TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Game Notes, August 2 - Corpus Christi at San Antonio

Published on August 2, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


Corpus Christi (17-20, 42-65) @ San Antonio (22-15, 71-36)

Wes Timmons went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Jon Meloan tossed two innings of shutout relief as Midland edged the Hooks 4-3 last night at Citibank Ballpark, capturing the series in the process three games to one. Timmons' RBI single in the seventh set the stage for the game-winning run. Henry Villar's 1-2 pitch to Jeremy Barfield hit in the dirt and bounced out in front of the plate. Shane Peterson, at third after the Timmons' single, broke for home, only to realize that catcher Chris Wallace had recovered the ball quickly.

Wallace, in an attempt to pick off Peterson for what would have been the final out of the inning, threw the ball off Peterson's ankle. It (the ball) deflected into left field, allowing Peterson to turn around and race home with what turned out to be the decisive run. Meloan's work over the final two frames earned him his fifth save.

Tonight's Matchup:

RHP Jarred Cosart (0-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Robbie Erlin (5-2, 4.32)

Cosart, one of the three known players obtained by the Astros in the Hunter Pence deal with Philadelphia, makes his AA debut here tonight against the Missions. A graduate of Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas, Cosart has spent the entire season with the Clearwater Threshers of the Advanced-A Florida State League, where in 20 appearances and 19 starts he was 9-8 with a 3.92 ERA, with 98 hits, 43 walks and 79 strikeouts in 108.0 innings. His most recent outing came last Thursday at home against Bradenton, a 3-1 win (7.0-6-0-0-3-4). That effort marked the third time this season that Cosart has gone at least six innings without giving up a run. Though he has yet to swing the bat professionally, Cosart was an accomplished two-way player in high school, where with a .506 batting average he broke the previous school record held by Jay Buhner.

· Tied for 4th in the Phillies system in wins (9) this year

· More challenged in the second half (3-4, 5.56 ERA, 7 games) than in the first (6-4, 3.16 ERA, 13 starts)

· Originally a 38th-round pick of the Phillies in 2008, pegged by Baseball America as the #4 prospect in the Philadelphia system

Erlin, acquired by the Padres along with RHP Joe Wieland at Sunday's trading deadline in the deal that sent RHP Mike Adams to the Rangers, makes his San Antonio debut here tonight. Last Tuesday at Dr Pepper Ballpark, pitching for Frisco against Midland, Erlin allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings and took a no-decision in a 7-3 win for the RoughRiders. Over his last three starts, including a 4-2 loss to the Hooks July 16, Erlin is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA. Tabbed as the fourth-best prospect in the Rangers system by Baseball America, Erlin spent all of last year with Hickory in the South Atlantic League, going 6-3 with 1 save and a 2.12 ERA in 28 games and 17 starts. He led the SAL in ERA. Playing previously with an American League affiliate, Erlin has yet to swing the bat as a pro.

· Ranks third in the Rangers system in strikeouts (123) and fourth in ERA (3.34)

· In 9 starts this year with Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League was 3-2 with a 2.14 ERA, holding opponents to 25 hits and 5 walks in 54.2 innings

· Originally selected by the Rangers in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft out of Scotts Valley High School in California

"Programs...get yer programs!"

The ever-changing nature of the Hooks roster gets a real new look today. Gone to AAA Oklahoma City are LHP Xavier Cedeno and outfielder Jacob Goebbert, while LHP Patrick Urckfitz has been reassigned to Lancaster of the California League. RHP Henry Sosa, who started Sunday's game in Midland, has been placed on the temporarily inactive list.

Joining the Hooks today are three of the pitchers obtained by the Astros in recent deals with Philadelphia and Atlanta. Cosart, whose information is detailed above, is one of those three. Cosart was actually with the club for the last two days of the Midland series, but becomes active on the roster tonight.

RHP Paul Clemens and LHP Brett Oberholtzer also join the Hooks roster today. Both were obtained in the Michael Bourn deal with the Braves.

Clemens, scheduled to debut with the Hooks here Thursday night, was 6-5 with a 3.73 ERA in 20 starts with Atlanta's AA affiliate (Mississippi) in the Southern League. Oberholtzer, also pitching all year for Mississippi, posted a record of 9-9 with a 3.74 ERA in 21 starts. Oberholtzer is slated to pitch the opening game of the series with Midland this Friday at Whataburger Field.

Martinez Player of the Month

Texas League president Tom Kayser announced yesterday 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.

VO at 3B

Today's changes mean that, at least for tonight, Jimmy VanOstrand starts at third base for the Hooks. This is noteworthy because, in six seasons of pro ball, VanOstrand has never played third base.

The last time VanOstrand, 26, played at third base was when he was 15 years old. He played third base for the Richmond Auto Body Budgies, a summer league traveling club that, as VanOstrand explained, is the rough equivalent of high school baseball in Canada. VanOstrand grew up in Richmond, B.C., a suburb of Vancouver.

You just can't make this stuff up...

Wallace hits his 20th HR

Chris Wallace clubbed a solo homer in the fifth last night...his sixth home run with the Hooks and his 20th home run overall this season. Wallace is one of three Astros farmhands with 20 or more HRs, the others being Kody Hinze (27) and Adam Bailey (20). Bailey's home runs have been split between Lexington (16) and Lancaster (4).

There are three National League clubs that have four players in their systems with 20 or more homers. They are the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres. There are two other NL teams who, like the Astros, have three players in their system with 20 or more HRs (Dodgers and Phillies).

One run

All four games in the Midland series were decided by one run. The Hooks are now 10-20 this season in games decided by one run; 5-14 in one-run games on the road.

Alamo City zero

The Hooks are 0-for-the Alamo City this year. Eight games, no wins. Lifetime, the Hooks are a dismal 31-59 at Wolff Municipal Stadium.

Pitching Rotation at San Antonio

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

Thursday: RHP Paul Clemens (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Joe Wieland (4-0, 1.23)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Brandon Barnes

· Rejoined Hooks yesterday from the temporarily inactive list

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

· Has 5-game hit streak, 6-18 with 2 doubles, 3 runs and 1 RBI

· Overall this year in 91 games batting .223 (68x305) w/17 doubles, 5 triples, 11 HRs and 40 RBIs

· Batting .250(12-48) vs. RHP; .393(11-28) vs. LHP; .333(6-18) 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 8 of his last 10 games, 12-35 with 2 doubles, 3 HRs, 8 runs and 10 RBIs

· Has 20 RBIs in his last 31 games

· Batting .250(57-228) vs. RHP; .221(17-77) vs. LHP; .214(21-98) w/RISP

Jacob Goebbert

· Went 1-15 in Midland series with 1 RBI

· Was 4-11 in San Antonio series (at home) with 1 triple and 5 RBIs

· Has 27 multi-hit games

· Hitting .262 on the road; is 0-6 with the bases loaded

· In 101 games overall this season batting .293(110x376)-10-52

· Batting .318(67-211) vs. RHP; .262(16-61) vs. LHP; .408(29-71) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

· Joined Hooks July 7 from Lancaster in the Cal League

· Leads all full-season minor leaguers in OBP (.451) and ranks second in OPS (1.067) and fourth in walks (81)

· Has 7-game hit streak, 9-25 with 1 double, 1 HR, 5 runs and 4 RBIs

· Hits in 17 of his last 18 games, 27-66 with 5 doubles, 4 HRs, 13 runs and 9 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 (83)

T.J. Steele

· Is 3-23 in his last 9 games with 4 runs, 1 RBI and 8 Ks

· Has single-season career highs in games (96), at-bats (347), hits (73), doubles (12), HRs (7), RBIs (42) and steals (16)

· Batting .173(43-249) vs. RHP; .306(30-98) vs. LHP; .184(19-103) w/RISP

Jose Vallejo

· Activated from the disabled list (concussion) Saturday

· Went 4-11 in Midland 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 9 of his last 12 games, 16-43 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 .304(72-237) vs. RHP; .295(26-88) vs. LHP; .256(23-90) w/RISP

Jonathan Villar

· Hits in 13 of the last 15, 18-57 w/5 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HRs, 14 runs and 10 RBIs

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

· In 96 games overall this year batting .243(91x374)-12-44

· Batting .238(34-143) vs. RHP; .211(12-57) vs. LHP; .273(9-33) w/RISP

· Has 70 PO, 125 A, 13 E (Fielding pct. of .938)

· 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 13 of his last 17 games, 17-61 with 4 doubles, 4 HRs, 9 runs and 16 RBIs

· Has 23 RBIs in his last 22 games

· Has thrown out 1 of 20 (5.0%) would-be base stealers

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

· Overall this year in 96 games batting .282(98x348)-20-78

· 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 6 of the last 7 games, 7-22 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 .331(59-178) vs. RHP; .262(17-65) vs. LHP; .333(17-51) w/RISP

· Has 81 PO, 169 A, 6 E (Fielding pct. of .977)

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 29-38, 4.94 ERA, 585.1 IP, 74 HR, 194 BB, 453 K, .272 AVG

Relievers: 13-27, 5.21 ERA, 361.0 IP, 40 HR, 195 BB, 329 K, .275 AVG

Chris Hicks

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

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

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

· 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: (2.0 IP, 4 Ks) Suffered the loss last night, allowing 2 runs (1 ER) on a BB and a HBP

· Waked 1 and struck out a batter in a scoreless 8th Saturday night

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

· Has yielded 3 runs over last 7 outings (10.1 IP, 19 Ks, 7 BBs)

· Charged with 7 runs over last 18 appearances (25.2 IP, 34 Ks, 16 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 Sunday 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 last 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 Sunday night at Midland

· Earned 2nd save with CC last 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: (1.1 IP, 2 K) Surrendered a 2-run single last night, allowing a pair of IR to score

· (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

· 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

Josh Zeid

· Last appearance: Notched a K and allowed 1 hit while recording 2 outs Sunday night in Hooks debut

· Made 21 appearances and 11 starts for Reading this season: 2-3 with a 5.65 ERA and 2 saves

· Began the year as a starter (2-3, 6.80 ERA) before shifting to the bullpen (2-for-4 in saves, 2.25 ERA)

· Struck out 24 and walked 2 in 16 innings of relief for the Phillies

· Went 8-4 with a 2.93 ERA and 8 saves last season in 43 appearances and 12 starts for Lakewood

· Featured 111 Ks against 27 walks in 107.1 IP as a member of the BlueClaws

· Was 6-0 with a 4.01 ERA for Tulane in 2009, fanning 45 over 76.1 IP...held the opposition to a staff-best .236 batting average

· Pitched 2 years at Vanderbilt where he helped the Commodores set a school record with a string of 38.2 consecutive scoreless innings in March 2006

Check out the Corpus Christi Hooks Statistics

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