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TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Early Runs Sustain RockHounds 3-2

May 4, 2007 - Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


MIDLAND, Texas - A solid outing by starting pitcher Troy Patton and a two-run rally in the top of the ninth gave the Hooks reasons to hope. They did not, however, provide Corpus Christi with a much-needed win.

Mike Madsen's seven shutout innings on the hill and Brian Snyder's two-run home run carried the RockHounds to a 3-2 win over the Hooks Thursday night at Citibank Ballpark. The Hooks, who have lost six of seven to Midland this year, drop to 8-19 in the first half.

The RockHounds grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first on a two-out, RBI double to the gap in right-center off the bat of first baseman Vasili Spanos. Casey Myers opened the second by reaching on an error to Hooks first baseman Neil Sellers. Patton (1-3) struck out the next two batters, but Snyder turned on a 1-1 pitch and sent it over the wall in left to make it 3-0 RockHounds.

Madsen (1-0) smothered the Hooks through the first seven innings. He allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out eight. Reliever Brad Ziegler needed only seven pitches to retire the Hooks in order in the eighth, but the ninth was a different story.

Drew Sutton singled to open the frame, and Sellers followed with a dribbler between the mound and third for an infield hit. Midland third baseman Jeff Baisley made a bare-hand pick up on the bouncer, but his throw to first was wide and ricocheted off first base umpire Brad Lawhead and Sellers into shallow right. That allowed Sutton to advance to third and Sellers to take second.

Noochie Varner was next to bat, and his fly ball to center was deep enough to get Sutton home for a 3-1 score. Ray Sadler followed with a tough-to-handle infield bouncer, similar to the ball hit earlier in the inning by Sellers. Baisley was looking at another difficult chance, but Sadler fell coming out of the batter's box. Baisley's good throw got Sadler for the second out, with Sellers moving to third on the play.

Todd Self, inserted as a pinch hitter for Beau Torbert, lined a single to center to bring Sellers in, pulling the Hooks to within a run at 3-2. Ziegler ended the game and earned the save, though, when he struck out Francisco Caraballo.

Tuesday, the Hooks rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth, only to lose 9-6. Five of Corpus Christi's 10 runs in this series have come in the ninth inning.

Patton was charged with three runs, one earned, on seven hits and two walks. He struck out a season-high nine batters. Reliever Brian Gordon tossed a shutout frame in the eighth. He walked two and struck out one. Gordon, an outfielder for 10 seasons in the minors, was making his debut as a pitcher after joining the Hooks roster Tuesday.

The Astros announced Thursday that reliever Rick White, currently on the disabled list, will be making a couple of rehabilitation appearances for the Hooks at Whataburger Field in the coming series against San Antonio. White is expected to pitch Saturday and Monday to prepare for his return to Houston.

Felipe Paulino (0-1, 5.40) gets the ball for the Hooks in Friday's series finale at Midland. The RockHounds counter with Mike Rogers (1-0, 3.77) in the 6:30 p.m. start.

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