Minor League Recaps: Lance McCullers Jr fans seven

The three Astros affiliates in action Friday night evened their respective records at 1-1. 20-year old pitching prospect Lance McCullers Jr. struck out seven in his four-inning High-A debut.

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Combined Affiliate Records: 1-2

Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks vs. Round Rock Express: L, 5-0 (1-1) [Box]

Recap: A three-run home run surrendered four batters into the game by RedHawks starter Jake Buchanan (0-1, 6.75) dug his team a hole they were unable to climb out of. Oklahoma City scattered four singles and committed two errors as the Express four pitchers to throw a combined shutout — striking out nine RedHawks in the process.

Key Players:

* C Max Stassi – 2-for-4, 0 K, only RedHawk with multiple hits

* 1B Jon Singleton – 0-for-4, 3 K, now has five strikeouts in two games

* SP Jake Buchanan – 4.o IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR

* RHP Paul Clemens – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, BB, 3 SO

Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks vs. Tulsa Drillers: W, 2-1 (1-1) [Box]

Recap: Eight scoreless innings — led by four innings apiece from the Hooks tandem starting pitchers — was suddenly interrupted by all three of the game’s runs in the final frame. Preston Tucker reached on an error and would score the go-ahead run two batters later on a wild pitch. With Enrique Hernandez on second, Jiovanni Mier ripped an RBI double to center field that would serve as the game’s winning run.

Key Players:

* CF Delino DeShields – 1-for-3, BB, K

* 3B Jiovanni Mier – 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K

* SP David Rollins – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 SO

* RHP – Aaron West – 4.0 IP, H, BB, 2 SO

High-A Lancaster JetHawks vs. Lake Elisnore Storm: L, 6-1 (1-1) [Box]

Recap: Lancaster managed just two hits in six innings against San Diego 2012 first round pick Zach Eflin. Lance McCullers fanned seven in his High-A debut, but surrendered two solo home runs and was straddled with the loss. Carlos Correa picked up another RBI — giving him five already on the young season — but proved that he is in fact human with a throwing error in the fifth inning. 

Key Players:

* 2B Anthony Kemp – 2-for-3, R, 2B

* SS Carlos Correa – 0-for-2, BB, RBI

* SP Lance McCullers – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO, 2 HR

* RHP Kyle Smith – 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 SO

Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits vs. Kane County Cougars: Postponed