Class A Tri-City pact extended

The Astros announced a two-year extension of their player development contract with shortseason Class A Tri-City on Saturday, taking their partnership through the 2018 season. It’s the third extension through 2018 the team has announced recently, with the ValleyCats joining Class AAA Fresno and low Class A Quad Cities.

Tri-City is the Astros’ longest-tenured affiliate, forming the partnership in 2001 after the franchise spent 23 years as an affiliate with the Mets.