Climbing Tal's Hill
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Astros Minors Report July 31 – Aug 6: Grizzlies suffer tough road trip

By Andrew Gleinser

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 29: Tony Kemp #16 of the Houston Astros walks the outfieild prior to a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 29, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 29: Tony Kemp #16 of the Houston Astros walks the outfieild prior to a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 29, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies had a tough road trip, going 2-4 on the week.

The Astros‘ roster situation may finally be taking a toll on the Triple-A club. Derek Fisher, Tyler White, A.J. Reed, J.D. Davis and Juan Centeno have all spent time in Houston this week. Colin Moran is still on the disabled list after being injured in a game for the Astros, and Teoscar Hernandez is now in the Toronto organization. And that’s just the position players. The team went 2-4 this week but is still hanging on to first place.

Omaha!

The Grizzlies took the third game of the series with a 6-4 win at Omaha on July 31. Starter Trent Thornton gave up four runs on nine hits in six innings with seven strikeouts. Alejandro Garcia hit a two-run homer, Tony Kemp had two hits, and Davis had a double and two walks.

Fresno settled for a series split with a 9-1 loss on Tuesday. Kent Emanuel struggled, coughing up eight runs on 11 hits in five innings. Kemp hit a solo home run, but the team as a whole managed just five hits.

Unlucky Iowa

Following a day off Wednesday, the Grizzlies opened a four-game series at Iowa with an 8-1 victory on Thursday. Dean Deetz tossed 4.1 shutout innings, allowing three hits and five walks, striking out six. Jon Kemmer hit a two-run homer, while Preston Tucker added a two-run triple. Kemp had three hits and a RBI.

Fresno dropped game two of the series with a 5-4 loss on Friday. Mike Hauschild took the loss, giving up five runs in six innings with six strikeouts. Davis had two hits, including a homer, and two RBIs, while Kemp added a single and a triple in four trips.

The Grizzlies fell in game three with a 6-1 loss on Saturday. Rogelio Armenteros gave up two runs in five-plus innings with nine strikeouts, but Ashur Tolliver and Jordan Jankowski faltered. Spencer Johnson had a single and a walk. The team managed just four hits and only one walk.

Fresno lost the series, finishing with a 5-4 loss on Sunday. David Martinez took the loss, giving up four runs in 4.1 innings. Jack Mayfield had four hits, including a double, and a RBI, while Kemmer had a RBI double and a walk.

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Player of the Week: Tony Kemp

In what was a slow offensive week for Fresno, Kemp stood out the most. He posted three multi-hit games in five games played this week, adding a home run as well. He’s hitting .327 on the season and has been the team’s most consistent player over the course of the year.

What’s Next

The Grizzlies return home to begin a four-game series against El Paso on Monday. They will then hit the road again for a four-game swing through Albuquerque starting on Friday. Fresno sits at 66-48 on the season, one game ahead of second-place Reno in the PCL Pacific Northern division.

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