Astros Minor League Report - Games of August 29

AAA: Albuquerque 11, Round Rock 1
The Express failed to gain ground in their pennant chase as Brandon Duckworth and Taylor Buchholz were both shelled in Albuquerque. Royce Huffman, Todd Self and Cha-Cha each picked up two hits in the loss. Luke Scott is now a big leaguer for the second time, as the Astros called him up yesterday and released Chad "Stuff" Harville. Also, Brian McTaggart noted in his Chronicle Minor League Notebook Tuesday that Fernando Nieve is lost for the season due to an emergency appendectomy and Carlos Hernandez continues his quest to be traded to the AL by obtaining yet another injury on the basepaths, this time a pulled quadricep.

AA: Midland 6, Corpus Christi 5
The Hooks lost a thriller at home to Midland to fall one game behind the division leaders. The Hooks gave up three runs in the top of the ninth to fall behind 6-1, but rallied four runs in the bottom ninth only to lose by one run. Brandon Backe allowed two hits and two runs in three innings on his first rehab start, and newly acquired Joshua Miller kept Corpus in the game with five great innings of relief. Marc Saccomanno had three hits, and Mike Rodriguez and Josh Anderson kept up their hot streaks with two hits apiece, but it was not enough.

As for Backe, the Caller reports that he was hitting 93-94 with his fastball and claimed to fell great after the game. A fresh, healthy Backe would certainly be a boost for the Astros at the plate, not to mention on the mound. The Hooks hopes for the playoffs fall to ace Jason Hirsh tonight in the series' second game.

High A: Winston-Salem 6, Salem 0
Between his recent pitching performances and his work in Heartbreakers, Ray Liotta's image is sure to haunt the Avalanche's minds for months and years to come. Liotta shut the 'Lanche down for six innings last night to help the Warthogs push a half-game ahead of Salem in the standings. Matt Albers had five rough innings pitched for Salem.

Low A: Lexington 9, Lake County 5
Ronnie Martinez ran his record to 12-3 with a win last night for the Legends. Beau Torbert continued his ridiculous run with four more hits, including a double, a HR and three runs scored. In his last six games, Beau Torbert's gone 13 for 24 with four HR, three doubles and 12 RBI. Lou Santangelo and Justin Humprhies also homered for the Legends.

Short Season A: Tri-City 9, Lowell 4
Not much to mention here other than Brian Bogusevic continued his campaign to be moved to the OF by allowing two more runs in 1 2/3 innings pitched to run his season ERA to 6.63. Don't fret though, Astros fans, as Brian McTaggart's notebook also quoted Astros director of player development Ricky Bennett as saying that the Astros were happy with "the way he interacts with his teammates." In lieu of a separate post, I'll go ahead and award that with the Chronicle Highlight of the Day award.

Rookie: Greenville 10, Pulaski 5
Legends' fans should be excited about next season's team, as current Rookie-ball sensations Eli Iorg and Josh Flores should be opening the 2006 campaign in Lexington. Iorg homered twice and Flores homered once for the Astros in their rout of the Jays. Iorg went 3-5 on the night and drove in seven runs.