Astros Minor League Recap May 14-20: Fresno keeps rolling

The Houston Astros‘ Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies continue their strong play, winning two consecutive series.

After posting a 4-3 record the prior week, the Fresno Grizzlies continued marching on. The team posted a 4-2 record this week, winning two consecutive series. The offense has lost Tony Kemp and J.D. Davis to the big league club, but the team continues to win.

Short, Strong Homestand

After winning the first two games of a four-game homestand against Salt Lake, Fresno won the third game 4-3 on May 14. Starter Mike Hauschild took a no-decision, giving up two runs in five innings. Tim Federowicz launched a two-run homer, while Jon Kemmer tripled and drove in two.

The Grizzlies failed to complete the four-game sweep, losing 3-2 on Tuesday. Rogelio Armenteros gave up one run in five innings with eight strikeouts, taking a no-decision. Kemmer hit a solo homer, while Tyler White and Kyle Tucker had two hits apiece.

On the Road Again

After a day off Wednesday, Fresno opened a four-game road series with a 9-7 win at El Paso on Thursday. The big story was J.D. Davis hitting for the cycle, driving in five and also drawing a walk. A.J. Reed homered and drove in two, while White reached base four times (two hits, two walks). In his second Triple-A start, Josh James struck out 10 batters in five innings, allowing two runs.

The Grizzlies lost a 10-inning heartbreaker on Friday by a score of 8-7. David Paulino gave up four runs in five innings, but the bullpen blew leads in the 9th and 10th innings. Jake Marisnick hit a two-run homer, while White added a solo blast. Kemmer chipped in with two hits and two RBIs.

Fresno bounced back to win Saturday’s game 4-0. Starter Trent Thornton only went 3.2 innings, but the pitching staff surrendered only four hits and two walks. Marisnick hit another two-run homer, while Federowicz and Reed each added solo shots.

The Grizzlies took the series with a 7-2 win on Sunday. Cy Sneed tossed six innings of two-run ball, improving his record to 4-2. Tucker finished a triple shy of the cycle, driving in two and drawing a walk. White notched two hits and two RBIs, while Marisnick added a single and a triple. Reed and Kemmer each hit a solo homer.

Player of the Week: Tyler White

No one particularly set the world on fire this week, so White gets the nod thanks to his consistency. He had a 12-game hit streak snapped Saturday, but he has reached base safely in all of his 41 games this season. Dating back to last season, White has reached base in 52 consecutive games at the Triple-A level.

Through Sunday, he sports a .358/.476/.609 batting line with 30 walks against just 20 strikeouts. He’s having arguably his best minor league season. His walk rate has spiked, and his strikeout rate is down. White looks like he could definitely help the Astros at some point this season.

Next: Astros: Could the team go down to 12 pitchers?

What’s Next

The Grizzlies open a nine-game homestand on Monday. They’ll play four games against Reno, then start a five-game series against El Paso on Friday. Fresno sits at 27-17 on the year, leading their division by four games.

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