I will make this quick. Want offensive reinforcements?? Well, you're out of luck. Corpus and Fresno both scored one run apiece, and therefore offense was not a prominent feature of the day within the upper minors of the Astros system. The bats have been cool lately, which kind of puts the usefulness of this column in jeopardy.
Corpus: You already know how many runs Corpus scored. Sadly, the RoughRiders (48-63) scored four of them, and therefore Corpus lost. Randy César - who now now has naming rights to this column - celebrated by going 0-3 with a walk. The Corpus lineup also featured something called a "Carlos Correa", who is apparently pretty good, but just not in this game (0-3, 2K).
What Hooks did perform well on the offensive side of the ledger?? No one in any danger of being called up, sadly. Corner outfielder Chas McCormick went 2-3 with a walk, and middle infielder Alex De Goti went 2-4, but left three on base. Corner infielder Abraham Toro had the Hooks' only extra base hit of the night (1-4 with a double). Stephen Wrenn walked twice (0-2).
On the rubber, Brock Dykxhoorn was touched up for 3 runs (2 earned) in four-and-one-third. He struck out three, walked two, and allowed 4 hits (all singles). Akeem Bostick pitched the last three-and-two-thirds, allowing one run on 3 hits, and striking out three.
Tomorrow, Brandon Bielak takes the ball for Corpus. Carlos Correa breaks out. Randy César goes 4 for 4 with 4HR. You read it here first.
Fresno: As y'already know, Frisco did not exactly belt the cover off the ball, either. After his 4-4 night last night, Garrett Stubbs DH'd and led off, and went 0-4. Jack Mayfield had two of Frisco's five hits (2-4) and their only extra base hit (a double). AJ Reed went 1-2 with a walk. Yordan Alvarez went 0-3 with an RBI, scoring Kyle Tucker (0-3, BB). Nick Tanielu and Myles Straw both went 1-4.
Rogelio Armenteros pitched five scoreless innings, but it was not pretty. He allowed 4 hits and 4 walks, but struck out 6. That effort took 91 pitches, but at least it was a bend-not-break effort. Dean Deetz followed with 2 scoreless (1 walk, 4K's), but Reymin Guduan (0.1IP, 1H, 1R/ER, 1BB, 1K) blew the lead before Brandan McCurry (1.1IP, 3K, 1R/ER, BB, 2K) blew the game.
Toeing the rubber for the Grizzlies tomorrow is Brady Rodgers, who has struggled in his return from injury. Frankie Montas takes the bump for the Sounds.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith