Astros Acquire Minor Leaguer Oyervidez, Release Gordon

Posted on April 11, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Wednesday, the Astros acquired Jose Oyervidez, who prepped at McAllen Rowe High, from the Padres for future considerations. Here is a summery of his history in the Padres:

Oyervidez went from the rookie league straight to Double-A – skipping two levels in the minors – before seeing his progression end during the past three seasons. Oyervidez had Tommy John surgery in 2004 that wiped out his entire season, then had to repair damage in his right elbow that ended his 2007 season with the San Antonio Missions after six starts on the mound.

Ricky Bennett seemed excited about the acquisition:

“He has a great arm,” Bennett said. “I think a guy can become stagnant when he stays in one (minor league) organization for so long. Our scouts are familiar with him, familiar with what he’s done in the past. And he has the makings of a good pitcher, and we got him with the intentions that he’ll be with us in the big leagues pretty soon. We think he has that type of potential.”

He is assigned to AA Corpus Christi and to make room on the roster, Brian Gordon is released.

Gordon, Minor Transactions, Oyervidez

Express On The Bus, CC Loses HR Derby, Salem Loses Late, Legends Continue To Struggle

Posted on April 11, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Round Rock:

The Express got rained out and their flight got canceled. They were like many other travelers impacted by American Airlines wiring inspections. So, the AAA boys got reminded of life at the lower levels with an 830 mile bus ride from Omaha.

We had to make a decision to just get on the bus,” said Express chief executive Reid Ryan.

The Austin Paper this morning has a story about Lance Niekro and growing up in the Astros’ clubhouse.

Reid Ryan recalled that Niekro, who had a surprisingly deep voice for a 6-year-old, once hunted down his father in the clubhouse. The young Niekro was on a mission to warn his dad to eat the clubhouse spread because mom was cooking meatloaf at home.

“Every time I look at Lance, I get a smile on my face,” Ryan said. “I think it would be a real neat story if he made it back to the big leagues.”

Av’s Win Late, RR & Lex Lose, Q Accepts Assignment

Posted on April 10, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Round Rock

The Express made the most of their 3 hits and 4 walks by scoring 3 runs but their pitchers gave up 10 hits, one walk and 4 runs in their loss to Omaha.

The catcher position is getting very deep in RR with the news that Humberto Quintero has accepted his assignment to RR. That gives them Q, recently signed Josh Paul, J. R. House, Joshua Johnson and James Goethals (inactive bullpen catcher). Something is going to have to happen soon.Read More

Minor Game Recap, Qualben

Matsui Rehab Begins in CC’s First Loss, Avs Win in 14, Lex Scores 13

Posted on April 9, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Salem

It took 14 innings but the Avs got the win. Koby Clemens went 3 for 6 at the plate, just a HR short of the cycle. The Blue Rocks were testing him on the base paths with 8 stolen base attempts. They were successful in 5. Jimmy Van Ostrand also went 3 for 6.

In the 11th and in the 13th, Wlad Sutil was at the plate with two outs and the go ahead run on 3rd. He struck out both times. The second strike out caused Avs play by play man, Jason Benetti to quip that the base runners were heard saying “You picked a fine time to leave us Sutil”.Read More

Clemens, James, Minor Game Recap, Sapp

CC Hooks Go To 5-0, Lex & RR Lose

Posted on April 8, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Corpus Christi

Hooks go to 5-0 with a 8-7 12 inning win over Arkansas. Rob Crosby hit a solo homer in the 9th to tie the game and Eli Iorg had the game winning hit in the 12th.

“We’ve just got a great bunch of great guys who like to play baseball hard and don’t like to lose,” Iorg said. “When that’s the feeling in the clubhouse and the dugout, you win games.”

The bullpen held the game in check for the late inning heroics. Brian Gordon, Ryan McKeller, Evan Englebrook and Chris Blazek combined for 8 innings of one run ball.

“I’ve got to give credit to the bullpen — they did a great job today,” manager Luis Pujols said. “That’s a hell of a job.

“We got some good pitching out of the bullpen and the hitters did a great job — they never gave up.”

Nieve Dominates, Hooks Win Again, Avs & Legends Lose

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Duman in From the Bus Stop

Lexington

Lexington lost the final game in Asheville 6-5 when their ninth inning rally came up short. The heart of the line up let the Legends down. Delome, Barnes and Sapp went 1 for 13 with 8 strike outs. Brandon Barnes wore the golden sombrero with 4 k’s.
Read More

Barnes, Minor game recaps, Nieve, Sheldon, Slamida