Eddie's Farm: August 5

Round Rock

Fresno rolled all over Round Rock, roughing up Josh Banks in an 8-1 win. Banks threw 5IP, 9H/7R (5ER), 3K:1BB, WP to drop his record to 8-8. Chris Sampson, Roy Corcoran, and Jonah Bayliss held Fresno scoreless over three innings, and Fernando Abad allowed the final run of the game. Matt Kata was 2x3 with the lone RBI, while Brian Bogusevic and Chris Shelton were both 1x4 with a double, Collin DeLome provided your other hit.

Man of the Match: Matt Kata, despite him being the one committing the error leading to two unearned runs.

Corpus

San Antonio put up a run over four separate innings, defeating Corpus 4-1. Jordan Lyles threw 5IP, 7H/2ER, 3K:1BB, and needed 90 pitches to do it. Matt Nevarez gave up a hit and two walks, while Erick Abreu (2IP) and Arcenio Leon (1IP) each allowed two hits, a walk, and a run. No extra-base hits, as the Hooks were held to five hits and no walks, but Cartwright, rehabbing Manzella, J.D. Martinez, David Cook, and Michael Affronti (RBI) got on base.

Man of the Match: Jordan Lyles

Lancaster

High drama at Inland Empire last night, as the JetHawks came back from 4-2 down in the 8th to tie the game on John Curtis' 2-run single. In the 12th, Mark Ori doubled, and John Curtis provided another RBI to give the JetHawks a 5-4 win. Pat Urckfitz threw 6IP, 7H/4R (1ER), 6K:2BB with Ashton Mowdy, Kyle Godfrey, and David Berner locking it down. Godfrey struck out six in 3IP. The bottom of the 7th was an interesting one for Inland Empire, as the three outs came by way of: hit by batted ball, caught stealing, caught stealing. John Curtis was 4x6 with 3RBI, with Jonathan Villar and Brandon Barnes providing the other two RBI. Jay Austin stole his 48th base of the year, Barnes walked three times, and Andy Simunic struck out four times, and walked twice.

Man of the Match: John Curtis

Lexington

The Legends held Hagerstown to one run through five, but that quickly turned into eight runs, and the Legends lost 8-3. Tanner Bushue threw 6.2IP, 5H/6ER, 4K:2BB, 2HR, and Dan Sarisky gave up 3H/2ER in 1.1IP. Twelve of Bushue's 16 in play outs were flyballs. Jake Goebbert was 2x4 with 2RBI, while Kody Hinze provided your other RBI. Our Boy Aaron Bray was 0x3 with a walk.

Man of the Match: Jake Goebbert.

Tri-City

Rough one for the ValleyCats as Mahoning Valley comes up with a walkoff sac fly in the bottom of the 9th for a 3-2 loss. The winning run got to third on a single, wild pitch, single. Carlos Quevedo threw 7.2IP, 4H/2ER, 1K:0BB, Travis Blankenship walked a batter and got an out, while Brandt Walker was charged with the loss. Wilton Infante was 2x3 with an RBI, and Tyler Burnett (2B, BB) and Mike Kvasnicka had the only other two hits.

Man of the Match: Carlos Quevedo

Greeneville

Postponed: Rain

Eddie's Farm: July 8

Round Rock

The Express had a 6-3 lead heading into the eighth, and that didn't last as Oklahoma City got two in the 8th and one in the 9th to tie it before Jonah Bayliss allowed a single, walk, single in the 12th. Oklhaoma City wins 7-6. Josh Banks allowed 9H/3ER, 3K:0BB in 6.2IP. Polin Trinidad struck out both batters he faced. Roy Corcoran gave up 3H/2ER in 0.2IP, and Gary Majewski allowed 3H/1ER in 2IP. Jonah Bayliss took the loss with 3H/1ER, 1K:1BB in 2IP. Matt Kata was 3x6 with two doubles and two RBIs. Drew Locke (3B, RBI) and Wladimir Sutil had two hits each. Brian Bogusevic hit his 10th homer of the year, also drawing a walk.

Man of the Match: Matt Kata.

Corpus

Those Hooks can't catch a break, losing 2-1 to Tulsa, running the losing streak to 13 games. Five of those 13 games have been one-run losses. Tyler Lumsden threw 6.2IP, 6H/2ER, 3K:1BB in the loss, while Evan Englebrook threw 2.1 perfect innings. Jon Gaston and Marcos Cabral had two hits each, while Jack Shuck was 1x4 for the other hit. Koby Clemens was 0x3 with 3K:1BB.

Man of the Match: Tyler Lumsden

Lancaster

And the JetHawks get blanked by Rancho Cucamonga 7-0. Pat Urckfitz threw 6IP, 6H/3ER, 4K:2BB, but it was Edwin Walker who allowed 4H/4ER, and Kyle Godfrey threw two perfect innings. It was all singles for the JetHawks: Austin, Cruz, Flores, and Simunic.

Man of the Match: Pat Urckfitz

Lexington

Bad loss for the Legends, who were leading 8-1 in the 6th inning, and ended up losing 10-9 in 10 innings. Jose Cisnero allowed 4H/3ER, 5K:6BB in 5IP. Arcenio Leon gave up 3H/2R (1ER) without recording an out, Wander Alvino walked two in 2IP. Kirk Clark allowed 3H/3ER, 1K:1BB in 1IP and Mike Schurz took the blown save and loss with 2H/2R (1ER), 2K:2BB in 1.1IP. Overshadowed by the loss was the fact that the offense blew up. J.D. Martinez was 5x5 with a double and two homers for six RBI. Rene Garcia (2B, BB) was 3x4, and Goebbert, Bray, Mier, and Garcia added doubles.

Man of the Match: J.D. Martinez

Tri-City

Big win for the ValleyCats last night as they dominated Staten Island 9-2. Jake Buchanan threw 5IP, 4H/2R (1ER), 3K:0BB, while Alex Sogard (1.2IP, 4K), Jason Chowning (1.1IP, 2K:1BB), and Chris Blazek (1IP, 1K) held it down for the win. Ben Orloff, Ben Heath, and Tyler Burnett had two hits each, Enrique Hernandez was 1x4 with 3RBI, and Adam Bailey was 1x5 with 2RBI.

Man of the Match: Ben Heath (2x5, 2B, 3R)

Greeneville

If you were not at the Greeneville/Pulaski game last night, you not only missed 28 runs, 36 hits, and five errors, but also Martial Arts Night. Still, Greeneville was up 14-4 after four innings, and then had to withstand a Pulaski rally to hold on for a 16-12 win. Euris Quezada threw 5IP, 9H/5ER, 5K:2BB. B.J. Hagen followed it up with 2IP, 1H/1ER. Jamaine Cotton had the roughest night, allowing 5H/5ER in 0.1IP, while Ryan Cole himself allowed 3H/1ER in 0.1IP. Brian Streilein threw the only scoreless outing, with 1H/0ER in 1.1IP. Jhonny Medrano, Telvin Nash, and Chris Wallace all hit homers as Wallace went 4x5 with 3RBI, Medrano was 3x6 with 4RBI, Ricardo Garcia was 3x5 with 2RBI, and Nash was 1x3 with 2BB. Jonathan Merritt also drew two walks.

Man of the Match: Chris Wallace.

GCL Astros

And the GCL Astros beat the GCL Nationals 8-5. Luis Ordosgoitti allowed 8H/3ER in 4IP, and Mark Jones recorded the win with 2H/1ER, 2K:2BB in 3IP. Dieudone Paul allowed his first earned run of the season, with 3H/1ER, 0K:3BB in 2IP. Jose Monzon was 3x4 with a homer and two RBI, Ryan Ditthardt was 2x3 with two doubles and 3RBI, and Rafael Valenzuela was 2x4 with a two-run homer.

Man of the Match: Jose Monzon.

Eddie's Farm: July 3

Round Rock

Just a brutal, brutal loss for the Express at the hands of Memphis. Leading Memphis 6-3, Roy Corcoran got the loss in a 4-run inning, and Memphis wins 7-6. Polin Trinidad threw 5IP, 6H/1ER, 1K:2BB, while Jonah Bayliss allowed 3H/2ER in 1IP. Gary Majewski preserved the lead for 2IP, before turning it over to Corcoran, who promptly gave up 3H/4ER, 1K:1BB in 0.2IP. Matt Kata was 3x4 with 2HR, Brian Bogusevic was 2x4 with a stolen base and a walk, and Tommy Everidge and Drew Locke each added solo homers.

Man of the Match: Matt Kata

Corpus

Mercifully postponed against Frisco.

Lancaster

The JetHawks - despite being outhit 8-5 - earned their first shutout of the season in a 4-0 win over San Jose. Pat Urckfitz threw 5.1IP, 3H/0ER, 7K:2BB, Brian Wabick added 2.2IP of 3H/0ER relief, and David Berner allowed three baserunners (2H/1BB), but didn't allow a run. Big play of the game came in the bottom of the 9th. With the bases loaded and nobody out, the JetHawks turned a game-ending triple play to preserve the win. Mark Ori was 2x4, with Cartwright, Parejo, and Federico Hernandez adding the other two hits (RBIs from Parejo, Hernandez, and Ori). Brandon Barnes was 0x2, but drew 2BB and stole a base. Lee Cruz stole two bases.

Man of the Match: Mark Ori

Lexington

Lexington scored four runs in the first three innings, and then rode it out for a 4-1 win over Hickory. Luis Cruz threw 6IP, 3H/0ER, 4K:1BB for the win, and Wander Alvino allowed two hits and a solo homer in 2IP. Kirk Clark recorded his 16th save (allowing three baserunners) and struck out the side. Kody Hinze was 3x5 (RBI) and Brian Kemp was 3x4. Jake Goebbert was 1x3 with 2BB. Your RBIs came from Hinze, Our Boy Aaron Bray, and two from Jiovanni Mier.

Man of the Match: Jiovanni Mier.

Tri-City

The ValleyCats took their first series of the season after busting out for a 10-2 win over Connecticut. Carlos Quevedo threw 6IP, 5H/2R (1ER), 6K:1BB. Chris Blazek allowed a hit and walk - striking out three - in 2IP, and Mike Ness gave up a hit in 1IP. Enrique Hernandez, Tyler Burnett, and Daniel Adamson had two hits each, while Ben Heath, Burnett, Adamson, and Adam Bailey each knocked in two runs. Mike Kvasnicka - in the DH position - was pinch-hit for in the 6th. Anyone know why?

Man of the Match: Carlos Quevedo

Greeneville

Rough series for the Gastros as they get beat by Bristol again, 6-2. The Gastros were outscored 32-3 in the three-game series. Euris Quezada allowed 8H/3ER in 6IP, with 3K:1BB (2WPs) and Brian Streilein threw the final 2IP, giving up 2H/3R (1ER), 1K:1BB. Pedro Feliz (regrettably, not that one) and Bubby Williams were both 2x4 with Feliz and Jhonny Medrano getting the RBIs.

Man of the Match: Pedro Feliz

GCL Astros

Pitchers duel in the GCL, and the GCL Astros come out on top of the GCL Nationals 2-1. Jose Perdomo allowed just 2H/0ER, 3K:1BB in 5IP, while Andrea Lucati got the win with a scoreless 6th inning. Austin Lucas struck out three in 2IP, Dieudone Paul allowed an unearned run (so his ERA is still 0.00) in 0.2IP and Pedro Gomez got the final out for his first save. Ryan Ditthardt was 2x4 with a game-winning solo homer in the top of the 9th, and Luca Martone got his first RBI of the season. Brian Pellegrini was 1x4.

Man of the Match: Ryan Ditthardt.

What's happening at middle infield?

We don't often post rumors or speculation (much less a "wouldn't it be cool if...") from other blogs, but the (excellent) Red Sox blog Fire Brand of the American League has a post on the Red Sox' injury woes, and just what the heck the Red Sox do as they sit within striking distance of the AL East - and certainly the Wild Card, as relevant as that is on July 3 - with approximately 91 players on the DL.

They say Keppinger is a guy you can keep an eye on for the Red Sox.

Which leads us to an interesting point: What the heck is happening at middle infield for the Astros? Sure, you can never have too many options at 2B/SS, but it's been strange, to say the least. Over the last ten days, the Astros have acquired or signed the following middle-infielders:

Ramon Vazquez and Luis Maza - both of whom are at Round Rock. Angel Sanchez is quite obviously starting at shortstop for the Astros, with Oswaldo Navarro sitting on the bench. Michael Affronti is at Corpus and can play both 2B/SS.

And there's still Matt Kata, who got time in Houston last season. While currently at 3B for the Express, he can play shortstop, as well.

It's far too speculative to say that the Astros are about to make a move on Keppinger, but they sure are stocking up quick at the upper-levels of Eddie's Farm on the positions Keppinger can play.

Eddie's Farm: June 29

Round Rock

It really got away from Shane Loux in the seventh inning, as the Sounds scored three runs, turning a 2-2 game into a 5-2 lead, and adding one more for a 6-3 win over Round Rock. Loux threw 7IP, 9H/5ER, 8K:0BB, and allowing two solo homers. Three two-out hits in the 7th led to the difference in the game. Yordany Ramirez was plunked on the hand and added two hits, and Matt Kata was 2x4 (double, homer in the 9th, and a walk). Tommy Everidge hit one of the longest homeruns I've ever seen - certainly the longest I've seen at Greer Stadium - in the 4th.

Man of the Match: Matt Kata

Corpus

Off!

Lancaster

Doubled up by Modesto, after allowing eight runs in the first three innings, and the JetHawks lose 10-5. Kyle Greenwalt gave up 8H/8ER, 1K:3BB, and got eight outs (how's that for symmetry?) Leandro Cespedes threw the final 5.1IP, 3H/2R (1ER), 2K:1BB. The JetHawks were 4x17 w/RISP, and left 12 on base. Freddy Parejo was 3x4 with an RBI, and Albert Cartwright was 2x5 with an RBI for your multi-hit games. Brandon Wikoff was 1x3 with 2BB.

Man of the Match: Leandro Cespedes

Lexington

The Legends overcame a 5-run 2nd inning by Hickory (who overcame a 4-0 Legends lead by the middle of the 2nd) for a 6-5 win over the Crawdads. Robby Donovan threw 6H/5ER, 1K:2BB in 2IP. Zach Grimmett came in with 4IP in relief, allowing 2H/0ER, 5K:1BB. Wander Alvino (2IP) and Kirk Clark (1IP) allowed a hit and a walk each, but no runs. The top of the order provided nine of the 14 hits, and five of the six runs. Jose Altuve, in the leadoff spot, was 3x4 with 2R. Our Boy Aaron Bray was 4x5 with an RBI and 2R. J.D. Martinez was 2x4 with a run and an RBI. Jiovanni Mier also added two hits on the night. Over his last ten games (12x33), Mier is hitting .364/.463/.485.

Man of the Match: I'm going with Our Boy Aaron Bray.

Tri-City

If you're counting at home, this 4-0 loss to Vermont is the second straight shutout, and the ValleyCats have scored two runs in their last three games (allowing 13). Bobby Doran allowed 6H/4ER, 1K:2BB. Andrew Robinson threw two scoreless innings, and Adam Champion and Jorge De Leon added one scoreless inning each. If you're in a hurry, don't worry, this won't take long. The ValleyCats got two hits - Wilton Infante (in the 4th) and Ben Orloff (in the 9th), while Hernandez, Afenir, and Orloff also added walks. Thanks to two GIDPs, the ValleyCats only got 29 plate appearances. Mike Kvasnicka got the night off.

Man of the Match: Let's give it to Andrew Robinson, eh?

Greeneville

Game 1: Oooh, durn pitch counts. Angel Gonzalez had a no-hitter going through 6IP, striking out four, and walking two. B.J. Hagen allowed 3H/2ER, 1K, in 1IP for the 7-2 win. Jhonny Medrano, Marcus Nidiffer, and Bubby Williams all hit homers.

Man of the Match: Angel Gonzalez

Game 2: Greeneville wins again, 9-1. Jeiler Castillo, Garrett Bullock, and Ryan Cole each threw 2IP with 2Ks, with Bullock getting the win after Castillo allowed 4H/1ER. Justin Harper threw 1IP, 1K:1BB. Chris Wallace and Marcus Nidiffer hit homers, and the Gastros spread out nine runs over seven RBIs. Hector Rodriguez was 3x5 (RBI), while Wallace and Nidiffer added an extra hit each.

Man of the Match: Marcus Nidiffer (dude hit two HRs yesterday).

GCL Astros

The GCL Astros and GCL Cardinals traded 4-run innings, but the Cardinals scored the last five runs for a 10-6 win. Danilo Del Rio allowed 4H/4ER, 3K:1BB in 5IP, while the bullpen of Emmanuel Cedano, Matison Smith, Jeremiah Meiners, and Juan Mojica combined for 3IP, 7H/6R (5ER), 4K:2BB in relief. Meiners allowed three hits and a walk for three earned runs in 0.1IP, and his ERA is currently 67.50. Kyle Redinger was 2x4 with a triple, 3RBI, and a walk. Jose Fernandez was 2x3 with a walk, and Monzon, DeLome (rehabbing), and Parra added RBIs.

Man of the Match: Kyle Redinger

Eddie's Farm: June 21

Round Rock

Omaha doubled up Round Rock last night 6-3. Polin Trinidad was the hard-luck loser, throwing 7IP, 7H/6R (3ER), 4K:0BB, and 3HR allowed. Why is it a hard-luck? Because Yordany Ramirez' fielding error led to three unearned runs. Jonah Bayliss and Yorman Bazardo threw a scoreless inning. Oswaldo Navarro had your only multi-hit game (2x4, RBI), and Matt Kata (1x3, BB, RBI) also got on base twice.

Man of the Match: Matt Kata

Corpus

The Hooks did all their scoring in the 5th inning, and that was enough to hold off San Antonio for a 3-2 win. Jeremy Johnson threw 117 pitches to get 9H/2ER, 4K:1BB in 7IP. Henry Villar gave up a hit and a walk in 1IP, and Danny Meszaros allowed three hits - but both kept San Antonio off the scoreboard to preserve Johnson's win. Jack Shuck, German Duran, and - yes - Jeremy Johnson had two hits each (each also adding a walk), but it was Marcos Cabral (1x3, 2RBI, BB) and Jimmy Van Ostrand (1x3, BB, RBI) who provided the RBIs.

Huge moment in the bottom of the 9th: San Antonio has nobody out, Jesus Lopez on 1st, down 3-2. Andrew Parrino hit a fly ball to Gaston, who then fired it to Clemens, doubling off Lopez, and getting the double play.

Man of the Match: Marcos Cabral.

Lancaster

All-Star Break

Lexington

All-Star Break

Tri-City

The ValleyCats get back in the win column with a 5-0 win over Lowell. Tommy Shirley threw 3IP, 1H/0ER, 5K:1BB; David Martinez threw 4IP, 2H/0ER, 3K:2BB; Blazek - 1IP, 3K:1BB; and Robinson - 1IP, 1H/0ER, 1K:1BB. The ValleyCats' drawing of walks were the keys of the game - Tyler Burnett drew three; Oscar Figueroa drew two; Wilton Infante, Mike Kvasnicka, and Daniel Adamson all drew a walk each. Infante, Ben Heath, Adamson, and Adam Bailey all added hits, with Kvasnicka, Heath, and Adamson collecting RBIs.

Man of the Match: Daniel Adamson - 1x3 with the lone XBH (2B), BB, and RBI.

Eddie's Farm: June 4

Round Rock

Iowa scored three in the top of the 9th, but it wasn't enough as the Express win 6-4. Josh Banks threw 8.2IP, 8H/4R (1ER), 1K:1BB for his 6th win of the season. Matt Kata was 3x4 with 5RBI (!), while Jason Castro and Brian Bogusevic were both 2x4 with a walk.

Man of the Match: Matt Kata

Corpus

Springfield pitcher Brian Broderick dominated the Hooks, throwing a complete game, two hit shutout for a 9-0 win. Jordan Lyles threw 6IP, 6H/5R (2ER), 5K:3BB and gave up two homers. Edwin Walker and Nelson Payano threw 3IP, 7H/4ER, 3K:1BB. German Duran and Jimmy Van Ostrand got the two hits.

Man of the Match: Uh. Lyles?

Lancaster

The JetHawks dropped to 16-38 after a 4-2 loss to Rancho Cucamonga. Shane Wolf threw 5.2IP, 11H/4ER, 4K:2BB. Leandro Cespedes and David Berner combined for 2.1IP, 0H/0ER, 4K:0BB (Berner struck out the side in the 8th). Brandon Barnes was 2x4 with a solo homer. But Cartwright, Barnes, Flores, Hernandez, and Rosario all struck out twice.

Man of the Match: Brandon Barnes

Lexington

West Virginia scored four in the first inning and that was enough, despite a 9th inning surge, to beat Lexington 4-3. Jose Cisnero threw 5IP, 3H/0ER (4R), 5K:2BB and Zach Grimmett threw four perfect innings - with six Ks - to close out the game. Aaron Bray was 2x3 with a triple, walk, and an RBI. J.D. Martinez also had a triple and two runs scored. With the bases loaded, down by one, Brian Kemp GIDPed to end the game.

Man of the Match: Zach Grimmett.

Eddie's Farm: May 10

Round Rock

That didn't go well. The Memphis Redbirds scored the final nine runs of the game for a 12-4 win, and a split of the four-game series. Errors by Shelton, Johnson, and Polin Trinidad led to four unearned runs. Trinidad got the start, throwing 5.1IP, 7H/5R (1ER), 4K:2BB, while Sam Gervacio took the loss with 0H/0ER, 2K:2BB in 1.2IP. Jonah Bayliss and Evan Englebrook combined for 8H/7ER, 1K:1BB in 2IP of relief. Chris Johnson was in the lineup for the first time tonight, and went 1x4 with an RBI double, but Matt Kata was 3x4 with an RBI, and Bogusevic continued his hot streak with a 2x4 day.

Man of the Match: Matt Kata

Corpus Christi

Corpus jumped on San Antonio early for a 5-0 lead after two, and rode it out for the 8-1 win. Doug Arguello needed 108 pitches for the complete game, throwing 9IP, 3H/1ER, 5K:2BB and lowering his ERA to 2.93. Big-time offense, including a 4x5, 3-double, 5RBI day from Koby Clemens, and a 3x4 day from Wladimir Sutil. Jack Shuck and Lou Santangelo also had multi-hit games.

Men of the Match: That's right. Plural. Goes to both Clemens and Arguello.

Lancaster

Nice win from Lancaster, who scored the last three runs of the game (including one each in the 8th and 9th) for the 4-3 win over Inland Empire, on Barry Butera's walk-off RBI single - scoring Jordan Comadena, who had led off the inning with a walk. Leandro Cespedes was pulled after 3IP, 5H/3ER, 3K:4BB, but Schurz (3IP), Mowdy (1IP), and Godfrey (2IP) combined for 1H/0ER, 4K:6BB in 6IP. Butera (2x5), Ori (2x2, 2BB), and Barnes (2x4) each had two hits, while Jordan Comadena was 1x1 with 2BB.

Man of the Match: Barry Butera

Lexington

Despite getting outscored 12-18, Tanner Bushue and Kody Hinze came up big in a 2-1 win to get the series split. Bushue threw 7IP, 2H/0ER, 5K:0BB, while Jose Trinidad threw 1.2IP, 2H/1R (0ER), 2K:0BB and Kirk Clark closed it out for the save, though he gave up the hit that scored Greensboro's run in the top of the 9th. Kody Hinze hit a 2-run jack for his SAL-leading 8th homer, and 33rd RBI of the season. J.D. Martinez was 2x3 to raise his average to .356, while Jiovanni Mier was 0x4 with an error to drop his average to .191.

Man of the Match: Tanner Bushue

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.

Roster Movement

McTaggart is reporting that Berkman and LaHawk have been activated from the DL, Matt Kata has been optioned to Round Rock, and Wesley Wright has been placed on the DL with a shoulder strain. That's a full afternoon.

Recap for G108 - Giants at Astros

Coming into today's game, the Giants had won three of five against the Astros. And in all three of those wins, they scored 8+ runs. Today was no different, as Brian Moehler and the Astros went down 10-6. Despite jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, Moehler couldn't hold it together, threw some bad pitches, threw one really bad pitch - a meatball for Eli Whiteside who hit his first home run (a grand slam, by the by) to put the Giants up 7-3.

Let's just do the thing:
Moehler: 6IP, 9H/6ER (7 total), 5K:1BB, 18/28 first-pitch strikes, 28/59 non-contact strikes (21 called:7 swinging)
Byrdak: 0.2IP, 1H/1ER, 1K, 2/3 FPS, 5/7 NCS (2c:3s)
Sampson: 0.1IP, 1H, 1K, 2/2 FPS, 5/6 NCS (2c:3s)
Fulchino: 1IP, 1K, 3/3 FPS, 4/9 NCS (2c:2s)
Arias: 1IP, 2H/2ER, 1K, 3/6 FPS, 1/8 NCS (1s)

The Giants were 5x10 with RISP, a fairly remarkable number, and Pablo Sandoval continued to take advantage of Astros pitching with a 3x4 day. After going 22 straight appearances without giving up an earned run, Alberto Arias has now given up 7ER in his last 7IP. On the one hand, though, Moehler was more efficient (at giving up runs), throwing only 89 pitches in six innings. Let's leave it at that, because that looks prettier. Alright, I'll say it. Since throwing 6.1IP scoreless against Washington on July 12, Moehler has given up 9ER in 17.2IP since the All-Star Break (1-1, 1ND).

The Astros did get some hits, a two-run double by Michaels (raising his batting average to .196), and a late two-run homer by Hunter Pence in the 9th. Pence and Lee had two-hit games, and everyone else - including Moehler and pinch-hitter Matt Kata - got a hit. The Astros just couldn't overcome the leaking pitching staff.

Pitch Count Hero: Jeff Keppinger - 26 pitches in 4AB
Pitch Count Punk: Pudge and Michaels - 13 pitches in 4AB.

And hey, the Astros drew a walk! Geoff Blum in the 8th.

Man of the Match: Jeez. I don't even know. Michaels had a pretty piss-poor defensive game, despite a two-run double. Hunter Pence's homer was too little, too late. Just because we don't get the opportunity often, how about Jason Michaels, the Line Drive of Love.

Goat of the Game: Brian Moehler. You have a chance to step up and be a hero in an injury-depleted rotation. And, uh, didn't.

Recap for G98 - Mets @ Astros

The back end of the rotation is going to have to do more than that. The Astros blew an early 3-run lead and a good little streak of wins (6 of 8) before running into the Buzzsaw formerly known as the New York Mets, losing - once again - 8-3 today at Minute Maid Park. The only good news of today is that the Cardinals got the piss kicked out of them again against the Phillies. Still, the Astros should be winning these types of games, against - I'm sorry, but it's true - a mediocre Mets team with ten players on the DL.

Despite the early lead, Moehler didn't make it out of the 5th, and then Arias came crashing back to earth. Here's the thing:

Moehler: 4.2IP, 8H/5ER, 2K:2BB, 15/25 first-pitch strikes, 20/57 non-contact strikes (17 called:3 swinging)
Wright: 0.1IP, 1K, 0/1 FPS, 3/3 NCS (2c:1s)
Fulchino: 2IP, 1K, 3/6 FPS, 5/14 NCS (3c:2s)
Arias: 2IP, 5H/3ER, 2K, 7/10 FPS, 8/22 NCS (7c:1s)

So yeah, not a good outing, and the Astros will need more out of Ortiz and Moehler to keep this interesting for much longer. This week is a brand-new week, however, with games against the Cubs and Cardinals. Still, the last two games were pretty bad.

The only offense came from 3-4-5 of Lee, Blum, and Pence, who combined for a 7x12 night - Lee getting three hits. Coste pitched in with a single, as did Tejada and a pinch-hit from Matt Kata (his second in two games). But add two baserunning outs - Blum thrown out at home, Pence thrown out at second, both in the first inning - and that's How to Kill a Rally 101.

Man of the Match: Carlos Lee, I guess. 3x4 with an RBI.

Goat of the Game: This one's going not to Brian Moehler, but to Pudge. 0x1 with RISP, 0x4 with 3Ks and an error.

There it is - Erstad to DL

Alyson Footer just tweeted:

Astros place Erstad on DL; recall Matt Kata from Triple-A Round Rock.

That's the great thing about Round Rock - you might get sent down, but sooner or later (but most likely sooner) someone's gonna get hurt, and you're staying in the Four Seasons.

Minor League Transactions

July 10
-OF Eli Iorg assigned to Tri-City from Round Rock (and that's one heck of a jump down...)
-P Ashton Mowdy called up to Lancaster from Lexington
-P Jeff Icenogle released by Lancaster

Icenogle was 0-4 with a 6.79 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 19 games (8 starts) for Lancater this season.

July 11
-IF Matt Kata optioned to Round Rock from Houston, clearing room for Chris Coste

July 12
-First promotion of the 2009 draft class! J.D. Martinez called up to Tri-City from Greeneville
-Tri-City released DH Danny Meier
-Wilton Infante promoted to Greeneville from the GCL Astros

Martinez had gone 31x77 (.403/.446/.740) in 19 games for the Gastros this season.

July 13
-Felipe Paulino optioned to Round Rock

Recap for G75 - Astros @ Padres

I knew it. All that talk about "one game under .500," was too good to be true. Or so Chris Sampson thought, in a 4-3 loss last night at PETCO. Three of those Padres runs came in the 7th inning after the Astros had a 3-0 lead after three innings shaved to 3-1 in the 4th.

Hampton had a great outing in his first start since coming off the DL. Let's take a gander:
Hampton: 6IP, 4H/1ER, 6K:1BB, 18 first-pitch strikes (78.3%), 31 non-contact strikes
Sampson: 1IP, 4H/3ER, 1K:0BB, 6 FPS (85.7%), 7 NCS
Arias: 1IP, 1K:1BB, 4 FPS (100%), 5 NCS

So Sampson. What the heck happened? Well, here's what sucks: all three of those 7th inning runs came with two outs. After getting Blanco to K (swinging), and Cabrera to sac bunt, Sampson gave up three straight hits - a double to right, single to right, single to center. 4-3 game. And, for the second time in three days, the Astros lose on a night that the Cubs, Reds, and Cardinals all lost.

Sampson:
"I just didn’t make pitches," he said. "It was my fault. I missed a few spots, made some bad pitches. Hampton pitched his tail off and deserved to win. I just messed it up."

Offensively the Astros did enough to win. Berkman's 3rd inning homer capped a 2x3 night, one batter after Tejada doubled in Bourn. 1-4 in the lineup got six of the Astros seven hits, going 6x15 (.400) with a walk. The Astros did have a chance to do something in the 9th, but two quick groundouts from Pence (now hitting .310 - and has four hits in last 32 ABs) and Kata put the Astros behind, and when Michaels and Pudge walked, Bourn lined out to right to end the game.

Man of the Match: Toss-up between Lance and Hampton. But this one's going to Lance, 2x3 with a walk and a 2-run homer.

Goat of the Game: Is there any doubt? Chris Sampson.

Surely you're joking

As we head into the final game of the Tigers series, Geoff Blum has healed and was activated from the DL. Who got sent to Tha Rock to make room? Not Matt Kata. Edwin Maysonet.

Regard Coop:
"He's done exactly what we've needed him to do," manager Cecil Cooper said on Friday. "He hasn't not played well. It's just that the role has been diminished, because guys have become healthy, the guys that were supposed to be out there playing are playing."

http://wap.mlb.com/hou/news/article/200906275572186/

When Paulino comes up, who goes down?

So Felipe Paulino is scheduled to come off the DL tomorrow, so who is going to get sent down to accomodate his roster spot? Unless Easy Eddie goes into the clubhouse and starts some crap to get someone inactive, they're going to have to send someone down.

So who's it going to be?
Will it be a position player, like Matt Kata? Probably not. Blum is scheduled to come off the DL soon, too.
So probably a pitcher - will it be Wesley Wright? I think so. He has only pitched in one game since June 17, when he was brought up to replace Mike Hampton. Though he pitched well vs Texas on 6/18, he's just not being used.

G61 - Astros @ Dia'nd''ck'

Brian Moehler, improbably, turned in a quality start despite trying as hard as he could to give away a 3-0 lead. Allowing two runs in the first, then bunting into a double play, then needing a Pence-Kata-Pudge relay to nail Chris Snyder at home. The Astros pulled away to win 8-3, and are now three games below .500.

Jose Valverde struck out the side in his first appearance since dancing his way to being made active.

Man of the Match: Miguel Tejada. 2 doubles, 2 RBI.

Goat of the Game: Hard to say. Now accepting nominations...

Recap for G57 - Cubs @ Astros

Welcome back, Wandy! Wandy tossed a gem as the Astros finally got a win against the Cubs, 2-1, with a walk-off single by Geoff Blum. So yay!

Of course, Carlos Zambrano threw such a strong game against the Astros that Wandy didn't factor in the decision. But it doesn't change the fact that it has been a couple of weeks since Wandy threw a game like that - his only blemish a solo shot from Geovany Soto.

Wandy: 7IP, 5H/1ER, 6K:2BB
Sampson: 2IP, 2H, 2K

With the exception of Soto's homer, Wandy's other four hits allowed included a single to left, and three infield singles.

Pitcher	Pit/Str	Strike%	BF/Outs	Efficiency%	GB/FB/K
Wandy	116/70	60.3%	27/21	77.8%	8/7/6
Sampson	28/19	67.9%	8/6	75%	1/3/2
Total	144/89	61.8%	35/27	77.1%	9/10/8

Bourn led off the first with a single to center, who Tejada then erased with a GIDP. And then Lee led off the second with a single to left. And then that was it for baserunners until the sixth, when Bourn walked - 14 straight batters retired, and until Lee's single in the 7th (after Pence drew a walk, a recurring pattern), the Astros had nary a hit. Blum either did exactly what he wanted with the ball with one out, hitting the ball to the deep hole between first and second, or he screwed up perfectly, scoring Pence to tie the game at 1-1.

Then the ninth: Tejada got a lead-off single, then Pence walked again. Lee advanced Miggs on a sac fly to Fukudome. Walking Berkman, Blum came up, got a single to center, and scored Tejada on a prance-off.

Man of the Match:
Hard to say. Wandy is in the running. Geoff Blum is in the running, as is Pence for getting on base twice. I'm going to give it to Blum. With runners on third base, Blum was 1x2, but both runs scored.

Goat of the Game:
This must be a trend for IF5. Matt Kata is 0x8 in six appearances (though he only started for the first time last night). The Astros are getting 0x33 from IF5s this season.

Notes: Ortiz, Matsui

Kaz Matsui will begin a four-game rehab assignment with Corpus Christi tonight (that means Hooks fans will see Valverde and Matsui!) and could be activated from the DL in time for next week's interleague series with the Rangers.

Coop:
Matsui looked very, very good today. I just had a discussion and he’s totally on board with this, he’s going to go to Corpus. He will play (today). He’ll play Thursday, play Friday and Saturday. And then we’ll look to activate him Tuesday when we go to Arlington. He looked very good. He started out a little slow as far as his running is concerned. I’m sure he was a little apprehensive. But once he got warm he ran pretty well.”

And don't start thinking that this is just delaying the point of who will be 2B1 once Matsui is back at what some would consider full-strength...

Coop, again: “When that time comes, Maysonet has done a terrific job and so has Matt Kata, but Matsui is our guy. He’s been our guy all along. (Jeff) Keppinger is also one of our main players. We’ll have to make a tough decision when that time comes.”

This is Jack's Complete Lack of Amusement.

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And Geary could be back soon, too, meaning that someone's heading back to the Hill Country...

Coop:
“Geary threw the ball well. It was probably the best time out on the hill from a simulated standpoint. We’re going to talk to (general manager) Ed (Wade) a little bit and see when we can get him activated. He did look really sharp today."

Geary:
"I'm getting behind the ball and I’m throwing it more effectively than I was before.

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Paulino and his groin will be out for Saturday's game, and who will be starting? It ain't gonna be Backe.

Russ Ortiz, come on down! He'll be making his first start since May 7.