Astros Minor League Update - games of August 2, 2005

AAA: Round Rock 6, Salt Lake 1
- Carlos Hernandez pitched 5 good innings, and Luke Scott added 3 more hits for the Express (though he did get picked off 3rd base). Todd Self had another multi-hit game as well. Carlos went 5 innings (being held to 65 pitches), allowing 4 hits and a single run, while striking out 3 and walking zero. The Express took 3 out of 4 from the team with the best record in the PCL and climbed within 1 game of division leader Albuquerque. Should Timmy P send Astacio and Wandy down to help the Express' pennant chances?

AA: San Antonio 10, Corpus Christi 4
- The only offensive bright spot was DH Carlos Rodriguez, who provided 3 hits, including his 9th home run. In 293 plate appearances, C-Rod has walked an astounding six (6) times. That makes Wily Mo Pena look selective. The Twins originally drafted Rodriguez in the 38th round of the 2004 draft, and the Astros signed him during this offseason. Charlton Jimerson struck out once, bringing his season count to 110. The Hooks led 4-3 with two outs in the seventh, and the bullpen proceeded to allow 7 runs before retiring 7 batters. Most of the damage came off of reliever Jamie Merchant. SS Tommy Whiteman was re-promoted to AAA Round Rock prior to the game.

High A: Salem 6, Winston-Salem 3
- SP Matt Albers turned in a rare solid performance, and 1B Scott Robinson, RF Ervin Alcantara, DH Pat Peavey and C Kevin Davidson all provided multiple hits for the Hooks. The win propelled the Avalanche to a 1 game lead in the standings over the Winston-Salem Warthogs. Albers' win was his first in 10 starts.

Low A: Lexington 11, Kannapolis 0
- Jimmy Barthmaier provided the pitching, with 5 one-hit, shutout innings and 8 strikeouts. Francisco "Frankie" Caraballo provided 3 hits, 3 RBI and his 19th home run, and CF Wallace "Beau" Torbert went 5-5 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI to pace the Legends. Caraballo was recently named the South Atlantic League's Batter of the Week after successfully (and dramatically) emerging from an 0-22 slump.

Short Season: Tri-City 6, New Jersey 2
- Brian Bogusevic pitched 2 scoreless innings to earn his first professional save, and starter Felipe Paulino Del Guidice pitched 4 good innings to help the Valley Cats earn a win.

Rookie: Greenville had the night off.