Awe Shucks

John Sickels at Minor League Ball has a quick paragraph on J.B. Shuck today. Here's a teaser, head here for the full report.

If it sounds like I'm describing a future fourth/fifth outfielder, you would be correct

Shuck to OKC

In order to make room for J.A. Happ, J.B. Shuck has been optioned to Oklahoma City, thus blowing a great chance to DFA Jason Michaels.

What to do with the outfield?

So here's the scenario: The Astros have a ton of outfielders, and - at deadline - can only have three outfielders. J.D. Martinez' place is solidified as is, presumably, Jordan Schafer's. That leaves one outfield spot for Brian Bogusevic, Jason Michaels, and J.B. Shuck.

I know what you must be thinking: Surely Michaels will not be getting regular ABs, right?

wrong. Check Brian McTaggart:

Perhaps Bourgeois is better fitted for a reserve role, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. Having Bourgeois available to pinch run late in a game will be a huge weapon. J.B. Shuck has also seen time in center recently, but he’ll likely split time in right field with Jason Michaels (against left-handers) and Brian Bogusevic (against right-handers)..

Here's my issue: I don't think anyone saw Jason Bourgeois hitting .340 for any duration of the season, so if he gets relegated to the bench, so be it. I'm okay with that. But when the Astros traded Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn, and promoted Martinez and Shuck, I can't believe that there is a scenario - even one involving a bus wreck - where Jason Michaels gets even a platoon role.

Only this team could look at Michaels, hitting .219/.288/.329 against lefties this season, as a better option over seeing what Bogusevic or Shuck can do.

God did not want Shuck's dad at last night's game

Take a gander at the crap Shuck's dad had to go through in order to not make it to Houston in time for the game last night:

Shuck's father, Jack, got the call from his son at 2:30 Friday morning and spent the next 16 hours trying - unsuccessfully - to get to Houston in time for the first game of a three-game series against the National League Central-leading Brewers. Jack had a flat tire on his way to the airport in Columbus, then had his flight to Houston canceled because of severe weather.

"This hasn't worked out the way I had hoped," an exasperated Jack Shuck said late Friday afternoon from an airport in North Carolina, where he was hoping to fly standby to Houston. "There's not even a sports bar nearby where I can go watch the game...

"...This is what we've been dreaming of for 20 years and I'm not going to make it there. It's unbelievable," Jack Shuck said. "Maybe I'll be able to look back and laugh about this some day, but I'm not laughing now."

Holy Jeebus. That's just not fair.

Shuck moving on up

Perhaps you're like me, and thought it was strange that J.B. Shuck wasn't in the lineup last night for OKC at Las Vegas. That's because he'll fill Durango's spot on the 25-Man roster in time for today's game.

In July, Shuck hit .368/.477/.517, with five doubles and four triples, striking out just four times in 87ABs; In his last ten games, he's hitting .421/.522/.605 with 4K:7BB.

Shuck using the Corpus call-ups as motivation

J.B. Shuck is using the recent Corpus call-ups as motivation to work on his game:

I'm using it as motivation a little bit, because that's my ultimate goal. I'm going to continue to work hard and hopefully get to where I want to be and hopefully I can get a chance to go up....It's their decision. I would have liked to go, but I didn't really put together much of a year until last month. Those guys have had some pretty good numbers all year. They deserve it. I played some with J.D. [Martinez] and he can swing it.”

He's right. Shuck's OPS (from April-June, respectively) was .762, .585, and .697. But he has busted out recently, hitting .368/.477/.517 in July, and .462/.543/.641 in his last ten games.

Eddie's Farm: July 31

Oklahoma City (48-61)

Omaha (somewhere in middle America) scored nine runs before OKC got their first one, and cruised to a 12-3 win. Brad Hennessey was your starter, and went 2.2IP, allowing 11H/9ER, 1K:2BB; Sam Gervacio came in in relief, and allowed 1H/0ER, 0K:1BB in 3.1IP. Casey Fien gave up 2ER in 1IP, Fernando Abad allowed 1ER in 1IP, and Ross Wolf threw a scoreless 9th.

J.B. Shuck was 3x4 with an RBI triples; Oswaldo Navarro was 2x4 with an RBI; Robinson Cancel, J.R. Towles, and Wladimir Sutil had your other hits, and Brian Bogusevic was hitless, but drew two walks.

Man of the Match: J.B. Shuck

Corpus (48-62)

Corpus had a pair of four-run innings, Midland scored the final six runs of the game, but Corpus had the edge, winning 8-7 at Midland. The Hooks used six pitchers: Henry Sosa came back to earth, allowing 9H/6ER, 3K:2BB in 4.2IP; Arcenio Leon got the win with 2H/1R (0ER); Chris Hicks (1.1IP), Josh Zeid (0.2IP), Xavier Cedeno (0.1IP) threw scoreless outings, and Jason Stoffel got his 3rd save since coming over from the Giants organization. Three of the six pitchers used were acquired in trades over the last ten days.

Jimmy Van Ostrand was 3x4 with a walk; Brandon Wikoff (BB, RBI) and Jon Gaston (HR, 3RBI) had two hits each; Jonathan Villar added a solo homer, T.J. Steele drew two walks, and Jose Vallejo was 1x4 with 2RBI.

Man of the Match: Jon Gaston

Lancaster (41-65)

Lancaster had a two-run lead twice, and gave it up once in a 4-3 win over Bakersfield. Our Boy Andrew Robinson threw 6IP, 8H/2ER, 6K:1BB, improving to 5-8; Kyle Greenwalt threw 2IP, allowing 1H/1R (0ER), 2K:1BB; Kirk Clark threw 1IP, giving up nada.

Erik Castro was 2x3 with two solo homers (6th/7th of the year); David Flores added a solo homer and a single, and Austin Wates had your other RBI. Newcomer Jonathan Singleton got a double in his JetHawks debut, and Grant Hogue got a double, going 1x2.

Man of the Match: Erik Castro

Lexington (48-58)

Lexington got two runs in the bottom of the first, but Rome chipped away, ultimately winning 3-2. Mike Foltynewicz threw 6IP, 5H/2R (1ER), 3K:1BB; Gabe Garcia took the loss, allowing 5H/1ER, 1K:0BB, in 3IP.

Lexington only got three hits on the day: Ben Orloff (BB), Ben Heath (RBI), Dan Adamson (RBI), and Mike Kvasnicka, Telvin Nash, Bryce Lane, and Jhonny Medrano drew walks.

Man of the Match: Mike Foltynewicz

Tri-City (17-25)

The ValleyCats never led in this one, losing 6-1 to Auburn. Juri Perez lasted 3.1IP, 7H/4ER, 3K:3BB; Travis Smink allowed 2H/2ER, 1K:1BB in 1.2IP; Joan Belliard (2IP), Kristian Bueno (3BB), and Ryan Cole threw scoreless outings.

And lots of walks, only two hits (Drew Muren, Hector Rodriguez) to report. Miles Hamblin (3BB), John Hinson and Neiko Johnson each drew two walks. Zach Johnson and Jacke Healey had your other walks.

Man of the Match: Gah. How about Miles Hamblin, went 0x1, but with three walks?

Greeneville (15-25)

Princeton got three in the top of the 1st, and that was all they needed for a 6-1 win over the Gastros. Ricardo Batista threw 4IP, 5H/3ER, 3K:4BB; Rodney Quintero walked two, allowing an earned run; Paris Shewey gave up 2H/1ER in 1.2IP, and Zach Dando allowed 3H/1ER, 1K:1BB.

Luis Alvarez was 2x3 with a walk, Jorge Sosa (BB), Jesse Wierzbicki, Chase Davidson, Ariel Ovando (2B), and Darwin Rivera (BB) all had a hit each.

Man of the Match: Luis Alvarez

GCL Astros (11-24)

Despite allowing two runs in the top of the 9th, the GCL Astros beat the GCL Cardinals 4-3. Enderson Franco threw 5IP, 5H/1ER, 2K:3BB; Juan Mojica allowed 2H/0ER in 2IP, Steve Dennison gave up a hit in 1IP, and Blake Ford gave up 5H/2ER in the 9th.

Jose Fernandez was 2x4 with a double and an RBI, and Rafael Valenzuela and Justin Shults had your other RBIs.

Man of the Match: Enderson Franco

Eddie's Farm: July 25

Oklahoma City (46-57)

SWEEP. OKC allows two Memphis runs in the top of the 1st, but then scores the next eight runs of the game for an 8-2 win over Memphis. Sergio Perez allowed 5IP, 7H/2ER, 1K:0BB; Mickey Storey gave up two hits and a walk in 0.1IP, leaving the bases loaded for Doug Arguello, who got out of it, and ultimately just allowed 1H/0ER, 2K:1BB in 1.1IP. Ross Wolf threw 1.1 hitless IP, and Jeff Fulchino closed it out with two Ks in the 9th.

J.B. Shuck (3B, 3RBI, SB) and Collin DeLome (2RBI) had two hits each. Luis Durango and Brian Bogusevic (2B, RBI, 2SB) drew two walks each. Anderson Hernandez was 1x3 with an RBI, BB, and 2SB.

Man of the Match: J.B. Shuck

Corpus (39-61)

Corpus got a six-run 4th inning, and rode it out for a 9-3 win over Frisco. Dallas Keuchel threw 6IP, 7H/3ER, 1K:1BB; Arcenio Leon allowed 1H/0ER, 1K:1BB in 0.2IP; Xavier Cedeno returned for 1.1IP, allowing 1BB, and Henry Villar threw the final 1IP, giving up a hit.

Johnathan Villar was a double short of the cycle, going 3x5 with a triple and a homer and 3RBI. Coincidentally, those were your only extra-base hits. J.D. Martinez (RBI), Jimmy Van Ostrand (2RBI), and T.J. Steele (RBI) had two hits each.

Man of the Match: Johnathan Villar

Lancaster (38-63)

The JetHawks had a 4-3 lead going into the 8th, but gave up a run in each of the 8th and 9th innings for a 5-4 loss to Lake Elsinore. Our Boy Andrew Robinson threw 6IP, 6H/3ER, 5K:4BB; Wes Musick allowed an ER in 1.1IP with Kirk Clark giving up Musick's run, Shane Wolf gave up the go-ahead run, and Bobby Doran continued his easing back into pitching, facing the final two batters, and giving up a hit.

Adam Bailey was 2x5 with a homer, 2RBI, and Grant Hogue was 2x3 with a double, walk, and a stolen base. Jonathan Meyer was 1x3 with a double and two walks. Austin Wates also had a hit and two walks.

Man of the Match: Adam Bailey

Lexington (46-55)

Savannah got three runs in the 6th inning to send them ahead of Lexington for good, 5-4. Mike Foltynewicz threw 5IP, 7H/4ER, 5K:0BB; Jason Chowning allowed all three runs in the 6th (two charged to Foltynewicz), getting the BS/L; Jorge De Leon struck out two of the three batters he faced.

Delino DeShields (2B), Mike Kvasnicka (2B, 3RBI), and Roberto Pena had two hits each. Ben Heath hit his 3rd homer of the season, and Tyler Burnett added a double. Telvin Nash and Emilio King struck out three times each.

Man of the Match: Mike Kvasnicka

Tri-City (15-22)

Staten Island got the go-ahead run in the 8th for a 2-1 win over Tri-City. Juri Perez threw 6IP, 4H/1ER, 8K:0BB; Travis Smink allowed 2H/1ER (getting the loss), and Travis Blankenship gave up the hit that scored Smink's run, in 0.2IP.

John Hinson was 2x3, and Justin Gominsky (BB), Miles Hamblin, Zach Johnson, and Drew Muren had your other hits. Matt Duffy had your lone RBI.

Man of the Match: Juri Perez

Greeneville (12-22)

Johnson City scored all their runs in the first three innings, including a 6-run 3rd, for an 8-2 win over Greeneville. Luis Ordosgoitti allowed 7H/6R (5ER) in 2IP; Zach Dando allowed 3H/2ER, 4K:0BB in 4IP, and Paris Shewey gave up 2H in 2IP.

Jordan Scott, Josh Magee, and Jesse Wierzbicki (3B, RBI, BB) had two hits each. Ariel Ovando was 1x4 with an outfield assist.

Man of the Match: Jesse Wierzbicki

GCL Astros (8-22)

Low-scoring affair in Kissimmee as the GCL Astros fall to the GCL Marlins, 2-1. Tanner Bushue made another rehab start, allowing 4IP, 6H/1ER, 2K:0BB; Adrian Houser came in for long relief, allowing 2H/1ER, 4K:3BB, 2WP in 4.1IP, and Juan Mojica got the final two outs.

The Astros only got three hits: Kelvin Vizcaino (BB), Jose Fernandez, and Yonathan Mejia. Jean Carlos Batista drew a walk and got your lone RBI.

Man of the Match: Tanner Bushue

Eddie's Farm: July 13

Oklahoma City (39-52)

Final day of the All-Star Break, which also contained the IL/PCL All-Star Game, which the International League won 3-0. J.B. Shuck - the lone OKC representative - drew a walk in his only AB.

Corpus (33-55)

Off.

Lancaster (35-55)

Back and forth game at High Desert: Lancaster got a run in the top of the 1st, High Desert answered in the bottom half with five runs. Lancaster chipped away, tying it up with a three-run 8th inning at 6-6, and David Berner gave up a walk-off homer to Denny Almonte - his second of the game. Jake Buchanan threw 7.2IP, 9H/6R (1ER - five unearned runs on Jiovanni Mier's fielding error), 7K:2BB, while Berner gets the loss with 1H/1ER in 0.2IP.

Jonathan Meyer was 2x5 with an RBI, while Grant Hogue, Adam Bailey, Federico Hernandez, and Miguel Arrendell added RBIs. Jiovanni Mier drew two walks and got an RBI, as well, and David Flores was 1x2 with two walks.

Man of the Match: Jake Buchanan

Lexington (42-28)

Game 1: Lexington won it with a bottom of the 7th two-run walkoff homer by Telvin Nash. Alex Sogard threw 6IP, 6H/0ER, 7K:0BB, and Jorge De Leon got the win with a perfect 7th.

Up to that point in the 7th, the Legends only had two hits, but Kvasnicka (H/BB) got on base ahead of him, and Nash put the game away. Jay Austin had your other hit.

Man of the Match: Telvin Nash

Game 2: Didn't go as well. It was 0-0 heading into the 5th, and then Savannah scored the next seven runs for a 7-3 win over Lexington. Murilo Gouvea threw 3IP, 2H/0ER, 4K:1BB; David Martinez threw 2IP, 2H/3R (0ER), 0K:2BB; Adam Champion gave up 4H/4ER (all on a grand slam), 1K:1BB in 2IP.

Emilio King and Ben Orloff had two hits; Enrique Hernandez was 1x2 with a walk and a two-run homer. Delino DeShields had a hit, walk, and an RBI.

Man of the Match: Enrique Hernandez

Tri-City (10-14)

Kerrazy game at Batavia! Tri-City was up 2-1 going into the 9th, scored three in the top half, and then Batavia answered with three runs in the bottom of the 9th, but fell short - and Tri-City wins 5-4. Kyle Hallock allowed 2H/0ER, 4K:3BB in 6IP; Travis Smink gave up 3H/1ER, 2K:0BB in 2IP; Ryan Cole have up 3H/3ER, 1K:2BB and Mitchell Lambson got the final out for his first professional save.

John Hinson was 2x5 with a double, Matt Duffy was 1x4 with 2RBI; Justin Gominsky and Drew Muren had a hit and a walk. Tri-City won this game despite going 1x10 with RISP, and getting out-hit 8-6.

Man of the Match: Kyle Hallock

Greeneville (8-14)

Greeneville overcame a 4-0 deficit to beat Johnson City 7-4. Danilo Del Rio allowed 5H/4ER, 2K:3BB in 4IP; Zach Dando did some serious work, allowing just 1H/0ER, 5K:0BB in 4IP, and Steve Martin got his first save, despite 2BB in 1IP.

Chase Davidson was 2x3 with two walks, and his two hits were solo homers. Jordan Scott (RBI) and Jose Vargas also had two hits. Josh Magee (RBI) Jesse Wierzbicki (2RBI) had a hit and a walk each.

Man of the Match: Chase Davidson

GCL Astros

Off.

Eddie's Farm: July 3

Oklahoma City (34-50)

The RedHawks lost their 10th straight game to Memphis with yesterday's 2-1 loss. Wesley Wright took the loss, allowing 3H/2ER, 4K:2BB, 2HR, HBP in 4IP. Ross Wolf (2IP) and Mickey Storey (1IP) each allowed a hit and a walk (with Wolf striking out four). Fernando Rodriguez gave up 2H/0ER, 1K:0BB in 1IP.

OKC managed just five hits - none of them for extra-bases, and it was J.B. Shuck who came up with your lone RBI. Luis Durango drew two walks in a pinch-hitting/replacement LF role.

Man of the Match: J.B. Shuck

Corpus (30-50)

Corpus got out to an 8-0 lead by the middle of the 3rd and cruised to a 16-3 win over NW Arkansas - doing it on 12 hits. Dallas Keuchel improved to 7-6 (and should improve to OKC) with a 7IP, 6H/3R (1ER), 4K:2BB outing. Pat Urckfitz allowed 1H/0ER, 2K:0BB in the final 2IP.

Chris Wallace got things cracking with a two-out grand slam, going 1x3 with 2BB and 4RBI. Jimmy Paredes was 3x6 with a homer, Jose Altuve (2B, BB), J.D. Martinez (HR, 4RBI), and Jon Gaston (2B, 3B, 2RBI) each had two hits.

Man of the Match: Let's go with Chris Wallace

Lancaster (30-51)

Pitcher's Duel in Lancaster, and Our Boy Andrew Robinson came up on the short end of a 2-1 loss at Modesto. Robinson threw 7IP, 3H/2ER, 4K:2BB, and Chris Hicks gave up a hit in the 9th.

The JetHawks managed five hits - two from Jose Carlos Thompson, and Jiovanni Mier had your only RBI.

Man of the Match: Andrew Robinson

Lexington (38-43)

Hagerstown took it to Lexington with an 8-2 win. Ruben Alaniz threw 5.1IP, giving up 7H/4ER, 2K:5BB; Juan Minaya allowed 6H/4R (3ER), 5K:1BB.

Telvin Nash was 2x4 as the Legends went 0x6 w/RISP and no extra-base hits. Tyler Burnett had your only RBI.

Man of the Match: Telvin Nash

Tri-City (6-10)

Tri-City went 0-5 on this road trip with a 7-6 loss at Vermont. Juri Perez threw 4.1IP, giving up 7H/3R (2ER), 3K:1BB. Dayan Diaz gave up a hit and three walks, but no runs; Mitchell Lambson threw 2IP, 1H/0ER, 2K:0BB. Ebert Rosario took the BS/L with 3H/4ER, 2K:1BB in 2IP, giving up the game-winning run that Travis Smink allowed, with a hit and a walk without recording an out.

Miles Hamblin was 4x5 with two doubles and an RBI; Kellen Kiilsgaard went 2x4, and Matt Duffy, Zach Johnson, John Hinson, and Bubby Williams had RBIs, with Duffy, Johnson, and Neiko Johnson getting a hit and a walk.

Man of the Match: Miles Hamblin

Greeneville (4-9)

The Gastros got three in the 1st, and that's all they needed, beating Elizabethtonvilleberg 3-2. Luis Ordosgoitti allowed 6H/2ER, 6K:0BB in 5.1IP; Danilo Del Rio, Paris Shewey, and Matison Smith combined for 1H/0ER, 3K:1BB in the last 3.2IP.

Ernesto Genoves hit a two-run homer in the 1st, and Chase Davidson continued his hot start to the season, going 1x4 with an RBI, and hitting .347/.411/.714 in 12 games. Of his 17 hits, nine are for extra-bases.

Man of the Match: That said, Ernesto Genoves.

GCL Astros (3-8)

Off.

Eddie's Farm: June 2

Oklahoma City (24-30)

It's hard to come back from a 5-0 deficit in the first inning, and Round Rock couldn't do it, going on to lose 11-1 to OKC. Gustavo Chacin went 5IP, allowing just 3H/0ER, 2K:2BB, while Francis Beltran allowed 2H/1ER, 3K:0BB in 3IP of relief. Fernando Abad gave up a hit in 1IP.

J.B. Shuck was 3x4 with 4RBI, while Jason Bourgeois (3B, BB), Anderson Hernandez (RBI), Koby Clemens (HR, RBI, BB), Brian Dopirak (RBI), and Tommy Manzella (3B, RBI) had two hits each. Brandon Barnes was 1x3 with two walks and 2RBI.

Man of the Match: J.B. Shuck

Corpus (19-33)

Springfield was up 5-0 before Corpus got their lone run, and then scored four more for a 9-1 win over Corpus. Jonnathan Aristil allowed 9H/5ER, 8K:1BB in the loss, while Shane Wolf allowed 1H/1ER in 2IP. Arcenio Leon allowed 3H/3ER in 1IP, and Kyle Greenwalt threw the last inning, allowing one hit.

Jake Goebbert was 3x4 with an RBI, and J.D. Martinez was 2x4 to provide your multi-hit games. 28-year old catcher Emerson Frostad made his 2011 debut after seven seasons in the Rangers system, and went 0x3 with a walk.

Man of the Match: Jake Goebbert.

Lancaster (22-32)

Modesto had an answer for every late inning run the JetHawks put up, taking the game 6-4 from Lancaster. Bobby Doran only threw 1+_IP, allowing 2H/2ER, 1K:2BB before being lifted for Mike Ness, who threw 5IP, 7H/1ER, 3K:0BB in relief. Wander Alvino took the loss, giving up 1H/3R (2ER), 1K:4BB.

Austin Wates was 3x4 with a double and a stolen base; Erik Castro and Miguel Arrendell were both 2x4, and Kody Hinze hit his 14th homer of the year.

Man of the Match: Austin Wates

Lexington (26-28)

Lexington scored three late runs for a 3-1 win over West Virginia. Alex Sogard allowed 6H/1ER, 5K:1BB in 5IP, while Brian Streilein threw 3IP, 1H/0ER, 1K:2BB and got the win. Jorge De Leon struck out the side for his 6th save of the year.

Mike Kvasnicka was 2x4 with a two-run, go-ahead homer in the 8th. Adam Bailey also hit his 12th homer of the year and had an outfield assist, throwing out a runner at home from RF. Ben Orloff was 2x4.

Man of the Match: Mike Kvasnicka

DSL Astros (2-3)

The DSL Astros overcame a 7-1 deficit for a 9-7 win over the DSL Mets2 (which sounds like what my wireless is called). Edgar Ferreira allowed 2H/5ER, 3K:3BB, 2WP in 1.1IP. Yeudy Perdomo allowed two of Ferreira's runs, and one earned run of his own in 2.2IP. Ambiorix DeLeon threw 3IP, 0H/0ER, 2K:1BB and Manuel Sanchez walked one in 2IP. So in the final five innings, the DSL Astros' bullpen allowed 0H/0ER, 4K:2BB.

Tomas De La Cruz went 2x3 with an RBI; Jose Solano was 1x2 with 3BB, Darwin Rivera was 1x1 with a walk and 2RBI in a pinch-hit/DH role.

Man of the Match: Tomas De La Cruz

Eddie's Farm: April 21

Oklahoma City (4-10)

Jeebus, I hate Round Rock. Hate them so much. Express win again, 6-3. Fernando Nieve allowed 12H/5ER, 3K:3BB in 5IP. Gustavo Chacin allowed 2H/1ER, 2K:1BB, HBP in 2IP (but got out of a bases-loaded jam without allowing a run, left to him by Nieve), and Sergio Escalona struck out three in 1.1IP.

Carlos Corporan hit a homer for the second straight game, and Brian Dopirak added a double. J.B. Shuck was 1x2 with 2BB and a SB. Koby Clemens posted his third straight 0x4 - all against Round Rock.

Man of the Match: J.B. Shuck

Corpus (5-8)

Corpus got three in the 3rd for a 5-2 win over Frisco. Suck on that, Rangers. Ross Seaton threw 7IP, 4H/2ER, 3K:1BB, while Patrick Urckfitz and David Carpenter combined to throw 2IP, 2H/0ER, 4K:0BB.

Jimmy Paredes (RBI), J.D. Martinez (two 2Bs, RBI), Jon Gaston, and Brandon Barnes (HR, 2RBI) had two hits each - and the Hooks were 2x12 w/RISP.

Man of the Match: Ross Seaton

Lancaster (8-7)

High scoring affair last night as Stockton and Lancaster were tied at 7-7 going into the 8th, with Stockton leading by the final margin of 13-10 by the time the inning was over. Bobby Doran allowed 8H/7ER, 5K:2BB in 4.1IP; Wes Musick took the loss, giving up 5H/4ER, 5K:2BB in 3IP; Mike Ness allowed 4H/2ER (including 2ER charged to Musick), 1K:3BB in 1IP, and Colton Pitkin got the final two batters of the game without incident.

Jose Altuve was 3x5, Erik Castro was 2x2 with a HR, 2RBI, 2BB, and Kody Hinze was 2x5 with a double and his 6th HR of the season. Jay Austin was 1x4 with a walk and 3RBI.

Man of the Match: Erik Castro

Lexington (7-8)

For the second game in a row, Savannah took advantage of a big late inning, this time scoring four in the 8th for a 6-5 win over Lexington. Carlos Quevedo threw 5IP, 8H/1R (0ER), 3K:1BB; Jorge De Leon got lit up for 4H/3ER, WP, Balk, in 2IP, and two of those ER came courtesy of Alex Sogard, who allowed 1H/2ER, 1K:2BB of his own in 0.2IP. David Martinez gave up a hit that allowed two runs charged to Sogard in 0.1IP.

Mike Kvasnicka was 3x4, with a double/triple/RBI; Roberto Pena was 2x4 with a double; Chris Wallace hit his 6th homer and added another RBI.

Man of the Match: Mike Kvasnicka

Eddie's Farm: April 9

Oklahoma City

OKC had the briefest of leads before Memphis rattled off six of the next seven runs in a 6-2 win. Doug Arguello got the start, but lasted 4.2IP, 2H/2ER, 4K:3BB, HBP. Gustavo Chacin followed that up with 1.1IP, 2H/1ER, WP, Balk. Casey Fien threw a perfect inning before Sergio Escalona allowed 3H/3ER, 0K:2BB. J.B. Shuck was 3x5, and Anderson Hernandez was 2x5 with a double. The RedHawks were 0x9 w/RISP.

Man of the Match: J.B. Shuck

Corpus

Corpus rallied from a 6-2 deficit after two innings to take a 9-6 lead, then held on for a 9-8 win over Tulsa. Ross Seaton got rocked, throwing 2IP, 7H/6ER, 3K:0BB. Cesar Carrillo threw 4IP in relief, allowing 1H/0ER, 2K:2BB. David Carpenter picked up the save. The top third of the lineup (Sutil-Paredes-Martinez) each went 3x5 with a total of five extra-base hits, with Martinez collecting 4RBI. Jimmy Van Ostrand added two hits

Man of the Match: Cesar Carrillo

Lancaster

The JetHawks got three runs in the bottom of the 8th for an 8-7 win over High Desert. Robby Donovan threw 4IP, 6H/4ER, 2K:3BB, and Zach Grimmett threw 3IP, 4H/3ER, 3K:1BB. Jose Trinidad and Kirk Clark held High Desert to one hit and one walk over the final two innings. Jose Altuve and Jonathan Meyer had two hits each, but the story was the walks. Jay Austin and Austin Wates drew three each, while Kody Hinze drew two: Lancaster drew a total of eleven walks.

Man of the Match: Jay Austin

Lexington

Charleston and Lexington were tied up 3-3 going into the 8th before Charleston got four in the 8th for the 7-3 win. Brad Dydalewicz limited the runs but still had little ugly, going 5IP, 3H/2R (1ER), 3K:5BB with a balk. Ruben Alaniz took the worst of it growing 2.1IP, 6H/5ER, 3K:0BB. Adam Bailey was 2x4 and Mike Kvasnicka had an RBI triple.

Man of the Match: Kvasnicka

More Tranzactionz

Okay, via Twitter:

Sent to Eddie's Farm are:

Gustavo Chacin
Carlos Corporan
Anderson Hernandez
Oswaldo Navarro
J.B. Shuck (whom the Astros would rather get regular playing time than a handful of ABs off the bench)
Jose Valdez
Henry Villar
Ross Wolf

Many plethoras of reactions to today's moves

First, about the Cancel re-assignment to Big Boy Camp, from Zach Levine:
Robinson Cancel was brought up to major league camp but will return to Class AAA after last exhibition game.

From McTaggart, on Bourgeois' and Shuck's continued presence:
The two have emerged as the only candidates to win the final outfield spot after Brian Bogusevic was optioned to Minor League camp on Thursday. Bourgeois has certainly had a strong camp, entering Thursday hitting .314 with four stolen bases. The fact Bogusevic swings the bat from the left side was a bonus for him, but Bourgeois' good spring couldn't be ignored.

On Manzella's departure:
His departure leaves four infielders -- Matt Downs, Anderson Hernandez, Angel Sanchez and Oswaldo Navarro -- battling for two spots. Downs might have the upper hand because he can play anywhere and has swung the bat well, but Hernandez can also be moved all over the diamond and is a switch-hitter. Sanchez is out of options and performed well last year with the Astros.

Levine astutely noted that those two spots are actually one spot, because once Keppinger returns, somebody is visiting Oklahoma City. Sanchez would have to clear waivers in order to even get to Oklahoma City (which may happen), but it's still a risk - even if the Astros do have a ton of middle infield possibilities. We still give the nod to Downs.

Who do you want as OF5?



It is the opinion of Astros County that it should be Bourgeois, and Shuck can continue to develop at Triple-A.

Sanchez expected back Wednesday

Angel Sanchez' back has been an issue all Spring, but he's expected to be in the lineup against the Pirates on Wednesday.

Also, in the Astros' search for their OF5, you may have noticed that J.B. Shuck is still in Major-League camp, joining Brian Bogusevic and Jason Bourgeois as candidates for that OF5 spot.

Shuck:
"Hopefully, they know what my style of game is, and I just wanted to come in here and give the manager and coaches up here a chance to see it so they can see that I'm a hard worker and I just do what I have to do to get it done. Hopefully, I've been able to show that."

Because I was a fan of The Darkness, I will not honor this request

Farmstros has a little post on what various future Astros like to be called.

You can click for yourself, but the one we will not take note of is Shuck's preference to be called "J.B." Because I liked The Darkness (and, on occasion, still do). They have a song called Black Shuck, which will melt your face, and because Jack Shuck is close enough to that to make me chuckle, Jack Shuck he shall be.

Ed Wade: Friends are fleeting, but Major League glory IS FOREVER

McTaggart has an article on the Law Offices of Shuck, Steele, and Gaston, and the friendship they've developed from playing next to each other since the dawn of time.

Not so fast, sez Ed Wade:
"We tend not to look at them as a trio. We tend to look at them as individuals, because we're not looking for all them to graduate at the same time to the big league level. We're looking for the best player who can help us at any particular time and can get here and excel.

"It's great for them to have the camaraderie they've got and established those relationships, but at the end of the day, we're putting the best 25 players on the field, and if at some point in time, one of them is here, or all of them are here, the No. 1 criterion is how they help the Major League club."

'Stros before Bros.

Gaston realizes that, with the Astros outfield as it is, he may be auditioning for someone else, too:
"It's not just playing for the Astros, because you're playing for the other 29 teams, too. Whether you make it with the Astros or not, ultimately your goal is to make it to the Major Leagues. You've just got to get your opportunity and take advantage of it."

10 Non-Roster Invitees

So the Chronicle has a list of non-roster invitees who will be attending Big League Spring Training:

Those Ten are:
P Jordan Lyles
P Pat Urckfitz
C Rene Garcia
1B Koby Clemens
SS Jiovanni Mier
OF Jon Gaston
OF Drew Locke
OF J.D. Martinez
OF Jack Shuck
OF T.J. Steele

What might strike you is the presence of SS Jiovanni Mier, the Astros 1st pick in the 2009 draft. Well, don't you worry. Zach Levine says that Mier is in Big League Camp because of contract stipulations. So all you Jose Altuve enthusiasts need not worry, for the moment.

Wade:
“It gives these kids the chance to come in and see what the atmosphere is like on the big league side. And it gives Millsie and the coaches the chance to see some of the guys we talk about a lot. And frankly, it allows us to show that we’re making progress in player development.”

Exactly. Because he knows we'll be covering each Spring Training game like our lives depend on it.

Eddie's Farm: September 6

We'll have game recaps of the Tri-City/Batavia playoff series (look for a preview later today), but this marks the final Eddie's Farm of the season. Which makes me a little sad. And for the last time ever (thanks, Nolan), we lead with...

Round Rock

It just didn't click as Round Rock got shutout by Albuquerque 4-0. Josh Banks threw 7IP, 7H/4ER, 8K:0BB; Gary Majewski threw 1IP, 1H/0ER, 1K:0BB, and Roy Corcoran threw a perfect 9th. (Interestingly enough, Geoff Geary threw the 8th inning for the Isotopes, striking out two and allowing no runs.) Jack Shuck, Collin DeLome, Edwin Maysonet, Brandon Barnes (SB), and John Curtis provided your hits, with Maysonet getting the lone XBH - a double.

Man of the Match: Jack Shuck. A hit, and an outfield assist from CF to home plate.

Corpus

San Antonio took a 2-0 lead and coasted to a 6-2 win over Corpus. Erick Abreu threw 8IP, 11H/6R (5ER), 4K:2BB and Evan Englebrook struck out two in 1IP. J.D. Martinez was 2x3 with a double (final AVG at Corpus - .302), Koby Clemens hit his 26th homer of the season, and Jon Gaston hit his 13th.

Man of the Match: Koby Clemens

Lancaster

Rancho Cucamonga took a 4-0 lead after the top of the 1st and rode it out for an 11-4 win over Lancaster. Mike Modica got the start, going 4IP, 3H/4R (2ER), 3K:1BB. Brandt Walker allowed 1ER in 2IP, Jose Trinidad allowed 4ER in 1IP, Kyle Godfrey gave up two unearned runs, and David Berner was the only pitcher to escape without any damage. Jay Austin was 2x4 with a double, RBI, and his 54th stolen base of the season. Mark Ori hit a solo homer, and Andy Simunic and Rene Garcia added the other hits.

Man of the Match: Jay Austin

Lexington

Lexington withstood a late rally for a 6-5 win over Rome. Luis Cruz was dealing, throwing 6IP, 2H/3ER, 8K:2BB. Wander Alvino threw 2IP, 0H/0ER, 1K:0BB, and Kirk Clark got an ugly save, allowing 2H/2ER, 1K:1BB in 1IP. Renzo Tello was 3x3 with two doubles, Jimmy Paredes was 2x4 with a walk and 2RBI, and Jake Goebbert was 2x5 with a stolen base and an RBI - finishing the season with a franchise record 98RBI.

Man of the Match: Jake Goebbert!