Explosive Eighth Dooms Hooks
Published on May 21, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
MIDLAND - The RockHounds scored nine times in the eighth inning Monday night en route to a 19-11 drubbing of the Hooks at Citibank Ballpark.
With Corpus Christi up 11-10 in the eighth, Andrew Robinson (1-2) walked lead-off hitter Dusty Coleman. Chad Oberacker singled into right field. Following a wild pitch, Darwin Perez served a single thru the left side passed a drawn-in infield to give Midland a 12-11 lead.
Lefty Kenny Long entered the game and hit Beau Taylor with the first pitch. Perez and Taylor then executed a double steal, the second of the night for the RockHounds, posting runners at second and third with no outs. After an intentional walk to Tyler Ladendorf, Conner Crumbliss hit a pop fly to shallow center. With the infield in, the ball fell safely to the turf, allowing Perez to score. D'Arby Myers was next stroked a two-run double down the left-field line, putting the Hounds up 16-11. A sac fly and two errors accounted for the final three runs.
Corpus Christi (25-19) provided most of the early offense. Zach Johnson's two-run home run capped a four-run second inning. Leading 4-2 in the fourth, Michael Burgess handed the Hooks a five-run advantage with a three-run home run onto the berm in right.
Midland (21-23) cut its deficit to one in the home half thanks in part to a three-run homer by Myers, ending the night of starter Ruben Alaniz.
Erik Castro answered for the Hooks in the fifth, belting his second home run in as many games. His two-run tape-measure shot to right put Corpus Christi in front 9-6.
The cushion was short-lived as Jorge De Leon yielded a pair of two-run singles from Perez and Ladendorf in the bottom half.
Of the six Hooks pitchers sent to the hill, Patrick Urckfitz was the only one to escape unscathed. Three of his eight outs came with the bases loaded, including a double play which ended the seventh, preserving the one-run margin.
The Hooks made their final surge in the eighth. Back-to-back singles by Max Stassi and Burgess opened the frame. Pinch-hitter Ben Orloff, attempting a sac bunt, hit into a force play at third. RockHound closer Kyler Newby (3-3) then struck out Jio Mier and jumped ahead in the count on Enrique Hernandez. Down to his final strike, Hernandez cracked a line drive into left for a base hit, scoring Burgess. Ladendorf, who cutoff the throw from Crumbliss at third, tried to gun down Orloff at second base. His throw sailed into center, allowing Orloff to come all the way home.
The 30 combined runs tie for the most scored in a game involving the Hooks. Midland has now won all three of those contests at Citibank Ballpark.
Texas League Stories from May 21, 2013
- Larry Dierker Named Special Assistant - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Hooks, Fans to Assist Tornado Victims - Corpus Christi Hooks
- RockHounds to Aid Disaster Relief Programs - Midland RockHounds
- Hooks Among National Leaders in MiLB Merchandise Sales - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers' Upcoming Events - Tulsa Drillers
- RockHounds Win a Slugfest vs. Hooks, 19-11 - Midland RockHounds
- Oye Named Texas League Pitcher of the Week - Arkansas Travelers
- Explosive Eighth Dooms Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
