The Fresno Grizzlies’ roster resembled a revolving door once again this week as promotions, demotions, and a trade shook up the Triple-A club’s roster. The team still managed to bounce back from a rough week, though, winning four of six while averaging over seven runs per game after only scoring a little over two per game last week.
Dan Straily made his Houston Astros debut on Friday night in Boston, pitching well enough to earn him at least one more start. Brett Oberholtzer, the man whom Straily replaced in the rotation (for now), was on the bump Saturday night in Fresno. The left-hander pitched a quality start as Fresno routed Tacoma 10-3 in front of a large, 4th of July crowd.
What an atmosphere here tonight. Thank you everyone for spending the 4th with us. #Growlifornia pic.twitter.com/83zWGda6x3
— Fresno Grizzlies (@FresnoGrizzlies) July 5, 2015
Marisnick up, Santana down
Jake Marisnick made three rehab starts this week in Fresno before returning to the Houston Astros after a stretch on the 15-day DL due to a hamstring injury. Marisnick’s return meant the end of Domingo Santana‘s first stint with the 2015 Astros.
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Santana was much improved in his few weeks with the Astros this year and stayed with the club longer than most expected because of the injuries to Marisnick and Colby Rasmus.
He had an opportunity to stay with the Astros after George Springer landed on the DL Thursday, but the team decided to call up Alex Presley instead. Presley made his first Astros appearance this year on Friday and collected two hits, including an RBI.
Astros deal reliever Lambson
The Astros dealt left-handed reliever Mitchell Lambson to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night.
Fresno Grizzlies RP Mitch Lambson was just traded to the Atlanta Braves. Was guarding bullpen catcher. Now packing his stuff in clubhouse.
— Bryant-Jon Anteola (@Banteola) July 6, 2015
Lambson, a 2011, 19th round pick from Arizona State, posted nearly identical numbers between Corpus Christi and Fresno this year. The 24-year-old maintained a tidy 2.60 ERA in 34 2/3 innings between both teams. There are no reports yet on whom or what the Astros received in return, but young, left-handed relievers with solid numbers are highly valued by most teams.
Appel makes second Triple-A start
Mark Appel found much more success in his second Triple-A start on Thursday in El Paso.
After lasting only three innings and allowing 7 earned runs last Saturday, the former number one overall draft pick pitched 5 2/3 innings while allowing only three runs and striking out 6. He would have been in line for his first win, but the Grizzlies lost after former Astro Jose Veras could not record an out with a 2-run lead in the bottom of the ninth.
The Grizzlies have two more games against Tacoma before traveling to Sacramento for their last series before the Triple-A All-Star Game in Omaha, NE. The Grizzlies will be represented at the All-Star game by L.J. Hoes and RHP Tyson Perez.
Stand-out hitters:
Tyler White: 9 for 15 (first four games with Fresno)
Andrew Aplin: 5 for 12
Tyler Heineman: 7 for 16
Jonathan Villar: 9 for 26
L.J. Hoes: 7 for 19
Matt Duffy: 6 for 19
Tony Kemp: 9 for 29
Next: The Astros' Jose Altuve Voted Into All-Star Game
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