I hope all of you had an enjoyable Fourth of July. I got to enjoy a cook-out with some in-laws and got to experience what it's like to live in an area that doesn't know anything about the Astros. I was wearing my Hunter Pence shirt and a distant relative asked me who Pence was because a kid who was on his last little league team that he coached had the last name Pence and thought it had something to do with that kid.
But, there must be something great about the Fourth of July for the Lexington Legends, they won 6-5.
There has been some talk about Brad Dydalewicz's terrible season, and really this start wasn't impressive, but it was a step in the right direction. He pitched five innings and gave up four runs (two earned) on seven hits (one homerun), four walks, and three strikeouts. I'm going to add one short thought, the kid is 20 years old, don't put too much on this season, he has plenty of time to right the ship. He has good stuff and those walks will work their way out once he can learn to repeat his mechanics which has torn this season apart. There has also been some talk around here about wanting Zach Grimmett to be moved to the rotation. Well, he made another strong case for that. He pitched three scoreless innings and allowed just four hits while striking out six and walking none. Kirk Clark picked up his 17th save but it was a rough outing. He pitched one inning and allowed just one (earned) run on three hits, one walk, and one strikeout. JD Martinez went 3 for 4.
Now, many of you are probably wondering why the Lexington recap is before the break. Yesterday was something special, Jiovanni Mier hit a homerun! He went 2 for 4 with a double as well. Mier has taken a lot of heat this year for his low batting average which has led to a bad OBP, and a low slugging percentage. John Sickels even included him in his discussion question on which prospect is causing the most worry on their bad season yesterday. But, Jio posted an OPS over .700 last month and has been hitting a lot of doubles lately to go along with quite a few multi-hit games. His doubles power has been decent all season but has increased lately and that power is now coupled with a homerun. This season may still turn out to be a solid one yet. I honestly think we will see a monster year from him next year in Lancaster.
Round Rock lost 2-1
Sergio Perez pitched well in a short outing that was four and two-thirds innings. He allowed six hits and one walk that led to the two (earned) runs with three strikeouts. Jared Bayliss pitched two innings and allowed just one hit and struck out three. Luis Maza went 1 for 4 with a double. Drew Locke went 1 for 4 with a double and a strikeout. Collin DeLome went 1 for 4 with a strikeout and his fifth homerun. It's worth mentioning that Wladimir Sutil's batting average has dropped to .130 since being called up to RR.
Corpus Christi lost 6-3
Douglas Arguello didn't have the typical dominant outing he has been used to this year. He pitched six innings and allowed four runs (all earned) on five hits (including two homeruns) and two walks, but he did strike out five. Jhon Florentino picked up the only extra base hit by going 1 for 4 with a double and a strikeout.
Lancaster won 8-2
Kyle Greenwalt bounced back from his terrible previous outing with six scoreless innings. He allowed just six hits and two walks while strikingout three. A lot of significant offensive performances. Jay Austin went 1 for 4 with a double and a strikeout. Albert Cartwright went 1 for 4 with a double and two strikeouts. Brandon Barnes went 0 for 3 with two walks, three strikeouts, and a stolen base. Lee Cruz went 2 for 5. Mark Ori went 2 for 4 with a strikeout. Andrew Simunic went 2 for 4 with a double and a strikeout. Brandon Wikoff went 2 for 4.
Lexington won 6-5
Recap before the break.
Tri-City won 8-6
Robby Doran hasn't been the greatest in his adjustment to the pros. He pitched five innings and allowed three earned runs on seven hits, one walk, and three strikeouts. The short-stop turned closer, Jorge De Leon, pitched one scoreless inning and didn't allow a hit while giving up one walk and striking out two. Ben Orloff went 3 for 3 with a double, a walk, and a stolen base as the leadoff hitter. Daniel Adamson went 1 for 3 with a strikeout, walk, and a homerun. Frank Almonte went 2 for 4 with a homerun. Buck Afenir went 2 for 4. Ben Heath went 1 for 3 with a strikeout, two walks, and a stolen base.
Greeneville lost 4-0
Angel Gonzalez wasn't able to repeat his previous no hit performance. I guess I put TCB Curse on him with the post yesterday. He pitched five innings and gave up four earned runs on four hits including a homerun, two walks, and five strikeouts. Jeiler Castillo pitched three innings that would have been perfect minus one hit while striking out two. Nobody had a multi-hit game and only one had an extra-base hit. Marcus Nidiffer went 1 for 3 with a double.
GCL Astros lost 10-4
The 6-5, 205 righty, Francis Ramirez, pitched five innings and gave up just one (earned) run on one hit, three walks, while striking out six. Juan Mojica pitched a scoreless inning and a third and struck out one with no walks or hits. Edwin Maysonet went 1 for 4 with a double and a walk. Brian Pellegrini went 0 for 1 but drew two walks. Rafael Venezuela went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk.
DSL Astros lost 4-3
Roliner Iturralde pitched six decent innings. He allowed three (earned) runs on six hits, no walks, and struck out four. The tall and lanky (6-5, 150) Felix Ramirez pitched three innings and allowed just one hit, no walks, and hit two batters that led to his one (earned) run. The really good news, he struck out six. Kenny Diaz went 3 for 4. Max Ayarza went 1 for 4 with a double.