Revisiting the Wandy Rodriguez trade

Interesting news out of Pittsburgh today:

The @Pirates have reinstated @russellmartin55 from the DL. To make room for Martin, Wandy Rodriguez has been designated for assignment.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 22, 2014

So let's cast our minds all the way back to 2012. From 2008-11, Wandy Rodriguez was 45-42 for the Astros with a 3.40 ERA/1.29 WHIP (3.71 FIP) with a 2.74 K:BB ratio. He was good. Too good - and too expensive - for a team in full-fledged rebuild. He made 21 starts for the 2012 Astros and was 7-9 with a 3.79 ERA/1.27 WHIP (3.81 FIP) on July 24, 2012 when the Astros sent him to Pittsburgh for Robbie Grossman, Rudy Owens, and Colton Cain.

As a Pirate, Wandy made 12 starts (one appearance in relief, throwing the 18th and 19th innings and getting the win at St. Louis), and did for the Pirates what he did for the Astros: 6.0 K/9, 3.72 ERA/1.27 WHIP. In 2013, Wandy only made 12 starts - but still went 6-4 with a 3.59 ERA that outperformed his 4.42 FIP. His season was cut short by tightness in his pitching elbow in June. He was on the verge of returning for September when an MRI showed no structural damage, but tendinitis in his elbow. Gerrit Cole was promoted when Wandy went down, so that worked out pretty well for the Pirates.

Wandy opened the 2014 season as Pittsburgh's SP3. In his first four starts (20IP), though, he allowed 26H/17ER, 16K:6BB, and seven homers allowed - a 7.65 ERA on a .306 BABIP - and went on the DL with right knee inflammation. In his first start back from the DL, May 15, he was better - 4H/2ER, 4K:1BB, but two more homers allowed in 5IP. But last night in a 9-8 win over Baltimore, Wandy gave up 7H/6R (1ER), 0K:1BB and committed the error that led to five unearned runs.

23-year old Colton Cain has thrown 17.2IP in his first go at Double-A, allowing 23H/9ER, 14K:6BB (4.58 ERA/1.64 WHIP). He's a year and a half younger than the average Double-A pitcher. In 2013 he combined for a 3.88 ERA/1.40 WHIP between Quad Cities and Lancaster.

26-year old Rudy Owens missed almost all of 2013 with a foot injury, and in his first real go at Triple-A (in the Astros' system, anyway) has allowed 51H/28ER, 32K:8BB in 41.2IP for OKC.

24-year old Robbie Grossman is one of those players we still don't really know about. In 101 games at OKC between 2013 and 2014 Grossman has a .281/.386/.377 slash line, with 94K:64BB in 447 PAs. Of course Grossman's Major-League career is a tale of two Grossmans. Overall Grossman has 343 PAs in Houston, hitting .246/.317/.361 between 2013 and 2014.

The first Grossman hit .198/.310/.243 until the end of May, when he was mercifully sent down. When he came back on July 28 until he was shut down on September 3, Grossman was on a tear: .322/.351/.466. He opened 2014 with hopes that the Second Grossman was the Real Grossman. Instead, though, he lasted 14 games (55 PAs), hitting .125/.236/.313, and was mercifully sent down again.

We don't know that Grossman will ever put it together in Houston. The clock is ticking on Owens, and he's starting to fall out of the conversation, what with Foltynewicz, Buchanan, etc., enjoying success at Triple-A. Cain is obviously the farthest away, and has had limited success (his numbers are skewed by a rough second outing - in his last four outings, he has thrown 11IP, 12H/4ER, 7K:5BB), but he was put on the 7-Day DL on May 18.

So who won the trade? While Wandy helped the Pirates in 2013, it may be that his elbow injury impacted the Pirates' playoff run by clearing the way for Gerrit Cole. Ultimately time is on the Astros' side here in determining a "winner." Perhaps Wandy achieved what the Pirates were hoping for: Help the team get to the post-season, and he did...sort of. Was he a failure? No - the Astros paid about 40% of his salary, after all.

PreStros Morning Report: August 31

Playoff Picture

Oklahoma City will start a Best-of-Five series at home against Memphis or Omaha on Wednesday.
Corpus will start a Best-of-Three series at home against San Antonio on Wednesday.
Lancaster will start a Best-of-Five series at home on Saturday
Quad Cities will start a Best-of-Three series at home against Cedar Rapids on Wednesday.
Tri-City 0.5 GB with four to play
Greeneville will start a Best-of-Three series on Wednesday.

Oklahoma City (80-62)

Memphis got six runs on the board before OKC even came to bat in what would be a 7-3 OKC loss. David Martinez allowed 6H/6ER, 1K:2BB in 1IP; Eric Berger came in and threw four innings of no-hit/one-walk relief; Rhiner Cruz allowed a hit in 2IP and Wade LeBlanc allowed 2H/1ER in the final 2IP.

Jimmy Paredes was 2x4 with a triple; Marc Krauss was 1x3 with a walk; Che-Hsuan Lin hit a solo homer; Geroge Springer and Brandon Laird provided RBIs.

Man of the Match: Going with Eric Berger

Corpus (82-56)

That's a franchise-record 82 wins for the Hooks, who got it by coming back from being down 7-2 in the 5th and 9-6 in the bottom of the 9th. Ronny Torreyes hit a walk-off three-run triple to complete the comeback with a 10-9 win over San Antonio. Matt Heidenriech allowed 7H/3ER, 1K:1BB in 3IP; Kyle Hallock gave up 5H/5ER, 2K:2BB in 3.1IP; Cameron Lamb got two outs, Andrew Robinson allowed an earned run in 1IP and Jonas Dufek gets his 7th win in 13 appearances for Corpus.

Torreyes was 4x6 with a double, triple and three RBI; Preston Tucker was 4x5 with a walk and an RBI; Matt Duffy was 3x5 with a double and an RBI; Erik Castro was 2x3 with a walk and 3RBI; Jio Mier and Drew Muren (2B, RBI) were each 2x4 and Leo Heras was 0x4 with two walks.

Man of the Match: Ronny Torreyes

Lancaster (81-57)

Lancaster had a 3-0 lead, but Rancho Cucamonga chipped away, getting the tying run in the 8th and the walk-off in the 10th for a 4-3 win over Lancaster. Colton Cain allowed 5H/2R (1ER), 7K:0BB in 7IP and picked two runners off first base; Gera Sanchez allowed 2H/1ER in 1IP and Michael Dimock gave up 2H/1ER, 2K:2BB in 1.2IP. The pitching staff did hold a rehabbing Matt Kemp to an 0x3 night for the second night in a row.

Brandon Meredith was 2x4 with an RBI; Chris Epps was 1x4 with a two-run homer; MP Cokinos was 1x4 with a double.

Man of the Match: Colton Cain

Quad Cities (79-57)

A 4-2 lead lasted half an inning as Beloit got three in the top of the 6th for a 5-4 win at Quad Cities. Juan Minaya allowed 3H/2ER, 5K:1BB in 5IP; Richard Rodriguez allowed 4H/3ER, 3K:1BB in 4IP.

Carlos Correa was 2x4 with a three-run homer; Tony Kemp was 2x4 and Teoscar Hernandez added a double for your only hits of the game. Austin Elkins, Jobduan Morales and Jordan Scott each drew a walk.

Man of the Match: Carlos Correa

Tri-City (41-31), 0.5 GB

A 5-2 Lowell win means Tri-City loses its 5th in a row and Lowell wins its 5th in a row to take over the division lead by a half-game with four to play. Adrian Houser allowed 7H/5R (4ER), 2K:1BB in 4.1IP; Chris Munnelly gave up a hit and a walk in 1.1IP and Evan Grills struck out four of the seven batters he faced in 2.1 perfect innings.

A rehabbing Daniel Bard faced six ValleyCats, struck out two and walked four. Ronnie Mitchell was 2x3 with a walk; Tyler White was 1x5 with 2RBI and Brett Booth, Adam Nelubowich and Chan Moon each had a hit and a walk.

Man of the Match: Evan Grills

Greeneville (38-30), 2.5 GB

Game against division-leading Kingsport postponed due to rain. If necessary, it will be made up on Tuesday at Kingsport (whom the Gastros will face in the first round of the playoffs).

PreStros Morning Report: August 25

Playoff Picture

OKC up 7.0 with eight to play

Corpus clinched playoff berth
Lancaster clinched playoff berth
Quad Cities clinched playoff berth
Tri-City up 4.0 with nine to play
Greeneville up 0.5 with five to play
GCL Astros eliminated

Oklahoma City (78-58), 7.0 up

Round Rock worked out their third-place aggression on OKC with a 9-2 win in which the RedHawks were held to four hits. Jake Buchanan got worked over for 11H/7ER, 4K:1BB in 6IP; Pat Urckfitz allowed a hit in 1IP and Wade LeBlanc allowed 3H/2ER in 1IP.

Jose Martinez hit a two-run homer, Japhet Amador, Jon Singleton (hitting 7th), and Raoul Torrez had your other hits. The Express only had one AB with runners in scoring position. George Springer was 0x2 with 2K.

Man of the Match: Jose Martinez

Corpus (38-24, 1.0 GB) 79-53 overall

San Antonio put two on the board in the bottom of the 1st, but Corpus scored one in the 5th and got the go-ahead runs in the 7th for a 3-2 win at the Missions. Nick Tropeano allowed 4H/2R (1ER), striking out eight and walking none in 6IP. In Tropeano's last three starts, he has thrown 20IP, 14H/3ER, 18K:5BB. Andrew Robinson threw the final 3IP, allowing 3H/0ER, 1K:0BB.

Matt Duffy was 2x4 with a solo homer, and Ronald Torreyes was 2x4. Leo Heras and Enrique Hernandez got a hit, walk, and an RBI.

Man of the Match: Nick Tropeano

Lancaster (39-23, 9.0 up) 78-54 overall

Lancaster scored the final seven runs of the game to beat Rancho Cucamonga 7-1 and clinch the second-half (in addition to the first half) title. Colton Cain allowed 8H/1ER, 5K:1BB in 7.2IP; Kenny Long got the final four outs of the game.

Delino DeShields (2B, BB, HBP, 2RBI), Brandon Meredith, and Tyler Heineman (2B, 2RBI) had two hits each. Nolan Fontana (2B) and Chris Epps (BB, 2RBI) added RBIs.

Man of the Match: Colton Cain

Quad Cities (37-24, 4.5 GB)

Quad Cities wrapped up the 2nd playoff berth with their 7th win in their last eight games - a 5-1 win at Burlington. Mark Appel threw 5IP, allowing 4H/1ER, 3K:3BB; Jamaine Cotton allowed one walk in 3IP and Pat Christensen threw a perfect 9th.

Carlos Correa (2B, RBI), Rio Ruiz (HR, RBI) and Roberto Pena (HR, BB, RBI) had two hits each; Tony Kemp and Teoscar Hernandez had a hit and a walk each.

Man of the Match: Roberto Pena

Tri-City (40-25, 4.0 up)

Tri-City put up two runs in each of the first two innings on their way to a 7-3 win over Staten Island for their fifth win in a row. Edison Frias allowed 3H/1ER, 4K:1BB in 6IP; Krishawn Holley allowed 2H/2ER in 1IP and Gonzalo Sanudo struck out two more batters in two scoreless innings. It has now been 23 appearances since Sanudo has walked a batter, with 39K:0BB in 27.2IP. For the season he has a 1.32 ERA/0.65 WHIP).

James Ramsay was 3x3 with a homer, walk, stolen base, and 2RBI; D'Andre Toney (2B), Tyler White (3RBI), and Jon Kemmer (2B, RBI) had two hits each. Ryan Dineen had a hit and a walk.

Man of the Match: James Ramsay

Greeneville (36-27), 0.5 up

Down 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th, Juan Santana scored with two outs on a wild pitch to tie the game, and then Tanner Mathis got the walk-off single for a 4-3 win over Bluefield. Jandel Gustave allowed 5H/2ER, 7K:1BB in 5IP; Christian Garcia threw 3IP, 2H/0ER, 2K:0BB; Ryan Connolly allowed 2H/1ER, 2K:0BB and Raul Rivera got the win with a perfect 10th inning.

Juan Santana was 2x5 with two runs scored, Chase McDonald was 2x5 with a triple and 2RBI, and Ariel Ovando also had two hits. Brian Holberton was 1x2 with three walks.

Man of the Match: Juan Santana

GCL Astros (26-30), 8.0 GB

Off.

PreStros Morning Report: July 29

Oklahoma City (60-50), 2.0 GB

Craziness at Bricktown last night as the RedHawks, down 3-2 in the bottom of the 8th, tie it up and then get the walk-off on a wild pitch in a 4-3 win over Iowa. Brad Peacock threw 7IP, 6H/1ER, 3K:1BB; Kevin Chapman gave up 2H/2ER in 0.2IP, and Jason Stoffel got the win with 1H/0ER, 0K:2BB in a four-out outing.

George Springer was 2x4 with a double, triple, walk, and two stolen bases; Jose Martinez and Ruben Sosa (2RBI) each had a hit and a walk; Cody Clark was 0x1 with three sac flies.

Man of the Match: George Springer

Corpus (22-16, 1.0 GB), 64-44 overall

Max Stassi was tagged out at home as the tying run of the game, and the Hooks drop to San Antonio, 4-3. Bobby Doran allowed 10H/3ER, 3K:2BB in 6IP; Sergio Escalona allowed 0H/1ER, 0K:1BB, WP, Balk, HBP in 1IP, and Jonas Dufek struck out two in the 8th.

Max Stassi, though. 4x4 with two doubles, a home run, a walk and 2RBI. In his last ten games, he's hitting .400/.429/.971 (of 14 hits in his last ten games, he has two doubles and six homers). Rene Garcia and Preston Tucker had two hits each; Jonathan Meyer was 1x2 with two walks and an RBI.

Man of the Match: Seriously?

Lancaster

Off.

Quad Cities (20-15, 4.5 GB), 58-46 overall

Quad Cities never trailed and, despite getting out-hit 9-8, won at 63-43 Beloit 4-1. Colton Cain threw 5IP, allowing 5H/1ER, 5K:2BB; Daniel Minor gave up four hits (but no runs) in 1.2IP; Jordan Jankowski struck out two in 1.1IP, and Juan Minaya walked one in the 9th.

Terrell Joyce was 2x3 with two runs scored; Teoscar Hernandez (2R, SB), and Jesse Wierzbicki had a hit and a walk; Carlos Correa was 1x5 with 2RBI.

Man of the Match: Colton Cain

Tri-City (26-16), 3.0 up

Tri-City's losing streak runs to four as the ValleyCats get shutout for the third straight game in a 2-0 loss to Connecticut. Chris Cotton took the Hard Luck Loss, allowing 7H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 5IP; Charles Basford allowed a hit and a walk in 2IP and Andrew Walter gave up 1H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 2IP.

Chan Moon (BB) and Jack Mayfield (SB) had two hits each. The ValleyCats got nine hits - all singles - and were 1x6 w/RISP.

Man of the Match: Chris Cotton

Greeneville (25-12), 2.0 up

That is a walk-off walk in the bottom of the 11th for the Gastros, who defeat Burlington 4-3. Austin Chrismon allowed just 3H/0ER, 2K:1BB in 5IP; Jordan Mills gave up 4H/3ER, 2K:3BB in 4IP; newly-promoted Troy Scribner allowed 1H/0ER, 2K:2BB in the 10th and Raul Rivera got the win with 1H/0ER, 2K:0BB in the 11th.

Thomas Lindauer was 2x5 with an RBI; Tanner Mathis was 1x4 with a double and two walks; Marc Wik was 1x2 with three walks.

Man of the Match: Austin Chrismon

GCL Astros (15-16), 6.0 GB

It was 6-0 Astros before the GCL Yankees2 (no typo) got on the board in a 6-1 Astros win. A rehabbing Brian Holmes struck out eight (two walks) in 4.1IP scoreless innings; Juan Santos recorded the final two outs of the 5th; Francis Ramirez struck out three, walked two, and allowed the lone run in 3IP; Erick Gonzalez gave up a hit and two walks in the 9th.

Yonathan Mejia (RBI) and Jose Solano (2B) had two hits each; Jason Martin (2B) and Ydarqui Marte (2B, RBI) had a hit and a walk each. Javaris Reynolds, Jose Fernandez and Jacob Nottingham had your other RBI.

Man of the Match: Brian Holmes

PreStros Morning Report: June 27

Oklahoma City (41-38), 4.0 GB

Nashville had a 5-0 lead before OKC got on the board, and rode it out for a 5-2 win. Asher Wojciechowski allowed a symmetrical 5H/4ER, 5K:4BB in 5.2IP; Eric Berger allowed 3H/1ER, 3K:0BB in 1.1IP; Kevin Chapman gave up a hit in 1IP.

Jonathan Villar, Brandon Laird (2B) and Marwin Gonzalez each had two hits; Carlos Perez was 1x2 with an RBI and a walk; Jimmy Paredes hit his 5th homer for OKC. Jon Singleton and George Springer were each 0x4 with 3K.

Man of the Match: Uh. Carlos Perez?

Corpus (4-4), tied

Welp. That was stupid. The Hooks carried a 4-1 lead into the top of the 9th but I'll be a monkey's uncle if Springfield didn't score five runs in the top of the 9th, and despite getting one back in the bottom haf, the Hooks lost 6-5. Kyle Hallock threw 5.1IP, 1H/1ER, 2K:4BB; Andrew Robinson (1.2IP, 2BB) and Jorge De Leon (K) threw scoreless outings. Pat Urckfitz allowed 5H/4ER in 0.2IP while Carlos Quevedo allowed a solo homer and two of Urckfitz's runs for the BS.

Max Stassi continued his tear with a 3x5 night; Jonathan Meyer (two doubles, BB, RBI) and Zach Johnson (2B, RBI) had two hits each. Preston Tucker (BB, RBI) and Michael Burgess (HR, 2RBI, BB) had a hit and a walk each.

Man of the Match: Jonathan Meyer

Quad Cities (5-2) 2.0 GB, 43-33 overall

Peoria never trailed in this one, beating Quad Cities 5-4. Jamaine Cotton allowed 5H/5R (4ER), 1K:3BB in 3.2IP; Mitchell Lambson allowed a hit in 1.1IP and Colton Cain gave up 2H/0ER in 3IP.

Carlos Correa was 2x4; Roberto Pena was 1x4 with a HR.

Man of the Match: Colton Cain

Tri-City (9-2) 4.0 up

The ValleyCats came back from an early 2-1 deficit, scoring the next six runs in a 9-4 win against Lowell. The battery of Evan Grills and Kevin Comer did it again - Grills threw 5IP, 4H/3ER, 2K:1BB and Comer allowed 1H/1ER, 2K:1BB in 4IP.

James Ramsay (HR, 2RBI), Dan Gulbransen (RBI), and Ronnie Mitchell (SB, BB, 3RBI) had three hits each. Conrad Gregor was 2x3 with two walks and three runs scored. Michael Martinez drew a hit and a walk.

Man of the Match: Conrad Gregor

Greeneville (3-5), 4.0 GB

That is a Win Streak, my friends! Greeneville scored in the first inning, one in the 7th and six runs in the 8th, but that first one was all they needed. Astros pitching held Kingsport to no runs on two hits in an 8-0 win. Jandel Gustave struck out seven and walked three in six hitless innings; Sebastian Kessay struck out two in 1IP and J.D. Osborne allowed 2H/0ER, 5K:0BB as Kingsport struck out 14 times on the night.

Alfredo Gonzalez was 3x4 with a double and 2RBI; Edwin Gomez was 2x5 with a double; Tanner Mathis (2BB) Juan Santana (2RBI), and Darwin Rivera (HR) provided your RBIs.

Man of the Match: Jandel Gustave

GCL Astros (4-2), 1.0 up

The GCL Astros had a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 9th, but the Yankees struck last with two runs in a walk-off. Yankees win 5-2. Agapito Barrios allowed 4H/2ER, 6K:2BB in 5IP; Jorge Perez (2BB), Kevin Ferguson (ER, K), and Juan Santos (H) each threw an inning. Erick Gonzalez got the BS/L (The Brandon Lyon) with 0.2IP, 2H/2ER giving up the walk-off 2-run homer.

Jason Martin was 3x5 with an RBI; Alex Gonzalez and Javaris Reynolds had two hits each.

Man of the Match: Jason Martin

PreStros Morning Report: May 16

Oklahoma City (24-15)

The RedHawks were down 2-1 heading into the 7th inning, but erupted for four runs in the 7th and tacked on two more in the 9th for a 7-2 win over Sacramento. Brett Oberholtzer, recently named as the PCL Pitcher of the Week continually escaped trouble, allowing four hits and four walks and needing 91 pitches to get through 4.1IP, allowing just 2ER as Sacramento was 1x9 w/RISP. Alex Sogard (1.1IP, BB), Josh Zeid (1H, 1BB), Rhiner Cruz and Eric Berger (1BB) held the River Cats scoreless over the final 4.2IP.

RedHawks hitters tagged up Sonny Gray for 8H/4R (3ER), 5K:2BB. Andy Simunic was 3x5 with 3RBI, Jonathan Villar (2B, BB), Brett Wallace (2B, 2RBI), and Austin Wates had two hits each. Fernando Martinez and Che-Hsuan Lin had a hit and a walk each.

Man of the Match: Andy Simunic

Corpus (23-17)

Despite taking an early 1-0 lead, San Antonio scored the next five runs and cruised to a 6-2 win over the Hooks. Ruben Alaniz allowed 4H/2ER, 5K:3BB in 4.2IP. Matt Heidenreich gave up a hit in 0.1IP, Josh Fields threw a perfect 6th inning, and Jorge De Leon allowed 2H/4ER, 2K:2BB in the final 3IP of the game.

Rene Garcia was 3x4 with a solo homer; Jio Mier was 2x4 with two doubles, and Erik Castro added an RBI. Domingo Santana was 0x4 with 3K.

Man of the Match: Rene Garcia

Lancaster (23-17)

Tough one last night for the JetHawks as they overcame two two-run deficits, took a 5-4 lead into the 8th, and allowed two Visalia runs in the bottom of the 8th for a 6-5 loss. David Rollins allowed 6H/4ER, 5K:2BB in 3IP; Theron Geith gave up just one hit and struck out two in 2IP and Tyson Perez took the loss, allowing three hits, a walk, and two earned runs in the final 3IP.

Matt Duffy was 3x5 with 3RBI, while Joe Sclafani (2B, BB), Andrew Aplin (2BB, SB), and Tyler Heineman (RBI) had two hits each. Telvin Nash, who is showing more patience at the plate, was 0x3 but with two walks. Delino DeShields was 0x5 with 4Ks and the JetHawks as a team left 13 LOBsters.

Man of the Match: Matt Duffy

Quad Cities (23-16)

All the scoring came in the 5th inning as Quad Cities beat Wisconsin 3-1. Colton Cain had a strong rebound start, his 5H/1ER, 2K:2BB in 4.1IP lowered his ERA to 7.12. Mike Hauschild got the win with 3.2IP, 4H/0ER, 3K:0BB and John Neely picked up his 7th save of the year, walking two but holding Wisconsin scoreless in the 9th.

Ariel Ovando was 2x4, while Carlos Correa and Miles Hamblin each had a hit and an RBI.

Man of the Match: Colton Cain.

PreStros Farm Report: August 5

PreStros: August 5

Oklahoma City (63-52) 

The RedHawks lost for the seventh time in eight games, getting beat 6-4 by Salt Lake (LAA).

Rudy Owens went 5.2 innings and gave up 4 R on 6 H and 2 BB with 1 K. Brian Sanches threw 1.1 innings, allowing 2 R on 3 H with 2 K. Garrett Mock pitched 1 inning with 1 K.

DH-Fernando Martinez was 2x4 with 2 2B, 1 R, and 2 RBI. RF-Brad Snyder was 2x4 with 1 HR and 2 RBI.

Man of the Match: Brad Snyder

*Notes: Despite a team ERA in July of 6.45, the RedHawks finished the month 16-12.

Corpus Christi (66-47) 

Corpus held off a late rally to beat Midland (OAK) 6-4.

Rob Rasmussen threw 6 innings, giving up 2 R on 7 H and 3 BB with 8 K. Josh Zeid pitched 1 scoreles inning with 1 BB and 2 K. Kevin Chapman went 1 inning, allowing 2 R on 1 H and 2 BB with 2 K. Jason Stoffel pitched 1 inning with 1 BB and 1 K, but allowed the two runners he inherited from Chapman to score.

CF-Robbie Grossman was 2x3 with 1 R. 2B-Jose Martinez was 2x5 with 1 2B, 2 R, and 1 RBI. LF-Marc Krauss was 2x4 with 1 BB and 1 R. 1B-Jonathan Singleton was 2x4 with 2 RBI. SS/3B-Andy Simunic went 2x4 with 1 R.

Man of the Match: Jose Martinez

*Notes: Jason Castro, who has been rehabbing in Corpus, is expected to join OKC to continue his rehab.

Lancaster (58-55) 

The JetHawks held a two run lead heading into the seventh, but ultimately lost 4-2 to High Desert (SEA).

Colton Cain pitched 6 innings, giving up 2 R on 6 H and 2 BB with 6 K. Jorge De Leon pitched 1 scoreless inning with 2 H. Pat Urckfitz threw .1 innings with 1 H. Carlos Quevedo pitched 1.2 innings and gave up 2 R on 2 H with 1 K.

DH-Chris Epps was 2x3 with 1 2B and 1 RBI. 3B-Jonathan Meyer was 2x4 with 1 2B and 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: Colton Cain

*Notes: The JetHawks have the fewest errors in the California League.

Lexington (63-50) 

The Legends offense unloaded on Hagerstown (WAS), beating them 16-6.

Chris Devenski threw 5 innings, giving up 4 R (3 earned) on 7 H and 3 BB with 5 K. Nathan Pettus pitched 3 innings and allowed 2 R on 5 H and 2 BB with 3 K. Mitchell Lambson took the final inning with 1 K.

2B-Delino DeShields was 2x4 with 3 SB, 1 R, and 2 RBI. LF-Brandon Meredith was 4x6 with 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 R, and 3 RBI. RF-Emilio King was 2x6 with 1 2B and 2 R. CF-Jordan Scott went 2x5 with 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 2B, and 2 R. DH/3B-Jose Fernandez was 2x6 with 2 R. C-Cristian Moronta was 3x5 with 1 BB, 2 2B, 3 R, and 3 RBI.

Man of the Match: Cristian Moronta

*Notes: Matt Duffy set two records for being hit by pitches. His three times getting hit yesterday were a Sally League record for most in one game, and his season total of 33 is a Sally League record for most in a season.

Tri-City (34-13) 

Tri-City won their fourth in a row, beating Mahoning Valley (CLE) 5-4.

Joe Bircher threw 6.2 innings and gave up 4 R on 10 H and 2 BB with 2 K. Travis Ballew pitched 1.1 innings with 1 H and 3 K. Blake Ford pitched 1 inning with 1 BB.

SS-Joe Sclafani was 2x3 with 1 BB, 1 R, and 1 RBI. DH-Tyler Heineman was 2x2 with 1 BB, 1 R, and 1 RBI. RF-Preson Tucker was 2x4 with 1 RBI.

Man of the Match: Joe Sclafani

*Notes: The ValleyCats are first in the New York-Penn League in runs scored, home runs, steals, batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage.

Greeneville (25-19) 

Postponed

*Notes: The G-Stros have a 2 game lead for the second playoff spot in the West Division.

GCL Astros (20-21) 

Off

*Notes: Lance McCullers has been promoted to Greeneville.

DSL Astros (16-37) 

Off

*Notes: Writing recaps for a team that loses this much isn’t fun. I guess this is how the County Clerk must feel. (Hiyo!)

Pirates trade three prospects for Wandy

Keep it posted here, because reports say that the Pirates are close to trading for Wandy Rodriguez.

If the Astros don't get the Clemente Bridge in the package, I'm gonna be pissed.

8:09pm: Jon Heyman is reporting the deal is done.

8:11pm: Money is apparently changing hands. Keep checking back for the return.

In return for Wandy, the Astros receive LHPs Colton Cain, Rudy Owens, and OF Robbie Grossman.

Alright, let's do this.

Colton Cain is a 6'3" 225lb 21-year old LHP out of Waxahachie High School, and was the 8th Round pick of the 2009 draft by the Pirates. In three seasons (55 appearances, 48 starts) he has a 10-15 record, with a 4.04 ERA/1.18 WHIP. In 229.2IP, he has allowed 195H/103ER, 179K:75BB. Pirates Prospects has a run-down here.
So far in 2012 for High-A Bradenton, Cain is 3-5 in 16 starts, with a 4.20 ERA/1.24 WHIP, allowing 10HR in 75IP.

Rudy Owens is a 6'3" 230lb 24-year old LHP, and was the 28th Round pick of the Pirates in 2006. For Triple-A Indianapolis in 2012 (a repeat year from 2011), Owens is 8-5 with a 3.14 ERA/1.17 WHIP, with 85K:25BB in 117.1IP. Owens dealt with left shoulder soreness and fatigue in 2011. Here's a pre-2011 MLB.com article on Owens' plans to get to the Majors.

Robbie Grossman is a 6'0" 205lb 22-year old switch-hitting OF out of Cy-Fair High School, and was the Pirates' 6th Round pick in the 2008 draft. For Double-A Altoona in 2012, Grossman is hitting .262/.374/.403, with 77K:58BB in 413PAs. He had a breakout year in 2011 for High-A Bradenton, hitting .294/.418/.451, with 49 extra-base hits in 616 PAs, with 111K:104BB.