6-5 win over Quad Cities. Lance McCullers had a rough one, giving up 5H/5ER, 2K:4BB in 4IP; Andrew Walter threw 3IP, 3H/0ER, 2K:1BB and Juan Minaya took the loss with 3H/1ER in 1.2IP.

Bobby Borchering was 2x4 with a 2-run HR and 4RBI total. Tony Kemp was 1x3 with 2BB. The River Bandits were 1x10 w/RISP.

Man of the Match: Bobby Borchering

Tri-City (33-23), 1.5 up

Tri-City scored a run in each of the last three innings for a 3-1 win at Connecticut. Adrian Houser allowed 4H/1ER, 2K:1BB in 5IP; Andrew Thurman allowed 2H/0ER, 3K:2BB in 2.1IP and Gonzalo Sanudo (acquired in the Mike Kvasnicka trade) made his Tri-City debut with 3K in 1.2IP. He now has 34K:3BB in 27.1IP this season.

Tyler White was 3x4, Mike Martinez was 1x2 with a homer, walk, and 2RBI. Chan Moon had the other hit for the ValleyCats.

Man of the Match: How about Mike Martinez?

Greeneville (33-21, 2.5 up)

Greeneville took a 4-0 lead and then gave up four runs to Pulaski in the 6th. In the bottom of the 9th, Pulaski's walk-off run scored with a walk, stolen base, and a throwing error. 5-4 Pulaski. Chris Lee allowed 2H/2ER, 5K:2BB in 5.1IP; Sebastian Kessay allowed 4H/2ER, 2K:0BB (2HR) and Chris Munelly took the loss with 0H/1R (0ER), 4K:2BB in 2.1IP.

Eight Astros recorded eight hits (total, not each) and drew ten walks, but were 2x15 w/RISP. Brian Holberton hit a three-run homer and drew a walk.

Man of the Match: Brian Holberton.

GCL Astros (23-25) 7.0 GB

The GCL Astros beat up on the GCL Yankees2 (yeah, that's their actual name) with 22 hits in a 14-5 win. Jose Montero threw 5IP, 5H/3R (2ER), 2K:2BB; Joe Musgrove allowed 2H/0ER, 3K:0BB in 3IP; Matt Heidenreich allowed 3H/2ER in 1IP.

Jose Solano was 5x5 with four doubles and a home run for 5RBI. Ydarqui Marte was 4x4 with two doubles and 2RBI; Pedro Coa was 3x3 with a double and 2RBI. Jean Batista was 3x5 with a triple and a solo homer.

Man of the Match: Jose Solano

PreStros Morning Report: July 14

Oklahoma City (51-46), 4.5 GB

Missing the services of George Springer, who was busy going 1x3 with a HBP in the Futures Game, OKC blew a lead in the ninth to lose to New Orleans 7-6. Wade LeBlanc turned in what, sadly, is one of his best performances of the year, going 6 IP and giving up 9H/3R with 5K. Brad Peacock went .1 IP and gave up 3H/1R with 1 BB. Jason Stoffel threw 1.2 scoreless IP with 2 H and 2 K. Josh Zeid took the loss in 1 IP, allowing 3H/3R with 2K:2BB.

Ronnie Grossman was 1x3 with a solo HR and 2 BB. Jon Singleton went 1x3 with a solo HR, 2 BB, and 2 R.

Man of the Match: Jon Singleton

Corpus (11-12), 4.0 GB

The Hooks couldn't string together any offense, going 0x12 with RISP, as they fell 5-0 to Midland. Nick Tropeano threw 5 IP and gave up 7H/4R with 6K:2BB. Carlos Quevedo went 3 IP, allowing 2H/1R with 3K:1BB.

Enrique Hernandez and Max Stassi were each 2x4 with 1 2B, with Hernandez adding 1 BB

Man of the Match: Enrique Hernandez

Lancaster (17-8), 2.0 up

Lancaster got rocked 12-3 by the Nuts. Mike Hauschild lasted just 3.2 IP, giving up 8H/5R with 1K:1BB. Cameron Lamb got one uneventful out. Kyle Hallock (who, for some reason, has blocked me on twitter) threw 2 IP and gave up 8H/6R with 3K:2BB. Blair Walters went the final 3 IP and allowed 2H/1R with 2 K.

Nolan Fontana was 1x2 with 3 BB and 1 R. Tyler Heineman was 1x1 with 1 3B, 1 R, and 1 RBI. Matt Duffy went 1x3 with 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Tyler Heineman

Quad Cities (13-9), 2.5 GB

Mark Appel continues to impress as he helped lead the River Bandits to a 9-3 win over Dayton. Appel threw 4 scoreless innings, allowing 2 H with 3K:1BB. Daniel Minor went 3.1 IP and gave up 2H/2R (1 ER) with 3K:2BB. Mitchell Lambson finished out the final 1.2 IP with 1 H and 2 K.

Austin Elkins went 2x5. Jordan Scott was 0x3 with 2 BB and 2 R. Jesse Wierzbicki was 2x4 with 1 BB and 1 RBI. Roberto Pena was 2x5 with 1 R. Dan Gulbransen went 2x3 with 1 BB, 1 2B, and 2 R. Luis Alvarez went 3x4 with 1 2B, 2 R, and 2 RBI. Bobby Borchering was 3x4 with 2 2B, 1 R, and 3 RBI. 

Man of the Match: Appel/Borchering

Tri-City (19-9) 3.0 up

The ValleyCats flirted with a no-hitter on their way to a 7-0 win over Batavia. Zach Morton went 6 no-hit innings, with 3K:1BB. Randall Fant got the next two batters out before allowing a base hit in the seventh as he finished with 3 IP, allowing 3 H with 4 K. 

Tony Kemp was 2x5 with 3 R. James Ramsay went 2x3 with 1 R. Michael Martinez was 2x4 with 1 BB and 2 RBI. Ernesto Genoves was 1x5 with 1 HR and 2 R. Chan Moon was 2x3 with 1 SB and 1 RBI. 

Man of the Match: Zach Morton

Greeneville (14-10), 0.5 GB

The Astros continued their climb towards the top of the standings with a 5-3 win over the Twins. Chris Lee threw 5.1 innings, allowing 3H/1R with 8 K. Christian Garcia went .2 IP and gave up 3H/2R. Jordan Mills went 2 scoreless IP with 2 H and 4 K. Tyler Brunneman got the save with 1 scoreless IP with 1 H and 1 K. 

Jack Mayfield was 3x4 with 1 2B, 2 R, and 1 RBI. Brett Phillips went 2x3 with 1 BB, 1 SB, and 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Chris Lee

GCL Astros (10-8), 2.0 GB

Off

DSL Astros (19-14) 2.5 GB

Off

PreStros Morning Report: July 1

Oklahoma City (44-40), 3.5 GB

OKC brought a 3-0 deficit back to 3-3, but ultimately gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the 6th to lose 6-4 at home to Albuquerque. Three errors suck, especially when they lead to three unearned runs. Jarred Cosart allowed 6H/3R (1ER), 7K:3BB in 5IP; Kevin Chapman gave up two runs (one earned) in 1IP; Jason Stoffel allowed 2H/1ER, 1K:1BB in 2IP and Josh Zeid struck out two in a clean 9th inning.

Brandon Laird was 2x4 with a home run and a walk; Jon Singleton (RBI, Error) and Robbie Grossman also had two hits. George Springer hit his 2nd homer at Triple-A, drew two walks, and stole a base.

Man of the Match: George Springer

Corpus (5-7), 1 GB

And Tulsa completed the three-game sweep with a dominant two-hit shutout of Corpus in a 3-0 win. Bobby Doran threw 5IP, 6H/2R (1ER), 2K:1BB; Kenny Long allowed 2H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 1IP; Andrew Robinson (2K) and Carlos Quevedo threw hitless innings, and Pat Urckfitz allowed a hit in the 9th.

Erik Castro had a hit and a walk; Jonathan Meyer had your other hit. Enrique Hernandez, Domingo Santana, and Drew Muren each drew walks.

Man of the Match: Bobby Doran.

Lancaster (10-2), 1.0 up

Lancaster came back from a 5-3 deficit with five late runs for an 8-5 win over Bakersfield. Chris Devenski allowed 8H/4ER, 5K:0BB in 3.2IP; Theron Geith allowed 2H/1ER in 1.1IP and Brady Rodgers closed it out with 4IP, 3H/0ER, 2K:0BB.

Brandon Meredith was 2x4 with a three-run homer; Delino DeShields was 2x4 with a walk and three stolen bases. Andrew Aplin, Telvin Nash, Chris Epps, and Carlos Perdomo each drew a hit and a walk as eight different JetHawks crossed the plate.

Man of the Match: Delino DeShields

Quad Cities (8-3), 3.0 GB

Quad Cities scored three runs in the bottom of the 9th for a nice walk-off 9-8 win, but Carlos Correa was hit on the right hand (again) by a Matt Anderson pitch in his first AB and left the game. X-Rays will apparently be taken, but it seems as though the fear is that he has broken his hand. Colton Cain allowed 7H/4R (2ER), 1K:2BB; Jamaine Cotton allowed 8H/4ER, 0K:1BB in 3.1IP and Mitchell Lambson allowed just one hit, no runs, 3K:2BB in 2.2IP.

Brett Phillips was 3x5 with 2RBI; Jordan Scott (2B, RBI), Roberto Pena, and Austin Elkins (2B, RBI, 2BB) each had two hits. The RiverBandits committed four errors on the night.

Man of the Match: Brett Phillips

Tri-City

Postponed - rain.

Greeneville (7-5), 3.0 GB

Double-header!

Game 1: Greeneville held Burlington to three hits in a 7-0 win. Edison Frias allowed 3H/0ER, 5K:0BB in 6IP; Christian Garcia struck out one in a clean 7th inning. Ariel Ovando hit his 2nd homer for the Gastros, going 2x3 with 2RBI; Marc Wik and Bobby Borchering (2B, BB) also had two hits. Jack Mayfield was 1x1 with a double, 2RBI, and two walks.

Man of the Match: Ariel Ovando

Game 2: And Greeneville extended their win streak to six with an 8-1 win in Game 2. Enderson Franco allowed 4H/1ER, 3K:1BB in 5IP; Ryan Connolly gave up 3H/0ER in 1IP; Gonzalo Sanudo allowed 1H/0ER in 1IP. Angel Ibaniez was 3x3 with a walk; Juan Santana (2RBI), Marc Wik, Bobby Borchering (HR, 2RBI), and Ariel Ovando (2B) had two hits each.

Man of the Match: Bobby Borchering.

GCL Astros (5-3), 0.5 up

Postponed (Rain)

McTaggart's minor-league updates

Brian McTaggart posted his minor-league notebook, where we find that:

-Delino DeShields will be 20 years old tomorrow.
-Bobby Borchering (acquired in the Chris Johnson trade) was moved by Arizona from 3B to OF. Now the Astros are moving him back. Oh yes, and he hurt his ankle.
-George Springer was hit in the head by a stray pitch last Friday, and hasn't played since, with the Astros making sure he doesn't have a concussion.
-Fernando Abad is being moved - once again - back to the rotation. By my count, this is the fourth time his role has changed in the last two seasons.
-Jarred Cosart has been sent to Kissimmee with a continuation of his blister issues, but could return to OKC before the end of the season. Due to this, it's hard to see him as a September call-up...

Brett Wallace freed!

The Brett Wallace Liberation Front can finally lay their hashtags to rest. Following today's game and the Chris Johnson trade, Brett Wallace has been recalled from Oklahoma City. To make room on the active roster (and to give OKC a replacement shortstop), Brian Bixler has been sent down. Wallace will play first and third base in Houston, as well as backup short.

Also, both players acquired in the Johnson deal - Bobby Borchering and Marc Krauss - have been sent to AA Corpus Christi. Borchering will be moved back to 3B.

Chris Johnson traded to Diamondbacks

The overhaul continues - Houston has announced today that they've traded third baseman Chris Johnson to the Arizona Diamondbacks for AA outfielders Bobby Borchering and Marc Krauss.

Borchering, 21, is a 6'3", 200 lb. switch-hitting corner outfielder converted from a 1B/3B earlier in his pro career. He's struggled to a .130/.183/.208 line in 77 AB since getting promoted to AA Mobile, but he put up a .277/.340/.534 line with 18 HR and 60 RBI in 307 AB at High A Visalia before that. He was Arizona's 1st round pick (16th overall) in the 2009 draft out of Bishop Verot HS in Fort Myers, FL.

Krauss, 24, is a 6'2", 235 lb. left-handed corner outfielder who has also seen a bit of time at 1B. Krauss has a .283/.416/.509 line with with 15 HR and 61 RBI in 346 AB for AA Mobile this year. He was a 2nd-round pick (64th overall) in Arizona's 2009 draft out of Ohio University in Athens, OH.

Yesterday's waiver claim Steve Pearce will take CJ's spot on the 25-man roster today.