Saturday, November 30, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

It's good to be back after my 1-day hiatus. So, without further ado, here's how Astros players fared in winter league action. Thursday's games first.

Results for Thursday, November 28

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL


The Astros who suited up for Caracas scored all 3 runs. 

Leones del Caracas
LF J.D. Martinez, 1-3, 2 R, HBP, K
C Carlos Perez: 1-4, R, K


It was not a very happy Thanksgiving in Maracaibo as los Águilas got blanked.

Águilas del Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 1-4, K


It was also not a very happy Thanksgiving on the island of Margarita as los Bravos got doubled up by the visitors.

Bravos de Margarita
LHP Eric Berger: L (2-3), 4 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, K

LIGA PARALELA (VENEZUELAN MINOR LEAGUE)


Tiburones got 2 in the 7th to break a 3-3 tie. Marlon Avea continues to swing the hot bat; he's on a 5-game hitting streak.

Tiburones
SS Alex Gonzalez: 0-5, R
C Marlon Avea: 2-4, R


Bravos
2B Carlos Perdomo: 0-3, BB

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO


Guasave found themselves down 5-0 after the 3rd, but rallied to get the win by scoring 6 unanswered runs. 

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 1-4, RBI single in 5th
1B Japhet Amador: 0-4 as the DH


Results for Friday, November 29

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL


Águilas del Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 0-3, RBI groundout in 1st

J.D. Martinez extended his hitting streak to 6 games. Meanwhile, the capital club seized control of the game by putting up 5 in the top of the 7th 

Leones del Caracas
LF J.D. Martinez: 2-5, 2B, R

LIGA PARALELA (VENEZUELAN MINOR LEAGUE)


Caribes was outgunned in this shootout. They attempted to make a comeback in the late innings, but Navegantes scored in their final 6 innings.

Caribes
LHP Edwin Villarroel: L (1-6), 4.1 IP, 8 H (2 HR allowed), 8 R (5 earned), BB, K


Magallanes
C Luis Alvarez: 1-3, K as the DH
C Ernesto Genoves: As a pinch-hitter, he drew a walk.


Tiburones made things interesting by putting up a run in the 8th and 9th innings, but the minor leaguers from the island of Margarita hung on for the victory. 

Bravos
2B Carlos Perdomo: 4-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R

Tiburones
SS Alex Gonzalez: 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, K
C Marlon Avea: 0-4, RBI, R, BB; Avea's 5-game hitting streak was snapped.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE


This was a game rife with errors. Brisbane committed 6 of them, while Adelaide had 2 of their own. The bad news: Both Adelaide errors were committed by Joe Sclafani.

Adelaide Bite
SS Joe Sclafani: 0-3, R, BB, and the 2 aforementioned errors. 

11/30 Games


The Bite moved to .500 on the season as they used a 5-run bottom of the 7th to propel themselves to victory. Joe Sclafani ripped an RBI double in the 1st to open the scoring.

Adelaide Bite
SS Joe Sclafani: 2-5, 2B, RBI, R, K


The Heat earned a doubleheader sweep; in game 1, journeyman Mike Ekstrom went the distance in a 6-0 win. In game 2, Perth scored 2 in the 7th and held on for the win. The sweep puts them in a tie atop the ladder (as they say it Down Under) with Canberra.

Perth Heat
LHP Cameron Lamb: Hold (1), 2 IP, BB, K

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO


Navojoa's 2-run top of the 8th trumped Guasave's lone tally in the bottom of the 8th.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 0-3, K
1B Japhet Amador: 0-4, K as the DH

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO


In the Cibao derby, Águilas came out on top by 1-hitting Gigantes.

Gigantes del Cibao
RHP Rhiner Cruz: IP (7th), H


Tigres del Licey
OF Ruben Sosa: Entered game as a pinch-runner in the 9th.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)


Jonathan Singleton's 3-run blast was the big blow in a 5-run 5th for Santurce.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
1B Jonathan Singleton: 2-4, 3-R HR (5), R, K
RF Austin Wates: 1-3, 2B, R, BB


Carolina scored 4 in the 5th to take a 6-5 lead, but Mayagüez responded with 2 in the top of the 6th to take the lead. 

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 1-5, 2 K

Happy Birthday - 11/30

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Agapito Barrios (20)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Panama, Barrios pitched his second season for the GCL Astros in 2012. In 12 starts, he was 3-7 with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.433 WHIP.

Tweet of the Day

Friday, November 29, 2013

Astros Winter League Recaps

Dustin is taking a well-deserved day off today and will bring you the Thursday and Friday game recaps tomorrow. Carry on with your eating, shopping and general revelry!

Happy Birthday - 11/29

No future Astros, only former Astros with birthdays today ~

LHP Pedro Martinez (45)
Martinez came to Houston in a December 1994 trade with the Padres and pitched in 25 games for the Astros in 1995 with a 7.40 ERA and a 2.177 WHIP. In two seasons with the Padres he was 6-3 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.301 WHIP in 80 appearances.

LF Mike Easler (63)
A 14th round pick by Houston in 1969, Easler had precisely one hit for the Astros in 29 plate appearances spread over 26 games from 1973 to 1975 before being traded to the Cardinals in June 1975. He went on to have a successful career playing for Pittsburgh, Boston, the Yankees and Philadelphia compiling a career batting line of .293/.349/.454. He was an All-Star for the Pirates in 1981.

SS Jason Alfaro (36)
Originally drafted by Houston in the 22nd round in 1997, Alfaro's entire major league career consisted of 12 plate appearances over seven games for the Astros in 2004, hitting .182. In nine minor league seasons, he hit .273/.318/.407.

Tweet of the Day

There were many wonderful, heartfelt tweets flying back and forth yesterday in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, but when all is said and done, sometimes simple is best ~


Thursday, November 28, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, November 27

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

La Guaira 10, Caracas 4

Caracas was buried by a 7-run 4th inning, as La Guaira turned into sharks on a feeding frenzy.

Leones del Caracas
LF J.D. Martinez: 1-4, K
C Carlos Perez: 0-1, RBI groundout in 9th as a pinch-hitter; Perez made his return to the main club after spending a couple of games with the Liga Paralela club.

Magallanes 7, Zulia 4

Zulia couldn't hold a 1-run lead (4-3) as Magallanes scored 3 in the top of the 8th to take the lead. They tacked on an insurance run in the 9th.

Águilas del Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 0-3, sac fly in 7th

LIGA PARALELA (VENEZUELAN MINOR LEAGUE)

Caimanes 9, Tiburones 6

Marlon Avea's fine winter continues. He's shown steady improvement with the bat in each of his 3 seasons at the Academy, but he has really kicked it up a notch in Venezuela. As for the game, Caimanes scored 6 in the 2nd, which proved to be too much to overcome.

Tiburones
SS Alex Gonzalez: 0-5, K
C Marlon Avea: 3-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R, BB

Magallanes 3, Navegantes 0

Magallanes
C Ernesto Genoves: 0-3, sac fly in 4th

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Obregón 6, Culiacán 1

All the scoring in this game was done in the first 2 innings. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the scoring was done by Obregón. 

Tomateros de Culiacán
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K; he was the 3rd pitcher to appear for Culiacán.

Hermosillo 3, Guasave 2

Leo Heras' RBI single in the top of the 7th brought Guasave to within 1, but they couldn't find a way to bring that tying run home.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 1-2, RBI, 3 BB
1B Japhet Amador: 0-4, 2 K

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Licey 4, Cibao 3

Licey won it on a walk-off..... wild pitch. 

Gigantes del Cibao
RHP Rhiner Cruz: 1.1 IP, H, K

Tigres del Licey
LF Ruben Sosa: In his first appearance for Licey, he entered the game as a pinch-runner for D'Angelo Jimenez in the 9th after Jimenez singled. Sosa made his way from station to station before scampering home with the winning run as Willy Paredes went wild.

Águilas 6, Toros 5

The other team representing the region of Cibao (the northern part of the DR) scored 2 in the bottom of the 9th to walk off with the win.

Toros del Este
CF Teoscar Hernandez: Entered the game as a pinch-runner in the 7th. Did not remain in the game.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Caguas 3, Santurce 2

Caguas pulled ahead in the 7th on an RBI double from Andy Gonzalez.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
RF Austin Wates: 1-3, K, CS
1B Jonathan Singleton: 0-4, 2 K

Mayagüez 9, Carolina 2

Mayagüez put up a touchdown in the 2nd and was never really threatened in this game.

Gigantes de Carolina
C Jobduan Morales: 1-2, R; entered game as a pinch-hitter in the 6th and played 1B the rest of the way.


Happy Birthday - 11/28

No future Astros, only former Astros with birthdays today ~

1B/OF Jim Fuller (63)
A second round pick by the Orioles in 1970, Fuller came to Houston as a free agent in November 1976. In 34 games for the Astros in 1977, he hit .160/.243/.280. In nine seasons in the minors, he hit .254/.351/.505.

RHP Pedro Astacio (45)
Astacio came to Houston in a July 2001 trade with the Rockies for Scott Elarton. In four starts for the Astros that season he was 2-1 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.186 WHIP.

Tweet of the Day

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

An Astros Thanksgiving

I had it better than many Astros fans in 2013. Much of my attention was focused on the minor league system, thus insulating me (at least somewhat) from the depths of despair that engulfed many of my brethren and sistren whose main focus was the big league club. I know what is headed our way the next few years and I am giddy with anticipation. For that I am truly thankful.

I reached out to many of my friends, fellow bloggers and readers to ask them to complete this sentence: "As an Astros fan, I am thankful ..." The responses are varied, but I believe you'll notice a few common themes.

As an Astros fan, I am thankful ...

Cockroach @cockroachHOU
... for our fellow faithful Astros fans. We'll have plenty of company when Jeff Luhnow's plan is complete, but in the meantime, those of us still here help keep the rest of us from going slightly (more) mad.

Bill Morton @BillMo7
... for the excitement the entire Houston franchise has given me since its inception in 1962.

Steve Duer @AppyAstros
... that Brandon Barnes and Jose Altuve didn't quit when other people told them they would never be big league ball players. They are great examples of perseverance.

Brian Stevenson @Ashitaka1110
... for a consistent and defined plan. I hated Drayton McLane's refusal to commit to a rebuild.

Beer and baseball @astrosguy
... for high abv beers.

jason cardwell @cardsjason
... for Jeff Luhnow. Jeff and the staff he has assembled have been what has allowed me to keep my sanity as an Astros fan.

Dustin DeBerry @dkdeberry
... for the Astros blogger/fan twitter community to joke/cry/vent with to survive these dark times, and to look forward to celebrating with when good times return.

Kyle L @FreckedNotGinge
... for Baseball Prospectus. [And WTHB, no doubt!]

jason phelps @JasonPhelps33
... for minor league recaps each morning during the season. It's never been so easy to see the progress of the system's young guys on a daily basis. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and those recaps are focusing that light into an interesting picture of the Astros future.

Anonymous
... for the Texans.

David Coleman @MDavidColeman
... for having more interesting things to write about than a team sale, snow cones in the bathroom and Paul McCartney concerts. Talking about possible free agents and prospects hitting the big time is infinitely more fun.

Andrew Tyler @andrewltyler
... for the Astros Twitter Community. Without them I would not be as big of a fan as I am, or near as knowledgeable about the future of the team.

Stephen Naron @stephennaron
... for Jeff Luhnow who's preparing the feast for us starving fans.

Bryan Trostel @The_Batguy
... for Reid Ryan joining the front office and his work to enhance the business side of the organization. He has made improvements to the team's relationship with the fans, which is strained due to the rebuild on the baseball side.

Pat Richter @pat_richter 
... that 2013 is in the rearview mirror.

Nance @Bbfanlady 
... for Bloggers and Twitter because Misery Loves Company. And Liquor!

Tyler Stafford @JeffBlogwell
... for 2014. As awful as 2013 was (and it was really, really bad), in baseball there's always hope for the next season. The Astros are no different. I think this is the year that we finally see a wave of talent come through Houston. I have absolutely no idea if that will equal more wins, but I would certainly think so. Honestly, I don't think it matters. George Springer, Mark Appel, Mike Foltynewicz, and whoever else gets called up next season represent something much more than a shot at a chance to win every other game or so, they represent the coming end to The Great Experiment.

Astros Daily @AstrosDaily 
... that the Astros don't have to play in the AL. Oh wait...

Terri Schlather @AGirlintheSouth
... for our small, yet very loud community of bloggers. When you pay attention to a team as closely as this crew does, three 7,000+ loss seasons in a row start to wear on you. There have been times all of us felt burnt out, frustrated and downright angry. But even during the darkest of days, we had humor and good company. There are plenty of MLB teams with scores of bloggers, but the Astros have a relatively small group and we're a tight knit bunch. The humor that flows seamlessly between an Astros County blogger to a Crawfish Boxes blogger to Jayne and back again with Climbing Tal's Hill chiming in along the way? It's epic. You want to laugh while watching your team be decimated on the field? Tune into the Astros' bloggers on twitter. Where else do you get in depth analysis on high socks, facial hair, James' dog or the Vampires that run the front office?

Jose Luis Cubria @FireDrayton 
... for Luhnow and The Process. I'm thankful that Crane crushed his most important hire on the baseball side and stayed out of the way. I'm thankful that I implicitly trust our front office. And I'm thankful that rock bottom is in our rear-view mirror.

John Burgess @StrosDude9
... for the cornucopia of talent in the minors. Knowing that they'll soon be ready to harvest makes my stomach grumble in anticipation!

James Yasko @AstrosCounty
... for simply surviving 2013.

Wallee Wright
... for the one day this year when the national conversation on turkeys will not include a reference to my beloved Astros.

Timothy De Block @TimothyDeBlock
... for the Astros fan community on social media. We've laughed, we've pounded our keyboards in frustration, we've had #AstrosMovies night, we've Photoshopped beards on Astros personnel and many more good times. Without social media and the awesome Astros fans on there I question whether or not I would still be a fan.

Greg Thurston @Astrosince1975
... for the opportunity to provide my personal views about the team via the internet. That opportunity has also opened the doors to a number of wonderful relationships with individuals who share my passion for the team and the organization.

Chris Perry @CRPerry13
... for a front office that follows a defined plan of attack, which apparently does not include things like signing guys like Brandon Lyon, Woody Williams, and Pedro Feliz to above-market contracts.

Sean Feist @native_astro
... for Carlos Rodon! He's just terrific and will hopefully look great in an Astros uniform next year.

DeAnna Williamson @ItsAllAboutDe
... for other Astros fans. Without them, rooting for a team going through a "rebuilding phase" would simply make me suicidal. Without the funny hashtags like #AstrosMovies on twitter, the good-natured jokes, getting completely hammered before, during and/or after games with them, or the photoshop jobs of Jeff Luhnow in a meat dress, being a diehard fan would be brutal.

Sarah Nelson @HooksFanSarah
... for a fresh start each spring!

Buca Morris @BucaMorris
... for many things, but first and foremost, I am thankful simply for the game of baseball. Baseball has always been a deep-rooted part of my life, providing me with everything from my first broken nose to role models that I still try to emulate on a daily basis, like Yogi and Dierker. Also, without Astros baseball I would never have met the many new, amazing people I have these last two years (like Jayne). People that prove year round how special a town Houston really is and how lucky I am to call them friends.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

Many mentioned their thankfulness for Jeff Luhnow and his plan for the team. I too am very grateful to him for both his plan and for his time and his responsiveness over the last two years. I spoke with Luhnow earlier this week and will be posting our conversation next week, but in the interim, I did mention this post to him and told him how many people expressed their thanks for him. So, naturally, I asked him what he was thankful for. This is his response.
I'm thankful for our fans and the fact that our fans appreciate what's happening right now and understand that, while it's been painful the last few years, there's been a reason why we've done the things that we've done, and it will ultimately lead to us being a competitive playoff-caliber, championship-caliber team sooner. We're all aligned on the same goal. We don't always have the same ideas about exactly the strategy and the tactics to get there, but we are aligned and I appreciate our fans for understanding it. We had a very high ticket renewal rate last year. We're going to have another high rate this year, and I appreciate our fans continuing to give us a chance to prove ourselves and being patient, but at the same time being demanding because we want to provide them with what we all want to see happen here.
Personally, I am thankful for so many things. Because of the Astros, I am richer in so many ways. Rich in friends, rich in experiences, rich in hope and anticipation for the future. I am so very, very thankful to have had Buca come into my life. And the recent addition of Dustin to our little family has helped to re-energize me (and to let me occasionally sleep past 5:00 a.m.). For that I am truly thankful. As many others have noted here, I am also beyond grateful for the twitter community whose good humor and friendship have made these hard times not only bearable, but downright fun at times. I am thankful for the tight-knit Astros blogging community and how we all seek to complement each other rather than compete with each other.

But most of all, I am grateful for the wonderful, generous, good-hearted people I've met in person at Minute Maid Park and through my many travels, via email and on twitter through this process. I have forged friendships with players, coaches, bloggers, Astros fans, minor league fans, readers, minor league ballpark staff, front office personnel and one Minute Maid bartender, in particular. I feel confident that many of those relationships will withstand the test of time because they stem from a common love ... an unabashed, unified, timeless, enduring love for baseball. Astros baseball.

I would like to thank everyone who provided a response and wish everyone a Very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your time with loved ones and be very, very thankful that there really is a fresh start each spring.

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Tuesday, November 26

*EDIT: Added Raúl Valdés' pitching line. Totally forgot that the Astros acquired him.

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Caracas 7, Aragua 1

Aragua scored first, but Caracas ran off 5 in the 2nd to seize control of the game.

Leones del Caracas
LF J.D. Martinez: 1-4, 2 K

Magallanes 9, Zulia 4

Well, Zulia led 4-0 after the 2nd. Unfortunately, it was all Magallanes after that, as all 9 of their runs were unanswered.

Águilas del Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 1-4, 2 K

LIGA PARALELA (VENEZUELAN MINOR LEAGUE)

Bravos 10, Phillies 1

Bravos
2B Carlos Perdomo: 0-3, BB, K

Game 1: Tiburones 3, Cardenales 1

Tiburones
SS Alex Gonzalez: 0-4
C Marlon Avea: 1-3

Game 2: Tiburones 7, Cardenales 4

Tiburones earned the doubleheader sweep by scoring 4 in the 3rd to open up the scoring. They added 3 more in the 5th to put this game away.

Tiburones
SS Alex Gonzalez: 1-3, 2 R, BB, 2 K
C Marlon Avea: 2-3, 3 RBI, BB as the DH

Boston 6, Caribes 4

Caribes got 4 in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game, but that tie was short-lived, as the Red Sox got 2 in the 9th to retake the lead.

Caribes
LHP Edwin Villarroel: L (1-5), 0.1 IP, 2 unearned runs

Game 1: Caracas 2, Aragua 1

Caracas
C Carlos Perez: 0-4, 2 K

Game 1: Lara 7, Magallanes 2

Magallanes
C Luis Alvarez: 1-2

Game 2: Magallanes 3, Lara 1

Magallanes
C Ernesto Genoves: 0-3

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Hermosillo 9, Guasave 1

All Hermosillo in this one; Guasave's only run of the game came in the top of the 9th, when they were already down 9-0.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF-CF Leo Heras: 1-3, BB, K
1B Japhet Amador: 1-4, K as the DH

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Gigantes 3, Estrellas 2

Estrellas scored 2 in the 6th to take the lead, but Gigantes retook the lead after stretch time with 2 in the 7th. 

Gigantes del Cibao
LHP Rudy Owens: 6.2 IP, 4 H (2-R HR allowed), 2 ER, BB, 6 K

Toros 1, Escogido 0

Toros del Este
Teoscar Hernandez entered the game as a pinch-runner in the 6th. He did not have a plate appearance.

LHP Raúl Valdés: W (2-1), 7 IP, 5 H, 5 K

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Santurce 7, Mayagüez 1

Santurce got 4 in the 6th to gain a little more breathing room in what had been a 2-1 game. Jonathan Singleton iced it by sending one out in the 8th.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
RF Austin Wates: 0-3, R, BB, 2 K
1B Jonathan Singleton: 1-3, solo HR (4), 2 R, BB, K

Ponce 5, Carolina 4 in 12 innings

All good things must come to an end.... Enrique Hernandez's 7-game hitting streak came to an end last night. He also had a streak of 4 2-hit games in a row snapped as well. However, he did have a sac fly in a 4-run 7th, which allowed Carolina to tie the game at 4. But alas, they walked off with a loss in the 12th after a Jordan Lennerton single.

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 0-4, RBI

Happy Birthday - 11/27

LHP Raul Valdes (36)
Originally signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent in 2004, the Cuban born Valdes was claimed by Houston off waivers from the Phillies in October. In four major league seasons, he has a 4.94 ERA and a 1.310 WHIP in 95 appearances.

No future Astros, only former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Dave Giusti (74)
Giusti was signed by Houston as an amateur free agent in 1961 and pitched for the Colt .45's in 1962 and 1964 and for the Astros in 1965 to 1968. In 176 games (118 starts), he had a 47-53 record with a 4.02 ERA and 1.284 WHIP. His best seasons were with the Pirates in the early to mid-70's. He had one All-Star appearance and won one World Series while with Pittsburgh.

C Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez (42)
Rodriguez signed with Houston as a free agent in March 2009. In 93 games for Houston that season, he hit .251/.280/.382 and had a 32% caught stealing rate. In August of 2009, he was traded to the Rangers for Matt Nevarez and Jose Vallejo. Rodriguez was an All-Star 14 times while playing with Texas and Detroit as well as a 13-time Gold Glove winner and a 7-time Silver Slugger. He was the American League MVP in 1999 for Texas. He won his only World Series for the Marlins in 2003.

Tweets of the Day


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Monday, November 25

LIGA PARALELA (VENEZUELAN MINOR LEAGUE)

Magallanes 10, Aragua 1

Magallanes ran off 10 unanswered to run away. One of the big blows came in the form of a bases-clearing double from Ernesto Genoves in the 6th.

Magallanes
C Ernesto Genoves: 1-5, 2B, 3 RBI, R, K

Detroit 6, Tiburones 1

Tiburones
SS Alex Gonzalez: 1-4
C Marlon Avea: 1-4, 2B, RBI

LHP Junior Garcia: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 K
RHP Joselo Pinales: 2 IP, 3 H (solo HR allowed), 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Jamaine Cotton: IP, K

Caimanes 6, Bravos 5

Bravos
2B Carlos Perdomo: 2-5

Caracas 9, Boston 3

Caracas
C Carlos Perez: 1-4, R

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Carolina 4, Santurce 1



Carolina took control after stretch time with 4 in the bottom of the 7th.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
1B Jonathan Singleton: 0-4, K

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 2-4, K

In addition, Hernandez's 2 homers, 9 RBI, .520 slugging percentage, and .931 OPS all rank 2nd on the team, while his .340 average and .411 on-base percentage rank 3rd.

Ponce 7, Caguas 4

Criollos de Caguas
LHP Luis Cruz: L (0-2), 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Happy Birthday - 11/26

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Victor Mesa (20)
A non-drafted free agent from the Dominican Republic, Mesa played his third season with the DSL Astros in 2013. In 18 appearances, he had a 4.60 ERA and a 1.596 WHIP in 31 and a third innings.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Jeff Fulchino (34)
An eighth round pick by the Marlins in 2002, Fulchino came to Houston from Kansas City as a waiver claim in December 2008. In 147 games for the Astros from 2009 to 2011, he was 9-9 with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.380 WHIP. Fulchino pitched in Independent League ball for the Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish in 2013.

RHP Mike Mendoza (58)
A fifth round pick by the Astros in 1973, Mendoza got his cup of coffee in 1979 and it was a perfect brew - one perfect inning pitched in one game.

Tweet of the Day

Monday, November 25, 2013

Astros Winter League Cumulative Stats

The cumulative stats for all Astros (minor league and major league) players who either are participating or have participated in fall and winter league ball follow. Free agents are noted with an asterisk. Stats are through Sunday's games.



Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Sunday, November 24

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Zulia 11, La Guaira 6

Zulia's 5-1 run in the final third of the game proved to be the difference. 

Águilas del Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 2-5, R, BB, K

LIGA PARALELA (VENEZUELAN MINOR LEAGUE)

11/23 Game

Magallanes 7, Boston 6

In the only weekend action from the Liga Paralela, Magallanes scored 4 in the top of the 8th to go ahead in this game.

Magallanes
C Ernesto Genoves: 1-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, K

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Game 1: Guasave 4, Los Mochis 0

Japhet Amador set the tone with a 2-run homer in the 1st which set the tone for the Cotton Growers. The homer was his 5th of the fall and winter. He hit 4 in Arizona before heading south of the border.

1B Japhet Amador: 2-3, 2B, 2-R HR (1, 5 combined), R
RF Leo Heras: 0-4, K

Game 2: Guasave 6, Los Mochis 3

This time, it was Leo Heras' turn to send one out. His 3rd of the campaign was a 2-run homer in the 3rd that tied the game at 2. In the 4th, Guasave took control with 4 runs in the inning on their way to earning the doubleheader sweep.

RF Leo Heras: 1-1, 2-R HR (3), 2 BB, R
1B Japhet Amador: 0-3

Mexicali 3, Culiacán 2

Mexicali scored 1 in the top of the 8th to pull ahead. Gonzalo Sanudo got the first 2 outs of the inning, but he was pulled after allowing a single. That run came around to score on a single that was given up by Marcos Camarena.

Tomateros de Culiacán
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo: L (1-1), 0.2 IP, H, ER, K

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Escogido 5, Toros 2

Teoscar Hernandez came on as a defensive sub in the 8th and singled in his lone plate appearance in the 9th.

Toros del Este
LF Teoscar Hernandez: 1-1

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Santurce 4, Caguas 3

Caguas used a 3-run 6th to take the lead, but Santurce responded after stretch time, scoring 2 in the bottom of the 7th to regain the lead.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
1B Jonathan Singleton: 0-2, 2 BB
RF Austin Wates: 0-2, 2 R, BB, K

Criollos de Caguas
C Roberto Peña: 0-4

Happy Birthday - 11/25

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Erasmo Pinales (19)
Pinales, a non-drafted free agent from the Dominican Republic, made his one and only professional appearance to date for the DSL Astros on August 15th. He pitched only two-thirds of an inning.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RF/3B/2B Jimmy Paredes (25)
Originally from the Dominican Republic and signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent in 2006, Jimmy Paredes came to the Astros organization in the Lance Berkman trade in 2010. In 118 games spread over 2011 through 2013, Paredes hit .234/.274/.311. He was claimed by the Marlins off waivers in November 2013.

1B Rafael Batista (died October 25, 2008 at age 62)
Batista was drafted from Atlanta in the minor league draft in November 1967. In 22 games for Houston in 1973 and 1975, he hit .280/.308/.320. After his time with the Astros, Batista played in the Mexican League for nine seasons.

RHP John Johnstone (45)
Originally drafted by the Mets in the 20th round in 1987, Johnstone signed as a free agent with the Astros in December 1995. In nine appearances for the Astros in 1996, he had a 5.54 ERA and a 1.692 WHIP. His best seasons were for the Giants in 1998 and 1999 when he had a 2.87 ERA and a 1.158 WHIP in 132 appearances.

RHP Octavio Dotel (40)
Dotel came to Houston from the Mets in a December 1999 trade and pitched for the Astros from 2000 to 2004. In 302 appearances, he was 22-24 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.169 WHIP and 42 saves. Dotel went to Oakland in a three-team trade in June 2004 that brought Carlos Beltran to the Astros. Since playing with the Astros, the well-traveled Dotel has played for 11 different teams, including his latest stint for the Tigers in 2012 and 2013.

Tweet of the Day

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Saturday, November 23

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

La Guaira 4, Margarita 3

La Guaira's 3-run 1st withstood a rally from Margarita in the final innings. 

Bravos de Margarita
LHP Eric Berger: L (2-2), 6 IP, 7 H (2-R HR allowed), 3 ER (all in the 1st), 3 BB, 5 K

Magallanes 9, Zulia 4

Again, a scoring run has either sparked Zulia to a win, or has sunk them. Unfortunately, this one was a case of the latter, as Magallanes went on a 9-1 run from the 3rd to the 5th, with the big blow coming in the form of a grand slam in the 4th.

Águilas del Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 0-2

Anzoátegui 9, Caracas 8 in 13 innings

A 2-out, walk-off RBI single for los Caribes proved to be the difference. J.D. Martinez hit a solo homer in the top of the 8th which gave Caracas an 8-7 lead at the time.

Leones del Caracas
LF J.D. Martinez: 1-4, solo HR (6), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB, 2 K

After drawing just 10 walks all season, Martinez now has 8 walks in 14 games in Venezuela.

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Guasave 3, Los Mochis 2

3 runs in the 5th proved to be enough for Guasave, although Los Mochis made it a 1-run game in the top of the 9th. However, the Cotton Growers were able to close the deal.

Algodoneros de Guasave
RF Leo Heras: 2-4, RBI single in 5th
1B Japhet Amador: 0-4, K as the DH

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Carolina 5, Mayagüez 3

Enrique Hernandez continues his fine winter; currently, he has a 6-game hitting streak, 6-game RBI streak, and he's posted 2-hit nights in 4 of his last 5 contests. Holding on to a 1-run lead in the bottom of the 8th, Rene Garcia brought home a run on a sac fly to provide some insurance.

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 2-3, 2B, RBI, R, K
C Rene Garcia: 0-3, RBI (sac fly in 8th)
1B Jobduan Morales: 0-1, GIDP as a pinch-hitter in 7th

Roster Moves/Transactions

I'm a little late to the party on this one, but apparently the Astros signed free agent right-handed reliever Peter Moylan to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. The 34-year old (35 in December) Australian was originally signed by the Twins as an amateur free agent in 1996. Moylan made his major league debut 10 years later for the Braves. In 295 appearances for the Braves between 2006 and 2012, he had a 2.59 ERA and a 1.285 WHIP. In 2013, he signed with the Dodgers and appeared in a handful of games in June and September, putting up a 6.46 ERA and a 1.957 WHIP. Moylan spent the rest of his season with the AAA Albuquerque team, managing a more respectable 2.74 ERA and a 1.261 WHIP in 38 appearances. Moylan's reaction?



 In addition, two minor league free agents have left the Astros nest. IF Brandon Laird signed with the Royals and IF Jose Martinez signed with the Athletics.

Happy Birthday - 11/24

Happy Birthday to ~

1B Jesse Wierzbicki (24)
Wierzbicki was drafted by Houston in the 24th round in 2011 out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He spent the majority of his 2013 season with Quad Cities before being promoted to Lancaster for the final 25 games of the season. In 112 games between the two venues, Wierzbicki had a .259/.357/.384 batting line with 25 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 63 RBI.

One former Astro with a birthday today ~

RHP George Throop (63)
A 16th round pick by the Royals in 1972, Throop came to Houston in an April 1979 trade. In 14 games for the Astros that season, he had a 3.22 ERA and a 1.559 WHIP.

Tweet of the Day

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Friday, November 22 (and, in the case of the Australian Baseball League, today)

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Zulia 12, La Guaira 6

Down 6-1 after the 3rd? No problem. Zulia closed the game on an 11-0 run and scored in their final 4 innings, with the big blow being a 7-run 8th that gave them a 10-6 lead.

Águilas de Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 2-4, 3 RBI, R, 2 BB

Tiburones de La Guaira
LHP Sergio Escalona: Hold (9), L (0-3), 0.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R (all unearned, 2 inherited runners scored), K

Magallanes 8, Caracas 5

Caracas was done in by a pair of 3-run innings from los Navegantes in the 4th and the 6th.

Leones del Caracas
RF J.D. Martinez: 2-3, solo HR (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB
LF Eric Thames: 1-5, 3 K

LIGA PARALELA (VENEZUELAN MINOR LEAGUE)

Bravos 4, Cardenales 1

Bravos
2B Carlos Perdomo: 1-5, 2B, RBI

Tiburones 8, Tampa Bay 0

Tiburones
SS Alex Gonzalez: 1-4, RBI, R, 2 BB, CS
C Marlon Avea: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Perth 4, Melbourne 2

The Heat's 4 runs were unanswered, and 3 of those came in the bottom of the 8th.

Perth Heat
LHP Cameron Lamb: W (1-0), 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K; this was his first appearance of the season.

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

Cibao 3, Licey 2

Gigantes del Cibao
RHP Rhiner Cruz: 0.1 IP, K; in his 1st apperance of the season, he struck out Yamaico Navarro to end the top of the 8th.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Carolina 7, Santurce 0

Santurce was held to 4 hits; on the other hand, Enrique Hernandez continued his fine winter form for Carolina.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
1B Jonathan Singleton: 1-4, 2B
RF Austin Wates: 0-3, K, 2 outfield assists

Gigantes de Carolina
2B Enrique Hernandez: 2-5, RBI, R, K

Happy Birthday - 11/23

No future Astros, only former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP John Anderson (died December 20, 1998 at age 69)
Obtained from the Cardinals in a May 1962 trade with St. Louis, Anderson pitched in 10 games for the Colt .45's in 1962 with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.642 WHIP.

OF Colin Porter (38)
A 17th round draft pick by the Astros in 1998, Porter played in 24 games for Houston in 2003, hitting .188/.212/.188. He was claimed off waivers by St. Louis in January 2004 and hit .314/.314/.429 in 23 games for the Cardinals that year. He went on to play in the Yankees and Diamondbacks organizations in 2005, but never made it back to the bigs.

Tweet of the Day

Friday, November 22, 2013

Astros Fall and Winter League Recaps

Results for Thursday, November 21

LIGA VENEZUELA BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Aragua 15, Zulia 6

Los Águilas got buried by a 14-3 run from the 3rd to the 6th innings. Aragua landed the haymaker by putting up a touchdown and tacking on the extra point in the 5th. 

Águilas de Zulia
3B Marwin Gonzalez: 1-5 as the DH

Caracas 6, La Guaira 4 in 10 innings

Caracas walked off with the win as the Padres' Jesus Guzman sent out his 2nd of the game, a 2-run shot in the 10th that broke a 4-4 tie.

Leones del Caracas
LF J.D. Martinez: 0-4, BB, K

Tiburones de La Guaira
LHP Sergio Escalona: 0.2 IP, K

LIGA PARALELA (VENEZUELAN MINOR LEAGUE)

Caribes 12, Tiburones 4

Los Tiburones got swamped early, as they fell behind 11-1 after the 4th inning.

Tiburones
SS Alex Gonzalez: 2-4, BB, R
C Marlon Avea: 0-3, K as the DH

LHP Junior Garcia: 2 IP, BB, K; 3rd pitcher to appear
RHP Joselo Pinales: IP, K
RHP Jamaine Cotton: IP, K

Bravos 8, Detroit 2

Los Bravos got on the board first with a run in the 3rd, and then they proceeded to run away with the game by scoring in their final 4 frames.

Bravos
2B Carlos Perdomo: 3-4, RBI, 2 R, BB

LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO

Mexicali 7, Guasave 4

Guasave attempted a comeback from a 7-0 deficit, but that hole proved to be too much to overcome.

Algodoneros de Guasave
1B Japhet Amador: 0-3
RF Leo Heras: 1-4, BB, 2 K

LIGA DE BEISBOL DOMINICANO

League-wide off day.

LIGA DE BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE (PUERTO RICO)

Ponce 6, Santurce 5 in 11 innings

Santurce walked off with the loss as Ponce got to Xavier Cedeño in the 11th with a pair of RBI singles, turning a 5-4 game into the final above.

Cangrejeros de Santurce
1B Jonathan Singleton: 3-5, 2 K
RF Austin Wates: 0-5, 2 K

Caguas 10, Mayagüez 8

The offenses got rolling early; Caguas held a 9-7 lead after the 4th. However, after the outburst to start the game, the only other runs that were scored came in each team's half of the 8th inning.

Criollos de Caguas

C Roberto Peña: 2-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, K