Jon Singleton has been named to the PCL All-Star team and will participate in Monday's AAA All-Star Game. Singleton, 23, has made a strong case this season to be called back up to Houston. Singleton spent all of 2014 with the Astros, hitting .251 with 14 homers and 56 runs batted in. This season, in Fresno, Jon is batting .263 with 15 long balls and 67 RBI.
The Astros took 2 of 3 from Tampa Bay to wrap up their pre-All-Star Break schedule on a positive note.
In game one the Astros went deep 4 times as Jose Altuve, George Springer, Chris Carter and Matt Dominguez all hit home runs.
Starter Alex White left after 4.2 innings with an undisclosed arm injury and was hit very hard, surrendering 4 runs on 10 hits. Darin Downs was credited with the win and Jesse Crain got his 25th save.
Asher Wojciechowski pitched well, but took the loss in game two. The rookie righty gave up just 3 hits in 6 innings but 2 of this his were homers that accounted for all 4 Rays runs.
In the finale, Jarred Cosart bounced back from consecutive bad starts to come one out from a complete game shutout. Cosart went the full 9 innings allowing just 1 run on 3 hits with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks. A two-out long ball in the 9th prevented the shutout.
Offensively, Jason Castro was the star. Castro went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. He also drive in two of Houston's runs, while scoring the other.
HOU 7-11-1
TB 4-11-0
HOU 1-3-0
TB 4-3-0
HOU 3-7-0
TB 1-3-0
MLB Standings through Thursday, July 16, 2015 (All-Star Break)
American League
East
Blue Jays 56-35
Rays 51-40
Red Sox 45-44
Orioles 44-44
Yankees 35-53
Central
Indians 48-41
Tigers 46-44
Royals 42-47
White Sox 36-52
Twins 34-55
West
Rangers 53-35
Astros 49-42
Mariners 44-45
Athletics 44-47
Angels 41-47
National League
East
Nationals 55-33
Marlins 50-39
Braves 49-40
Phillies 40-51
Mets 38-51
Central
Reds 49-40
Pirates 48-40
Cardinals 46-44
Brewers 44-46
Cubs 32-58
West
Dodgers 51-39
Diamondbacks 47-41
Padres 42-48
Rockies 41-48
Giants 39-50
Three Astros have been named to the American League All-Team.
Chris Carter, 28, is hitting .247 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI. Carter participated in Monday's Home Run Derby and lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Robinson Cano of Seattle.
George Springer, 25, was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2014 and is hitting .274 with 11 home runs and 48 RBI. Springer also leads the Majors with 7 Triples.
Jesse Crain, 33, is 1-3 with a 2.61 ERA and 25 saves. Crain recorded 47 saves for Houston last season, despite missing about a month.
The American League won the All-Star Game, 3-1, to secure home field advantage in the 2015 World Series.
The Anaheim Angels have acquired Jonathan Herrera from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a Kaleb Cowart.
3B Kaleb Cowart
Age 22 B/T S/R
OVR 67 POT C
2B Jonathan Herrera
Age 30 B/T S/R
OVR 75 POT C
.231, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 173 AB
Texas Rangers (53-35) vs Houston Astros (49-42)
July 17-19, 2015
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas
Probable Starters:
Game One - Friday 7:10 PM
Robbie Ross (8-4, 3.31) vs Brett Oberholtzer (4-8, 4.92)
Game Two - Saturday 1:10 PM
Derek Holland (4-4, 4.07) vs Jeff Locke (6-6, 4.63)
Game Three - Sunday 1:10 PM
Yu Darvish (8-3, 2.51) vs Alex White (7-5, 4.14)
Following a loss in the opener of the series with Texas (more on that when the series concludes), the Astros made a few moves that affected the Major League roster.
First, outfielder Robbie Grossman was placed on the 60-day DL after he fractured his right hand diving into first base on a pick off attempt during the aforementioned contest with the Rangers. Grossman is expected to miss 2 to 3 months, so his season may be done. He has hit .233 with 5 homers and 25 RBI in 249 at-bats to date this season.
To replace Grossman, the Astros recalled outfielder Alex Presley from AAA Fresno. Presley hit .280 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI in 75 at-bats with the Grizzlies. Prior to being sent down, Alex had 222 ABs with Houston this season and hit .207 with 5 long balls and 27 runs batted in.
Houston also optioned rookie pitcher Luis Cruz to AAA Fresno and manager Bo Porter announced that struggling starter Brett Oberholtzer would be taking over Cruz's role as a left-handed long reliever. Cruz was 2-5 with a 5.04 ERA in Houston and Oberholtzer is 4-9 with a 5.27 ERA this season.
To replace Cruz on the roster, and Oberholtzer in the rotation, the Astros recalled Mark Appel from AAA Fresno. Appel, a former number one overall pick, was 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA with the Grizzlies this season and the 23-year-old was 2-1 with a 2.31 earned run average last September.
A couple more trades to report.
The Royals acquired CF Denard Span from the Mariners for RP Aaron Crow.
RP Aaron Crow
Age 28 B/T R/R
78 OVR, B POT
3-2, 3.81 in 49.2 IP
CF Denard Span
Age 31 B/T L/L
79 OVR, C POT
.209, 5 HR, 21 RBI in 354 AB
The Rangers acquired SP Ethan Martin from the Phillies in exchange for 2B Jorge Polanco.
SP Ethan Martin
Age 25 B/T R/R
69 OVR, B POT
3-8, 5.25 in 104.2 IP in AAA
Assigned to AAA Round Rock
2B Jorge Polanco
Age 21 B/T S/R
68 OVR, C POT
.297, 5 HR, 19 RBI in AAA
Assigned to AAA Lehigh
Oakland acquired 1B Brandon Belt from the Giants for 1B Matt Olson.
1B Brandon Belt
Age 26 B/T L/L
80 OVR, B POT
.337, 5 HR, 18 RBI in 163 AB
1B Matt Olson
Age 21 B/T L/R
58 OVR, A POT
Assigned to AAA Sacramento
The Astros dropped 2 of 3 to the team they are chasing in the AL West, their instate rivals, the Texas Rangers.
George Springer went 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 RBI in leading a charge back from a 7-0 deficit that came up a run short in game one.
Brett Oberholtzer took his 9th loss as the lefty allowed 7 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings. The outing was the final straw for management as the Astros sent Oberholtzer to the bullpen, Luis Cruz to AAA Fresno and recalled Mark Appel from Fresno to take Brett's place in the rotation.
In game two Springer had 2 more RBI but Houston came up short again, 5-3.
Jeff Locke was the loser, falling to 6-7. The southpaw allowed 4 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings.
Stanley Knott went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles, an RBI and a run while Matt Dominguez hit a solo homer, his 6th, to lead the Astros to a 4-2 win in the series finale.
Alex White pitched 6 innings and surrendered just 2 runs on 7 hits but did not factor in the decision. Reliever JP Howell earned his 3rd win and closer Jesse Crain got the final two is 2 for his 26th save.
TEX 7-14-2
HOU 6-11-1
TEX 5-11-3
HOU 3-9-0
TEX 2-9-1
HOU 4-8-0
Following Sunday's game, Astros manager Bo Porter announced that the club would option outfielder Domingo Santana back to AAA Fresno and would call up first baseman Jon Singleton.
Singleton was named to the PCL All-Star team after a stellar first half of the season while Santana was hitting just .186 with 2 long balls and 7 RBI in 43 at-bats with Houston.
Porter went on to say that Singleton would get the majority of the time at first base and that All-Star Chris Carter would be playing the corner outfield positions.
The Astros are off on Monday and will conclude their 6-game home stand with 3 games against the Boston Red Sox beginning Tuesday.
AL West Standings through Monday, July 20, 2015
Rangers 55-37
Astros 50-44
Mariners 46-47
Athletics 46-47
Angels 43-48
2015 Houston Astros Team Leaders
Triples
Springer 7
Fowler 3
Castro 2
Hechavarria 2
Innings Pitched
Cosart 126.2
White 110.1
Oberholtzer 109.1
Locke 109.0
Boston Red Sox (47-46) vs Houston Astros (50-44)
July 21-23, 2015
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas
Probable Starters:
Game One - Tuesday 7:10 PM
Jake Peavy (8-4, 3.96) vs Mark Appel (NR, 0.00)
Game Two - Wednesday 7:10 PM
Henry Owens (3-8, 5.19) vs Jarred Cosart (9-5, 3.55)
Game Three - Thursday 1:10 PM
Jon Lester (9-5, 2.57) vs Jeff Locke (6-7, 4.71)
The Astros finished up their dreadful 2-4 home stand by losing 2 of 3 to the Boston Red Sox.
In the opener Houston lost despite 4 homers as Jon Singleton hit one out in his first plate appearance of the season. Joining him were George Springer, Alex Presley and Matt Dominguez.
Mark Appel was roughed up in his season debut, lasting just 4.2 innings. Appel allowed 9 hits and 6 runs (4 earned) but did not get a decision. The loss ultimately went to Scott Atchison who fell to 4-1.
Jarred Cosart won his 10th game as the Astros beat Boston 4-2 in game 2. Cosart went 7.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits.
Chris Carter hit career home run number 100 in the victory.
Carter and shortstop Carlos Correa each homered in the finale but the Astros were 8-5 losers.
Josh Fields took the loss in relief of Jeff Locke. Locke surrendered 4 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings of work for Houston.
BOS 9-15-0
HOU 7-8-1
BOS 2-5-1
HOU 4-3-0
BOS 8-11-1
HOU 5-9-1
The Astros will play a 3-game weekend series in Kansas City before returning home next week.
AL West Standings through Thursday, July 23, 2015
Rangers 57-37
Astros 51-46
Mariners 48-48
Athletics 48-49
Angels 44-51
Last edited by steelerfan; 05-14-2015 at 11:27 PM.
Houston Astros (51-46) vs Kansas City Royals (43-52)
July 24-26, 2015
Kauffman Stadium - Kansas City, Missouri
Probable Starters:
Game One - Friday 7:10 PM
Alex White (7-5, 4.08) vs James Shields (13-2, 2.17)
Game Two - Saturday 7:10 PM
Asher Wojciechowski (5-3, 5.10) vs Jason Vargas (5-7, 4.51)
Game Three - Sunday 1:10 PM
Mark Appel (0-0, 7.71) vs Tyler Thornburg (3-8, 5.29)
Damn! A bit of a cold streak hey buddy? Those losses to the Rangers hurt. Let's hope you rebound nicely against KC.
I've been struggling since Dexter Fowler went down. I think I'm 14-20 since that injury and I was 38-28 to that point. Fowler was hitting .295 with 8 HR, 32 RBI, 5 SB a .356 OBP and 1.000 F%. That has proven impossible to replace.Originally Posted by jaymo76
Add to Fowler going down, Robbie Grossman went down too which further depleted my outfield.
The good news is that Fowler is due back in 1-2 weeks.
Houston lost a third consecutive series since the All-Star Break, dropping 2 of 3 in Kansas City.
In game one Chris Carter hit his 20th bomb of the season as the Astros were 9-4 winners, pounding out 6 extra base hits as a team.
Starter Alex White earned his 8th win, going 5 innings and allowing 4 runs on 7 hits.
Matt Dominguez went 4 for 5 with a double and 2 runs in the second game but Houston fell, 7-4.
Asher Wojciechowski was chased from the game early, lasting just 2.1, innings after allowing 5 runs on 10 hits as the rookie saw his record fall to 5-4.
The good news from game three was that Mark Appel got a quality start. Appel pitched 6 innings and allowed just 2 runs on 7 hits with 5 strikeouts.
The bad news was that the Astros were shutout.
HOU 9-13-0
KC 4-10-1
HOU 4-9-2
KC 7-12-2
HOU 0-5-0
KC 2-9-0
AL West Standings through Monday, July 27, 2015
Rangers 59-39
Astros 52-48
Mariners 50-50
Athletics 49-51
Angels 46-52
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (46-52) vs Houston Astros (52-48)
July 28-30, 2015
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas
Probable Starters:
Game One - Tuesday 7:10 PM
Jered Weaver (7-5, 2.75) vs Jarred Cosart (10-5, 3.42)
Game Two - Wednesday 7:10 PM
CJ Wilson (7-7, 3.12) vs Jeff Locke (6-7, 4.82)
Game Three - Thursday 1:10 PM
Garrett Richards (5-7, 3.26) vs Alex White (8-5, 4.21)
Big news following the Astros 2-1 win in the opener of their 3-game series at Minute Maid Park with the Angels. Houston announced that they have completed a 6-player deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Astros have traded the prospects: 1B MP Cokinos, SP Keith Dolan and SP Josh Hader to the Phillies for LF Dominic Brown and minor leaguers RF Cord Sandberg and 1B Chris Serritella.
1B MP Cokinos
Age 25 B/T R/R
63 OVR, C POT
Assigned to AAA Lehigh
SP Keith Dolan
Age 18 B/T R/R
55 OVR, B POT
Assigned to AA Reading
SP Josh Hader
Age 21 B/T L/L
67 OVR, B POT
Assigned to AAA Lehigh
LF Dominic Brown
Age 27 B/T L/L
83 OVR, B POT
.333, 13 HR, 38 RBI in 258 AB with Philadelphia
RF Cord Sandberg
Age 20 B/T L/L
53 OVR, C POT
Assigned to A Lancaster
1B Chris Serritella
Age 24 B/T L/R
52 OVR, D POT
Assigned to AA Corpus Christi
To make room on the Major League roster, the Astros optioned outfielder Delino DeShields to AAA Fresno. DeShields hit .257 with 6 RBI in 70 AB in Houston.
Sad to see Deshields departure. Looks like you need to shake things up though. Out of curiosity is Cord Sandberg related to Ryne Sandberg?
I don't think he is. His dad did play in the Red Sox organization though.
As for DeShields, he was simply sent back to the minors. He was not traded.
Houston lost a fourth consecutive series and fell to 15-22 since Dexter Fowler went on the DL as the Angels won 2 of 3 at Minute Maid Park.
Matt Dominguez and Jose Altuve each hit a solo homer in the opener and the Astros managed a 2-1 win.
Jarred Cosart allowed the Angels only run as he went 7 strong innings and gave up 6 hits. However, Mike Foltynewicz earned his serving win out of the pen and Jesse Crain shut the door for save number 27.
Crain turned right around and lost game 2 after Jeff Locke allowed just 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits in 7 innings of work. The Astros lost 5-3 in 10 innings.
The Astros could muster just 2 hits and were shutout in game 3, 3-0. Alex White took the loss after a quality start. White went 6 innings and surrendered 2 runs on 5 hits with 7 strikeouts and 3 walks.
Also of note, Dominic Brown has gone 0 for 7 at the plate since joining the Astros before game 2. On a positive note Brown did fly out to the warning track 3 times and he has turned in a pair of nice performances in the field.
LAA 1-7-0
HOU 2-6-2
LAA 5-7-1
HOU 3-7-2
LAA 3-8-0
HOU 0-2-1
Houston third baseman Matt Dominguez was responsible for 4 of the club's 5 errors in the series.
The Astros will close the month of July and begin the month of August with a 3-game weekend series with the Arizona Diamondbacks before they hit the road for 9 games.
Arizona Diamondbacks (54-47) vs Houston Astros (53-50)
July 31 - August 2, 2015
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas
Probable Starters:
Game One - Friday 7:10 PM
Brandon McCarthy (8-6, 2.26) vs Asher Wojciechowski (5-4, 5.54)
Game Two - Saturday 7:10 PM
Kyle Zimmer (3-2, 4.43) vs Mark Appel (0-1, 5.06)
Game Three - Sunday 1:10 PM
Wade Miley (8-2, 2.89) vs Jarred Cosart (10-5, 3.31)
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