I agree with everything you said. That being said, I'm sure the Astros wish he would have been performing a tad better at this point of the season, to warrant the callup once Pena was finally DFA'd.
Villar is more about what he can do than what he has done. His tools make him an extremely intriguing prospect. Great speed, great range, great arm. Despite the range he has been a sketchy fielder who commits a lot of errors and has has a pretty poor approach at the plate (high k's, low walks). Over the last 2 years he has stolen 70 bases in only 176 games. He has the tools to be Jose Reyes, and I'm not exaggerating, thats the dream scenario of course not the likely one. His athleticism alone makes him an upgrade over our current bunch of scrub SS's, but he has a very high bust potential.
Yeah, the book on Villar has always been that he can wow you with the amazing plays he makes and have you scratching your head in the next inning when he boots a routine play. Watching him in the majors could be both extremely exciting and extremely frustrating right now. However, a little bit of failure may not be the worst thing for him. He's going to sink or swim during his call up, and if he sinks he'll just go back to AAA with (hopefully) a more focused development plan. We always hear rumors about his inconsistency and (im)maturity, and this may help with those things.
Well, coming up in tonight's recap... Max Stassi continued his rampage for Corpus, but was it enough to get the Hooks a win? And, Tyler Heineman has 9 home runs. Let that sink in for a moment.
I am not concerned about his production in 100 at bats. However I am concerned about his character and work ethic. He supposedly was so ashamed about being suspended and letting down the Astros and his family, yet he couldn't even go to the gym or keep in decent shape? He was noticeably fatter around the mid section, and it wasn't just 5-10 pounds. Someone concerned or ashamed wouldn't respond by getting fat.
Sunday Stories Max Stassi. Could Greeneville make it 10 in a row? What if I told you.... that Tyler Heineman is currently 2nd amongst catchers in the system in home runs? Recap Oklahoma City 3, Memphis 2 The Redhawks managed to steal the game despite only getting 3 hits. Those 3 runs were unanswered too. Wade LeBlanc pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and struck out 7. Jason Stoffel struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 8th, and Josh Zeid made it pretty interesting in the 9th, as he loaded 'em up. However, he punched out Adron Chambers to end it. Zeid struck out the side. Jose Martinez put OKC on the board with a solo homer (3) in the 5th. The other 2 Redhawks runs came on errors. Che-Hsuan Lin tied it up as Greg Garcia flubbed a Marwin grounder in the 5th, and he scored the go-ahead run in the 8th as Robbie Grossman attempted a sac bunt and Memphis pitcher Keith Butler threw it away. OKC will now travel to Omaha for 5. There's a doubleheader on Tuesday, as there's still the matter of a game that they played on June 8, which was suspended due to weather. Brett Oberholtzer will start the opener against Danny Duffy. First pitch is at 7:05. Frisco 11, Corpus Christi 10 Well, the Hooks almost clawed back from a 10-0 deficit. Almost. Also, Max Stassi continued his rampage. Bobby Doran was scratched as he'll be making a spot start for OKC. I'll get to Stassi momentarily. Instead of Doran, we got.... Matt Heidenreich. And a horror show early. He didn't even get out of the 1st. Heidenreich got 1 out and gave up 6 runs on 3 hits and walked 2. Carlos Quevedo got the final 2 outs of the 1st on 3 pitches. But..... he got tagged for 4 in the 2nd on 4 hits (2-run homer). Andrew Robinson allowed 3 hits over 3 scoreless frames. Pat Urckfitz went 2 innings and allowed a run (on a solo homer in the 6th) on 2 hits and walked 1. Chia-Jen Lo worked around a hit in a scoreless 8th, and Jorge De Leon threw a 1-2-3 9th. Everyone in the lineup tonight had at least 1 hit. Erik Castro only had one, but that one finally put the Hooks on the board. It was a solo shot (13) to lead off the 4th. The Hooks made it a game with a 6-run 6th. Stassi started it off with an RBI single, and then Enrique Hernandez hit a 2-run double. Hernandez scored on a triple from Drew Muren, who came home on a Rene Garcia double. Preston Tucker brought Garcia home with a single, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double to end the 6th. Oh yeah, about Stassi. He hit a solo homer in the 7th (10). That's 5 straight with a homer. Hernandez added one of his own (9) in the 8th, which made it an 11-9 game. And then Stassi again! He hit an RBI single in the 9th which made it 11-10; Jonathan Meyer was thrown out at home trying to tie it. Hernandez ended it by popping out in foul ground. Stassi, Tucker, and Muren all went 3-5. Hernandez and Jonathan Meyer had 2 hits apiece. The Hooks will welcome San Antonio to Whataburger Field for 3 beginning at 7:05. In the opener, Ross Seaton will face Donn Roach. Bakersfield 10, Lancaster 7 The Jethawks had to play catchup again this afternoon and again, they fell short. They were down a touchdown after 2 innings. M.P. Cokinos hit a 2-run double in the 3rd, and he would score on a 2-run homer from Tyler Heineman (9). Yes, that's right, Tyler Heineman has 9 home runs on the season. He finished this game 3-5 with 2 runs scored. Joe Sclafani was 2-5 with an RBI single in the 8th, and Matt Duffy hit a 2-run single in the 9th. For the 2nd straight game, a Jethawks starting pitcher was blasted early and often. Kyle Hallock only lasted 1 1/3 and gave up 7 runs (6 earned) on 10 hits (2 homers). Cam Lamb pitched 2 2/3 and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and walked 1. Mike Hauschild restored some sanity to this game, as he threw 4 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 1, and fanning 4. The Jethawks will look to salvage a game in the series, and they'll be sending out David Rollins to do that. His opponent for the Blaze will be Jon Moscot. First pitch is at 7:45 Pacific. Lake County 7, Quad Cities 3 On the other hand, the wheels fell off for the River Bandits. By the way, the A clubs are getting worked by the worst team in their respective leagues. QC got on the board first in the 1st as Teoscar Hernandez took advantage of the Captains getting distracted by Carlos Correa attempting to steal 2nd (he was caught) and scampered home. They got pounded after that, though... Jesse Wierbicki hit an RBI groundout in the 6th and Jobduan Morales also had an RBI groundout in the 7th. Luis Alvarez was 2-4 with a double. Joe Bircher, back from the GCL, went 4 innings and allowed 6 runs on 9 hits (2-run homer), walked 3, and struck out 4. Jamaine Cotton allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and fanned 1 in 2 scoreless innings, and Gerardo Sanchez went 2 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. The River Bandits will also be looking to avoid a sweep as they send out Renaissance Man Colton Cain to the mound tomorrow. He will be opposed by Dylan Baker. First pitch is at 11:00 AM Eastern. Maybe something to listen to while you're bored at work? Tri-City 9, Hudson Valley 3 The ValleyCats turned the tables, as this time, they pulled off a 5-run 7th. Turned a 1-run game into a comfortable win. Before that outburst, Mike Martinez (5) and Ernesto Genoves (2) hit solo homers in the 4th. Tony Kemp hit a 2-run single in the 5th. The big hit of the game belonged to Ronnie Mitchell, who cleared the bases with a double in that 5-run 7th. Later in the inning, Genoves and Thomas Lindauer scored on an error committed by Renegades 1B Darryl George. Mitchell finished 3-4, and Genoves was 2-3 with 2 runs scored. Evan Grills went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 9 hits and struck out 3. Kevin Comer allowed a run on 4 hits and struck out 1 in 1 1/3. Andrew Walter gave up 2 hits over 1 2/3 scoreless frames, and Charles Basford threw a 1-2-3 9th. The rubber game of the series features Tanner Bushue and Adrian Houser going up against Jaime Schultz. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern. Greeneville 7, Johnson City 4 The Appy Astros have now won 10 straight, as they rallied for 7 unanswered after falling behind 3-0 after the 1st. Chris Lee got the start, but he only got 2 outs (both via strikeout) in the 1st before bowing out. He gave up 3 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits and walked 2. Really, really hoping it's not an injury. Ryan Connolly pitched the next 4 1/3 innings and allowed 3 hits, walked 1, and fanned 4. Krishawn Holley allowed a run on 4 hits and struck out 4, and Gonzalo Sanudo got the 4-out save, striking out 1. Chase McDonald hit a solo homer (3) in the 2nd. Jack Mayfield followed that up with a homer of his own (2) to lead off the 5th. Then, Greeneville opened it up in the 7th, as Tyler White kicked it off with an RBI single. McDonald was at it again, ripping a 2-run single back up the middle. And finally, Juan Santana finished the run with a 2-run double. Santana leads the team with 16 RBI; he is currently the only player on the squad with more than 10 RBI. Chase McDonald has 9 in 13 games. Tanner Mathis went 0-3 with 2 walks and a run scored. The Mathis Watch now stands at 21 BB and 4 K. Jandel Gustave will face Blake McKnight as the Appy Astros look for the sweep. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.
Other thank strikeouts, Villar has remarkably similar minor league numbers to another former Philly prospect: Jimmy Rollins. Hard to imagine him having that good of a career, but don't down play his numbers either. Correa has us spoiled into thinking a .786 OPS from a SS isn't impressive.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Gustave records 102mph on the scout gun, well worth a tweet <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fuego&src=hash">#fuego</a></p>— Brett Phillips (@Brett_Phillips8) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_Phillips8/statuses/359484731936604161">July 23, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
They'll give him every chance as a starter, similar to Felipe Paulino, but he could end up a big time closer with that FB.
Monday Stories How about some day baseball? Did Max Stassi continue his rampage? OKC got a fine pitching performance; was it enough for the win? Recap Oklahoma City 6, Omaha 1 The Redhawks took the series opener behind an excellent start from Brett Oberholtzer. He went 6 innings and allowed a run on a hit (a double), walked 1, and struck out 9. Kevin Chapman allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 4 in 2 scoreless innings, and Jason Stoffel allowed a hit and walked 1 in the 9th, but he was able to close it out. Brandon Laird hit an RBI single in the 1st to put OKC on the board first. After the Storm Chasers tied the game at 1 with a 3rd-inning double, Ruben Sosa put the Redhawks ahead with an RBI triple in the 6th. George Springer singled with 1 out in the 7th, and then he stole his way to 3rd (8, 31 season) and scored on another RBI single from Laird. Robbie Grossman hit an RBI single in the 8th, and Jose Martinez and Jonathan Singleton added an RBI single and a sac fly in the 9th, respectively. There will be a doubleheader today. The matter of the suspended game on June 8 will be settled at 4:30. Omaha was leading 1-0 in the bottom of the 1st. They had runners on 2nd and 3rd. The regularly scheduled game will be at 7:05. TBA will take on Brian Sanches. Corpus Christi 6, San Antonio 4 Down 2-0, the Hooks busted out for 5 in the 5th and 1 more in the 7th before fending off a late rally from the Missions. Rene Garcia went 3-4 and put the Hooks on the board with an RBI single. Drew Muren scored the tying run as Preston Tucker grounded into a force out. Tucker wound up reaching safely as Missions SS Jeudy Valdez threw a potential double play ball away. Jonathan Meyer made Valdez regret his mistake as he ripped an RBI double that gave the Hooks the lead. Erik Castro then made the Missions pay for failing to convert an inning-ending DP by crushing a 2-run homer (14). Garcia added an RBI double in the 7th. Ross Seaton went 7 2/3 and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits (2-run homer in the 8th) and struck out 2. Chia-Jen Lo got the final out of the 8th. Jorge De Leon struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th to get the save (6). In the middle game of this series, R.J. Alaniz will take on Eddie Bonine at 7:05. Lancaster 3, Bakersfield 2 The Jethawks avoided the sweep, as Andrew Aplin's 3-run homer (8) in the 3rd trumped Steve Selsky's 2-run homer in the 4th. Aplin had 2 of the 4 Jethawks hits in this game; Brandon Meredith and Joe Sclafani had 1 apiece. David Rollins went 6 innings and allowed the 2-run homer to Selsky. He gave up 4 other hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Jonas Dufek struck out 3 over 2 perfect innings, and Travis Ballew worked around a hit to close it out, striking out 1. The Jethawks will return home to host San Jose in a 3-game series. In the opener, Luis Cruz will take on the Giants' top prospect, Kyle Crick. First pitch is at 7:00 Pacific. Quad Cities 7, Lake County 4 Jordan Scott and Carlos Correa were the offense, as the River Bandits salvaged a game in the series. Scott was 2-4 with 5 RBI; he cleared the bases with a triple in the 4th and hit a 2-run single in the 6th. Correa hit a 2-run homer (7) in the 6th. Colton Cain went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits (solo homer), walked 3, and struck out 3. Dan Minor allowed a hit, walked 1, and fanned 3 over 2 scoreless innings to get the win. Mitch Lambson allowed 3 hits and struck out 1 in 2 scoreless, and Juan Minaya was able to end it, despite allowing a run on 2 hits. He struck out 1. The River Bandits continue their roadtrip with a 3-game series in Burlington. Lance McCullers will start the opener, and he will be opposed by Pat Lowery. First pitch is at 6:30. Tri-City 4, Hudson Valley 3 The ValleyCats got a measure of revenge as they took 2 of 3 from the Renegades. Jon Kemmer went 2-3 and put TC on the board first with a 2-run shot (3) in the 2nd. Mike Martinez hit an RBI double in the 5th and eventually scored on a wild pitch. He and Ernesto Genoves went 2-4. Tanner Bushue went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 inherited) on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. He allowed both batters he faced in the 6th to reach base. Albert Minnis got 1 out in the 6th and allowed a hit which allowed one of Bushue's runners to score. Adrian Houser came on and allowed a hit, which allowed Bushue's other runner to score. Otherwise, he threw 2 scoreless and struck out 1. J.D. Osborne got the final 2 outs of the 8th. Richard Rodriguez allowed 2 hits, but was able to close it out. The ValleyCats aren't done with the Renegades yet; this series will shift to Hudson Valley for 3 games beginning at 7:05 Eastern. The starters for both teams are TBA. Greeneville and Johnson City was suspended With Greeneville leading 5-4 in the 5th. The Cardinals were really threatening before play was halted, though. They had the bases loaded with 1 out in the bottom half of the inning, as Jandel Gustave failed to retire any of the 4 batters he faced in the frame. Raul Rivera punched out Lance Jeffries before the stoppage. Gustave, in his 4+ innings, allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits (2-run homer), walked 4, and struck out 5. The bases are loaded with his runners. He was also clocked at 102. All 5 of the Appy Astros' runs came in the 2nd. Chase McDonald hit a 2-run homer (4), then Jack Mayfield hit an RBI double, and Juan Santana finished the scoring with a 2-run single. Can you believe that Santana's got 18 RBI? This game will be completed on August 12, which is when the Astros will be back in Johnson City. They'll be taking this series to Greeneville. Jandel Gustave and Blake McKnight are listed as the starters again. Yep, MiLB.com is drunk. They put Brett Phillips as the catcher and Alfredo Gonzalez as the CF. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern. GCL Astros 4, GCL Blue Jays 3 The Kissimmee Stros jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the 1st, and then the Blue Jays pulled to within 1. The Astros got an insurance run in the 8th, which was promptly erased in the 9th. They still hung on, though. Brett Booth opened the scoring with an RBI single. Jake Nottingham followed him with an RBI groundout, and Jose Solano hit an RBI single. Javaris Reynolds was 2-2 with an RBI bunt single in the 8th. Solano and Yonathan Mejia also had 2 hits. Francis Ramirez went 4 and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4. Samil De Los Santos got the win with 4 scoreless as he allowed 2 hits and struck out 3. Erick Gonzalez allowed an unearned run on a hit and walked 1 in the 9th, but was able to close it out. These two teams will play again in Dunedin at noon Eastern. Game 1: DSL Astros 5, DSL Mariners 1 This game started on July 4, but was suspended. Luis Payano went 4-4 with 2 runs scored. Before play was halted, the Academy got 4 runs in the 3rd. Kristian Trompiz hit an RBI single, and then Alex Melendez had an RBI groundout. Then, Hector Roa was hit by a pitch. The next sequence of events were rather unusual. Trompiz would score on a passed ball that allowed Roa to take 2nd. Then, two straight errant pickoff attempts allowed Roa to score. Luis Payano was 2-2 with a run scored before the stoppage. Jean Estrella hit a double in the 3rd, but was stranded there. Melendez added an RBI single in the 4th. Harold Arauz pitched 3 scoreless, allowing 3 hits and fanning 2. Gerardo Juarez came on after play resumed, and he allowed an unearned run on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck otu 5 in 5 innings. Yonquelys Martinez struck out 1 in a 1-2-3 9th. Game 2: DSL Mariners 3, DSL Astros 2 In the regularly scheduled game, the Academy outhit the Mariners 8-5, but still fell short. Jarico Reynoso hit a 2-run single in the 2nd. Melendez and Trompiz both went 2-3 with a run scored. Geronimo Franzua went 2 2/3 and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 3. Cristhopher Santamaria walked 1 and fanned 2 in 2 1/3. Juan Delis finished with 2 scoreless, allowing a hit, walking 1 and striking out 1.
Transaction time!!!! <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>LHP Theron Geith has been promoted to AA <a href="https://twitter.com/cchooks">@cchooks</a>. LHP Kenny Long, who has dominated for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23JetHawks&src=hash">#JetHawks</a>, is heading back to Lancaster.</p>— Jason Schwartz (@jasondschwartz) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasondschwartz/statuses/359775287526961154">July 23, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The Hooks placed Matt Heidenreich on the 7-Day DL due to a knee contusion and activated Ronald Torreyes from the temporarily inactive list. Bobby Doran was promoted to OKC. For how long remains to be seen. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Going to miss everyone in Kissimmee, but I am really excited to be joining the <a href="https://twitter.com/ValleyCats">@ValleyCats</a> ! Looking forward to New York!</p>— Brett Booth (@bfbooth) <a href="https://twitter.com/bfbooth/statuses/359402117091426310">July 22, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> And finally, Chris Munnelly was promoted to Greeneville from the GCL.
Andrew Thurman struck out 6 batters in only 2.1 innings but allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. I like the strikeouts
Can't say I know what he was throwing. 5 of his strike outs were swinging and one was looking. He retired the first 3 by strikeout, got the next to ground out, struck out the next 3 batters and then he allowed the 3 hits and a walk.
Tuesday Stories Let's play 2 in Omaha! Well, let's finish up a game that started over a month ago. Jethawks took on the top prospect in the Giants' system. Could Greeneville extend the streak? Recap Game 1: Omaha 4, Oklahoma City 3 in 11 innings Before the regularly scheduled game could be played, there was the matter of the game that was suspended on June 8th. A lot's changed since then. Ross Seaton, who started that game, is now in Corpus. Jonathan Villar, Jake Elmore, and Brett Wallace are with the Astros, and they were replaced by Jose Martinez, Jonathan Singleton, and Marwin Gonzalez, respectively. Fernando Martinez is no longer a part of the organization, and in his stead, George Springer came in. Marc Krauss was the DH on June 8; he was replaced by Jimmy Paredes. Speaking of Paredes, he hit a 3-run shot (4) in the 5th for the Redhawks' lone runs. Brandon Laird went 2-5 with a run scored. Asher Wojciechowski went 7 1/3 and allowed a run on 7 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. Josh Zeid couldn't hold the lead, though, as he gave up the tying RBI single to Christian Colon in the bottom of the 9th. Alex Sogard walked off with the loss as he allowed the winner: a single from Anthony Seratelli in the 11th. Zeid went 1 2/3 and gave up that run, that hit, walked 3, and struck out 1. Sogard pitched 1 inning and allowed that run on 2 hits, walked 1, and fanned 1. Game 2: Omaha 3, Oklahoma City 2 The Redhawks walked off with another loss as Rhiner Cruz served up a 2-run double to Irving Falu with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th. Jose Martinez hit a sac fly in the 2nd and Marwin Gonzalez hit an RBI single in the 5th. Robbie Grossman was 2-4 with a run scored, and Brandon Laird went 2-2 with a run scored. Bobby Doran allowed a run on 5 hits, walked 1, and fanned 2 in 5 1/3 innings. Science Guy allowed a hit and struck out 2 as he got the final 2 outs of the 6th and the 1st out of the 7th, and Cruz blew it. Day game today. Brad Peacock will be on the mound to take on Justin Marks at 12:05. San Antonio 11, Corpus Christi 3 Uh, yeah. Not much to report here, as the Hooks pitchers were battered and the offense didn't fare much better. The Hooks were held to 4 hits. They got on the board in the 3rd as Drew Muren scored on an error. Muren had one of the 4 hits; his was an RBI single in the 7th. Michael Burgess followed that up with a sac fly. R.J. Alaniz went 5 innings and gave up 3 runs (1 inherited) on 7 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. T.J. Geith was greeted rather rudely in his Corpus debut, as he gave up 3 runs (all on a 3-run homer by Jeudy Valdez) on 4 hits and walked 1 in the 6th. Carlos Quevedo allowed 2 hits in the 7th, but was the only Hooks pitcher to not allow a run. Sergio Escalona allowed 2 runs on 4 hits (solo homer) in the 8th, and Pat Urckfitz gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits in the 9th. Ugh. The series finale features Mike Foltynewicz on the mound as he takes on Juan Oramas. First pitch is at 7:05. Lancaster 7, San Jose 4 The Jethawks put up 3 in the 8th to break a 4-4 tie and take the series opener. Luis Cruz grinded through 7 innings, as he gave up 4 runs (all in the 2nd), scattered 6 hits, and struck out 6. Jonas Dufek worked around 2 walks in a scoreless 8th, and Kenny Long threw a 1-2-3 9th to end it. Lancaster put up 2 in the 1st to get on the board. After they fell behind 4-2 after 2, they scored 5 unanswered. Delino DeShields led off the bottom of the 1st with a single, took 2nd on an error, and then came around to score on a single from Andrew Aplin. Nolan Fontana reached on a fielder's choice behind DeShields and scored on a Matt Duffy groundout. The top 2 in the Jethawks lineup both went 2-5 last night. In the 3rd, DeShields doubled to lead off the frame and would score on another single from Aplin. In the 6th, Joe Sclafani hit a 1-out double and scored the tying run on a double from Chris Epps. The Jethawks took control in the 8th as Sclafani hit a 1-out single and came around to score on a Brandon Meredith double. He would score on a single from Epps, and a double from Fontana brought Epps home. Sclafani, Meredith, and Epps were the 7, 8, and 9 hitters in the lineup last night; they had 2-hit nights, and you can see the impact that these 3 guys made late. Tom Shirley will take the mound in the middle game of this series, and he'll be opposed by Adalberto Mejia. First pitch is at 7:00 Pacific. Quad Cities was off Whoops. They'll actually return to action tonight as they kick off the 3rd leg of their roadtrip in Burlington. Lance McCullers will take on Pat Lowery in the opener. First pitch is at 6:30. Hudson Valley 4, Tri-City 3 A late ValleyCats rally fell just short. Michael Feliz had his worst outing of the season, as he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Yes, I used that term in jest, as Feliz has been phenomenal this year. Andrew Thurman tagged in for 2 1/3 and allowed 2 runs (both in the 8th) on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. The 1 out that was put in play on him was a groundout. Down 2-0, TC suddenly realized that they needed some runs, and fast. Tony Kemp went 2-5 with a double to lead off the 8th and he would score on a single from Conrad Gregor. The Renegades got 2 off Thurman in the bottom of the inning, so the hole suddenly got a little bigger. Entering as a pinch-hitter for D'Andre Toney, James Ramsay was 2-2 with a 2-run single with 2 outs in the 9th, but one batter later, Gregor grounded out to the pitcher to end it. In the middle game of this series, Chris Cotton and Kyle Westwood will take on Chris Kirsch. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern. Greeneville 5, Johnson City 4 11 straight victories. The Appy Astros fended off a 3-run 8th from the Cardinals to take the opening game of the 2nd leg of this away-and-home series. Greeneville struck for 3 in the 3rd as Brett Phillips hit an RBI double, and an error allowed him and Tanner Mathis to score. Juan Santana hit an RBI single in the 4th, and Ariel Ovando had an RBI double in the 5th. Tanner Mathis was 2-3 with a walk and a run scored. He's now walked 22 times and fanned 4 times. Jordan Mills allowed a run on 4 hits and struck out 5 in 5 innings. Austin Chrismon threw 2 scoreless, but the Cardinals torched him in the 8th. He gave up those 3 runs on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Gonzalo Sanudo fanned 2 in a 1-2-3 9th to close it. In the middle game of this series, Edison Frias will take on Luis Perdomo. First pitch is at 7;00 Eastern. GCL Blue Jays 6, GCL Astros 1 This was very much a forgettable one, as the Kissimmee Stros got a consolation run in the 9th on an RBI infield single from Mesac Laguna. Agapito Barrios went 5 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. Despite that solid outing, he got the loss. Reymin Guduan went 1 2/3 and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Jorge Perez got the final out of the 7th via strikeout, but not before giving up 3 on 3 hits. He walked 1. Zach Dando allowed a hit in a scoreless 8th. The GCLstros are headed to Disney World to take on the Braves at noon Eastern. DSL Astros 6, DSL Mariners 2 With the win, the Academy exceeded their win total from last season, when they were a dismal 22-47. Victor Tavarez hit an RBI single in the 2nd to put the Academy on the board first. They did relinquish the lead for a bit, but they roared back with 5 unanswered. In the 4th, Jean Estrella hit an RBI single. Luis Payano went 2-4 with a double and was credited with an RBI on a sac bunt attempt in the 7th. The Academy got insurance in the 9th in the form of an Arturo Michelena RBI double and a 2-run double hit by Randy Cesar. Rayderson Chevalier went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits (solo homer) and struck out 2. Joselo Pinales allowed 2 hits and struck out 4 over 4 scoreless. Pinales signed for a mere $70,000 in last year's international signing period.
My thoughts on bringing up Asher Wojciechowski Can the deadline come faster so we know what we are working with for the rest of the season? If it comes and goes without any movement (which I doubt), why would we continue to start Bedard? For the hope of trading him and clearing waivers? Do not get me wrong: I am grateful for what he has done outside of his horrid first month (he has a 3.52 ERA since his second start in May), but what does it serve? He is 34 and just "hangin out" essentially if he stays on the team past the trade deadline. That also being said... does the Peacock get a call before him? He's gotta fly soon. Both guys are killing it and are the future of this club. If the trade deadline comes and goes with little movement, I feel like we will be losing time and experience that could be better spent on the youngsters.
