Sunday Stories Series finale... and a series opener. Mark Appel takes the mound for the first time in 2014. Recap Oklahoma City 9, Round Rock 1 The RedHawks earned the sweep in impressive fashion, as David Martinez was absolutely dominating. Martinez struck out 5 in 5 perfect frames, and it only took him 54 pitches (40 strikes) to get through those 5 innings. Bobby Doran tagged in for 3 scoreless, and he gave up 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Raúl Valdés allowed a run on an RBI double, hit a batter, and struck out 2 in the 9th. OKC scored the game's first 9 runs; Austin Wates tripled to lead off the game and opened it up by scoring on a George Springer fielder's choice/error. Springer would score on a Jon Singleton groundout later in the inning. Ronald Torreyes went 3-5 with a 2-run double in the 5th. Gregorio Petit led off the top of the 7th with a solo homer (1), and Japhet Amador added an RBI single. Singleton hit a 2-run single in the 8th, and Amador finished it up with an RBI double. Amador finished 2-5, as did Wates. Jonathan Meyer also went 2-5 with a run scored. Springer was 1-3 with 3 runs scored and a steal (1). The RedHawks will travel to New Orleans for the 2nd leg of this season-opening roadtrip. Mike Foltynewicz and Rudy Owens will be taking on Jared Rogers at 7:00. Adjust your schedules accordingly. Corpus Christi 5, Springfield 3 The Hooks took the series opener behind a very impressive pitching performance. Tom Shirley was just stellar in his season debut. He tossed 5 shutout innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7, working around a David Popkins double to strike out the side in the 5th. Matt Heidenreich tagged in and threw 2 scoreless innings, but ran into trouble in the 8th, giving up 3 runs (1 inherited). Heidenreich wound up allowing 5 hits, walked 3, and struck out 1. Jordan Jankowski got both of his outs in the 8th via strikeout, but he also allowed 2 hits, which allowed the runner he inherited from Heidenreich to score. Travis Ballew got the final out of the 8th worked around a single and a walk to close the door. On offense, the Hooks got 2 in the 2nd and 3rd, and added one more in the 8th. M.P. Cokinos finished 2-4 with a pair of RBI singles in both innings. Jio Mier hit an RBI groundout in the 2nd and added a single in the 8th. Preston Tucker finished 2-5 with 2 doubles; one of those resulted in an RBI in the 3rd. Matt Duffy rebounded from an 0-5, 3 K Saturday by going 3-5 with a double. Delino DeShields stole a base (5) for the 3rd straight game. Colton Cain and Brady Rodgers will take on Jonathan Cornelius in the middle game of this series. First pitch is at 7:10. Lancaster 7, Lake Elsinore 4 The JetHawks got the split behind the bats of Carlos Correa and Brandon Meredith, and a stellar piggyback performance from Mike Hauschild. Meredith hit an RBI single in the 1st and a 3-run homer (1) in the 5th. Correa followed that up with a 3-run shot (1) of his own in the 6th, which broke a 4-4 tie. 2012's #1 finished 3-4 and scored 3 times. Teoscar Hernandez was 2-5 with a run scored. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Get the popcorn ready ... Correa said he told Latin teammates that he'd take them to a movie if he homered today. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23JetHawks&src=hash">#JetHawks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a></p>— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_L_Smith/statuses/452970140187914240">April 7, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Mark Appel didn't do so hot in his first start of the season... but then again, this was his first start of the season. He only went 2.2 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Appel: “If I’m being honest, I don’t think I was too pleased with how I performed. I didn’t feel like all my stuff was there." <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23JetHawks&src=hash">#JetHawks</a></p>— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_L_Smith/statuses/452970926322102272">April 7, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Appel on current health: “I want to be in mid-season form but my body just isn’t there.” <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23JetHawks&src=hash">#JetHawks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a></p>— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_L_Smith/statuses/452971327834443776">April 7, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> J.D. Osborne came on to bridge the gap between Appel and Mike Hauschild, and he allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2. Osborne also threw 2 wild pitches and was called for a balk. Hauschild was excellent after tagging in as he threw 5 shutout innings. He allowed 3 hits and fanned 6 to get the victory. Quad Cities 7, Kane County 3 The River Bandits got 5 in the bottom of the 7th on their way to a series split. Brian Holberton kicked things off with a 2-run single in the 1st, his only hit of the afternoon. In the 7th, Tanner Mathis drew a 1-out walk. He then stole 2nd and scored the tying run on an Austin Elkins double. James Ramsay then got plunked, and a wild pitch put him on 2nd and Elkins on 3rd. Brett Phillips came through with a 2-run single to put QC in the lead. He then stole 2nd as Jack Mayfield eventually worked a walk. They both scored on a single from Conrad Gregor. Elkins and Mathis each had 2 hits; Ramsay and Mayfield both drew 2 walks and scored 2 runs. Ramsay (3 steals) and Mathis (2) ran rampant on the bases. Adrian Houser went 3.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4. Pat Christensen was the first man out of the bullpen and threw 1.2 scoreless, walking 1 and fanning 3. Gonzalo Sanudo threw 3 scoreless for the win, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2. And finally, Zach Morton allowed a hit and struck out 1 in a scoreless 9th. The River Bandits will now head on their first roadtrip of the season, beginning with a 3-game set in Lansing. Chris Lee and Andrew Thurman will take on Tom Robson. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern. Three Stars 3. Tom Shirley, LHP, Corpus Christi Mike Hauschild, RHP, Lancaster Shirley @ Springfield: W (1-0), 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 7 K Hauschild vs. Lake Elsinore: W (1-0), 5 IP, 3 H, 6 K Hauschild did an excellent job picking up Mark Appel. I think he'll fare much better in his second go at Lancaster, where his groundball tendencies should help him survive. Shirley has missed various chunks of his seasons, but he's just plugging away and when he's been on the field, he's performed rather well. 2. David Martinez, RHP, Oklahoma City W (1-0), 5 IP, 5 K It's going to be fun watching the OKC pitching staff. All of these guys will be gunning for a spot in Houston. 1. Carlos Correa, SS, Lancaster 3-4, 3-R HR (1), 3 R Soon.... Honorable Mentions Brandon Meredith, 1B, Lancaster: Only back at Lancaster because of the incredible depth in the system. Gonzalo Sanudo, RHP, Quad Cities: He's now on a 30-inning scoreless streak dating back to last season. Whatever the Astros coaches have done with him has worked wonders. Ronald Torreyes, 2B, Oklahoma City: A middle infield of Torreyes and Altuve in Houston could be possible. Short guys are proabably the market that Houston is trying to tap into. Preston Tucker, OF, Corpus Christi: More like Preston Craig amirite M.P. Cokinos, 1B, Corpus Christi: A double daily dose of Coke was just what the Hooks needed. Goat Sweep. No goats!
Thanks tellitlikeitis! Correa so exciting.. Way to early to read into anything but hope Jon Bomb picks it up here.
Lucky for him, Krause has turned a hot spring into a cold start... further showcasing the diminished predictive value of spring training hot streaks.
Kyle Westwood vs. San Jose: 5 IP, 3 H, unearned run, 7 K Vince Velasquez is now in as Lancaster trails 1-0 in the 6th
Velasquez with 4 no hit innings and 5 k's. Great night for Jethawks pitching . Our offense needs to come to life here though.
I read VV was hitting triple digits last week. Very exciting prospect. Ya know, Ed Wade wasn't so bad after all. I wonder who he would have drafted the past two seasons... I'm guessing Buxton and Gray. Ed loved the flash (DDJ, Springer, etc..).
In Lancaster tonight...boring game until Rio Ruiz hits walkoff 2 rbi double. Vince Velasquez was impressive. Both gonna be nice additions at MMP in the future. Took video of the walkoff but dont have a pc to upload it until i get back to Houston.
Reach down between your legs, grab both ears and pull. When you hear a POP! you'll know that you've pulled your head out of your ass.
Do you think Appel is a bust after less than 3 innings pitched this year, coming off an appendectomy and not in total game shape yet?
Not sure if this is still true (posted on 4/7): <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Carlos Correa leads the Astros organization - minors and majors - with eight RBIs. 1.356 OPS, .800 on-base.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/statuses/453229830180319232">April 7, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Jethawks pitching tandems are not fair for their opponents. 9 innnings 3 hits 1 run 0 earned runs 12 strike outs 1 walk Not fair at all.
It doesn't really matter. I think the Appel pick was a mistake, but what he did last start doesn't mean much. We need to see how he progresses.
Monday Stories Sweep! Mike Foltynewicz gets support from his fellow pitchers. The rare pitcher's duel in The Hangar results in late dramatics. Recap Oklahoma City 6, New Orleans 4 Despite Mike Foltynewicz not having the best of nights, the RedHawks still came out on top in the series opener. Folty got ambushed for 4 runs in the 1st. He ended up going 2.1 innings and allowed 4 hits (back-to-back homers), walked 2, and struck out 2. After that 1st inning, though, the Zephyrs never scored again. Darin Downs allowed a hit over 1.2 scoreless, and then Rudy Owens got the win with 4 scoreless, allowing 2 hits and fanning 3. Jason Stoffel closed it out by striking out 2 in a 1-2-3 9th. Jon Singleton was 2-4 with a pair of RBI doubles; the first came in the 4th and put OKC on the board, and the other came in the 6th, right after George Springer hit an RBI double of his own. Austin Wates had himself a night, going 3-4, finishing a triple shy of the cycle, scoring 3 times, and stealing 3 bases. His solo homer (1) tied the game at 4 in the 7th. Later in the inning, Max Stassi gave the RedHawks the lead with a 2-run double. Paul Clemens and Jake Buchanan will take on Brian Flynn in game 2 of this series. First pitch will be at 7:00. Corpus Christi 8, Springfield 5 The Hooks trailed 4-3 after 4 innings, but finished the game on a 5-1 run. They won despite getting outhit 16-9. Everyone in the lineup had 1 RBI, except for Preston Tucker. He was 1-5 with a run scored. Enrique Hernandez opened the scoring in the 2nd with an RBI single. Later in the inning, Rene Garcia added an RBI groundout and Jio Mier ripped an RBI double. The Hooks retook the lead in the 5th on a Joe Sclafani fielder's choice and a groundout by Andrew Aplin. Delino DeShields hit a solo homer (1) in the 7th, M.P. Cokinos hit an RBI single in the 8th, and Matt Duffy brought home Corpus Christi's final run of the night with an RBI single in the 9th. He, Hernandez, and Mier all had 2-hit nights. Colton Cain got the start, and he gave up 4 runs on 10 hits (2-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 3 in 3.2 innings. Andrew Robinson struck out Aledmys Diaz for the final out of the 4th, then struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 5th. Brady Rodgers finished it out, and the only run he allowed in 4 innings was a solo homer to James Ramsey in the bottom of the 9th. He allowed 5 other hits and struck out 3. The Hooks will look for the sweep as they send out Aaron West and David Rollins to take on Kurt Heyer. This game will begin at 11:10 A.M. on 1400 KUNO instead of their usual station, 1360. I believe that's what they do for games that start before noon. 1400 is also an iHeartRadio station, so that shouldn't be a problem if you plan on listening via the Internet. Lancaster 2, San Jose 1 Rio Ruiz delivered a 2-run double with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th to give the JetHawks the series opener. Before that, the only 2 Lancaster hits of the night belonged to Teoscar Hernandez. After Jordan Scott and Tony Kemp went down in the bottom of the 9th, he drew a 2-out walk, and then Carlos Correa did as well. Then, Rio came through, and the JetHawks came out with a win. Kyle Westwood got the start and allowed an unearned run on 3 hits, walked 1, and fanned 7 in 5 innings. Vince Velasquez got the win as the threw 4 perfect innings, striking out 5. In the middle game of this series, Kyle Smith and Lance McCullers will face Chris Stratton. First pitch is at 6:30 Pacific. Quad Cities was off They're on their first roadtrip of the season. First stop is Lansing for 3. Chris Lee and Andrew Thurman will take on Tom Robson at 7:05 Eastern. Three Stars 3. Rudy Owens, LHP, Darin Downs, LHP, and Jason Stoffel, RHP, Oklahoma City Owens: W (1-0), 4 IP, 2 H, 3 K Downs: 1.2 IP, H Stoffel: Save (2), IP, 2 K All of these guys picked up Folty and did their part in keeping New Orleans off the scoreboard after the 1st. 2. Austin Wates, OF, Oklahoma City 3-4, 2B, solo HR (1), 3 R, 3 SB Wates has shown that he can perform; he just needs to stay healthy. Rio Ruiz, 3B, Lancaster Walk-off 2B in 9th Clutch! 1. Kyle Westwood, RHP, and Vince Velasquez, RHP, Lancaster Westwood: 5 IP, 3 H, unearned run, 7 K Velasquez: W (1-0), 4 IP, 5 K Westwood had a stellar debut in Tri-City; he could turn out to be a real find in the 13th round. Too early to begin the Vince to Corpus countdown? Honorable Mentions Jon Singleton, 1B, Oklahoma City: If Marc Krauss continues to show the symptoms of Wallaceitis, we could see Singleton in Houston sooner than later. Jio Mier, SS, Corpus Christi: Jio's got a make-or-break 2014 after that awful 2013. Only 2 series, but it's certainly an encouraging start. Andrew Robinson, P, Corpus Christi: Kevin Goldstein sleeper special. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Two 2B for Singleton, triple short of the cycle for Wates, HR for DeShields, 3K in relief for Robinson (sleeper) <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AffiliateHighlights&src=hash">#AffiliateHighlights</a>.</p>— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kevin_Goldstein/statuses/453368633905790976">April 8, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Goat Sweep again. No goats! So that means Gregorio Petit gets a reprieve, even though he got a golden sombrero.
Singleton going 2-4 is great. Him striking out twice is not. 98Ks in 318PAs is ridiculous (AAA totals).
I do have confidence in his God given ability to hit.... I do not have confidence in his personality.
