Astros’ Class-A Jethawks Score 29 Runs in 8 Innings

The Astros’ Lancaster JetHawks blast the Stockton Ports, score 29 runs in Thursday matchup

Ryan Deemes picked up his second win of the season for the Lancaster JetHawks on Thursday night after allowing just two hits and one run while striking out three in three innings. That run was only his third earned run allowed this season in time split between Quad Cities and Lancaster, bringing his ERA to an impressive 1.08 with the Hawks. Deemes now sports a .723 WHIP and a .148 batting average against.

Usually, that would earn you your own promo piece at Climbing Tal’s Hill like Joe Musgrove or Brady Rogers. Not when you’re offense smashed seven home runs during a 29-11 route. For reference, the Jethawks are the Class A minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros, who have scored 27 runs in their last nine contests – combined.

The 29 runs were a franchise record (surprised?). The high water mark for the Astros came against the Pittsburg Pirates on May 11, 1999, where they scored 19 runs. Jeff Bagwell and Ken Caminiti led the charge on that day, driving in four each in a 19-8 victory. Another sports comparison: the  Houston Texans scored 29 points or more just three times in 17 games last season.

More from Astros News

• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
• Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
• Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
• Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer

Lancaster hasn’t been short on offense this season. They had already scored 18 runs in their previous two games, both against the Stockton Ports. On Thursday, the heroes were Bobby Boyd and Jason Martin. Boyd went four for seven with a pair of doubles and a long ball, driving in nine. Martin was a perfect five for five with a home run, six RBIs, and a walk.

Every single JetHawk scored three times, and they left seven on base. Collectively, Lancaster mashed 11 extra base hits, walked 11 times, and hit .555 with runners in scoring position. Only Kristian Trompiz failed to record a hit in the game, but even he scored three times.

After falling behind 11-4, the Ports scored six runs in the top half of the third to bring the game back within one run. With the wind blowing strongly out to right field the balls went flying off the bats. Nine home runs were hit between the two clubs, seven by Lancaster. Six of those home runs came after the first three innings, blowing the game wide open.

First baseman Bryan Muniz had a pair of home runs, one in the fourth and one in the sixth. Brooks Marlow walked three times, raising his on base percentage to .405 this season. The big league club could use that consistency at third.

must read: Who is the Astros Solution at Third Base?

The JetHawks are hoping that the offensive surge continues to propel them up the standings in the California League. They currently trail the High Desert Mavericks and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes by seven and a half games with a 21-24 record. If they keep scoring 29 runs a night, they’ll be just fine.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference, Pro Football Reference, and MILB.com***