Astros Defeat Corpus Christi Hooks 6-2, Mills Names Rotation

David covered most of the news that was announced during the game this evening so I won't rehash those here. On the injury front, It sounds like Jordan Schafer will get in a game before Friday and that Jed Lowrie is still questionable for the opener.

Also of note is that Mills has set the rotation. According to Alyson Footer via twitter the rotation will be, Wandy Rodriguez, Lucas Harrell, Bud Norris, J.A. Happ and Kyle Weiland. I don't know.

This was certainly an exhibition game and you could tell by who pinch ran in the seventh inning.

Offense

Astros: Jason Castro and Brett Wallace reached twice, both via a hit and a walk. Justin Ruggiano and Chris Johnson both hit homeruns. For Ruggiano having a multi-hit game, also had a double, may have just solidified his position as a reserve outfielder over J.B. Shuck who had one hit in five at bats.*

I sort of feel bad for Shuck, if he doesn't get on the opening day roster it will be the second year in a row that he fell just short. Talk about being teased.

The highlight of the game thought was easily Javier Bracamonte, the Astros bullpen catcher, entering the game as a pinch runner for Jason Castro and scoring a run in the seventh inning. He would also have an at bat in the game and worked a seven pitch walk.

Others with offensive contributions include, Marwin Gonzalez who drove in two, Travis Buck, two hits, and Brian Bixler. Overall the Astros offense had 11 hits and four walks.

Hooks: Jordan Kreke and Jonathan Singleton had two hits and Adam Bailey hit a homerun. Others collecting hits include Jonathan Villar, Kody Hinze, Brandon Barnes and T.J. Steele. Austin Wates didn't have a hit but walked twice.

Overall the Hooks offense had a similar overall performance with nine hits and three walks.

Pitching

Astros: Lucas Harrell went six innings allowing no runs on six hits and one walk, he also struck out four. Fernando Abad followed, Harrell, giving up the solo homerun to Bailey. Wesley Wright got into a bit of trouble in the eighth, but only allowed one run to score and Mickey Storey closed out the ninth.

Hooks: Jose Cisnero went four innings striking out five Astros while walking no one and allowing only one hit. That one hit was a Johnson homerun. Cisnero took the loss by the way; another example of why wins mean diddle squat.

Arcenio Leon and Chris Hicks followed with a shutout inning each. The recently acquired, Kevin Chapman ran into some trouble in the seventh, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk. He only managed to get only one batter out. Jason Stoffel came in to finish the inning and then pitched the eighth, allowing zero runs. Josh Zeid finished the game giving up the ninth inning homerun to Ruggiano.

Defense

Astros had an error (Johnson); the Hooks did not.

Tuesday

7:05 p.m. CT vs Chicago White Sox. The game will be on FS-H, MLBN (delay), MLB.TV and Radio KBME 790.