Astros Fresno Report May 1-7: Grizzlies improve, but not by much

The Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies posted a 3-4 record this week after winning just one game the previous week.

After a rough week in which the Astros Triple-A Grizzlies went just 1-5, they rebounded slightly to post a 3-4 record. Fresno finished up a road trip, then returned home for four games before hitting the road again. The team’s offense was hit and miss, as was the pitching.

A Moral Victory

The Grizzlies finished up a five-game series against the Reno Aces with an 11-7 win on May 1. Starter Edison Frias gave up seven runs in four innings, though only two were earned. The defense made three errors, including two by second baseman Jack Mayfield.

The team staged a comeback, however, scoring seven times from innings six through eight. Derek Fisher, Preston Tucker, and Andrew Aplin homered in the game, while A.J. Reed posted four hits, including a pair of doubles. Tucker finished a single shy of the cycle.

Home Again, Home Again

Fresno kicked off a four-game homestand against Sacramento on Tuesday, falling 5-4. Starter Brian Holmes gave up five runs in 3.1 innings to fall to 0-2 on the year. Reid Brignac hit a two-run homer while Aplin had two hits and two RBIs. Tyler White had three singles and a walk.

The Grizzlies rebounded on Wednesday with a 9-5 victory against Sacramento. Casey Coleman earned the win in his first start for the team, giving up four runs in five innings. Fresno scored seven times in the first two innings, aided by a three-run homer from Reed. Mayfield, Tony Kemp, and Max Stassi posted two hits apiece.

The Fresno bats were tamed on Thursday as the team fell 4-2 to Sacramento. David Martinez fell to 0-4 on the year after giving up three runs in five innings. Kemp, Fisher and Jon Kemmer each notched a multi-hit game.

The teams ended up splitting the four-game series as Fresno won the finale 5-1 on Friday. Starter Trent Thornton tossed six shutout innings to earn his first Triple-A win. Tucker hit a two-run homer while Fisher and White each had a three-hit game.

On the Road Again

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The Grizzlies started an eight-game road trip with a rough 19-7 loss to Colorado Springs on Saturday. Starter Mike Hauschild gave up nine runs on eight hits with six walks in three innings. Keegan Yuhl coughed up eight runs while recording just one out. Kemmer had two hits including a solo homer, while Fisher, Stassi, and Aplin each had two hits and one RBI.

Fresno fell to the Sky Sox again Sunday, this time by a score of 7-3. Frias gave up seven runs in four innings, including three homers. Mayfield had three hits, including two doubles, and a RBI, while Tucker added a solo homer.

Player of the Week: Derek Fisher

No surprise here, considering Fisher is riding a 12-game hit streak. He posted five multi-hit games this week, adding a homer and five RBIs. If there’s one negative, it’s that he struck out nine times this week while walking just once. It’s hard to argue with the results, though, as he’s now hitting .328 on the season.

Next: Astros Minor League Spotlight: Max Stassi looking sharp early in 2017 for Fresno

What’s Next

The Grizzlies play two more games at Colorado Springs, hoping to avoid a sweep. Following a day off on Wednesday, they travel to Oklahoma City for a four-game series. Fresno remains in third place in the PCL Northern Division, trailing co-leaders Tacoma and Reno by six games.

***Stats courtesy of MiLB.com***