Astros Minors Recap June 19-25: Fresno Grizzlies get back to .500

The Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies continued their strong play, posting a 4-2 record this week.

After a rough first two months of the season, the Astros’ Fresno’s recent streak of strong play has brought it back to a .500 record. The Grizzlies went 4-2 this week as part of a 12-game home stand, including sweeping a Saturday doubleheader. Here are the week’s highlights.

Settling for a Split

The Grizzlies took game three of the El Paso series with a 10-4 win on June 19. David Martinez earned the win, giving up two runs in six innings. Colin Moran homered and drove in five runs while Tyler White and Max Stassi each added a two-run shot. Tony Kemp had four hits.

Mar 19, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Colin Moran (19) hits a sac fly to score a run against the New York Yankees during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Fresno squandered a chance to win the series, losing 11-7 in 10 innings on Tuesday. Starter Kyle Smith gave up six runs in four innings, while Reymin Guduan and Jordan Jankowski gave up two runs each in the 10th. Stassi hit a three-run homer, while Moran and Jon Kemmer each hit a two-run bomb.

Success against Sacramento

Following a day off on Wednesday, the Grizzlies opened a four-game series against Sacramento with a 9-3 loss on Thursday. Charlie Morton threw two innings for his rehab start, and Trent Thornton then gave up eight runs (seven earned) in four innings. Kemp had three singles and two RBIs, while Preston Tucker had two hits and an RBI.

Fresno bounced back with a thrilling 7-6 victory on Friday. Moran drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game in the 9th before Teoscar Hernandez hit a walk-off single. Starter Mike Hauschild gave up four runs in five innings, while Kemp and Tucker reached base three times apiece.

The Grizzlies won game one of Saturday’s doubleheader 6-2 in a game that was called after seven innings. Casey Coleman earned the win, giving up two runs in six innings. Kemmer hit a three-run triple as part of a six-run fourth inning. Kemp added a RBI triple and a walk.

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Interestingly, Fresno swept the doubleheader by winning the second game 6-2, also in seven innings. Starter Dean Deetz gave up one run in 3.2 innings. Kemmer went 2-for-2 with a homer, two RBIs, and a walk. White added a solo blast and a walk. The team did not play on Sunday.

Player of the Week: Jon Kemmer

Kemmer only played in four of the team’s six games this week, but he made them count. He hit safely in all four games, adding two homers, seven RBIs, and four walks. Kemmer raised his season average from .285 to .301 in these four games and also scored seven times.

Honorable mention goes to Tony Kemp, who reached base safely in all six games this week. Kemp raised his season average from .301 to .317, driving in four runs, walking three times and not recording a strikeout.

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What’s Next

The Grizzlies open a four-game series against Albuquerque on Monday to finish off the home stand. They then hit the road for a four-game series at Sacramento starting Friday. Fresno sits at 38-38 on the season, ten games behind first-place Reno but just one game behind second-place Tacoma.

***Statistics courtesy of MiLB.com***