Astros Minor League Recap May 21-27: Fresno bats go cold

The Houston Astros‘ Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies posted a 2-5 record last week as the offense slumped.

After a strong start to the season, the Fresno Grizzlies are hitting a rough patch. The team posted just a 2-5 record last week, mostly thanks to an offensive slump. No team scored more than five runs in any of Fresno’s seven games this week, so the pitching remains strong. It should be noted that the team is missing stalwarts Tony Kemp and J.D. Davis, who are currently in the majors.

Unlucky in Reno

Fresno opened a four-game home series against Reno with a 4-2 loss on May 21. Mike Hauschild went seven inning, giving up four runs and taking the loss. Drew Ferguson posted three singles and a walk, while A.J. Reed singled, walked and drove in a run. The team failed to record an extra-base hit in the game.

The Grizzlies bounced back with a 4-3 walkoff win on Tuesday. Alejandro Garcia hit the game-winning two-run single in the bottom of the 9th, while Reed added a two-run double. Starter Rogelio Armenteros went five innings, giving up three runs on four hits with eight strikeouts.

Fresno dropped the third game of the series 5-2 on Wednesday. Starter Josh James gave up two runs in 4.1 innings to take the loss. Tyler White recorded two hits and a walk, while Kyle Tucker added a two-run homer and a walk.

The Grizzlies fell 4-3 in 10 innings in the series finale on Thursday. In his first Triple-A start, Brock Dykxhoorn tossed six innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts. Garcia and Cody Bohanek each posted a single and an RBI.

The Slide Continues

Fresno recorded a 5-0 win on Friday to open a five-game home series against El Paso. Cy Sneed was the star in this one, throwing eight shutout innings. He allowed just two hits and no walks and struck out seven. Reed and Garrett Stubbs each went deep, while Ferguson added two doubles and an RBI. For the first time this season, White failed to reach base.

The Grizzlies lost Saturday’s game by a score of 4-3. Hauschild took the loss, surrendering four runs (three earned) in seven innings with nine strikeouts. Reed hit a solo homer, while Nick Tanielu recorded two hits, a walk and an RBI.

The Fresno bats were silenced by five El Paso pitchers in Sunday’s 2-0 loss. Trent Thornton took the loss despite giving up just two runs in six innings with eight strikeouts. Ferguson singled and drew three walks, while Stubbs walked twice and added a single. Fresno hitters failed to record an extra-base hit.

Player of the Week: Cy Sneed

Sneed simply dominated El Paso on Friday. The righthander allowed just two hits in eight scoreless innings to earn his fifth win of the season. In the process, he dropped his ERA to 3.68. Aside from a 10-run meltdown on May 1, Sneed has been consistently strong so far this season.

Next: Astros: Jose Altuve sets a new club record

What’s Next

Fresno finishes the home stand with two more games against El Paso on Monday and Tuesday. Then they’ll hit the road for a five-game series against Albuquerque starting on Wednesday. The Grizzlies sit at 30-22 on the season, two games ahead of Tacoma in the division.

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