I will try and help out by doing the PreStros, so that the Constable can continue his excellent analysis of all things Astro. And go shopping for real estate.
Summary
* 2-2 on the day, with the A-ball levels winning. Overall record 114-98
* Oklahoma City gave up two single runs and lost, 2-0
* Corpus Christi gave up two single runs and lost, 2-0
* Lancaster won, thanks to a 4-run 7th.
* Quad Cities scored often, and won handsomely over the Snappers, despite giving up 5.
Oklahoma City (29-25)
While the Astros were sweeping the Royals, their respective AAA affiliates were also locked in battle. However, Oklahoma City lost the second consecutive game of a 4-game home series to the Omaha Storm Chasers (26-26). Very tight game, with the only scoring being single runs in the top of the eight and ninth innings, with Omaha coming out the eventual winners 2-0.
Rubber: Rudy Owens got the start, and was dominant over his 6.2 innings of work: 4H, 7K, no runs. He recorded a lot of flyouts (2:7) in his best outing of 2014. He was relieved by Josh Zied, who wore the loss (1IP, 2H, 1R/ER, BB). Kevin Chapman gave up an unearned run (1.1IP, H, R, 0ER, 2BB, K).
Plate: Oklahoma was held to three hits (none of the extra-base variety) and five walks. Leading the charge was L.J. Hoes (2-3, BB) and Jon Singleton (0-2, 2BB). Austin Wates got the other hit (1-4).
The abovementioned three were shoe-horned in to the top three places in the order. Batting at 4 was Domingo Santana, who had a tough night: 0-4, 3K.
Man of the Match: Rudy Owens picked a bad night to dominate. But he outlasted his counterpart (Clayton Mortensen, 5IP), and didn't record the loss.
Corpus Christi (27-25)
Deja vu all over again. Corpus lose 2-0 to a 25-26 Arkansas squad, being held to three hits. Queue cut-and-paste from above....
Rubber: Starting for the Hooks was Brady Rodgers, who went five, throwing 78 pitches. He wore the loss, with a final line of 5IP, 3H, R/ER, BB, K. One of the three hits was a solo home run, hit by Zach Zaneski. Travis Bellow relieved: 2IP, H, R/ER, 2BB, K. Andrew Robinson finished the game scorelessly: 2IP, 2K.
Plate: Not much to write about here. Again (just like above), 3 singles, 5 walks. Hits to Delino DeShields (1-3, BB, CS), Joe Sclafani (1-3, BB) and Chris Epps (2-1).
Man of the Match: At least Delino DeShields was on base twice. Although the caught-stealing mitigated one of those on-base threats. So Joe Sclafani wins MoTM.
Lancaster (32-22)
Lancaster scored 4 in the seventh inning to record an away win over Lake Elsinore (also 32-22). The final score was 6-2.
Rubber: Kent Emanuel had his strongest Hi-A start: 5IP, 3H, R/ER, 4K. For that, he was rewarded with the win. Then, Lance McCullers Jr relieved, and was awarded the save: 4IP, 3H, R/ER, 3BB, 6K. Both pitchers kept the ball on the ground (9-3 combined ratio). Combined 10 strikeouts versus three walks could also be considered impressive.
Plate: Carlos Correa had a top night: 3-4, 2B, HR, 4RBI, R, SB. Batting immediately before him, Ruben Sosa (3-4, RBI, R, SB) also did well. Batting immediately before him was Anthony Kemp (2-4, BB, 3R). Further down the order (7-hole or something), Conrad Gregor had a nice game (2-4, CS).
Man of the Match: Carlos Correa, who showed some power.
Quad Cities (26-26)
The River Bandits return to .500 with a 9-5 victory over the Beloit Snappers (23-29). Both teams put up a crooked number in the first, and scored three in the fifth, but the River Bandits also scored in the 4th, 6th and 7th to run out 9-5 winners.
Rubber: Chris Lee started, and gave up 100% of the River Bandits' runs: 4.2IP, 7H, 5R/ER, 2BB, 6K, 2HR. His line was probably unfairly influenced by the 2-run home run in the first, and the three-run home run in the fifth. However, those things happened, and the five runs given up is a permanent etching in his record.
The relief was nails, but gave the Snappers plenty of opportunities. Patrick Christensen (2.1IP, 1H, 3BB, 2K) and Andrew Walter (2IP, H, BB, 2K) combined to allow 6 base runners in 4.1IP, but none of them scored. Christensen earned the win.
Plate: Chan Moon highlighted the offence of the River Bandits, with a 4-steal game. His overall line was 3-5, R, RBI, 4SB. Ronnie Mitchell was frikking awesome (3-3, HR, 2RBI, 2R). Brett Phillips went 2-4, 2RBI, 2R. Chase McDonald went 1-3, HR, 3RBI, R. Thomas Lindauer contributed down at the bottom of the order: 1-2, 2BB, 2B, RBI, R.
Man of the Match: I like a combined effort from Chan Moon and Ronnie Mitchell. Awesome nights.
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-Hal Smith
