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Springers Catching On in Triple-A Despite 5-3 Loss
Much has been made of George Springer's strikeout rate this season. In fact, some even moaned at the three strikeouts that he posted in his AAA debut. But, you take out that lone night, and you're left with three strikeouts in thirteen plate appearances. That's less than 25%. I know, it's pointless to talk about rate stats in this sample. My point is, that he's doing quite well in AAA. In the double header, he hit a line drive double and a line drive home run. He also worked an 0-2 count into a walk. He then added two more hits yesterday. I'm quite happy with his first five games in AAA.
- Phillip Humber-5 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 6/3 GO/AO, 79/50 P/S-Not good, as Tim and I discussed on Sunday in the podcast, the Nashville lineup is quite bad.
- Eric Berger-2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR
- Rhiner Cruz-1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 SO
- Jonathan Villar SS-1-5, 3B, 3 SO
- George Springer CF-2-3
- Jonathan Singleton 1B-2-4, SO
- Che-Hsuan Lin RF-1-4, 2B, 2 SO
Bats Fall Silent in 1-0 Loss
David Martinez took the reins for his first non-tandem starter game and took the Hooks deeper than any other starter this season. Having not pitched since the 23rd, he was quite rested and ready to go the distance. He pitched seven innings of just one run ball. However, he was efficient enough that he only needed 81 pitches to do so. I honestly think we should be paying more attention to Rene Garcia. He is known for his defense, but he's been hitting very well in over 200 plate appearances. He doesn't draw walks, but he doesn't strike out either. He hits line drives.
- David Martinez-7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO, 9/4 GO/AO, 81/56 P/S
- Kyle Hallock-2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO
- Rene Garcia C-1-3 2B
- Domingo Santana DH-0-2, 2 BB
- Drew Muren CF-0-2, 2 BB
Lancaster *I don't know a good word to describe it* Quakes 17-3
Yep...I need a new word to describe it. Give me something!
West was nothing short of dominant. Eight strikeouts in five innings is no easy feat. To have all eight of them swinging strikeouts makes me giggle like Tim's little daughter (she giggles all the time!).
But, what makes me really giggle is that this whiplashing of epic proportions went so far as to the Quakes bringing in their second baseman to pitch! Which is always fun to see a position player pitch. But, to add more hilarity to the situation, Andrew Aplin decided to unload on a Wingo pitch for a GRAND SLAM! Yeah...bye bye ball!
- Aaron West-5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO, 3/2 GO/AO
- Thomas Shirley-4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 5/4 Go/AO
- Delino DeShields 2B-1-4, 2 BB, SO, SB
- Nolan Fontana SS-4-6, 2 2B, SO
- Andrew Aplin CF-1-5, HR, SO
- Telvin Nash DH-0-4, 2 BB, 2 SO
- MP Cokinos 1B-1-4, 2B, BB, SO
- Matt Duffy 3B-2-6, 2B, SO
- Chris Epps RF-2-5, 3B, HR, SO
- Brandon Meredith LF-4-6, 2B, HR, SO
- Ryan McCurdy C-3-4, SO
Hauschild Changes it up in 4-1 Win
I'm playing off this article a bit, but go read how Mke Hauschild was able to regain his college form by playing with his changeup grip. The change is such a feel pitch, that if it doesn't feel comfortable with your grip, you aren't going to be effective with it. It's not uncommon for pitchers to change their grip up sometimes if they start to lose comfort with it.
Also, don't look now, but Rio Ruiz is finding his stroke. He's hitting over .350 for his last ten games and it starting to come around. #RAKES
- Mike Hauschild-5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 SO, 5/1 GO/AO
- Jordan Jankowski-3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO, 2/1 GO/AO
- Gerardo Sanchez-1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR
- Carlos Correa SS-1-4, 2B
- Rio Ruiz 3B-2-4, SO
- Austin Elkins 2B-1-3, HR
#VamosGatos in 6-2 Win
Michael Feliz and Andrew Thurman combined for twelve strikeouts. TWELVE! Feliz pitched six innings and Thurman three. It was Thurman's third outing and had only struck out one over three innings in those two appearances. He was very good yesterday though. I was told he had very good movement and control and his fastball was very effective inside on hitters. That's a very good sign that he's already gained the confidence to pitch inside.
Dan Gulbransen continued his hot hitting with two hits, including his third home run. A little note, he's begun getting some work at first base in practice.
- Michael Feliz-6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO, 5/2 GO/AO
- Andrew Thurman-3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 0/2 Go/AO
- Anthony Kemp 2B-3-4, 2B, BB, 2 SB
- Dan Gulbransen LF-2-3, HR, BB
- Jake Rodriguez C-2-2, 2 BB