Corpus Christi Hooks Game Notes
Published on August 6, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
Midland (21-20, 48-63) @ Corpus Christi (17-24, 42-69)
Jeremy Barfield wore the hero's crown last night for Midland. His two-run home run to left with one out in the top of the ninth lifted the visitors to a 4-3 win over the Hooks in the opener of this four-game series. The homer was Barfield's second in as many nights and gives him RBIs in four straight games.
Barfield's blast snatched a win from Corpus Christi starter Brett Oberholtzer, who held the RockHounds to two runs through six innings in his Hooks debut. Oberholtzer exited with a 3-2 lead, thanks to an RBI single from Brandon Barnes and a two-run home run by Kody Hinze in the bottom of the fifth.
The Hooks have lost five in a row for the third time this season. During this current streak, the Hooks have been outscored 25-7.
Tonight's Matchup:
LHP Lenny DiNardo (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Erick Abreu (5-4, 4.00)
DiNardo, signed by the A's to a minor-league contract in late May, making this his third stint with the organization, makes his second appearance and first start for Midland. DiNardo's start tonight comes as an emergency replacement for Jason Bergmann, who is unable to pitch for undisclosed reasons. DiNardo pitched in relief for Midland Thursday night at home against Frisco, tossing an inning-and-a-third of shutout ball, though he did surrender three hits. Prior to his reassignment with Midland, DiNardo appeared in 12 games and made eight starts for AAA Sacramento, where he was 3-5 with a 6.67 ERA. Originally a third-round pick of the Mets in 2001 out of Stetson University, DiNardo opened the 2011 season with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, where he went 2-1 with a 5.09 ERA in three starts.
- Made his major league debut with Boston in 2005
- Spent portions of five seasons in the majors with 3 different teams (Bos. 05-06; Oak. 07-08; KC 09)
- Lifetime in the majors in 94 games and 34 starts is 10-18 with a 5.36 ERA (257.0 total innings)
Abreu, signed by the Astros as a free agent in January of 2008, makes his 28th appearance and 13th start. Abreu pitches tonight on seven days rest - his longest period of inactivity this season - after making his most recent start last Friday, July 29 at Midland. That outing marked Abreu's fifth straight quality start, but he suffered a 3-2 defeat. Abreu allowed three runs over seven innings while throwing 102 pitches. During this stretch of five consecutive quality starts, Abreu is 1-2 with a 2.78 ERA (10 ER in 32.1 IP). His Achilles heel, without question, is the long ball. Of the 10 runs given up by Abreu over his last five starts, eight have scored courtesy of seven home runs. Abreu has allowed at least one home run in nine consecutive starts (12 HRs). In seven games and three starts this year against Midland, Abreu is 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA.
- Ranks 8th in the TL in ERA and 4th in WHIP (1.17)
- Has allowed 16 HRs in his last 13 outings, spanning 71.1 innings (no HRs in his first 18.2 IP)
- In 4 appearances with AAA Oklahoma City this year is 0-0 with a 14.54 ERA
The revolving clubhouse door
The clubhouse maitre d' reports today that first baseman/DH Jimmy VanOstrand has been placed on the disabled list while catcher Brian Esposito returns to Corpus Christi from AAA Oklahoma City.
VanOstrand injured his left hamstring during Thursday night's game in San Antonio. VanOstrand singled to right in the top of the first off Joe Wieland to plate Jonathan Villar from second base to give the Hooks a 1-0 lead. Observing Sawyer Carroll's throw home in an attempt to chop down Villar, VanOstrand kicked it into an extra gear to get to second base. That extra effort resulted in VanOstrand's injury.
Esposito slides into the vacant spot on the roster. This is Esposito's third stint with the Hooks this season. He began the year with Corpus Christi and played here for about a month until moving up to Oklahoma City. He was back with the Hooks for slightly less than two weeks in May (May 17-27). He's been with the RedHawks for three assignments this year and spent a brief time with the Astros but did not see any action. Recently on the DL (right knee) with OKC, Esposito last played July 7 vs. Omaha. In 16 games this season with the RedHawks, Esposito batted .317 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs.
New kids on the block
Brett Oberholtzer's effort last night marked the fourth quality start for recently-acquired hurlers making their Hooks debuts. Henry Sosa (July 21 vs. Midland), Jarred Cosart (Aug. 2 at San Antonio), Paul Clemens (Aug. 4 at San Antonio) and Oberholtzer all made a terrific first impression. Sosa, now with Oklahoma City, was the only one to get a win.
Combining the debut performances of the above-mentioned hurlers, you arrive at an ERA of 0.72 (2 ER in 25.0 IP). Cosart starts here tomorrow night. Fans will have to wait until the next home stand to witness the Whataburger Field debut of Clemens.
Late-inning woes
As previously detailed, the Hooks have been outscored 25-7 during the current five-game losing streak. The real trouble, as it has been all season long, has occurred in the latter third of games - innings seven, eight and nine.
Over the last five games, the Hooks have been outscored 9-6 in innings one through six. The final three innings, though, have been no contest. The Hooks have been outscored 4-1 in the seventh, 10-0 in the eighth and 2-0 in the ninth. Corpus Christi's bullpen ERA over these last five games stands at 7.90 (12 ER in 13.2 IP).
For the year, opponents have topped the Hooks 178-113 over the final three innings, not counting being outscored in extra innings 12-4. The Hooks have also been pounded 71-44 in the sixth inning this season. Corpus Christi's relievers check in with a 5.35 ERA for the season.
Pitching Rotation vs. Midland
Sunday: RHP Shawn Haviland (5-9, 7.36) vs. RHP Jarred Cosart (0-0, 0.00)
Monday: RHP Ethan Hollingsworth (4-4, 3.72) vs. RHP Ross Seaton (4-8, 5.92)
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- Corpus Christi Hooks Game Notes - Corpus Christi Hooks
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