Astros Minor League Recap June 4-10: Strong home stand for Fresno

The Houston Astros‘ Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies posted a 4-2 record this week to extend their division lead to 7.5 games.

After a strong week last week, the Fresno Grizzlies kept up the momentum. The team posted a 4-2 record this week, buoyed by strong starting pitching and a monster stretch from slugger A.J. Reed. The team has stretched its division lead to 7.5 games, further increasing its playoff chances.

Starting off Strong

After an off day on June 4, Fresno opened a three-game series with a 1-0 win against Colorado Springs on Tuesday. Josh James settled for a no-decision despite blanking the Sky Sox over seven innings. He allowed just three hits and struck out 13 in his fifth Triple-A start. Jon Kemmer had two hits and a walk, including the walk-off infield single in the ninth.

The Grizzlies dropped game two of the series on Wednesday in a 6-1 decision. Starter Brock Dykxhoorn gave up just one run in seven innings, but James Hoyt surrendered four runs (three earned) in the eighth. A.J. Reed hit a solo homer and drew a walk, while Garrett Stubbs had three singles and a walk.

Fresno claimed the rubber game of the series with a 6-2 win on Thursday. Cy Sneed tossed six shutout innings, allowing five hits and no walks with eight strikeouts. Tyler White homered and drove in three, while Kyle Tucker posted two hits, including a double.

Reed All About It

The Grizzlies opened a four-game home set against Oklahoma City with an 8-5 win on Friday. Mike Hauschild gave up three runs in 5.2 innings to notch the win. Reed hit a three-run homer, while Derek Fisher also went deep and drove in three.

Fresno fell in Saturday’s game by a score of 4-2. Trent Thornton took the loss, surrendering three runs in seven innings. Reed went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, while White also hit a solo blast.

The Grizzlies rebounded with a 12-8 victory on Sunday. Rogelio Armenteros improved to 4-0, allowing two runs in six innings. Reed was the big man on campus, launching two homers and driving in six. Tucker, Fisher and J.D. Davis each added solo shots.

Player of the Week: A.J. Reed

Although there were some strong performances by Fresno starting pitchers, Reed was a one-man wrecking crew this week. He totaled five homers in the last five games, including four in his last three games. He drove in 12 runs in those five games, raising his batting average from .259 to .275.

Through 59 games, Reed now has 15 homers, 54 RBIs and a .946 OPS. He leads the Pacific Coast League in RBIs and is third in homers and walks. CTH’s Cody Poage noted Reed is somewhat in limbo right now, but could force the Astros’ hand if he continues mashing.

Next: Astros in the Minors: A.J. Reed is stuck in limbo

What’s Next

The Grizzlies will go for the series win in the finale against Oklahoma City on Monday. After a day off, they’ll hit the road for a seven-game trip. A three-game series at New Orleans begins on Wednesday, followed by four games at Round Rock beginning Saturday. Fresno sits at 38-25 on the season, holding a 7.5-game division lead.

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