*The Astros got shutout for the first time this season with a 6-0 loss to Seattle yesterday. Charlie Morton was just alright, Tony Sipp did Tony Sipp things.
*James Paxton, in two starts against Houston this season: 13IP, 6H/0ER, 13K:3BB.
*A.J. Hinch is not worried about the worrisome offense, which is collectively hitting .232 with a .686 OPS:
We're going to be a good offensive club. This is eight games of a little bit of a roller coaster ride, but our offense won't be a problem.
No, see, we have to explain a roller-coaster now. This is not a roller-coaster. A roller-coaster ride of an offense would involve a couple of 10-run games with 14 hits. This is the Sheriff Callie's Wild Western Adventure roller-coaster, designed for toddlers to not throw up.
*Evan Gattis has been working on his plate discipline.
*Using Chris Devenski for 4+ innings comes with a price. Hinch:
I never planned on using him for that type of relief outing once, let alone twice in the first week. He's earned a couple days off.
*Check out FanGraphs' Top 21 Astros Prospects piece. It's NSFW, especially the write-up on Francis Martes.
*Book recommendation: Stacey May Fowles' "Baseball Life Advice." I kinda sorta know Stacey May, and you should definitely buy this book (and sign up for her newsletter).
On The Farm
*#1 prospect Francis Martes made his season debut for Fresno and threw 5IP, 5H/0ER, 3K:3BB, but a late five-run inning off a Reymin Guduan meltdown gave Reno the win. Rule 5 pick Jared Mortensen made his debut and threw 2IP, 1H/0ER, 1K:1BB. Derek Fisher and Tyler White hit homers.
*Corpus scored three early runs and held on for a 3-2 win over NW Arkansas. Brock Dykxhoorn and Joshua James each threw 4IP. Kevin Comer got the save. The Hooks were 1x13 w/RISP, but five hits and six walks generated enough for the win.
*Buies Creek improved to 5-0 with a 3-2 win over Myrtle Beach. Lefty pitcher and eventual Tony Sipp replacement Framber Valdez threw 4IP, allowing 1H/2R (0ER), 6K:4BB. Riley Ferrell got the save with 2K in 1IP. The BCA got RBIs from Jason Martin, Christian Correa, and Ryne Birk.
*Quad Cities' game against Peoria was postponed due to rain.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
