Eddie's Fam: June 11

Oklahoma City (26-36)

OKC scored the final five runs of the game, including two in the 11th, for a 6-4 win over Omaha. Sergio Perez threw 6IP, 3H/4R (3ER), 2K:2BB, WP, 2HBP; Danny Meszaros gave up a hit and two walks and Wesley Wright gave up a hit, each in 0.2IP. Ross Wolf threw 2.1 perfect IP, and Fernando Abad got his first win at OKC of the season, with 3K in 1.1IP.

Anderson Hernandez was 4x6 with an RBI; Robinson Cancel was 3x6 with 2RBI, Oswaldo Navarro was 3x4 with a double, homer, and 2RBI. J.B. Shuck was 2x4 with two walks and an RBI, and Brian Dopirak was 2x5 with a double. Koby Clemens was 0x6, and is hitting .200 (7x35) in his last ten games.

Man of the Match: Oswaldo Navarro.

Corpus (23-37)

Corpus took advantage of four Midland errors for a 9-4 win. Erick Abreu went 5IP, allowing 6H/3ER, 7K:1BB. Shane Wolf allowed 2H/1ER in 0.1IP; Matt Nevarez (1.2IP, 3BB), Arcenio Leon, and Patrick Urckfitz combined for 3.2IP, 0H/0ER, 2K:3BB.

Jimmy Paredes (3B), Jon Gaston (2BB, 2RBI), and Jake Goebbert (2B, BB) had two hits each; while Jose Altuve was 1x5 with a triple and 2RBI. J.D. Martinez added a double, while the Hooks were 2x14 w/RISP.

Man of the Match: Jon Gaston

Lancaster (24-37)

Inland Empire had three multi-run innings in a 10-6 win over Lancaster, despite the JetHawks out-hitting the 66ers, 12-10. Jose Cisnero allowed 3H/5ER, 5K:5BB in 4IP; Mike Ness gave up 2H/3ER, 1K:1BB in 1IP, and David Berner allowed 4H/2ER in 2IP. Yordany Ramirez was the only pitcher to not allow a run, with 1H/0ER, 1K:0BB in 1IP.

Austin Wates (RBI), Andy Simunic (2B), Jose Carlos Thompson (HR, 3RBI), and Grant Hogue (BB) had two hits each.

Man of the Match: Jose Carlos Thompson

Lexington (29-33)

Hickory jumped all over Lexington in an 8-1 win over the Legends. Tanner Bushue allowed 4IP, 5H/3ER, 1K:2BB while Juan Minaya walked all three batters he faced (with a Lyon-esque 0IP, 0H/3ER, 0K:3BB). Gabe Garcia gave up 1H/1ER, 1K:1BB in 1IP, and Luis Cruz allowed 2H/1ER, 1K:1BB in 4IP of relief.

After Delino DeShields hit a lead-off homer, the Legends only had one other hit - by Emilio King. Jiovanni Mier, Tyler Burnett, and Enrique Hernandez drew walks.

Man of the Match: Uhhh, Luis Cruz?

DSL Astros (5-3)

The DSL Astros got out to a 4-0 lead, and then had to hold on for a 6-5 win, scoring the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8th. Luis Abad allowed just 2H/0ER, 3K:2BB in 6IP, while Johan Arias gave up 4H/4ER in 1IP, with Manuel Sanchez allowing 3H/1ER, 0K:1BB in 2IP, getting the BS/W.

Mesac Laguna was 3x4 with a double and 2RBI, and Franny Polanco was 3x4, as well. Darwin Rivera was 2x4 with two doubles.

Man of the Match: Mesac Laguna.

USA Today thinks that Chris Johnson would make a fine RedHawk

USA Today has a list of players they believe should join Reds' Opening Day starter Edinson Volquez in Triple-A. Chris Johnson is one of them:

His strong rookie season-aafeaturing a .308 batting average and .818 OPS-aafostered the notion he might be one of the foundations for the rebuilding of the Astros. But Johnson’s sophomore year has been a huge disappointment, as his averaged has dropped nearly 90 points to .220. He’s walking just once every 32 plate appearances, which doesn’t help his case for staying in the majors.

Here's the question: And replace him with who(m)? Matt Downs has played some 3B, and has a .320/.346/.680 line (in 26 PAs). If you're looking at Triple-A, stop doing that. Oswaldo Navarro has seen 27 games at 3B and has a .708 OPS.

Oswaldo Navarro to DL

McTaggart says that Oswaldo Navarro has been placed on the DL with a groin injury, and Joe Inglett will take his spot.

Last night Navarro drew three walks and provided an RBI.

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

Astros re-sign four minor-leaguers

With a captip to Baseball America, the Astros have re-signed the following minor leaguers:

C Brian Esposito
RHP Brad James
SS Oswaldo Navarro
SS Wladimir Sutil

Astros acquire Enerio Del Rosario

In a certainly unexpected move, the Astros have acquired Cincinnati reliever Enerio Del Rosario for cash considerations. Oswaldo Navarro has been removed from the 40-Man roster to make room for Del Rosario, who will be with the team for tomorrow's game.

Del Rosario will be 25 in October, and pitched in nine games for the Reds this season, for a 2.08 ERA/1.96 WHIP, logging 8.2IP, 13H/2ER, 3K:4BB.

He has spent most of 2010 with the Reds' Triple-A team in Louisville, posting a 3.09 ERA/1.22 WHIP, with 34K:17BB in 64IP - also allowing seven homers.

Del Rosario, a side-arm pitcher with a "nasty sinker," was DFA'ed by the Reds earlier this week to make room for Willie Bloomquist.

Dusty Baker, on Del Rosario, in Spring Training 2010:
"He's impressed me. You wouldn't know it's his first time in big league camp. He fields his position well. I talked to some guys about him and they said he calls infielders off. He's such a great fielder. He keeps the ball down, runs it in on them. There's always a place on a team, sooner or later, for a guy with a good natural sinker."

Del Rosario:
"I threw much better and I feel much better from the side than overhand. I was throwing too straight and the hitters got me pretty good. From the side, I got more sink and more movement."

Double-A Pitching Coach Tom Brown:
"There is not a finer person anywhere than Ernie. He's one of the nicest, hardest-working, best people you'll ever have. As a coach, it's a pleasure to be around guys like that."

Eddie's Farm: September 1

Round Rock

The misery continues for Round Rock as they drop their 8th in a row, losing 5-1 at Omaha, despite outhitting the Royals 13-8. Josh Banks threw a complete game, with 8IP, 8H/5ER, 3K:2BB, WP, HBP. Edwin Bellorin was 3x4, and Oswaldo Navarro, Chris Shelton, Brandon Barnes, Edwin Maysonet, and German Duran had two hits each. Navarro had your lone RBI, and Duran your only walk.

Man of the Match: Oswaldo Navarro

Corpus

Corpus was all over Frisco offensively, and held them to three hits for a 9-0 win. Erick Abreu improved to 4-4 with 7IP, 3H/0ER, 4K:0BB; Arcenio Leon threw 1IP, 0H/0ER, 1K:2BB, and Shane Wolf threw a perfect 9th. Albert Cartwright was 3x5 with a double and 2RBI, and Federico Hernandez was 3x4 with two runs scored. David Cook and Jon Gaston hit homers, and Koby Clemens added 2RBI. Clemens and Martinez combined for a 1x8 night.

Man of the Match: Erick Abreu

Lancaster

Lancaster took an early 1-0 lead, but Lake Elsinore scored the next six runs for a 6-2 win. Mike Modica got the start, having made his first 35 appearances out of the bullpen, and threw 4IP, 5H/3ER; Jose Trinidad allowed 5H/2ER in 3IP, and Edwin Walker and David Carpenter threw an inning each. Brian Pellegrini and Lee Cruz each hit a solo homer for the scoring. Jay Austin stole his 53rd base of the year.

Man of the Match: Brian Pellegrini

Lexington

Oof. Hagerstown scored three runs in each of the 1st and 2nd innings, and won 9-1 over Lexington. Luis Cruz allowed 6H/6R (5ER), 0K:3BB in 1.2IP. Colton Pitkin allowed 4H/3ER, 2K:1BB, WP, Balk; Yordany Ramirez threw 2IP, 2H/0ER, 2K:2BB, WP, and Mike Schurz threw 2IP, 2H/0ER to close it out. The Legends got four hits - two of them for extra bases from Barry Butera (RBI) and Brian Kemp (both doubles). Grant Hogue and Jonathan Meyer provided your other hits. Butera came in for Jiovanni Mier as a defensive replacement in the 7th.

Man of the Match: Butera

Tri-City

The ValleyCats kept their half-game lead over Connecticut by beating up on last-place Lowell, 11-1. They'll finish the series with Lowell today, and then head to KeySpan Park for a brutal three-game season-closing series with McNamara Division leaders Brooklyn (48-23. Yeah, 25 games over .500 after 71 games). Andrew Robinson threw a strong start, going 6IP, 2H/0ER, 2K:2BB (11 groundouts, and three flyouts). Adam Champion allowed 1H/1ER, 2K:1BB, and John Frawley closed it out with 1H/0ER, 1K:0BB in 1IP. Adam Bailey and Mike Kvasnicka (RBI) were each 3x4, and Chris Wallace was 2x4 with 2RBI. Tyler Burnett hit a 2-run homer, and Austin Wates was 0x4 with a walk, RBI, and stolen base.

Man of the Match: Andrew Robinson

Eddie's Farm: August 23

Round Rock

Round Rock rallied for three runs in the bottom of the 7th to tie Oklahoma City at 4-4, but Alex Cora (who is hilariously still wearing a Mets hat in his MiLB profile) hit a homer in the 9th inning off Gary Majewski for the 5-4 win over Round Rock. Yorman Bazardo allowed 6H/4ER, 5K:3BB in 6.1IP, and Majewski gave up 2H/1ER, 1K:0BB in 2.2IP of relief. Oklahoma City's Derek Holland threw 6IP, 3H/1ER, 5K:3BB. However, Oswaldo Navarro was 4x5 with a double, homer, and 2RBI. Edwin Maysonet (2x3, BB) and Collin DeLome (1x5, RBI) had your other hits. Brian Bogusevic was 0x3, and is hitting .179/.304/.282 over his last ten games.

Man of the Match: Oswaldo Navarro

Corpus

Arkansas scored in four different innings, overcoming a 2-1 Corpus lead, for a 5-3 win. Henry Villar threw 5H/3ER, 1K:2BB in 5IP. Jared Wells threw 3H/2R (1ER), 1K:0BB and Jose Valdez threw two perfect innings to close it out. The Hooks committed four errors - Cartwright, Sutil, Santangelo, and Clemens. Lou Santangelo was 2x4, while David Cook (1x4, BB) and Albert Cartwright (1x3, 2BB) provided your RBIs.

Man of the Match: Albert Cartwright.

Lancaster

High Desert worked over Lancaster for a 10-3 win. Leandro Cespedes allowed 5H/6R (4ER), 2K:4BB, and a balk in 1.2IP; Ashton Mowdy walked two in 3.1IP - getting out of an inherited bases loaded jam without allowing a run; Mike Modica gave up 5H/3ER, 0K:1BB in 1IP; Jose Trinidad gave up 2H/1ER in 1IP; and Edwin Walker allowed 2H/0ER in 1IP. Brandon Barnes swung the big bat, going 3x4 with three doubles, a walk, stolen base, and an RBI. Brandon Wikoff was 2x5.

Man of the Match: Brandon Barnes

Lexington

Lexington was down 6-2 heading into the 7th, and scored six runs over the next three innings for an 8-6 win over Augusta. Juan Minaya threw 5IP, 6H/5R (4ER), 5K:2BB, 3WP; Brenden Stines allowed 2H/1ER, 3BB in 2IP, and Colton Pitkin provided the 8th inning bridge to Kirk Clark, who recorded his 28th save of the season. It was the top of the order doing the damage, as Jimmy Paredes, Jiovanni Mier, and Jake Goebbert each had two hits. Ben Heath was 2x4 with a double and a walk. Our Boy Aaron Bray went 0x4, but had 2RBI to reach 40RBI on the season. Renzo Tello hit a three-run double in the 9th for the go-ahead RBIs. The bases were loaded up for Tello on Ben Heath's single, and Jonathan Meyer and Miguel Arrendell's two-out walks.

Man of the Match: Renzo Tello

Tri-City

Tri-City scored early and often in their 10-3 win over Connecticut. Carlos Quevedo allowed 4H/2R (1ER), 4K:1BB, WP in 6IP. Adam Champion, Jason Chowning, and Joan Belliard combined for 3H/0ER in relief. Marcus Nidiffer (SB) - who probably ought to go to Lancaster in 2011 - and Austin Wates (double, RBI) had three hits each. Adam Bailey was 2x5 with a double, homer, and 4RBI. Chris Wallace hit his first homer for the ValleyCats, and Orloff (SB), Adamson, and Kvasnicka provided your other RBIs.

Man of the Match: Adam Bailey

Greeneville

Princeton edged Greeneville on a 12th inning homer to win 4-3. Ricardo Batista allowed 5H/3R (2ER), 3K:3BB, WP in 6IP. Angel Gonzalez (2BB) and Phil Rorabaugh (H, K) threw an inning each. Garrett Bullock allowed 4H/0ER, 4K:1BB in 3IP, and Jeiler Castillo gave up the game-winning HR. Telvin Nash was 3x5 with a two-run homer (hitting .324/.405/.595 in his last ten games), while Delino DeShields and Jhonny Medrano each had two hits and a walk. Catcher Carlos Mojica had a rough night, going 0x5 with two throwing errors and a passed ball. Emilio King had two outfield assists to kind of off-set the 0x5, 4K game he had at the plate.

Man of the Match: Telvin Nash.

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.

If you were looking for a suitable analogy for the Astros' organization as a whole, this would be a good one

Geoff Blum hurt himself putting on his shirt.

Mills:
"He was putting on his shirt after the game and his elbow goes 'boom.'"It popped, and it blew up on him."

Of course it did.

So here's what had to happen.

1. Blum is out.
2. Angel Sanchez - acquired for Kevin Cash - is on the 40-man roster.
3. Jason Bourgeois had to be optioned to Round Rock to make room for Sanchez.
4. Except Bourgeois is staying in his hotel room, because no one is sure if Blum will have to go on the DL.
5. If he does, they'll "recall" Bourgeois from his hotel room.

Mills:
"As of right now it looks like we might not have Blum for three, four, maybe five days. It's easier to stick someone out there in the pasture than trying to stick him in the middle of the diamond."

So Oswaldo Navarro - despite his having options remaining - stays in order to have an extra infielder. Want to hear the OF5 options? I knew you did: Jeff Keppinger and...Pedro Feliz.

Ed Wade, on Bourgeois:
Jason's done a great job since he's been here and I've told him as soon as we can get him back here, we'll get him back here."

With Manzella out, the Astros are comfortable with Navarro and Blum

It makes sense, but seriously, God help us all.

Wade:
"We're comfortable giving Geoff playing time over there and as is the case with Johnson and Bourgeois and Castro, we have to find out about Ozzie. He's only about 26 years old, and if he can show the steady play he showed at [Triple-A] Round Rock at this level, then it behooves us to give him a shot instead of somebody with experience that doesn't carry the upside because of age or whatever.

Right now we're not actively looking for a shortstop. That said, if something came along we thought would make sense, we'd pursue it."

There it is...

Manzella out for six weeks

Hm. Tommy Manzella is out for six weeks with a broken finger, and Oswaldo Navarro has been recalled from Round Rock.

Within that linked article, we see that Kevin Cash and Casey Daigle cleared waivers and have accepted their assignment to Round Rock, while Cory Sullivan cleared waivers and has elected to go the route of this "Free Agency" thing.

Eddie's Farm: June 14

Round Rock (29-35)

Despite getting two runs in the top of the 9th inning, the Express lost 5-4 at Iowa. Shane Loux threw 5IP, 7H/4ER, 4K:2BB while Brad Thompson and Roy Corcoran threw 3IP, 5H/1ER, 2K:2BB in relief. With Johnson as the tying run on first following a walk, Kata and Locke didn't get it out of the infield to end the game. Bogusevic - batting leadoff - was 2x5 with an RBI while Navarro was 2x3 with 3RBI on the day.

Man of the Match: Oswaldo Navarro

Corpus Christi (30-32)

Corpus jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and then gave up the next eight runs for an 8-2 loss. Tyler Lumsden took his 3rd loss of the season, allowing 8H/4ER, 0K:4BB in 5IP (9 walks in his last 11IP). Erik Stiller was the only pitcher to do a job, striking out three and allowing just two hits (no runs) in 3IP. Nelson Payano and T.J. Burton gave up four runs in the final inning. Jhon Florentino had your only multi-hit game (2x4), while Clemens had your only extra-base hit - a double. Fixler and Lumsden hisself had the RBIs.

Man of the Match: Erik Stiller

Lancaster (19-45)

Lancaster did all their scoring in the first inning. Inland Empire got all their runs in the 9th inning. Bad news: Inland Empire won 2-1. Shane Wolf threw 7IP, 2H/0ER, 4K:1BB in a stellar performance, and Mike Modica gave up three hits and two walks in 1.1IP to take his first blown save and second loss. Lee Cruz - hitting .357 in his short stint with Lancaster - had two of the JetHawks' six hits and the lone RBI of the game.

Man of the Match: Shane Wolf

Lexington (33-31)

And the Legends blew a 9th inning lead to lose to Lakewood 5-3. Robby Donovan threw 6IP, 5H/2R (0ER), 8K:4BB while Jose Trinidad tossed two scoreless IP. Kirk Clark gave up two hits (both homers) and a walk for three runs in the bottom of the ninth, recording one out. Rene Garcia was 3x3 with an RBI and Our Boy Aaron Bray was 2x3, R, BB, RBI. Kody Hinze was 0x4 with 2Ks, and is hitting .231 (9x39) in his last ten games, with 14K:7BB.

Man of the Match: Aaron Bray, who is hitting .432 (16x37) in his last ten games, with 3K:4BB.

Bud to the DL

Norris hits the 15-day DL with a diagnosis of bursitis and elbow tendinitis. Lefty Gustavo Chacin was recalled from Round Rock to fill his roster spot. Perhaps assuming a short start from Brian Moehler on Saturday, the Astros also called up LHP Wesley Wright from Round Rock and optioned Oswaldo Navarro back to Round Rock.

For those taking a break from math for the Memorial Day weekend, that makes 12 position players and 13 pitchers on the Astros current roster (including 3 lefties in the pen).

What? A hitting coach helped someone?

The Astros should fire that guy, then. Oswaldo Navarro credits Round Rock hitting coach Keith Bodie with turning him into a better offensive player.

Navarro:
“He helped me a lot, and I put up good numbers. Just mental, a little more concentration, and that helped me this time put up good numbers in AAA.”

In eight minor-league seasons, Navarro was a career .259/.330/.344 hitter, but in Round Rock (92 PAs, I know) he had been hitting .312/.418/.506 before getting called up.

Navarro to DL

Within this piece on Edwin Maysonet, we see that Oswaldo Navarro will be unavailable for the Express for the start of the season as he has been placed on the DL with that nagging quadriceps injury. Too bad for him he doesn't have Tommy Manzella's regenerative powers.

Minor-League assignments

Okay, quick update, and then more later:

Wesley Wright, Shane Loux, and Oswaldo Navarro have been sent to minor-league camp.

Alberto Arias will start the season on the DL, but his shoulder is feeling better.

Bourn will play in a Minor-League game today.

Meat Wagon update

Zach Levine has some injury updates for us this morning:

-Bourn strained his oblique in the batting cage a few minutes before yesterday's game with Toronto.

Bourn:
“I don't think it's that serious at all, so it will probably be two to three days where I probably won't be doing any (hitting)."

-Norris will pitch four innings on Sunday, having recovered from the flu, in which Immodium AD was the key remedy (ewww).

-Yorman Bazardo felt "another pinch" in his throwing shoulder where he had already experienced soreness.

-Oswaldo Navarro strained his quad running out a groundball

-Alberto Arias will throw live BP after two bullpen sessions.

Astros invite eight to Spring Training

Brian McTaggart tells us the Astros have invited eight to Major League Spring Training:

Pitchers: Roy Corcoran, Ryan Sadowski, Casey Daigle, Gary Majewski

Infielders: Chris Shelton, Drew Meyer, Oswaldo Navarro

Outfielders: Alex Romero