TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Game Notes, April 27 - Corpus Christi at Midland

Published on April 27, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


Corpus Christi (7-11) @ Midland (11-7)

The Hooks were, on two occasions, one strike away from a win over Midland last night. Had that final out in the ninth been recorded, the Hooks would have come away with either a 4-1 or 4-2 victory. Instead, Jermaine Mitchell socked a solo homer to make it a 4-2 game, then Grant Green's single and Stephen Parker's shot to left - on a 1-2 pitch - knotted the score at 4. In the 10th, Jeremy Barfield doubled on the first pitch and Matt Sulentic slugged a long home run on the second pitch, giving the RockHounds a 6-4 walk-off triumph.

The bizarre ending occurred with Hooks closer David Carpenter (0-1) on the hill. Entering the game with four saves and a 1.17 ERA, Carpenter's performance was most unexpected. Prior to last night, the hard-throwing right-hander had allowed just six home runs in his pro career, spanning 150.2 innings. That's 1 HR for every 25+ innings of work.

Tonight's Matchup:

LHP Dallas Keuchel (1-1, 4.19) vs. RHP Shawn Haviland (0-1, 7.24)

Keuchel, a seventh-round selection of the Astros in the 2009 draft out of the University of Arkansas, makes his fourth start this year and his first against Midland. Friday in Frisco, Keuchel served up three wind-aided home runs, two by Tommy Mendonca, as the Hooks were routed 11-0. Pitching in conditions very similar to those that we've had here in Midland the last two nights (30 mph winds, out to left), Keuchel allowed seven runs on 12 hits in 5.1 innings. He had allowed just two earned runs over 14 innings in his first two starts. In nine games last year with the Hooks, Keuchel went 2-6 with a 4.70 ERA. The southpaw tied for the California League lead last season with three complete games while ranking third in ERA (3.36). His combined 133 strikeouts and 3.77 ERA slotted second and seventh, respectively, among Houston farmhands in 2010.

· Named the Texas League's Pitcher of the Week (April 11-17) for his win over Tulsa April 16

· Was Lancaster's May pitcher of the month last year, posting a 3.29 ERA in six starts

· Was 9-3 his junior year at Arkansas, including both Razorback wins in the College World Series

Haviland, Oakland's 33rd-round selection in 2008 out of Harvard University, makes his fourth start for the Hounds and his first against the Hooks. Here Friday against San Antonio, Haviland was charged with six earned runs on seven hits in only three innings. He did not get a decision as Midland rallied from a 6-0 deficit to win 7-6. That effort was much in contrast to his AA debut with Midland here on April 10 against Springfield, when he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning in a game that was decided in extra innings. Haviland spent most of 2010 with Stockton in the California League, where he was 9-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 27 starts. He finished second in the Cal League in strikeouts (166) and fifth in ERA.

· Was a Cal League post-season All-Star, and was twice named the circuit's Pitcher of the Week

· Led all Oakland farmhands with 169 strikeouts last year (3 Ks in one start for AAA Sacramento)

· Was 16-14 with 2 saves in four seasons for the Crimson

Barmes arrives

Astros middle infielder Clint Barmes continues his rehab assignment tonight with the Hooks. Barmes, who broke a bone in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch during Spring Training, went 2-for-6 with a double, a walk, two runs and an RBI the last two nights for AAA Oklahoma City in games played at Round Rock. Barmes played shortstop both games, and is slated to play at short tonight for Corpus Christi. He is expected to play for the Hooks again tomorrow night, and could possibly be back in uniform for the Astros as early as Friday.

The Astros acquired Barmes in November from the Rockies in exchange for RHP Felipe Paulino, who pitched for Corpus Christi in 2007.

Paredes to the DL

2B Jimmy Paredes has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to Monday. Taking his spot on the active roster tonight is IF Andy Simunic, who returns to the Hooks from AAA Oklahoma City. In three games with the RedHawks, Simunic was 1-for-5 with 1 HBP and 1 run. The three games he played were all in Round Rock.

The long ball

With three HRs allowed last night, the Hooks have surrendered 22 home runs this season, tied for the second-most allowed in the league this year. Only Springfield's pitchers have given up more (27). Hooks opponents have hit six home runs in the last three games, and 10 HRs in the last five.

Pitching Rotation at Midland

Thursday: RHP Kyle Greenwalt (1-1, 4.15) vs. RHP Ethan Hollingsworth (1-1, 4.11)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Brandon Barnes

· Is 8-24 on road trip with 1 double, 2 HRs, 6 runs and 6 RBIs

· Has 3-game hit streak, 6-13 with 1 double, 1 HR, 4 runs and 4 RBIs

· Batting .276(8-29) vs. RHP; .375(9-24) vs. LHP; .357(5-14) w/RISP

· Led all Astros farmhands with 28 HRs last year

· In 126 games with Lancaster in 2010 hit .269-27-80 with 14 SBs

Brian Esposito

· Snapped 0-24 slide to start the season with 6th-inning single last night

· Has thrown out 3 of 6 would-be base stealers

· Appeared in 2 games with the Astros last year and 1 game with St. Louis in 2007

· In 45 games last year with AAA Round Rock hit .225-2-18 with 5 doubles

David Flores

· Is 2-9 this series with 1 double and 3 RBIs

· Is 2-21 on road trip with 1 double, 4 walks, 2 runs and 3 RBIs

· Batting .158(6-38) vs. RHP; .222(6-27) vs. LHP; .357(5-14) w/RISP

· In 115 games last year with Lancaster batted .269-14-57 with 24 doubles

· An 18th-round selection of the Astros in 2008 out of Sacramento State

Jon Gaston

· Is 6-25 on road trip with 1 walk, 2 HBPs, 1 double, 2 triples, 2 runs and 1 RBI

· Tripled in his first two at-bats last night; tied for 2nd in the TL in triples (8) last year

· Batting .286(12-42) vs. RHP; .250(6-24) vs. LHP; .167(4-24) w/RISP

· Was CC's defensive player of the month last May and offensive player of the month last July

· Last season in 132 games with the Hooks batted .245-13-51 with 13 SBs

· A seventh-round pick of the Astros in 2008 out of the University of Arizona

Federico Hernandez

· Is 1-17 this road trip with 1 run and 4 Ks

· Is 1-9 this series with 1 run

· Has thrown out 1 of 11 would-be base stealers

· Was a combined .273-9-51 in 103 games last year with Lancaster and Corpus Christi

J.D. Martinez

· Is 8-23 this road trip with 4 doubles, 3 runs and 4 RBIs

· Is 4-9 this series with 2 doubles, 1 run and 2 RBIs

· Opened season with an 11-game hitting streak (15x42)

· Established a club-record nine-game RBI streak (April 11-21) with 14 RBIs

· Has RBIs in 11 of the last 14 games (17 RBIs)

· Batting .378(14-37) vs. RHP; .300(9-30) vs. LHP; .429(9-21) w/RISP

· Houston's Minor League Player of the Year in 2010 (.341-18-89, 5 SBs)

· A 20th-round selection of the Astros in the 2009 draft out of Nova Southeastern Univ.

Jimmy Paredes

· Placed on the DL, retroactive to April 25

· Was 4-11 in Frisco series with 1 run and 1 RBI

· Batting .290(9-31) vs. RHP; .240(6-25) vs. LHP; .286(6-21) w/RISP

· Hit .287-8-65 last year with Charleston and Lexington, ranking third in the South Atlantic League with 50 stolen bases

· Acquired by the Astros along with RHP Mark Melancon in the Lance Berkman deal with the Yankees last July

Andy Simunic

· Returned to CC today from AAA Oklahoma City

· In 3 games w/ the RedHawks went 1-for-5 with 1 HBP and 1 run

· In 8 games w/ the Hooks is hitting .222 with 1 double, 1 triple, 5 walks and 4 runs

· Hit .293-3-43 with 17 SBs last year between Lexington and Lancaster

· A 17th-round pick of the Astros in 2008 out of the University of Tennessee

T.J. Steele

· Has hits in 6 of the last 7 games, 9-31 with 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 5 runs and 6 RBIs

· Has 4-game hit streak, 7-19 with 2 HRs, 5 runs and 6 RBIs

· Batting .209(9-43) vs. RHP; .290(9-31) vs. LHP; .200(6-30) w/RISP

· In his first three pro seasons hit .281-10-79 in 157 games; his playing time hampered by a variety of injuries

· A fourth-round selection of the Astros in 2008 out of the University of Arizona

Wladimir Sutil

· Has hits in all 16 games he's played, with seven multi-hit games and five 3-hit games

· Has scored runs in 11 of 16 games

· Went 6-14 in Frisco series with 1 HR, 3 runs and 2 RBIs

· Has missed the last 2 games (sore back)

· Batting .389(14-36) vs. RHP; .452(14-31) vs. LHP; .400(4-10) w/RISP

· Has 21 PO, 66 A, 2 E (14 assists in Frisco series)

· Was a combined .262-1-29 with 23 SBs last year with Corpus Christi and Round Rock

Jimmy VanOstrand

· Has hits in 6 of the last 7 games, 8-27 with 4 walks, 4 doubles, 2 runs and 3 RBIs

· Has 4-game hit streak, 5-17 with 3 doubles, 2 runs and 2 RBIs

· Is Corpus Christi's all-time franchise leader with 125 RBIs

· Batting .222(8-36) vs. RHP; .185(5-27) vs. LHP; .200(5-25) w/RISP

· An eighth-round pick of the Astros in 2006 out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Brandon Wikoff

· Has 4-game hit streak, 9-16 with 2 doubles, 5 runs and 1 RBI

· Batting .250(3-12) vs. RHP; .600(6-10) vs. LHP; 1.000(2-2) w/RISP

· Last year with Lancaster hit .257-0-27 with 40 runs in 113 games

· A fifth-round selection of the Astros in 2009 out of the University of Illinois

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 5-6, 5.40 ERA, 92.1 IP, 28 BB, 60 K, .295 AVG

Relievers: 2-5, 4.10 ERA, 68.0 IP, 37 BB, 55 K, .295 AVG

Erick Abreu

· Last appearance: Issued 2 walks and uncorked a WP, yielding a run in 1.1 IP Monday

· Had walked 3 batters against 10 Ks in first 6 outings

· Crafted a perfect eighth inning Saturday night vs. Frisco, striking out 1

· Last season, moved permanently to the Hooks rotation August 11 and started his final six appearances...won four straight starts (August 16-September 1) for his four victories of the year, posting a 1.07 ERA in those four games...earned TL Pitcher of the Week Honors (August 16-22) and CC Player of the Month honors for August

· Needs 3 more strikeouts to reach 500 for his career

David Berner

· Last appearance: Delivered 2 shutout frames Monday, fanning 3

· Allowed 1 run, scattering 4 hits and a walk over 1.2 IP Friday night

· Surrendered Wil Myers' walk-off, bases-loaded single in the 14th inning April 10...a one-out triple by Nick Van Stratten forced IBBs of the next 2 batters to load the bases

· Ranked second in the Astros system with 12 saves in 17 chances last season... led all qualifying full-season Houston farmhands (minimum 56.0 IP) in relief ERA...his 41 games finished and 2.15 walks per nine innings slotted fifth best in the California League

· Selected in the 14th round of the 2009 draft out of San Jose State...led the WAC with a 3.20 ERA, 84 strikeouts and an opponent's batting average of .240 during his senior season

David Carpenter

· Last appearance: Suffered the loss last night, relenting a 4-1 lead in the 9th & 10th on 3 HRs

· Had faced 654 batters as a pro, yielding just six home runs (1 HR per 109 BF) thru Monday

· Was 4-for-4 in save situations prior to Tuesday, retiring 23 of 30 batters faced

· A member of Houston's 40-man roster, the converted catcher led all Cardinals farmhands last year with 20 saves (in 23 chances)

· Traded from St. Louis for Pedro Feliz in August 2010...originally 1st round pick in 2006

Cesar Carrillo

· Last appearance: Suffered the loss Monday...allowed an inherited runner to score and 2 of his own on 2 hits in 1 inning.

· 4 IP of shutout relief and delivered a pivotal run-scoring 1B in 9-8 victory vs. Tulsa April 9

· Last 4 appearances: 10 ER, 11 H, 2 HR, 5 BB and 4 K over 5.1 IP

· Tied for third in the Pacific Coast League last season with 27 starts

· Made his major league debut for the Padres on August 13, 2009...earned his lone big league victory in his next start (August 18), tossing six innings of 3-run ball to defeat the Cubs 6-3

· Entered the 2006 season ranked as San Diego's top prospect as determined by BA

· Claimed off waivers from San Diego in September, 2010...originally selected by the Padres in the first round (18th overall pick) of the 2005 draft.

Arcenio Leon

· Last appearance: Worked a scoreless frame Sunday

· Allowed 2 unearned runs in his first appearance...since then has dealt 8.1 shutout frames

· 26 of his 27 outs have been record on the ground or via strikeout

· Added to Houston's 40-man roster in November, 2010

· Would have ranked fifth among relievers in the South Atlantic League last season with a .201 opponents' batting average, but fell two frames shy of the league qualifier

· Made his AA debut with the Hooks July 19 and limited opponents to a pair of earned runs in his first six appearances (2.16 ERA)

Matt Nevarez

· Last appearance: Yielded just 1 hit in his 2011 debut Sunday

· Resided on the inactive list until April 23

· Endured multiple stints on the DL last season, but yielded three runs over his final 13 appearances for a 1.84 ERA.

· Traded from Texas along with a player to be named (Jose Vallejo) in the 2009 deal that sent catcher Pudge Rodriguez to the Rangers...originally selected in the 10th rd. of the 2005 draft

Patrick Urckfitz

· Last appearance: Tossed 1 shutout frame..1 H, 2 K last night

· Closed out Sunday's game with a scoreless 9th inning

· Has yielded just 1 earned run in 7 appearances (10.2 IP)

· Tagged with the loss April 17... a throwing error to lead off the 7th, sac bunt and back-to-back walks (1 intentional) paved the way toward 6 unearned runs

· Shifted to Lancaster's rotation full-time in early July last season to gain more innings

· Led the JetHawks in strikeouts (103) and tied for fourth in victories (5)

· For the season, averaged 8.78 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.24 Ks for every walk.

· In 2009, ranked second in the Astros organization with 14 saves

Shane Wolf

· Last appearance: Fanned 2 and walked 1 in a scoreless inning last night

· Struck out 2 while working a scoreless 8th Sunday

· Suffered the loss last April 15, yielding 5 runs on 7 hits in 1.2 IP...entered with a 6-4 lead

· Tossing out those Friday numbers: 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, .185 AVG

· Finished 2010 second on the JetHawks in victories (7) and fourth in innings pitched (108.2)

· Shifted to the bullpen in early July and went 3-0 with a 2.81 ERA over 15 appearances...struck out 27 and walked 5 in 32 relief innings

Check out the Corpus Christi Hooks Statistics

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