Astros: Round Rock Recap Apr 29 – May 5: Rainouts galore

The Houston Astros‘ Triple-A affiliate Round Rock Express had three games postponed or suspended by rain this week.

The Round Rock Express had quite the uneven week with three games either postponed or suspended by rain, resulting in two doubleheaders. The games on April 29 and 30 against Oklahoma City were postponed, with the first game made up as part of a twin billing on May 1. The game scheduled for April 30 will be made up on July 5.

Friday’s series opener at San Antonio was suspended, with the game completed on Sunday prior to the day’s regular game. Overall, the team posted a 4-2 record behind some impressive offensive performances, which marks an improvement from last week’s 3-3 record.

Worth the Wait

After two days of rainouts, Round Rock finally opened the series at Oklahoma City with a 12-5 win in seven innings in Wednesday’s first game. Akeem Bostick earned the win despite surrendering five runs in five innings. Yordan Alvarez had four hits, including two doubles and three RBIs. Derek Fisher went deep among his three hits and three RBIs, and Drew Ferguson drove in three runs on one hit and three walks.

The Express completed a sweep of the doubleheader with a 9-3 win in seven innings in Wednesday’s game two. Ryan Hartman improved to 3-0 on the year behind five innings of three-run ball. Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a homer, a walk, and three RBIs. Alex De Goti had two hits, including a first-inning grand slam.

The bats were alive again as Round Rock capped off the series with a 10-4 win on Thursday in ten innings. Cionel Perez started the game and gave up three runs in 2.1 innings, while Corbin Martin tossed 4.1 scoreless innings in relief. Kyle Tucker finished a triple shy of the cycle and drove in six. Alvarez went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a walk to raise his batting average above .400.

Remember the Alvarez

Following Friday’s opener at San Antonio being suspended, the Express won Saturday’s game 11-4. Brady Rodgers improved to 3-0, hurling seven innings of one-run ball. Tucker had four hits, including a homer, and two RBIs. Taylor Jones homered and drove in four, while Nick Tanielu went deep and drove in three. Alvarez went 3-for-4 with a walk, improving his average to .418.

In the completion of Friday’s game, Round Rock lost 10-9 after surrendering three runs in the ninth inning. Rogelio Armenteros lasted just three innings but was effective, allowing one run and striking out six. Forrest Whitley, however, allowed five runs in just 0.2 innings of relief, bringing his ERA to 10.43. Tucker homered again and walked twice, while Jones added a three-run blast.

The Express bats went cold in Sunday’s finale as San Antonio triumphed 6-1. Cy Sneed took the loss, giving up five runs in two innings. De Goti’s solo homer provided the offense as the team managed just four hits. Alvarez went 0-for-2 with a walk, dropping his average to .402.

Players of the Week: Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker

We could just call this spot the Yordan Alvarez Watch since he’s on it every week. The young lefty continues to mash Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .402/.496/.876 line thus far. He’s hit an even .500 in his last 10 games and has 37 RBIs in 27 games. The man is just unconscious right now.

Tucker got off to a horrid start and was still hitting .167 following Wednesday’s game. Then he erupted for eight hits, three homers and nine RBIs over the next three games. He still has some work to do to improve the overall numbers but he’s showing why he’s still considered a top prospect.

What’s Next

The Express will attempt to salvage a series split in Monday’s finale against San Antonio. Then they travel to Omaha for four games before returning home to face Oklahoma City beginning on Saturday. Round Rock sits at 17-12 on the season, one-half game ahead of San Antonio in the PCL American Southern Division.

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