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Corpus Christi Hooks

Game Notes, August 23 - Corpus Christi at Midland

August 23, 2011 - Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


Corpus Christi (22-34, 47-79) @ Midland (29-27, 56-70)

Joe Kelly and three relievers held the Hooks to one run last night as Springfield escaped South Texas with a 4-1 win in the final game of a three-game set last night at Whataburger Field. Kelly (4-4) limited the Hooks to a run on seven hits over six innings while walking one and striking out three. Zack Cox led the charge on offense for the Cardinals with a 2-for-4 night that included his seventh home run of the year.

Corpus Christi's lone run was driven in by Jimmy VanOstrand with a single in the sixth inning. VanOstrand was activated from the disabled list in time for last night's game. Starter Erick Abreu (6-6) suffered the loss, charged with three runs on nine hits over six frames.

Tonight's Matchup:

LHP Brett Oberholtzer (0-2, 6.23) vs. LHP Anthony Capra (1-5, 5.83)

Oberholtzer, acquired by the Astros along with RHPs Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu and outfielder Jordan Schafer in the deal that sent outfielder Michael Bourn to Atlanta, makes his fourth start for the Hooks and his second against Midland. Thursday at home against Arkansas, Oberholtzer was touched for five runs on eight hits in just three innings of work to get tagged with the 12-0 loss. His initial appearance with the Hooks came August 5 vs. Midland at Whataburger Field (6.0-5-2-2-2-4, ND). The lefty started 21 games this season for the Mississippi Braves, going 9-9 with a 3.74 ERA. He won each of his last five starts with the M-Braves, posting a 2.45 ERA along the way.

· In 10 second-half starts is 6-3 with a 3.05 ERA, holding opponents to a .224 batting average

· Tossed an inning of shutout relief for the South Division in the June 21 Southern League All-Star Game

· Originally an 8th-round pick of the Braves in 2008 out of William Penn HS in New Castle, Delaware

Capra, a fourth-round pick of the A's in 2008 out of Wichita State University, makes his 18th start for Midland and his sixth against the Hooks. Last Wednesday at Tulsa, Capra allowed four runs on six hits over six innings in a 6-0 loss to the Drillers. In his last four starts, Capra is 0-2 with a 5.60 ERA. The southpaw spent a good deal of July away from the RockHounds to work on his mechanics. His road back to Midland began July 25 in an appearance for the Athletics in the Arizona Rookie League. He tossed five innings of shutout ball that day, allowing just one hit. He then made one start for AAA Sacramento on July 30 in a home win over Colorado Springs (5.0-3-1-1-3-4).

· In 5 starts this year vs. the Hooks is 0-0 with a 3.81 ERA

· Is 0-2 with a 7.02 ERA in 7 starts at Citibank Ballpark (1-3, 4.98 on road)

· Spent all of 2010 with the RockHounds, going 6-13 with a 4.27 ERA in 28 starts

Push it back

The RockHounds played very late last night at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas, as their game with the Naturals was delayed at the outset by rain. Given the late hour of their game and their 12-hour trip back to Midland, the RockHounds requested a push-back of the start time here tonight. So, instead of getting under way at 6:30, tonight's game begins at 7:00. The weather, in case you were wondering, here in the Permian Basin is 1) hot and 2) dry. Don't need an advanced degree to predict the weather here...

VO returns

1B Jimmy VanOstrand returned to the lineup last night and went 1-for-4 with Corpus Christi's only run batted in. The last time he played, August 4 at San Antonio, he went 1-for-1 with the team's only RBI in that game - the game where he injured his left hamstring.

VanOstrand enters tonight's game, therefore, with a six-game hitting streak in which he is 10-for-20 with 1 double, 2 runs and 2 RBIs. All reports indicate that the onion rings were especially good today...

Wikoff has good series

Infielder Brandon Wikoff reached base five times last night with two singles and three walks, capping a good series against the Cardinals. Wikoff went 5-for-11 in the series with 4 walks, 2 runs and 3 RBIs, which included the game-winning, walk-off hit in Saturday night's 10-9 victory in 11 innings.

Wikoff enters tonight's game with a .307 average for the year, good enough for eighth best in the league.

Gaston shows off arm

RF Jon Gaston had an especially good game last night. Not only did he go 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, but he also threw out two base runners from right field in the same inning. In the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Chris Swauger, Gaston threw out Donovan Solano, who tried to make it to third from first on the play. Gaston's throw was a perfect strike to third baseman David Flores - never touching the ground.

Three batters later, Jim Rapoport singled to right to plate another Cardinal run. Charlie Cutler also attempted to score on the play from second but was chopped down at the plate on a one-hop throw from Gaston to catcher Brian Esposito, who had time to turn and wait for the sliding Cutler.

The assists were the 9th and 10th of the season for Gaston from the outfield.

Pitching Rotation at Midland

Wednesday: RHP Jarred Cosart (0-1, 3.38) vs. LHP Lenny DiNardo (1-1, 2.45)

Thursday: RHP Ross Seaton (4-8, 5.43) vs. RHP Sonny Gray (0-0, 0.00)

Friday: RHP Paul Clemens (2-0, 1.05) vs. RHP Shawn Haviland (6-11, 7.45)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Adam Bailey

· Joined club August 12 from Lancaster in time for game 2 of DH at Arkansas

· Went 6-16 in Springfield series with 1 double, 3 runs and 3 RBIs

· In 109 games this year with Lexington and Lancaster was batting .284(125x440) with 17 doubles, 2 triples, 21 HRs and 80 RBIs

· Ranks second among Astros farmhands in HRs (22) and RBIs (87)

Brandon Barnes

· Rejoined club August 1 from the temporarily inactive list

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

· Is 0-8 in the last 2 games but 3-13 in Springfield series with 1 double, 2 HRs, 5 runs and 6 RBIs

· Overall in 110 gms is .227(87x383) w/21 doubles, 5 triples, 14 HRs and 51 RBIs

· Batting .231(24-104) vs. RHP; .360(18-50) vs. LHP; .308(12-39) w/RISP

Brian Esposito

· Returned to club August 6 from AAA Oklahoma City

· Had been on the DL (right knee)

· Is 4-8 in the last 2 games with 1 double and 1 run

· Is 7-25 with 4 walks, 2 doubles, 5 runs and 2 RBIs in 9 games since his return

· Batting .210(13-62) vs. RHP; .130(3-23) vs. LHP; .316(6-19) w/RISP

· Has thrown out 5 of 33 (15.2%) would-be base stealers

David Flores

· Rejoined club August 4 from Lancaster

· In 50 games with JetHawks hit .311(57x183) with 14 doubles, 12 HRs and 48 RBIs

· Clubbed game-tying solo home run with two outs in bottom 9th Saturday night

· Is 3-38 in the last 13 games with 1 double, 1 HR, 5 runs and 3 RBIs

· Batting .175(22-126) vs. RHP; .222(12-54) vs. LHP; .217(10-46) w/RISP

· Has 75 PO, 92 A, 6 E (Fielding pct. of .965)

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

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

· Is 11-30 in his last 11 games with 10 walks, 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 4 runs and 4 RBIs

· Has thrown out 8 of 36 (22.2%) would-be base stealers

Jon Gaston

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

· Is 5-28 in his last 7 games with 2 doubles, 1 triple and 1 RBI

· Is Corpus Christi's leader with 5 triples

· Batting .245-5-21 in 46 second-half games

· Batting .240(66-275) vs. RHP; .237(22-93) vs. LHP; .207(23-111) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

· Joined Hooks July 7 from Lancaster in the Cal League

· Ranks fourth among all full-season minor leaguers in walks (87), fifth in OBP (.431) and 10th in OPS (1.000)

· Hits in 10 of his last 13 games, 14-48 with 1 double, 5 runs and 7 RBIs

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

· 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 (28) and RBIs (92)

T.J. Steele

· Hits in 4 of his last 6 games, 8-20 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HRs, 6 runs and 8 RBIs

· Has single-season career highs in games (111), at-bats (397), hits (83), doubles (14), HRs (10), runs (50), RBIs (51) and steals (16)

· Batting .173(49-283) vs. RHP; .298(34-114) vs. LHP; .181(21-116) w/RISP

Jimmy VanOstrand

· Has 6-game hit streak, 10-20 with 1 double, 2 runs and 2 RBIs

· Hits in 13 of his last 16, 22-56 with 2 doubles, 3 HRs, 6 runs and 9 RBIs

· Has 29 multi-hit games, including eight 3-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 166 RBIs

· Batting .309(75-243) vs. RHP; .305(29-95) vs. LHP; .274(26-95) w/RISP

Jonathan Villar

· Is 6-43 in the last 12 games with 7 walks, 1 HR, 6 runs and 1 RBI

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

· In 115 games overall this year batting .238(106x446)-13-47

· Batting .237(46-194) vs. RHP; .192(15-78) vs. LHP; .213(10-47) w/RISP

· Has 101 PO, 175 A, 21 E (Fielding pct. of .929)

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

Brandon Wikoff

· Went 8-20 in home stand with 7 walks, 1 double, 3 runs and 3 RBIs

· 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 23 multi-hit games, including three 4-hit games

· Batting .324(72-222) vs. RHP; .256(20-78) vs. LHP; .339(21-62) w/RISP

· Has 98 PO, 208 A, 7 E (Fielding pct. of .978)

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 32-43, 4.69 ERA, 692.2 IP, 84 HR, 227 BB, 535 K, .265 AVG

Relievers: 15-36, 5.39 ERA, 424.1 IP, 49 HR, 229 BB, 392 K, .278 AVG

Jonnathan Aristil

· Last appearance: Struck out 2 over a scoreless 7th last night vs. Springfield

· Touched for a run on 2 H and 2 BB over 1.2 IP Thursday night vs. Arkansas

· Allowed 2 solo HRs but fanned five over 2 frames last Monday at Springfield to record the save

· Is 3-8 with a 6.75 ERA in 21 games as a starter this season

· His 63 BB and 21 HR allowed are tied for 4th in the Texas League...106 K stand 5th

· Pitched for the Rockies top three affiliates in 2010, making 11 of his 33 appearances with Tulsa

· Was 1-1 with a 4.39 ERA in 11 appearances and 3 starts last year for the Drillers

· Originally signed by the Rockies as a non-drafted free agent in July of 2003

· Former infielder, converted to pitching while with the DSL Rockies early in 2006

Chris Hicks

· Last appearance: Surrendered two IR on a triple by Tartamella in the 8th Sunday vs. SPR

· A couple errors, 1 BB & 2 H paved the way toward 4 R (1 ER) in the 9th Thurs. night vs. ARK

· Had not been charged with a run in 7 of his first 9 app. as Hook, yielding a total of 2 ER in 10.1 IP

· 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

Blake King

· Last appearance: Worked a scoreless 7th Sunday vs. SPR before yielding 3 R in the 8th

· (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R) Yielded a lead-off HR to Jimenez in the 7th Friday vs. ARK to tie the game

· Walked 3 batters in the August 14 at SPR, allowing an IR to score the tying run

· Charged with 10 earned runs (2.90 ERA) over last 24 appearances (31.0 IP, 40 K, 24 BB)

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

· 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: Allowed 1 R on 1 H and 1 BB over 2 frames last night vs. Springfield

· Struck out 5 and walked 1 but allowed 2 R on 3 H over 2.1 IP Friday vs. ARK

· In last 6 outings, charged with 12 R (10 ER), 15 H, 4 BB and 11 K over 10.0 IP

· Had yielded 2 runs and 6 hits in prior 7 appearances: 11 K, 3 BB, 7.0 IP

· Owns the highest K/9 IP ratio in the Texas League (10.98) among relievers

· (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: (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K) Yielded an RBI double to Solano in the 9th Saturday

· (2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 K) retired 1st 4 Travs Thurs. before Jimenez's HR began the 7th

· Has allowed 9 R (7 ER) in last 7 appearances (10.0 IP)

· 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

· Promoted to CC in mid May 2009 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: Worked around 2 H and struck out a pair in the 9th Sunday, nailing down save No. 4

· Pitched a scoreless 11th Saturday night and cracked his first pro hit to earn the victory

· Yielded Matt Adam's game-tying HR in the 9th inning August 13 at SPR

· Charged with 2 R over first 6 appearances (5.1 IP) as a Hook, going 3-for-3 in save chances

· Since then has been touched for 5 ER (3 HR) over last 7 outings (6.2 IP)

· 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 131 strikeouts against 47 walks as a professional

· Selected in the 4th round by San Francisco in 2009 out of Arizona: all-time leader in SV & G

Henry Villar

· Last appearance: 2-run 1B to Adams and RBI 1B to Curtis accounted for 3 IR over 1.2 IP Saturday

· Worked 2 perfect frames Friday night, striking out a batter

· Fashioned 1.1 scoreless innings August 14 at SPR to record the victory

· Saddled with the loss June 27 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, ending July 7

· Since then 13 of his last 16 outings have been of the scoreless variety: 5 ER, 18.2 IP, 15 K, 1 BB

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

· 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

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

Josh Zeid

· Last appearance: Allowed 3 R on 2 H and a hit batter, notching just one out Saturday

· 2 BB (1 IBB), 1 WP & 1 H in the 12th Friday night vs. ARK produced 3 R (2 IR)...notched 2 outs

· Crafted a perfect 9th Wednesday night vs. Arkansas, striking out a batter

· Donovan Solano's 3-run HR chased him from August 13 at SPR w/o notching an out

· 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...45 K over 76.1, featured staff-best .236 opp. 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

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