We got to see a little more out of some minor leaguers today, including a few mid-teen-ranked prospects.
Mycal Jones replaced Jason Heyward in the sixth and played center, but again he didn't see much action. He walked in the eighth off Fernando Rodriguez. (How many pitchers named Rodriguez do the Astros have?)
Tyler Pastornicky entered in the game in the sixth as a pinch runner for Alex Gonzalez. He picked up the first out in the seventh and also started a double play. He flew out against Rodriguez in the eighth. He also started the game-ending double play in the ninth.
Wilkin Ramirez tripled off Henry Villar in the seventh. Ramirez definitely has great speed, if only he could get on base more. Fellow outfield reserve Jose Constanza followed Ramirez's triple with a pop out to third, which is never what you want. Brent Clevlen followed with a groundout that scored Ramirez. Boo points for Constanza.
I mentioned it on the main recap, but Brandon Hicks went 2-3 with two RBI, driving in both runs on a double off Wandy Rodriguez. It's good to see Hicks getting work at third, and it's even better to see him rake like this. If only it was more often.
On the mound, Cory Gearrin went single, walk, single to the middle of the Houston lineup in the fifth before hitting a batter to bring home a run. He did induce a double play to end the inning, but Gearrin was a little shaky in his first outing.
Anthony Varvaro allowed back-to-back singles with one out in the sixth, but he got out of it with two straight outs against minor leaguers. Juan Abreu allowed a one-out single in the seventh but induced a double play.
Brett Oberholtzer pitched a perfect eighth with two flyouts and a groundout. He allowed consecutive singles to start the ninth, but he induced a double play and got a pop out to end the game, all against minor leaguers.
Stock:
Obviously, Hicks gets the gold star today. Pastornicky looked good in his limited time, but it's too soon there.
It's also too soon with the minor league pitchers who saw action today.