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Game Notes, June 7 vs. Midland

June 7, 2012 - Texas League (TL) Corpus Christi Hooks

Midland (31-26) @ Corpus Christi (27-30)

The Midland RockHounds only scored in the seventh inning of last night's game. That's all they needed. Dusty Coleman's grand slam home run capped a six-run top of the seventh, as the RockHounds captured the opening game of this series 6-3. Coleman's slam was his second this season and the fifth by a RockHound. It was the third slam given up by the Hooks and the second allowed by reliever Josh Zeid.

That fateful seventh inning began with three consecutive singles off Hooks starter Jose Cisnero (2-6), who was working on a two-hit shutout through six innings. Cisnero struck out 10 and walked only one, but those singles in the seventh proved to be his undoing. Midland starter Shawn Haviland (4-4) allowed one run over six innings and collected the win.

Tonight's Matchup:

RHP Murphy Smith (4-2, 2.88) vs. LHP Brett Oberholtzer (3-3, 5.02)

Smith, selected by the A's in the 13th round of the 2009 draft out of Binghamton (NY) University, makes his 12th appearance and ninth start of the season for Midland. Last Friday at home against Northwest Arkansas, Smith held the Naturals to a run on seven hits and three walks over five innings in an 8-4 Midland win. The result halted Smith's personal two-game losing streak. Smith enters the fray tonight with the third-best ERA in the Texas League. Smith spent all last year with Stockton in the California League, where in 26 games and 24 starts he posted a 6-9 record with 1 save and a 3.94 ERA.

- Holding TL hitters to a .243 average and has a 1.63 GO/AO ratio

- In 2 starts against the Hooks is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA

- Named America East Conference Pitcher of the Year his junior season (2009) when he went 7-3 with a 3.12 in 14 starts for the Bearcats

Oberholtzer, acquired by the Astros last July in the Michael Bourn deal with Atlanta, makes his 11th start for the Hooks and his third against the RockHounds. Friday at Dickey-Stephens Park, Oberholtzer held the Travelers to one unearned run on seven hits and two walks over six innings in Corpus Christi's 3-1 victory - Oberholtzer's second win in his last three starts. The lefty has worked exactly six innings in each of his last three outings and in that time is 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA. Oberholtzer has issued three or fewer walks in each of his last nine starts. A Southern League All-Star with Mississippi last year, Oberholtzer is listed as the No. 7 prospect in the Astros system according to Baseball America.

- Has a 1.52 GO/AO ratio in 9 starts with the Hooks

- Made his AAA debut for OKC at Albuquerque April 30 (5.1-7-4-4-1-3, L)

- Has allowed 10 HRs in 57.1 innings with the Hooks (just 19 HRs allowed in 395.0 IP in first 4 yrs. as a pro)

7th Inning

Up until last night the Hooks had been very stingy with runs allowed in the seventh inning of games this season. Through the club's first 56 games, the Hooks had allowed just 16 runs in the seventh, and had outscored their opponents in that frame 32-16. Midland scored all six of its runs last night in the seventh, giving opponents a total of 22 runs in the seventh this year.

Even with last night's outburst, the seventh inning remains the best stanza for the Hooks this year in terms of run differential. The Hooks are now up 34-22 (+12) in the seventh this season. Corpus Christi's worst inning is the sixth, where the Hooks are down 47-28 (-19).

Last night's result also marked the first time this season that the Hooks lost a game when leading after six innings. The Hooks had a 1-0 lead going into the seventh. Corpus Christi is now 18-1 this year when leading after six frames.

Running game on hold

Corpus Christi's last stolen base came last Thursday at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Hooks have not stolen a base in the last five games, the longest stretch without a steal by the club this season. Despite this recent drought, the Hooks continue to lead the Texas League with 61 steals for the year.

Aliotti en fuego

Midland 1B/DH Anthony Aliotti went 2-for-3 last night with a walk and a run. His first-inning single extended his current consecutive games on-base streak to 24, the second longest streak in the Texas League this season. The longest streak (50 games) belongs to Frisco shortstop Jurickson Profar, who reached base in every game he played from April 7 through June 2.

Aliotti separated himself from teammate Conner Crumbliss and Corpus Christi's Jose Martinez with his effort last night. Crumbliss and Martinez are now tied for the third-longest on-base streak in the league this year at 23 games. In his current 24-game streak, which began back on May 7, Aliotti has a .439 on-base percentage.

Fi-do Slamma Jamma?

Okay, bit of stretch, we'll concede. But someone needs to make mention of the fact that of the 12 grand slams that have been hit in the Texas League this season, the RockHounds have five of them. Coleman now has two, tying him with Michael Spina. Jeremy Barfield has the other Midland slam. The only other teams in the league with more than one slam are the Hooks (2) and Tulsa (2).

On the giving side, the Arkansas Travelers lead the circuit with four slams allowed. The Hooks and Cardinals are next in line with three each.

Pitching Rotation vs. Midland

Friday: RHP Sonny Gray (1-4, 4.19) vs. RHP Jake Buchanan (3-4, 5.02)

Saturday: RHP Gary Daley (6-3, 5.30) vs. RHP Jarred Cosart (3-3, 4.09)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Adam Bailey

- Added to roster May 30 from Advanced-A Lancaster

- Hits min 4 of the last 5 games, 5-18 with 3 doubles, 1 HR, 3 runs and 3 RBIs

- In 47 games with the JetHawks was batting .279 (50x179) with 13 doubles, 8 HRs and 25 RBIs (also with 2 SBs)

- Broke camp with the Hooks and homered in exhibition loss to Houston April 2

- In 23 games at the end of last season with the Hooks hit .323 with 7 doubles, 3 HRs and 15 RBIs

- A 23rd-round pick of the Astros in 2010 out of the University of Nebraska

Jay Fernandez

- Hits in 5 of his last 7 games, 6-23 with 2 doubles, 1 HR, 1 run and 4 RBIs

- Has a career caught-stealing percentage of 40.1 (166 of 414)

- In 8 seasons in the Mariners and Twins systems hit .244-16-162 in 439 games

Jacob Goebbert

- Hits in 10 of the last 12 games, 13-45 with 6 walks, 3 doubles, 5 runs and 3 RBIs

- His walk-off, 3-run HR April 9 the first walk-off HR in his pro career

- Named Texas League Co-Player of the Week (April 5-15), hit .429

- Batting .219(32-146) vs. RHP; .417(20-48) vs. LHP; .295(13-44) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

- Hits in 4 of the last 5 games, 5-12 with 1 double and 2 RBIs

- Hit .106(7-66) in May with 9 walks and 5 RBIs

- Batting .241(19-79) at home; .183(13-71) on the road

- Batting .198(22-111) vs. RHP; .256(10-39) vs. LHP; .167(8-48) w/RISP

- Ranked 4th last year in the minors in walks (94) and 15th in OPS (.961)

Jordan Kreke

- Has 4-game hit streak, 6-16 with 1 double and 1 run

- Batting .270(10-37) at home; .190(8-42) on road

- Batting .242(16-66) vs. RHP; .154(2-13) vs. LHP; .091(2-22) w/RISP

- Played 1B May 1 for the first time in his career (replaced Singleton)

- Has 137 career games at 3B, 127 at 2B and 49 at SS

Jose Martinez

- Hits in 17 of his last 18 games, 25-76 with 2 walks, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 11 runs and 11 RBIs

- Has 5-game hit streak, 6-21 with 1 double, 1 run and 4 RBIs

- Has 11 RBIs in his last 13 games

- Reached base safely in 23 consecutive games (May 4-28) w/.352 avg. and .402 OBP

- CC's defensive player of the month in April (47 PO, 56 A, 0 E)

- Batting .302(45-149) vs. RHP; .327(16-49) vs. LHP; .328(19-58) w/RISP

Ryan McCurdy

- Is 9-31 in his last 12 games with 2 walks, 3 HBPs, 2 sac bunts, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 4 runs and 8 RBIs

- Went 2-5 on road trip with 1 run

- Grand slam May 25 his first pro HR (in portions of 3 seasons had played in 72 games)

- Batting .306(15-49) vs. RHP; 0-9 vs. LHP; .294(5-17) w/RISP

- Had played just 2 games w/ Lancaster this season, was 2-3 with 1 HBP

Jon Singleton

- Is 0-14 in the last 4 games with 3 walks and 3 runs

- Leads the league in runs (40) and ranks fourth in RBIs (38)

- Named the Texas League's Player of the Week (May 21-27), hit .500-4-12

- CC's offensive player of the month in May (.281-7-24, .931 OPS)

- Batting .338(46-136) vs. RHP; .190(11-58) vs. LHP; .345(19-55) w/RISP

- Hitting .321(44-137) when he starts at 1B; .188(9-48) when he starts in LF

- Has started 38 games at 1B; 13 games in LF

- Ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Astros system

Jonathan Villar

- Is 19-57(.333) in his last 13 games with 3 HRs, 12 runs and 13 RBIs

- Tied for the league lead with 22 stolen bases

- Batting .247(37-150) vs. RHP; .286(16-56) vs. LHP; .293(17-58) w/RISP

- Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 prospect in the Astros system

Chris Wallace

- Went 3-20 on road trip with 1 double, 1 HR, 3 runs and 1 RBI

- Has 3 walks and 6 Ks in his last 4 games

- Batting .238(15-63) vs. RHP; .148(4-27) vs. LHP; .214(6-28) w/RISP

- His HR (20) and RBI (78) totals ranked third among Houston farmhands last year

Austin Wates

- Hits in 8 of the last 9 games, 12-34 with 4 walks, 1 double, 5 runs and 3 RBIs

- Hits in 14 of the last 16 games, 20-64 with 4 walks, 3 doubles, 10 runs and 5 RBIs

- Second in the league with 68 hits

- His last 15 RBIs have all come on the road (last RBI at home April 26 vs. Mid)

- Batting .316(54-171) vs. RHP; .269(14-52) vs. LHP; .313(15-48) w/RISP

- Named Lancaster's MVP in 2011, led the JetHawks in 8 statistical categories

Brandon Wikoff

- Joined club May 28 from extended spring, where he'd been recuperating from a wrist injury (left wrist)

- Is 3-7 in 2 games at home with 1 run

- In 103 games last year with the Hooks batted .308 w/ 6 doubles, 3 HRs and 26 RBIs

- Was the Texas League's Player of the Week (April 25-May 1, 2011), hit .600

- Maintained an average of .400 or better from April 25 thru June 6 last year

- Finished last season with four September games w/ OKC (.154-0-0)

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 15-23, 4.71 ERA, 306.0 IP, 36 HR, 102 BB, 243 K, .287 AVG

Relievers: 12-7, 4.52 ERA, 201.0 IP, 19 HR, 97 BB, 174 K, .258 AVG

Erick Abreu

- Took the loss Monday night...allowed 3 R on 2 H and 2 BB in 1.0 IP

- Tossed 5 shutout frames last Thursday night in ARK to record the victory in relief

- Is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in 2 starts / 5-1 with a 5.29 ERA in 16 G out of the pen

- His 9 HR allowed are tied for fifth in the Texas League

- Ranked among TL leaders in WHIP (1.22, 4th) and ERA (4.29, 9th) last season

- Captured P-o-W award for 2nd straight year: 10 K, 1 BB, 2 H, 1 UR in 8 IP Aug. 17

- CC's P-o-M in August 2010: 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in 7 games and 4 starts

- Holds club record for Ws (18) & Ks (262), T-1st in G (109) & ranks 2nd in IP (298.1)

Kevin Chapman

- Walked one and recorded one out Monday night...runner did not score

- Allowed 2 IR to score while notching just one out Saturday night

- Has not been charged with a run in last 5 appearances (4.2 IP)

- 17 of his 23 outings have been of the scoreless variety...5 of 9 IR have scored

- Holding lefties to a .195 batting average (8x41), 2 RBIs, 10 BB, 16 K

- K/9 IP ratio of 9.91 ranks fifth among Texas League relievers

- A top-20 KC prospect by BA last year: 1-4, 10 SV, 4.94 ERA in Wilmington & NWA

- Struck out 90 & walked 28 over 62.0 IP...save total ranked 3rd in the Royals system

- Entered '12 with a career BB-to-K ratio of 1-to-3.06 & is averaging 12.38 K per 9 IP

Arcenio Leon

- Perfect in two frames of work last night

- Yielded 4 runs on 2 H and 2 BB in 1 IP Sunday night...2 IR also scored

- 0-0 with a 2.21 ERA and 1 SV in 10 G at home / 0-0 with a 5.84 ERA in 9 G on road

- Posted a 2.45 ERA in April (7 G), holding the opposition to a .224 batting average

- Led the Texas League last season in SO/9 IP ratio (10.16) for relievers

- Paced the Hooks with 47 app., the third-highest single-season total in team history

- Placed on 40-man in Nov. '10, going 2-4 w/ 4 SV & a 3.97 ERA in Lex. and CC

- Over seven seasons has a career SO/9 IP ratio of 7.82

Alex Sogard

- Threw 1 frame Sunday night, permitting 2 R on 2 H

- Allowed first 3 batters to reach in the 9th May 27 vs. SPR...permitted 1 R on 3 H

- Has surrendered a run in 9 of his 10 appearances with the Hooks

- Was 0-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 6 outings at Lancaster to start the season

- Held the California League to a .197 average, 0 HR, 8 BB & 17 K in 16.0 IP

- 3-4 w/ a 4.14 ERA in 31 G (10 starts) for Lex. last year (4-for-6 in SV chances)

- Notched 148 strikeouts against 37 walks (4-to-1 ratio) in first 2 seasons as a pro

- Teammate of Buchanan at NC State: 10-6 w/ a 5.16 ERA, 73 BB, 96 K over 3 years

Jason Stoffel

- Notched 7th save in as many chances Saturday night

- Yielded 1 run on 2 hits in the 15th Thursday night at ARK

- Broke string of 10 consecutive scoreless app (11.2 IP)...17 of his 21 outings overall

- 2nd among TL relievers in runners per 9 (8.51)...3rd in BB/9 (1.48)

- Went 2-5 w/ 17 SV & a 4.53 ERA in 50 G between Richmond & CC in 2011

- Tied for 4th among SF farmhands in saves, recording 13 in 17 opportunities

- In 2010, led the Giants system with 25 saves and notched a SO/9 IP ratio of 11.17

- Entered '12 season averaging 10.27 SO/9 IP & has a GO/AO ratio of 1.72 for career

- Stands as the Wildcats career leader in saves (29) and appearances (99)

Henry Villar

- Tagged for 2 R and 3 H in 1.0 IP Monday night

- Had been perfect in his four outings (5.0 IP, 4 K) since coming off the DL

- Fanned three of the six men he faced Friday night at ARK

- Activated May 19 after spending the bulk of the month on the shelf

- Made 2 starts for Cosart (4/16 & 4/10): 2 L, 6 IP, 12 H, 9 ER, 2 HR, 1BB, 4 K vs. TUL

- As a reliever: 2-0 with a 4.24 ERA in 9 appearances: 13 H, 3 HR, 3 BB, 9 K, 17.0 IP

- Went 4-5 with a 5.45 ERA in 42 appearances between OKC and CC last season

- Made his big-league debut in 2010 as a September call-up, yielding 3 ER in 6 IP

Josh Zeid

- Issued a bases-loaded walk and hit batter before yielding a grand slam last night (3 R, 1 IP)

- Worked 1 inning Monday night: 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K

- Was not charged with a run over 5 app. from May 23 to June 2 (6.0 IP)...2 of 4 IR scored

- Prior to that stretch, yielded 10 R in 3 straight outings (1.2 IP, 9 hits, 1 grand slam)

- Moved to Reading's pen in late June last year: 2 SV, 2.25 ERA, 2 BB, 24 K, 16.0 IP

- Joined Hooks in late July: 0-1, 10.13 ERA, 15 G, 16 IP, 6 BB, 15 K

- Mid-season SAL All-Star in 2010

- Top 5 for Lakewood in W (8, T-1st), SV (8, 2nd), K (111, 2nd) & IP (107.1 IP, 4th)

- Has a career 3.18 K/BB ratio over 3 seasons, holding the opposition to a .245 average

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Texas League Stories from June 7, 2012


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