Looks like Appel settled down as the game wen on. 3 hits in the first (1 being a bunt single) 1 home run in second 2 hits third 0 in 4th
Makes me think of that Simpsons episode where Krusty starts reading out cities with funny names. "Walla Walla, Cucamonga, Seattle"
It's one of the reasons I'm not a big fan of the tandem system (or whatever they are doing, I can't really tell). If allowed to pitch normally he could have tossed 2 or 3 more shutout innings, or he could have gotten lit up, we don't know. Being able to go through a lineup 3 times is key in evaluating whether a guy is cut out to be a starter. We don't really have that question with Appel, but it does apply to other guys. I don't mind it in the low minors, but at this level we should start evaluating them for their best case MLB role. I would rather see a 6 man rotation, or maybe some guys pitch normally and other guys are tag teamed. It would be unfair, but we already know some prospects get preferential treatment. Appel shouldn't be limited to 4 or 5 innings.
This is the best reason to oppose the tandem system (IMO), but as you mention, seeing a guy third time through the order doesn't matter as much in lower levels. I do suspect that the Astros will use AAA more to get guys ready for the third time in the order.
One of the other hits was a routine grounder that would have been right at the 3B, except they had the shift on.
I think AA is using a modified tandem. Every third start has a tandem, or some such. They finished the end of last year in AAA with the modified tandem.
Appel has been in a tandem on 2 of 3 starts. His middle start he went 5 innings and was relieved by relievers. He only threw 70 pitches which may or may not be his early season limit. I'm leaning towards it is, because in his tandem starts he has come out between 60-70 pitches in those too, even though he got to the 5th in the first start on about 65 pitches, and only got to the 4th last night on ~70.
@darenw: Carlos Correa's spray chart this year in AA has been pretty amazing. Hitting to all fields. 5 doubles to RF http://t.co/57vQNr3gzq
#1 is currently 3-3 in game 2 of a doubleheader. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Fun night bouncing around <a href="http://t.co/QtOZwtdNop">http://t.co/QtOZwtdNop</a>. Carlos Correa just annihilated a baseball for a HR to left field.</p>— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) <a href="https://twitter.com/jjcoop36/status/592155018926624769">April 26, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If anyone's following minor league ball, Chris Devenski of the Hooks has a no-hitter through 6 innings in the 2nd game of the double-header. I.e. he's one inning short of a no-hitter.
In a move I completely don't understand from just following gameday, the Hooks manager pulled Devenski after coming back from 3-0 to strikeout Joey Gallo for the first out. Jandel Gustave came in and promptly gave up a single to Jorge Alfaro and then a double to Nick Williams, not only breaking up the no-hitter but also the shut-out.
<iframe src='http://www.milb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=89650983&width=400&height=224&property=milb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe> Wow.
correa is the next __________ ? Alex Rodriguez level player? Holy cow that kid has some big time pop for a middle infielder. Edit: I guess pop for any kind of player! Gese.
