TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Game Notes, August 1 - Corpus Christi at Midland

Published on August 1, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


Corpus Christi (17-19, 42-64) @ Midland (17-19, 44-62)

Jonathan Villar and Jon Gaston homered in the first, Jimmy VanOstrand had three hits and, for a second straight night, Jose Vallejo provided a clutch two-run hit as the Hooks jumped out to an 8-1 lead after three innings and held on to edge Midland 8-7 here last night. Villar sent the game's first pitch into Midland's bullpen and Gaston delivered a majestic three-run clout off RockHounds starter A.J. Griffin (2-3). VanOstrand singled in his first three at-bats and scored twice. He's now hitting .383 in 22 games this year versus Midland.

Vallejo is 4-for-8 this series with four RBIs in his two games back from the disabled list. Arcenio Leon (3-1) earned the win in relief while two pitchers acquired by the Astros in recent trades contributed late. Josh Zeid debuted with two-thirds of an inning of shutout relief in the eighth, while Jason Stoffel tossed a perfect ninth for his third save.

Tonight's Matchup:

RHP Jonnathan Aristil (4-8, 6.61) vs. RHP Jason Bergmann (1-6, 6.67)

Aristil, obtained by the Astros in December along with LHP Wes Musick in the deal that sent RHP Matt Lindstrom to Colorado, makes his 22nd appearance and 21st start for the Hooks. Last Wednesday at home against San Antonio, Aristil allowed five runs on four hits and four walks over 4.1 innings, taking a no-decision in a 12-6 loss. After three solid outings between June 30 and July 11, Aristil has been knocked around his last three starts, going 0-2 with a 14.73 ERA. The Dominican native is third in the league in walks allowed (54) and fifth in strikeouts (93). He's tied for fourth in home runs allowed (19). Originally signed by the Rockies as a non-drafted free agent in July of 2003, the former infielder was converted to pitching while with the DSL Rockies early in 2006.

· In 4 appearances and 3 starts vs. Midland is 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA (12 ER in 19.1 IP)

· Ranks third in the league among starters in strikeouts per 9 IP (8.31)

· Is 1-6 with a 7.80 ERA on the road (3-2, 5.72 in 11 home starts)

Bergmann, signed in early June by Oakland as a minor league free agent, makes his 12th start for the RockHounds and his third against the Hooks. Wednesday at Frisco, Bergmann picked up his first win for Midland, holding the Riders to three runs on four hits over 6.2 innings in an 8-3 final. He walked two and tied his season high with seven strikeouts. Three of his last four outings have been quality starts, with the exception being his effort July 21 at Whataburger Field, a 6-0 loss (5.1-7-5-5-3-3). Bergmann is 1-1 in his last four starts with a 4.26 ERA. Originally an 11th-round selection of the Montreal Expos in 2002 out of Rutgers University, Bergmann spent portions of the last six seasons with the Washington Nationals, where in 155 games and 50 starts he went 12-24 with a 5.04 ERA. He spent most of last year with Syracuse in the AAA International League, going 6-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 43 relief appearances.

· Is the only pitcher to have appeared with the Nationals in each of the franchise's first six years in Washington

· Was signed by the Red Sox in December of 2010, but released by Boston on March 12, 2011

· With the Nationals in 2007 went 6-6 with a 4.45 ERA in 21 starts

Barnes back

In the wake of infielder Jimmy Paredes getting the call to Houston, outfielder Brandon Barnes has been activated from the temporarily inactive list. Barnes returned to Midland yesterday, granted leave to travel to California to be with his wife Shawn for the birth of the couple's first child. Daughter Kenadie Joy was born Saturday morning.

Barnes last played in Wednesday's home game against San Antonio. He has missed the last four games. Barnes is in the starting lineup tonight, batting second and playing in center field.

Martinez Player of the Month

Texas League president Tom Kayser announced today that outfielder J.D. Martinez was selected as the TOPPS Texas League Player of the Month for July. Martinez made his big-league debut with the Astros Saturday in Milwaukee.

In 26 July games with the Hooks, Martinez batted .380 (35x92) with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HRs, 22 runs and 26 RBIs. He posted a .473 OBP, a .717 slugging percentage and a 1.191 OPS.

Vallejo's multi-RBI feat

With two RBIs in each of the last two games, Jose Vallejo has accomplished something twice here that he had not done in a period of over two years.

Prior to these back-to-back games with multiple RBIs, Vallejo's last multi-RBI game came on July 26, 2009, when he was still a member of the Rangers farm system. On that night, playing for Oklahoma City, Vallejo went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and three RBIs against Nashville.

The last time that Vallejo produced back-to-back multi-RBI games was as a member of the Frisco RoughRiders in 2009. On April 14 that year, Vallejo knocked in two runs in a game at Arkansas. In Frisco's next game, on April 16, Vallejo drove in three runs in a home game against Springfield.

VO and the long ball

Jimmy VanOstrand socked a pair of solo homers in last Thursday's 7-5 win over San Antonio, giving him 11 HRs this year. In portions of four seasons and 320 career games with the Hooks, VanOstrand has hit 30 home runs, which ranks second on the all-time franchise list, behind only Mark Saccomanno (32). Thursday night, he passed both Drew Sutton and Ray Sadler, who hit 29 each in their time with Corpus Christi.

VanOstrand remains the club's all-time leader in RBIs with 164. He enters play tonight third on the Hooks' career list for at-bats (1,026), behind Wladimir Sutil (1,235) and Josh Anderson (1,085).

Going the ‚¬Ëœextra' mile

The Hooks mashed two home runs last night, giving the club at least one extra-base hit in 44 consecutive games. The last time the Hooks failed to collect at least one extra-base hit in a game was June 13 at San Antonio when the Hooks managed six singles in a 4-0 loss to the Missions.

In the first half of the season, the Hooks averaged 2.49 extra-base hits per game. Here in the second half, with 53 doubles, 9 triples and 49 HRs in 36 games, the Hooks are averaging 3.08 extra-base hits per game.

Most notable is Corpus Christi's home run production. Here in the second half, the Hooks have hit 49 HRs in 36 games, exceeding their long-ball production of the first half (42 HRs in 70 games). The Hooks have hit 20 HRs over the last 14 games.

Notable around the league

News around the Texas League today...outfielder Mike Trout has been sent back to Arkansas by the Angels. Trout, just about a week shy of his 20th birthday, batted .163-1-6 in 14 games with LA...outfielder Blake Tekotte leaves San Antonio to rejoin the San Diego Padres. Tekotte had played in 10 games with the Padres in late May and early June...and, according to the RockHounds, first baseman Michael Spina has been suspended seven games by the Texas League for his actions following his ejection by plate umpire Adam Schwarz in the ninth inning of last night's game here. Spina's suspension begins tonight...

Pitching Rotation at San Antonio

Tuesday: TBA vs. LHP Robbie Erlin (5-2, 4.32)

Wednesday: RHP Ross Seaton (4-7, 5.89) vs. LHP Pedro Hernandez (0-0, 5.00)

Thursday: TBA vs. RHP Joe Wieland (4-0, 1.23)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Brandon Barnes

· Rejoins Hooks today from the temporarily inactive list

· In 71 games with AAA OKC batted .197-8-27 with 5 SBs

· Has a 4-game hit streak, 5-14 with 2 doubles, 3 runs and 1 RBI

· Overall this year in 90 games batting .223 (67x301) w/17 doubles, 5 triples, 11 HRs and 40 RBIs

· Batting .250(11-44) vs. RHP; .393(11-28) vs. LHP; .353(6-17) w/RISP

· Led all Astros farmhands with 28 HRs last year

Emerson Frostad

· Returned to club July 1 from AAA Oklahoma City

· Played in just one game for OKC (June 26 at RR), going 1-for-3 with 1 walk

· Signed by the Astros as a free agent June 1

· In 15 games with the Lancaster Barnstormers batted .280-2-11

· Hits in 4 of his last 6 games, 5-22 with 1 double, 3 runs and 3 RBIs

· Tossed one inning of shutout relief July 22 (3rd career app as a pitcher)

· Has thrown out 7 of 26 (26.9%) would-be base stealers

Jon Gaston

· Active since June 24 - was on the temporarily inactive list twice in June

· Hits in 7 of his last 9 games, 11-31 with 1 double, 3 HRs, 7 runs and 10 RBIs

· Has 20 RBIs in his last 30 games

· Batting .253(57-225) vs. RHP; .211(16-76) vs. LHP; .214(21-98) w/RISP

Jacob Goebbert

· Is 1-11 this series with 1 RBI

· Went 4-11 in San Antonio series with 1 triple and 5 RBIs

· Has 27 multi-hit games

· Hitting .270 on the road; is 0-6 with the bases loaded

· In 100 games overall this season batting .296(110x372)-10-52

· Batting .324(67-207) vs. RHP; .262(16-61) vs. LHP; .414(29-70) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

· Joined Hooks July 7 from Lancaster in the Cal League

· Leads all full-season minor leaguers in OBP (.450) and ranks second in OPS (1.069) and fourth in walks (80)

· Has 6-game hit streak, 8-22 with 1 double, 1 HR, 5 runs and 3 RBIs

· Hits in 16 of his last 17 games, 26-63 with 5 doubles, 4 HRs, 13 runs and 8 RBIs

· With the JetHawks in 80 games hit .323(92x285) w/20 doubles, 22 HRs and 70 RBIs

· Led the Cal League at the time of his promotion in OBP (.458) and HR/AB ratio (1/12.95) and was tied for the league lead in HRs

· Selected twice as the Cal League Batter of the Week (May 30-June 5 & June 13-19)

· Owns Lancaster's longest consecutive-games on-base streak this year (25 games)

· Had 3 2-HR games, 1 7-RBI game and 1 6-RBI game with the JetHawks

· Leads Astros minor leaguers in HRs (27) and RBIs (82)

T.J. Steele

· Was 0-1 in SA series

· Is 3-22 in his last 8 games with 4 runs, 1 RBI and 8 Ks

· Has single-season career highs in games (95), at-bats (346), hits (73), doubles (12), HRs (7), RBIs (42) and steals (16)

· Batting .173(43-248) vs. RHP; .306(30-98) vs. LHP; .184(19-103) w/RISP

Jose Vallejo

· Activated from the disabled list (concussion) Saturday

· Is 4-8 this series with 4 RBIs

· In 37 games this year with AAA OKC hit .209 with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs

· In 34 games last year with the Hooks hit .111-0-2 with 1 SB

· Acquired by the Astros along with RHP Matt Nevarez in the deal that sent C Ivan Rodriguez to Texas in August of 2009

Jimmy VanOstrand

· Hits in 8 of his last 11 games, 15-40 with 1 double, 3 HRs, 6 runs and 7 RBIs

· Has 28 multi-hit games

· Named CC's May offensive player of the month (.310-1-12, .393 OBP, .833 OPS)

· Is Corpus Christi's all-time franchise leader with 164 RBIs

· Batting .303(71-234) vs. RHP; .295(26-88) vs. LHP; .256(23-90) w/RISP

Jonathan Villar

· Hits in 13 of the last 14, 18-53 w/5 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HRs, 13 runs and 10 RBIs

· In 47 games with Lancaster hit .259-4-26 with 20 stolen bases

· In 96 games overall this year batting .246(91x370)-12-44

· Batting .243(34-140) vs. RHP; .214(12-56) vs. LHP; .273(9-33) w/RISP

· Has 70 PO, 124 A, 13 E (Fielding pct. of .937)

· Rated as Astros #3 prospect entering the 2011 season by Baseball America

Chris Wallace

· Joined club June 23 from Lexington in the South Atlantic League

· Hits in 12 of his last 16 games, 16-57 with 4 doubles, 3 HRs, 8 runs and 15 RBIs

· Has 22 RBIs in his last 21 games

· Has thrown out 1 of 19 (5.3%) would-be base stealers

· In 66 games w/the Legends hit .285-14-49

· Overall this year in 95 games batting .282(97x344)-19-77

· Went 1-for-2 w/ a double to help the South defeat the North 6-3 in the SAL ASG

· Named the SAL's Batter of the Week April 7-17 (.444-5-17 in 10 games)

Brandon Wikoff

· Hits in 5 of the last 6 games, 6-19 with 2 runs and 1 RBI

· Named the TL's Batter of the Week April 25-May 1 (.600, 18x30)

· Named CC's May defensive player of the month (15 PO, 48 A, 1 E, .984 FP)

· Hit first career HR April 27 at Midland in his 657th pro at-bat

· Has 19 multi-hit games, including two 4-hit games

· Batting .330(58-176) vs. RHP; .266(17-64) vs. LHP; .340(17-50) w/RISP

· Has 80 PO, 167 A, 6 E (Fielding pct. of .976)

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 29-38, 4.94 ERA, 580.2 IP, 74 HR, 189 BB, 451 K, .272 AVG

Relievers: 13-26, 5.24 ERA, 357.2 IP, 40 HR, 194 BB, 323 K, .277 AVG

Xavier Cedeno

· Last appearances: Retired the only batter he faced last night

· Crafted a perfect eighth inning Friday night at Midland

· Walked 2 & hit a batter, allowing 3 R while recording 1 out (sac bunt) Wednesday vs. SA

· Rejoined club last Sunday after making 1 start for OKC: 2 ER over 4 IP in loss to Isotopes

· 5-5 with a 3.81 ERA in 19 starts...109 Ks and 42 BBs in 108.2 IP

· Fanned first 9 and was perfect thru 5.2 on June 27 vs. Frisco...ended with club-record 14 Ks in 6.2 IP

· Won Pitcher of the Week honors for performance, 1 of 9 quality starts on the season

· Carried a no-hitter into the 8th at Hammons Field on May 26

· Leads the TL in strikeouts, 3rd in opposition batting (.238), 5th in WHIP (1.28) and 6th in ERA

· DNP in 2010 regular season but went 1-2 with a 2.32 ERA in 12 appearances for Carolina of the PWL

· Was 4-4 with a 4.66 ERA in 44 relief outings between Tulsa and Modesto in 2009

Chris Hicks

· Last appearance: Did not allow a run and struck out a batter over 1.1 innings last night

· Walked 1 and fanned 1 in a scoreless 7th Thursday night vs. San Antonio

· Allowed a solo HR to Blake Tekotte in the 7th inning Wednesday night

· Hooks debut July 20 vs. Midland: allowed 1 hit and 1 walk in a scoreless 8th

· Went 2-1 with a 3.28 ERA in 15 relief appearances for Lancaster: 28 K, 5 BB, 24.2 IP

· Yielded 4 ER over last 11 appearances with the JetHawks (17.1 IP)

· Missed all of 2010 due to shoulder surgery

· Made 26 starts for Lancaster in 2009, posting a 9-11 record and 6.12 ERA: 103 K, 39 BB, 129.1 IP

· Won pitcher of the month honors for April, going 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA...20 K, 5 BB

· Saved 9 games as a Junior for Georgia Tech in 2008, tying for 5th in school history

Blake King

· Last appearance: Waked 1 and struck out a batter in a scoreless eighth Saturday night

· (1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K) Allowed an IR to score on a groundout in the 5th Wed. vs. SA

· Has yielded 1 run over last 6 outings (8.1 IP, 15 Ks, 6 BBs)

· Charged with 5 runs over last 17 appearances (23.2 IP, 30 Ks, 15 BBs)

· Yielded 4 runs in first four appearances (3.2 IP), walking 7 against 5 Ks

· Claimed off waivers from the Cardinals on May 26

· Was 2-0 with a 11.08 ERA in 15 games at Memphis / Yielded 2 runs on in 1.1 IP with Springfield

· Rated by BA as having the best slider in the St. Louis system in 2010

· Went 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA at Springfield last season, tossed 84 Ks over 68.0 IP

· Held the opposition to a .171 batting average, tops among Texas League relievers

Arcenio Leon

· Last appearance: Yielded 1 UR & an IR to score on 2 H over 1 IP last night to earn the victory

· Touched for 2 runs and 6 hits in last 7 appearances: 11 K, 3 BB, 7.0 IP

· Tagged for 4 ER on 5 H over 1.1 IP July 18 vs. Midland

· (1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K) Yielded a 3-run HR to Jonathan Greene July 15 at Frisco...broke a string 9 appearances without allowing an ER: 18 Ks, 6 BBs in 13.0 IP

· 17 free passes, 4 WP in 9 game stretch from May 2 to June 8 (12 IP, 6.75 ERA), throwing 124 of 245 pitches for strikes

· Did not allow an ER thru first 7 outings (11 IP)

· 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

Danny Meszaros

· Last appearance: Suffered the BS Saturday: 3 R (2 ER) on 1 BB and 2 H without recording an out

· Worked around a lead-off error and struck out 2 in a scoreless 8th Thursday vs. SA

· Failed to record an out July 22 as Frisco hit 2 HRs and scored 6 runs

· Had not yielded an ER in prior 11 outings (11.0 IP) with CC: 5 saves in as many opportunities

· Was 1-1 with a 4.56 ERA for OKC, notching 27 Ks and 14 BBs in 25.2 IP

· 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA over 12 games in first stint with the club this season

· Last season, went a combined 5-2 with a 3.57 ERA and 10 saves in 33 contests between Corpus Christi and Round Rock before being suspended 50 games / Struck out 47 & walked 22 in 40.1 innings

· Began 2009 campaign at Lexington...did not allow a run in first 13 app., going 9-for-9 in save chances

· Promoted to CC in mid May and went on to lead the team in appearances...limited the league to a .207 average at Whataburger Field, posting a 1.75 ERA / 10 total saves led the Houston system

Jason Stoffel

· Last appearance: Earned the save and notched a strikeout in a perfect ninth last night

· Earned 2nd save with CC Thurs. vs. SA, facing the minimum in the 9th thanks to a DP

· Yielded 2 runs on 3 hits in 1 inning July 23 at Frisco

· Made Hooks debut July 20 vs. Midland, breezing though a perfect ninth to pick up the save

· Went 1-2 with 13 saves and a 3.98 ERA in 32 appearances for Richmond: 31 K, 16 BB, 31.2 IP

· Allowed 1 ER over first 8 appearances (9.1 IP) with the Flying Squirrels

· 8 of his last 9 appearances at Richmond were of the scoreless variety, going 4-for-4 in save chances

· Posted a 2-4 record and 4.80 ERA at San Jose last season, notching 25 saves in 29 opportunities

· Features 120 strikeouts against 42 walks as a professional

· Selected in the 4th round by San Francisco in 2009 out of Arizona

· Wildcats career leader in saves and appearances

Henry Villar

· Last appearance: (0.2 IP, 1 H) Allowed 1 of 2 inherited runners to score Saturday night at Midland

· Tagged for 3 R on 4 H, notching just 1 out in the 8th inning Wednesday night vs. SA

· Had not yielded a run in his last four appearances (1 W, 1 SV, 5 IP, 4 Ks)

· Worked 7 (8.0 IP) consecutive scoreless outings to open 2011 tenure with CC

· Saddled with the loss July 5 after 6 Frisco singles led to 4 runs in the 9th inning

· Began a 5-game run when he allowed 9 ER over 4.2 IP

· Went 2-1 with a 6.81 ERA in 10 appearances (7 starts) at Oklahoma City

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

· Was 4-7 with a 4.15 ERA for the 2010 Hooks, appearing in 25 of 36 games out of the bullpen

· Won Corpus Christi's pitcher of the month honors for April, allowing 1 ER in 12.2 IP

· For his career, has struck out 343 batters while walking 93 over 372.1 innings entering the 2011 season

Check out the Corpus Christi Hooks Statistics

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