Trainees of the Month

First time we try this with Eddie's Farm, but you can bet we'll be all over it in 2010.

Round Rock
Tommy Manzella: .337/.374/.459 with 9 XBH-17 RBI.
Josh Muecke: 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 7 games/4 starts. Has allowed 15 homers all season, just two since the All-Star Break

Corpus
Drew Locke: Until getting his hand broke up, Locke was hitting .391/.446/.609 in 28 games in August.
Danny Meszaros: In 20IP in August, Meszaros had a 1.80 ERA/1.40 WHIP. Pre All-Star Break, Meszaros had a 6.04 ERA. Since? 1.98 ERA.

Lancaster
Koby Clemens: Hit .375/.436/.702 with 7HR/31RBI with 21K:12BB
Leandro Cespedes: 2-2 with a 3.12 ERA, and improved his K:BB ratio from 28:20 in July to 27:13 in August.

Lexington
Federico Hernandez: Hit .306/.327/.429 in August, improving his OPS by .303 from July.
Jordan Lyles: Though he went 0-2 in August, he had a 2.89 ERA/1.18 WHIP, striking out 28 and walking just six batters.

Tri-City
Barry Butera: Followed up a July in which he hit .211/.310/.250 with a .374/.424/.462 month.
Dallas Keuchel: Dude can't catch a break in the win column. Went 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA/1.09 WHIP, striking out 24 and walking seven in 34IP.

Greeneville
Aaron Bray: Our own Adopted Aaron Bray. Only Gastro to hit .300 over the month of August, with a .300/.398/.363, and has had five multi-hit games in his last ten games.
Jose Cisnero: Went 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA/1.07 WHIP, with batters hitting .146 off him all month long.

GCL Astros
Nestor Santana: Hit .292/.370/.354.
Mark Jones: In six appearances (11.1IP), Jones gave up one earned run for a 0.79 ERA.

Eddie's Farm: August 30

Round Rock
Nashville used a 6-run 4th inning to beat the Express 7-3. Matt Kata was 3x4 with 2RBI, Reggie Abercrombie (2x5), and Bogusevic (2x4, RBI) had multi-hit games. Josh Muecke threw 5IP, 9H/4ER (7 total) and four relievers followed - three of them major-leaguers (Wright, Brocail, and Sampson), while Chad Paronto closed out the game. This was the second time Sampson has pitched since August 20, and surprise surprise, allowed 0ER in his those two games. So, rest. Who knew?

Corpus Christi
Corpus scored a go-ahead run in the 8th to defeat San Antonio 11-10. Jhon Florentino was 3x5, while JVO was 2x3 with a 2-run homer and 3RBI. Felix Molina and Nick Moresi had 2RBI each. Klingin' Kenny Baugh threw 2IP, 6H/7ER, 0K:3BB, and Ryan McKeller came in with 4IP of relief, 4H/2R (1ER), 4K:1BB. Weatherby blew the save, but got the win, while Evan Englebrook got his 8th save of the year.

Lancaster
Despite out-hitting San Jose 9-6, the JetHawks lost 4-1. Jack Shuck and Ebert Rosario had two-hit games. Chris Salamida threw 6.1IP, 5H/4R (1ER), 3K:3BB. Four errors (Rosario - 2, Cabral, and Salamida) led to the three unearned runs

Lexington
Lexington scored a run in the 12th to defeat Greenville 4-3. Jay Austin was 2x6 with an RBI, Brandon Wikoff was 2x5, and Suttle and Pellegrini each added RBIs - Suttle's RBI double providing the winning run. Jordan Lyles thrwe 5IP, 7H/3ER, 6K:0BB while Henry Villar, Brian Wabick, and Matt Nevarez threw 7IP, 5H/0ER, 7K:0BB in relief - Nevarez picked up the win.

Tri-City
Tri-City beat Aberdeen 6-3 thanks to Nick Stanley's 3x4 day, with a 3-run homer and 4RBI. J.D. Martinez was also 3x4 with a solo homer. Colton Pitkin threw 5IP, 4H/1ER, 2K:4BB for the win.

Greeneville
A 5-run 5th inning for Princeton was what sunk the Gastros 7-3. Kyle Miller was 2x3 with two doubles, Our Boy Aaron Bray was 2x4 (hitting .436 in his last ten games, .316 in August). Jiovanni Mier hit a solo homer, and Carlos Mojica had the other two RBI. Luis Cruz threw 4.2IP, 8H/7ER, 3K:0BB while Jeiler Castillo and Scott Migl threw 4.1IP, 1H/0ER, 6K:2BB in relief.

Eddie's Farm: August 25

Eddie's Farm followed up an 0-6 day with a 2-4 one. Baby steps...

Round Rock
At least we know one team in this organization can win a 1-0 game, as Round Rock did against Memphis last night. J.R. Towles hit a sac fly in the third, scoring Jose Vallejo (who was 2x3, and is 5x15 with 3 doubles since the Pudge trade) for the lone run. Bogusevic had two more hits, and Brian Esposito provided the 5th and final hit of the contest. Josh Muecke threw 7IP, 1H/0ER, 5K:0BB while Casey Daigle struck out the side and Chad Paronto got his 22nd save of the year.

Corpus
The Hooks were taken down by Midland 11-6 last night. Drew Locke was 3x4, Jason Castro was 2x4 with 2RBI, and Jhon Florentino had the other multi-hit game. Felix Molina hit a 2-run shot in the 7th. Four Hooks errors led to five unearned runs, Kenny Baugh threw 5IP, 6H/4ER (6 total), 4K:6BB; T.J. Burton threw 2IP, 5H/2ER (5 total), 1K:3BB; Charlie Weatherby III (screw it, I'm never putting the "III" again) and Evan Englebrook threw 2IP, 1H/0ER in relief.

Lancaster
Wild one in High Desert last night, Lancaster took leads of 1-0 and 6-5, only to see it vanish time and again. The JetHawks tied the game at 11-11 with 2 runs in the top of the 9th before High Desert got it back in the bottom of the 9th with Jose Duran on the mound. High Desert's Joseph Dunigan got on with a 1-out double, and then advanced to third on a balk, who then scored on a sac fly. Ouch. It's the California League, so there's bound to be hitting. Ebert Rosario was 4x6, Jon Gaston was 3x6 with 3RBI, Koby Clemens was 2x5 with 4RBI (3-run jack), Ronald Ramirez was 2x5 with 2RBI, and Craig Corrado was 2x5. Chris Salamida went 4.2IP, 9H/10ER, 5K:1BB.

Lexington
The Legends got two runs in the bottom of the 8th for a 3-2 win over Hickory - no word if Gene Hackman was managing. Federico Hernandez and Michael Diaz were 2x4 with an RBI each. Brad Dydalewicz threw 6IP, 3H/1ER, 6K:3BB, but it was Henry Villar who got the win with 2IP, 1H/1ER. Matt Nevarez got his first save with Eddie's Farm after a scoreless ninth.

Tri-City
Tri-City managed just three hits in a 2-1 loss to Hudson Valley. Brian Kemp, who has been hitting all over the lineup was 2x4 in the 2-spot. The ValleyCats only had three starters last night hitting over .235 (Martinez - .303; Altuve - .289; Kemp - .278). Colton Pitkin took a hard-luck loss, going 5IP, 4H/1ER, 7K:2BB, lowering his ERA to 3.98 and his record to 3-8.

Greeneville
Elizabethton was all over Greeneville in a 10-4 win. Carlos Mojica was 3x3, Grant Hogue was 2x4, as were Nathan Metroka and Kyle Miller. Our Boy Aaron Bray was 1x4 for a five-game hitting streak. Luis Cruz threw 4.1IP, 8H/5ER, 3K:5BB, while Jeiler Castillo and Scott Migl threw 4.2IP, 10H/3ER, 5K:3BB.

Eddie's Farm: August 20

Everybody played last night - and went 2-4.

Round Rock
A 5-run 4th inning from Las Vegas pretty much did it in a 8-2 loss for the Express. Reggie Abercrombie and Lou Santangelo had two hits, and Mark Saccomanno hit his 13th homer of the year. The Express left nine on base and were 1x9 with RISP. Josh Muecke gave up 6H/5R (though 0 earned) in 5.2IP. Geary threw 1.1IP, 2H/0ER, and Chris Sampson - why is he still pitching! - gave up 3H/3ER in 1IP. This drives me crazy. Someone should do an intervention and shut him down for the year before his career blows up at the hands of Cecil Cooper and Ed Wade.

Corpus
Heartbreaker last night as the Hooks fell in 12 innings, 2-1 to Arkansas. Well, not so much of a heartbreaker. The Hooks left 17 men on base and were 1x12 with RISP. Sutil, Locke, Castro, and DeLome had two hits each, with DeLome had the only XBH with a double. Kenny Baugh threw 6IP, 3H/1ER, Danny Meszaros threw 3IP, 2H, with 6K:0BB. Charlie Weatherby III took the loss with 2IP, 4H/1ER, allowing a ground rule double and a single for the walk-off.

Lancaster
First win for the young'uns as Lancaster beat Lake Elsinore 5-2. Koby Clemens was 3x4 (homer shy of the cycle), while T.J. Steele had two hits. Brandon Barnes had a 2-run homer of his own. Chris Salamida went the distance: 9IP, 4H/2ER, 1K:2BB for his 4th win of the season (4-1).

Lexington
Kannapolis scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th, giving them the final margin in a 7-5 win over Lexington. Suttle, Wikoff, and Williams had two hits each. Jeff Hulett had a 2-run single. The limp RISP average continues, as the Legends were 2x14 with RISP. Robert Bono threw 5IP, 6H/2ER, 4K:0BB. Antonio Noguera and Kyle Godfrey combined for 2.2IP, 4H/5ER, 3K:3BB in relief.

Tri-City
The ValleyCats put the whoomp on Staten Island 7-2 last night, despite going 3x17 with RISP. What the heck is it with these teams? Erik Castro was 2x5, while Goebbert (2), Martinez, Castro, and Medrano all had RBIs. Dallas Keuchel got his first win of the season with 5IP, 5H/2ER, 3K:1BB, and his ERA is now 1.94. Sarisky and MacDonald threw 4IP, 4H/0ER in relief.

Greeneville
The Gastros and Danville were locked in a 2-2 tie for seven innings until Danville scored one in the bottom of the 8th to win 3-2. Greeneville scored two runs despite only getting two hits - from Oscar Figueroa and Ben Orloff. Our boy Aaron Bray was 0x2 with 2BB and a run scored. Luis Cruz threw 5IP, 5H/2ER, 3K:1BB, and Murillo Gouvea got his 3rd loss of the season with 3IP, 1H/1R (unearned), 4K:0BB.

Who will take that ball on Friday?

Citizen German posted a comment wondering who would start on Friday against the Brewers. That is a question that has no answer.

ESPN's schedule says Wandy is the guy. So does Astros.com. That probably won't happen, as the Chronicle is saying he's optimistic about Saturday.

So who's it going to be? It surely won't be Roy. Paulino pitched (kind of) last night, so he's unavailable for Friday. I doubt the Astros will reverse course on bringing up Yorman Bazardo for a spot start, as Wade explained he would have to clear waivers to go back to Round Rock. Bud Norris pitched on Sunday, which would give him another start on the fifth day after his last start. I would be surprised if he wasn't given the start at home on Friday.

However, would there be a spot start available from someone else at The Rock? (I don't know the options remaining on these starters, so keep that in mind.)

-Mark McLemore. 3-7 with a 4.24 ERA in 12 starts with a 1.24 WHIP, 42K:22BB. Last pitched on July 31.
-Jose Capellan. 2-9 with a 7.67 ERA in 11 starts. Brutal numbers, but he struggled early in the season, inflating his numbers. He has given up 3ER in his last two starts (11IP), but pitched Monday night.
-Josh Muecke. 5-8 with a 5.04 ERA in 16 starts. 2.66 ERA in his last ten games, and he last pitched on August 1.

This is all completely unfounded speculation, so keep that in mind. I'm going with Norris for Friday, and will scream and cry if The Troof doesn't get the start.

Eddie's Farm: June 30

Round Rock
Despite getting outhit 4-3, the Express, behind Josh Muecke's 8IP, 3H/0ER, 4K:1BB defeated Iowa 1-0. The three hits came courtesy of Manzella, Gall, and Johnson

Corpus
Off

Lancaster
A late inning rally fell short as the JetHawks let Stockton get out to a 7-1 lead, before staging a rally, and disappointing everyone - even God - in a 9-8 loss. Brandon Barnes hit a 3-run jack, and the JetHawks got multi-hit games from Corrado, Barnes, Steele, and Cabral. Leandro Cespedes had another rough outing, giving up 9H/7ER (9 runs) in 4.1IP. Jose Duran threw 3.2 scoreless innings.

Lexington
A four-run 7th sunk the Legends, as they lost 7-2 to Augusta. Ebert Rosario had two hits as Eric Suttle provided the two runs on a single in the 5th that gave them a 2-1 lead. The seven runs allowed were a team effort. Seaton went 5.1IP, 6H/3ER; Villar .2IP, 3H/2ER; Mowdy 1IP, 0H; Leon 1IP, 2H/2ER.

Tri-City
Postponed

Greeneville
Princeton jumped out with six runs in the 1st/2nd innings and that pretty much did it in a 6-3 win over the Greeneville Astros last night. Jonathan Meyer was 3x4 and J.D. Martinez was 2x4 with two runs scored. Jose Cisnero took the loss with 1.1IP, 1H/4ER, 2K:3BB.

Eddie's Farm: June 25

Round Rock
The Express were kept quiet, gathering only four hits in a 3-1 loss to Oklahoma City. Geoff Blum was 0x3 in his first rehab start. Yordany's RBI double in the 8th provided the lone run. Tommy Manzella's throwing error led to two unearned runs as Josh Muecke went 5IP, 5H/0ER, 2K:3BB. Capellan threw 2IP, 3H/1ER, 3K:1BB, while Brendan Donnelly threw a scoreless 8th inning, lowering his ERA to 1.99. Donnelly has allowed two earned runs since May 25.

Corpus Christi
Los Hooks won their second straight 1-0 game over San Antonio last night, on an 8th inning error. Polin Trinidad threw 8IP, 6H/0ER, 3K:0BB (89 pitches/64 for strikes) and T.J. Burton got his 10th save of the year - Trinidad has now allowed just 1ER in his last 31.1IP. Drew Locke is going through a mini-slump - five hits in his last 29ABs.

Lancaster
You can't stop T.J. Steele, you can only hope to hit him. Steele was 3x5 with 2RBI (.450 over his last ten games), while Jon Gaston hit a 2-run homer and two doubles and collected four RBI in a 3x6 night as the JetHawks beat Rancho Cucamonga 14-9. Brandon Barnes got four hits, and don't look now, but Koby Clemens is hitting .315. Leandro Cespedes threw 6IP, 9H/2ER (6 runs total), 6K:1BB.

Tri-City
All three runs in the 2-1 win over Lowell came in the 10th inning on Ben Orloff's walk-off two-run single. Brian Kemp, Russell Dixon, and Renzo Tello had two hits each. Zach Grimmett, Mike Modica, and Brendan Stines combined for 9IP of scoreless baseball while J.B. McDonald, despite allowing the T10 run, got his first professional win.

Greeneville
Greeneville got out to a 3-0 lead over Bristol, and held on for a 3-2 win over Bristol last night. J.D. Martinez was 3x4 with two doubles and 2RBI to lead the offense and Jose Cisnero threw 5IP, 3H/0ER, 3K:3BB for the win. Jeiler Castillo, David Martinez, and Nathan Pettus closed out the game with 4IP, 4H/1ER, 4K:1BB.

YotD: June 8

Round Rock
The mini-Cubs beat the mini-Astros in Iowa last night 10-3 as Rich Harden got the rehab start for Iowa (and Neal Cotts appeared in relief), and Josh Muecke allowed six runs (just two earned) in 5IP. Gervacio and Lumsden teamed up to allow 4R in 3IP. Chris Johnson and Brian Bogusevic got two hits each with Bogusevic, Abercrombie and Yordany Ramirez provided the RBIs.

Corpus Christi
The Fightin' Castros got a 6-3 win, scoring three in the top of 9th, over Springfield last night. Brad James got the win, throwing 5IP and allowing 3H/2ER (but struggling with the walks, striking out 3 and walking 5). C-Lo threw an inning of scoreless relief. Felix Molina got a 2-run double while Wladimir Sutil and Drew Meyer got two hits each, Drew Locke hit a 2-run single.

Lancaster
Off last night. They now need a catcher, by the by. Koby Clemens, how you feelin'?

Lexington
Scored both runs in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a Brandon Barnes 2-run homer, but fell short to Asheville 4-2. Robert Bono gave up four runs in 6.1IP. Ebert Rosario, Michael Diaz and Jorge de Leon got two hits each, de Leon breaking up a 2x23 slump.

YotD: May 13

Round Rock
The Express scored five runs in the 8th and 9th, but it wasn't enough to over come an 11-2 lead Fresno built up (Josh Muecke: 3.2IP, 12H/11ER, 4K:1BB, 4HR). That said, Edwin Maysonet was 2x3 with a double and a run. But your YotD goes to Brian Bogusevic who hit a 3-run double. Manzella and Kata also had two hits each.

Corpus Christi
The Hooks enjoyed a 7-run 2nd inning, coasting to a 13-6 victory over Frisco. Drew Meyer and Mark Ori had three hits each, while Collin DeLome, Jhon Florentino, Brian Esposito, and Vladimir Sutil each had multi-hit games. YotD, though, goes to Drew Locke, 2x4 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a homer. His .388 average is 3rd in the Texas League. Brandon Backe went 7IP with 8H/4ER, 3K:0BB in another rehab start. 57 of his 77 pitches were for strikes as Backe retired 21 of the 28 batters he faced.

Lancaster
Chris Johnson went 2x4 with two doubles and two RBI and Jason Castro was 2x3 with two doubles and two RBI himself to earn YotD honors in a 7-4 win over Lake Elsinore. Shuck, Gaston, and Moresi had two-hit games.

Lexington
Jordan Lyles is your hard-luck loser, throwing 5IP with 4H/2ER with 9K:2BB in a 3-1 loss to Charleston, the lone run coming on a 9th inning homer by Ronald Ramirez. Charleston switch-pitcher Pat Venditte got the save for Charleston.

Young'un of the Day: May 8

Round Rock
Round Rock won a shootout last night against Oklahoma City, 12-10, with Abercrombie, Manzella, Bogusevic, Saccomanno, Ramirez and Gall all having multi-hit games. But the YotD, or whatever we're going to call it, goes to Tommy Manzella. 3x4 with a double, a homer, and 4RBI. Josh Muecke went 4.2 and gave up 10H/8ER, 3K:4BB. Chad Paronto got his 8th save of the season with two scoreless innings.

Corpus Christi
Corpus got a 5-2 win over Midland last night as eight different Hooks got a hit - Drew Locke had a 2-run double. However, this game was about another successful rehab start at Double-A for Backe. Backe's line was 6IP, 2H/0ER, 7K:4BB. He threw 82 pitches, 54 of them for strikes.

Lexington
Shutout for the second straight game, the Legends lost to Rome 4-0 - collecting only three hits on the night. Ross Seaton's line: 6IP, 8H/3ER, 2K:0BB. Hard to say who the YotD is here - let's give it to Ricardo Bonfante, two walks in two plate appearances.

Lancaster
The JetHawks scored five runs in the third to beat the Inland Empire 7-5 at home. Interestingly enough, those seven runs came on five hits by five different JetHawks, and of those five hits, four were for extra-bases. YotD goes to Jason Castro, who hit what was described as a "mammoth" two-run homer to right field.