All systems go as Space Cowboys claim first PCL crown

The Space Cowboys can now officially claim to be "over the moon."

For the first time in its four-year affiliate history, Triple-A Sugar Land are champions after sweeping its way to the Pacific Coast League crown with a 5-2 win over Reno on Wednesday night at Constellation Field. It's the first title for an Astros' Triple-A affiliate since Fresno won the PCL crown in 2015.

The Space Cowboys now await the winner of the International League Finals between Columbus and Omaha, which will conclude with a decisive third game on Thursday night.

The IL champ will face Sugar Land in the Triple-A National Championship Game on Saturday night at Las Vegas Ballpark, which will air live on MLB Network at 10:09 p.m. ET/9:09 p.m. CT.

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"The last couple years, we've really fought," Sugar Land manager Mickey Storey told MLB.com's Kenny Van Doren. "But to get these guys back to experiencing this and feel what it feels like to win and celebrate winning and to be a part of some special ... it's been an unbelievable year."

Pedro León (HOU No. 21) kicked off the scoring in the first inning with a two-run homer, the first of three Sugar Land roundtrippers in the game. Back-to-back jacks by Trey Cabbage -- his second in as many games -- and Cooper Hummel doubled the lead to 4-0 in the third, which was more than enough for the Space Cowboys' hurlers.

Miguel Ullola (HOU No. 7) blanked Reno over four frames, allowing a pair of hits and walks with five strikeouts. D-backs' No. 14 prospect Adrian Del Castillo went deep for the second straight night to get the Aces on the board during a two-run sixth, but the quartet of Logan VanWey, Forrest Whitley, Luis Contreras and Wander Suero combined for 3 2/3 scoreless frames to deliver the title to the Space Cowboys.

Fittingly, it was Suero who locked down the save for Sugar Land, thereby recording the last out of the Pacific Coast League year. The veteran reliever has parts of six Major League seasons under his belt, but found tremendous success as the club's closer in 2024, setting the single-season PCL saves record (37) during the regular season.

"When you're matched up against a team like Reno, you're gonna have to play really good baseball," Storey said. "And we knew we were the best team, but we still had to continue to prove it."

The victory capped a record-setting season for Sugar Land, which went a Minor League-best 93-56 after finishing last in the 10-team PCL with a 61-89 record in 2023. Although the club ranked in the middle of the circuit in most offensive categories, it did feature a trio of 20-home run hitters in Shay Whitcomb (HOU No. 14), Jesús Bastidas and León.

Whitcomb and León both hit the 90-RBI plateau, while Bastidas finished with 89.

The Space Cowboys pitching staff surrendered just four runs and nine hits in the two-game sweep, a continuation of their strong regular season. The club paced the offensive-minded PCL by yielding a .246 average and logging a 4.41 ERA, while its 1,379 strikeouts were second best on the circuit.

A.J. Blubaugh (HOU No. 9) paced the club with 12 wins, while Ryan Gusto was tops in ERA (3.70) and strikeouts (141), setting the club's single-season K record.

"[The players] continued to show up every day," Storey said. "One win wasn't enough, 50 wins wasn't enough, 93 wins wasn't enough. We wanted to continue to show people every day that this was more than just a Triple-A team who had a good season. This was a special group.

"It's a testament to the clubhouse. The leaders continued to push the other guys. They were on a mission."