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Astros Minor League Recap July 9-16: Fresno comes out of the break

By Andrew Gleinser

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: Derek Fisher #21 of the Houston Astros hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Minute Maid Park on April 24, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: Derek Fisher #21 of the Houston Astros hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Minute Maid Park on April 24, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Astros‘ Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies went just 2-3 coming out of the All-Star break, shrinking their division lead.

After scuffling a bit before the All-Star break, the Fresno Grizzlies continued to do so coming out of the break. In five games, the Grizzlies posted a 2-3 record, trimming their division lead to just 3.5 games.

Some positives from the week include the return of Brady Rodgers from Tommy John surgery, Yordan Alvarez’s first Triple-A homer and a hot streak from Derek Fisher.

Splitting Out of the Break

The Grizzlies opened a four-game road series at Tacoma with a 4-3 loss on Thursday. Cy Sneed lasted just 2.2 innings, allowing one run on one hit but walking six. Myles Straw went 4-for-5 with a pair of steals. Yordan Alvarez and Jamie Ritchie each hit solo homers for their first Triple-A home runs.

Fresno fell in the second game of the series on Friday by a score of 8-7. Mike Hauschild only recorded one out, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks. Derek Fisher hit a three-run homer, while Nick Tanielu had two hits and three RBIs. J.D. Davis went 3-for-4.

The Grizzlies rebounded on Saturday, winning 7-1. Trent Thornton pitched six innings of one-run ball, striking out six. A.J. Reed hit a two-run blast, while Taylor Jones added a solo shot. Fisher went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk.

Fresno salvaged a series split with a 5-3 victory on Sunday. In his first game back from Tommy John surgery, Brady Rodgers went 4.1 innings, giving up three runs on six hits. Brock Dykxhoorn earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings. Fisher hit a solo homer and walked twice, while Reed doubled twice and drew a walk.

Home Again, Home Again

The Grizzlies opened a four-game home series against Sacramento with a 4-3 loss on Monday. Rogelio Armenteros took a no-decision, tossing six innings of three-run ball. Davis drove in two, while Antonio Nunez went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Player of the Week: Derek Fisher

Tough call on a short week, but Fisher gets the nod here. He chipped in with two homers and five RBIs in the five games after the All-Star break. He also reached base safely in all five games, drawing five walks in the process.

In 37 Triple-A games, Fisher is slashing .252/.384/.481. He’s not quite putting up the numbers he did last year in Fresno, so there’s room for improvement. He’ll try to do just that as he works to get back to the big leagues.

Next: Astros send Tyler White down to AAA

What’s Next

The Grizzlies play three more against Sacramento through Thursday. Then they’ll hit the road to Albuquerque beginning on Friday, playing three full games plus a completion of the suspended game from June 3. Fresno sits at 54-40 on the season, now just 3.5 games ahead of Tacoma.