Astros Minor League Recap: April 10th, 2014

Oklahoma City Piles it on Late

The RedHawks used a big six-run eighth inning to break up a 2-2 game and put the game out of reach. I hate it for Brian Bogusevic because I really like Bogey, but I'd much rather see an OkC win, which is what happened. The big story in that eighth inning was the back-to-back jacks from none other than the Bash Brothers, George Springer and Jon Singleton. Springer got on base four times in in his five plate appearances and did so without a strikeout.

• Bobby Doran-4 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR, 2/6 GO/AO, 71/48 P/S
• David Martinez-4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO, 4/2 GO/AO, 52/33 P/S
• Gregorio Petit SS-2-5, 2B
• George Springer RF-2-3, HR, 2 BB, SB
• Jon Singleton 1B-1-4, HR, BB, SO
• Japhet Amador DH-1-4, 3 SO
• Domingo Santana LF-1-5, 2 SO, OF Assist

Hooks Nickel and Dime Their Way to a Win

The Corpus Christi Hooks shutout Tulsa and piled on six runs with just ONE extra base hit. That's the product of having a lineup filled with hitters who know how to get on base. Ross Seaton also made a pretty good statement on why the Astros have kept him around. Several fans expected him to have been released or relegated to a bullpen roll at this point, but he put together a solid outing last night.

• Ross Seaton-5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO, 7/0 GO/AO, 67/46 P/S
• Luis Cruz-3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 SO, 1/3 GO/AO, 58/37 P/S
• Jordan Jankowski-1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO
• Delino DeShields CF-0-3, 1 BB, 1 SB
• Nolan Fontana SS-1-3, 2B, BB, SO
• Matt Duffy 1B-2-4

Lancaster Uses 11 Innings to Grab Win

Mark Appel was simply dominant early in his second start of the season with a fastball that sat in the mid-90's based on the stadium gun. He also used a slider that Jason Schwartz made sound like it was simply on last early. He ended up giving up two runs across the fourth and fifth inning, but it was a much improved appearance over his initial start. What I found very interesting was that Appel has started two games in a row. This could simply be a blip and had to be done this way for reasons unknown to us, or they could be simply letting Appel be the starter every time because they know he won't be there long and needs the routine of starting the game. It should be interesting to monitor.

Carlos Correa was also guilty of friendly fire last night as he fouled off a pitch that shot directly at Rio Ruiz who was standing in the on-deck circle. Fortunately, Ruiz was not injured from being struck by the foul ball.

• Mark Appel-5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 1 HR, 5/2 GO/AO, 74/49 P/S
• Mike Hauschild-4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 6/1 GO/AO, 59/40 P/S
• Juan Minaya-1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO
• Mitchell Lambson-1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO
• Anthony Kemp 2B-2-5, 2B, SO
• Teoscar Hernandez CF-2-5, 2B, 2 SO, 2 SB
• Carlos Correa SS-0-4, BB, SB
• Brandon Meredith 1B-2-4, BB, SO

River Bandits take it 5-3

The organizational sweep is complete! THEY ARE COMING!

Coming into the season, we knew Brett Phillips was a very good athlete and had good plate discipline. Not exactly a combination you see regularly. But, questions abounded about his ability to hit. He doesn't have much power, as illustrated by his inability to collect his first professional home run at this point. However, he's not at that point where all his muscle is fully developed and some power can still come. But, it won't be a focal point of his game. His value will have to come from getting on base. He can draw walks, but can he hit enough? So far this season, he has done that with a .320 batting average. Small sample, but the hope is that the hits will keep coming.

• Evan Grills-5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO, 6/2 GO/AO-Oh you Canadian Lefty!
• Michael Feliz-2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 2/0 GO/AO
• Patrick Christensen-1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO
• Andrew Walter-1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 SO
• James Ramsay RF-1-3, 2B, 2 BB
• Brett Phillips CF-3-4, BB, CS
• Conrad Gregor 1B-2-5, 2 SO