TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Game Notes, July 17 at Midland

Published on July 17, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


Corpus Christi (15-7, 52-40) @ Midland (9-12, 44-47)

Following yesterday's rainout, Corpus Christi and Midland are set to play a single game tonight and a double header tomorrow, beginning at 5:30. Sunday night, Jarred Cosart, Kevin Chapman and Jason Stoffel combined to toss the first one-hitter in franchise history as the Hooks knocked off Frisco 5-2 at Whataburger Field. Cosart, who missed a turn in the rotation after suffering a blister on his right hand, did not allow a hit through five innings. He walked Leury Garcia to open the inning and Jurickson Profar followed with a triple to center field to put the RoughRiders on the board. Cosart walked four, hit one batter and struck out five, inducing 11 ground outs compared to two fly outs. Chapman and Stoffel, who struck out two in the ninth to earn his 15th save, retired all 10 men they faced.

Austin Wates went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run to give him 10 hits and 10 RBIs in the series. Jon Singleton delivered a clutch two-out RBI single in the first and a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Corpus Christi, 34-15 since May 21, has won 14 of the last 17 games at Whataburger Field. The Hook have claimed seven of their last 10 series while splitting two. San Antonio bested Frisco last night 7-4, extending Corpus Christi's lead over the RoughRiders to 1.5 games for the best record in the Texas League. The Missions are now a half game back of the Hooks for first place in the TL second-half race.

Tonight's Matchup:

RHP Jose Cisnero (7-6, 3.38) vs. RHP Murphy Smith (5-5, 4.31)

Cisnero, signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent in December of 2007, makes his 19th start this season and his fifth against the RockHounds. Cisnero turned in his third consecutive victory last Monday at Tulsa, limiting the Drillers to two runs on four hits and four walks in five innings. Over his last nine starts, he is 5-1 with a 2.41 ERA (15 ER/56.0 IP), tossing 56 strikeouts against 16 walks. Cisnero hurled the first complete-game shutout of his five-year professional career on June 16 at Frisco to carry the Hooks to a 5-0 victory. He allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out six over his 118-pitch performance to earn TL Pitcher of the Week honors for the second time this season. Cisnero currently ranks second in the circuit with 101 strikeouts. He fanned a season-high 12 RockHounds in five innings on April 24 at Whataburger Field. In four starts vs. Midland, Cisnero is 1-2 with a 5.30 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 18.2 innings. His last loss of the season came against the RockHounds on June 6 in Corpus Christi despite crafting a quality start (6.0,5,3,3,1,10). Last year, as a stalwart in Lancaster's rotation, Cisnero led all Houston farmhands and ranked sixth in the California League with 152 strikeouts. Selected Lancaster's pitcher of the month twice last season (May and July), Cisnero led the JetHawks in starts (27) and tied for the team lead in wins (8).

- Selected as the league's Pitcher of the Week May 28-June 3 (7.0-5-1-0-1-7, ND at Ark May 31)

- 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA in June | 0-3 with a 5.33 ERA in May

- Has held opponents to four runs or less in 17 of his 18 starts

Smith, selected by the A's in the 13th round of the 2009 draft out of Binghamton (NY) University, makes his 19th appearance and 16th start of the season for Midland. The Missions got to Smith for four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings last Thursday at The Wolff. He did not factor in the decision as the RockHounds scored eight times over the last three frames to win 13-10. Smith was solid in his prior two starts. He scattered 11 hits and two runs over 7.2 innings on July 6 against Arkansas. Smith faced the Travelers on July 1 and tossed 6.2 innings of one-run ball. He had a forgettable month of June, posting a 1-3 record and 8.46 ERA. He made three relief appearances to begin the season, going 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA and 17 strikeouts against two walks. Smith won his first three decisions of the year and went 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA over his first nine appearances and six starts. He spent all last year with Stockton in the California League, where in 26 games and 24 starts he posted a 6-9 record with 1 save and a 3.94 ERA. Smith split 2010 between Kane County and Stockton, going a combined 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA. He ranked second among A's farmhands in wins, fifth in innings pitched (144.1 IP) and ninth in strikeouts (104).

- Enters play tonight with 305 career strikeouts and 122 walks over four pro seasons

- In 3 starts against the Hooks is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA (10 BB / 8 K / 16.0 IP)

- Named America East Conference Pitcher of the Year his junior season (2009) when he went 7-3 with a 3.12 in 14 starts for the Bearcats

One hit, no hit, perfection

In fitting fashion, the first one-hitter tossed by the Hooks in their history came one night after yielding a season-high 19 hits. Corpus Christi has notched seven two-hit games in the club's tenure, including this season on June 16 at Dr Pepper Ballpark when Cisnero crafted a complete game in the 5-0 victory.

The Hooks have never pitched a no-hitter but the opposition has done so twice. These RockHounds accomplished the feat August 1, 2009 here at Citibank Ballpark. Arnold Leon and Jason Fernandez, who earned the win, collaborated on the no-no as the Hounds bested CC 5-0 in Game 2 of a twin bill. Frisco's A.J. Murray (W), Steve Karsay and Scott Feldman (SV) penned a perfect game at Whataburger Field on July 28, 2005.

Tulsa's Edwar Cabrera came within three outs of perfection against the Hooks this April. Chris Wallace stroked an infield single behind the bag at second to derail Cabrera's date with destiny on the 17th at ONEOK Field. The 24-year old struck out eight and threw 102 pitches before giving way to Coty Woods who notched the final two outs in order as Tulsa swept the Hooks with a 4-0 triumph.

Strong arms

The Hooks have been on an incredible roll since May 21, winning 34 of 49 contests. During this stretch, Corpus Christi hurlers have posted a 3.54 ERA and 377 strikeouts against 116 walks while holding the opposition to a .253 batting average. Meanwhile, the club is scoring 5.7 runs per game.

Roster moves

Corpus Christi's roster experienced a seismic shift Sunday. Shortstop Jonathan Villar, who fractured his right hand during Friday's game, has been placed on the disabled list. Villar will undergo surgery on his hand this week and will miss approximately six weeks.

Jarred Cosart was activated from the DL. He missed one turn in the rotation after leaving his July 3 start against Tulsa in the fifth inning with a blister on the outside of his middle finger. Cosart had missed a couple starts in mid-April due to an inside blister on the thumb off his curveball. This latest sore stemmed from his four-seam fastball. To make room for Cosart on the active roster, right-handed starter Bobby Doran has returned to Lancaster. The Flower Mound native made four starts for the Hooks, going 3-1 with a 5.57 ERA. Doran walked three and struck out 13 over 21.0 innings.

Catcher Jay Fernandez, currently riding a seven-game hitting streak as a Hook, was promoted to Oklahoma City. Fernandez, who has hit safely in 16 of the last 20 games (.319) with five doubles, four home runs, 14 runs scored and 15 RBIs, has played in 30 games at the Triple-A level over his nine-year career. He is currently batting .264 with a career-high five home runs and 19 RBIs in 39 games for the Hooks. Fernandez has been charged with one passed ball this season and has thrown out base runners at a 26% clip. OKC's Carlos Corporan is now with the Astros after former Hook Jason Castro was placed on the DL due to discomfort in his right knee.

To fill the void left by Villar and Fernandez, shortstop Ben Orloff and catcher Rene Garcia have been called up from Lancaster. Orloff, a ninth-round pick of the Astros in 2009 out of California - Irvine, is hitting .288 with eight doubles and 29 RBIs in 77 games for the JetHawks. He has walked 32 times compared to 22 strikeouts while stealing seven bases in nine attempts. Orloff features the lowest PA/K ratio in the California League at 15.09. He has committed eight errors in 285 total chances for a .972 fielding percentage, tops among circuit shortstops. In 2010, Orloff was the MVP for the Tri-City ValleyCats who went on to win the New York-Penn League Championship. He hit .307 that season with 52 runs scored, four doubles, 16 RBIs, 34 walks, 19 strikeouts and 23 stolen bases in 63 games.

Garcia is batting .279 with 13 doubles and 22 RBIs in 60 games at Lancaster this season. He's hit safely in nine of his last 11 games after posting a .321 average and 10 RBIs in June. Garcia has posted a .984 fielding percentage, committing seven errors and seven passed balls in 447 total chances. His caught-stealing percentage is at 26, good enough for seventh in the league. Garcia hit .242 with one home run and 27 RBIs in 86 games for the JetHawks last season. He ranked among the circuit's top defensive catchers in fielding percentage (.984), double plays (10, 1st), assists (69, 3rd) and caught-stealing efficiency (30%, 4th).

Pitching Rotation at Midland

Wednesday: GM 1 - RHP Ross Seaton (6-5, 3.54) vs. RHP Sonny Gray (3-7, 4.72)

GM 2 - RHP Jake Buchanan (5-5, 4.90) vs. RHP Shawn Haviland (5-7, 5.37)

Thursday: LHP Rob Rasmussen (0-1, 9.00) vs. LHP Carlos Hernandez (2-4, 5.96)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Adam Bailey

- Has not played since July 9...1-6 on last trip with 1 RBI

- 2-16 in last 9 games with 2 RBIs

- Has 3 RBIs in last 17 games

- Batting .209(14-67) vs. RHP; .267(4-15) vs. LHP: .235(4-17) w/RISP

- Added to roster May 30 from Advanced-A Lancaster

- In 47 games with the JetHawks was batting .279-8-25 with 2 SBs

- In 23 games at the end of last season with the Hooks hit .323-3-15

Jacob Goebbert

- Hits in 5 of last 7 games: 6-17 (.353) with 7 R, 2 2B and 4 RBIs

- 2-11 on the last trip thru NWA & TUL with 4 R, 1 HR and 4 BB

- HR Monday night at Tulsa was his first since May 16

- Promoted to OKC on June 9...went 4-for-30 (.133) with 2 R, 1 2B and 1 RBI in 16 G

- His walk-off, 3-run HR April 9 the first walk-off HR in his pro career

- Named Texas League Co-Player of the Week (April 5-15), hit .429

- Batting .232(42-181) vs. RHP; .393(22-56) vs. LHP; .298(17-57) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

- 6-37 (.162) in last 11 games with 5 R, 2 2B, 1 HR & 5 RBIs

- Hit .306 (22-72) in June with 2 doubles, 5 HRs, 10 runs and 17 RBIs

- Batting .257(29-113) at home; .195(23-118) on the road

- Batting .204(34-167) vs. RHP; .281(18-64) vs. LHP; .189(14-74) w/RISP

- Ranked 4th last year in the minors in walks (94) and 15th in OPS (.961)

Jordan Kreke

- Hits in 8 of last 13 games with CC: 11-47 (.234) 3 R, 2 2B and 3 RBIs

- 1-11 with 2 RBIs in Frisco series

- Called up to the RedHawks in mid-June

- 6-27 (.222) in 13 games for OKC with 4 R, 2 2B, and 2 RBIs

- Batting .221(15-68) at home; .190(8-42) on the road

- Batting .239(21-88) vs. RHP; .091(2-22) vs. LHP; .133(4-30) w/RISP

- Originally a 13th-round pick of the Braves in 2009

Drew Locke

- 3-11 vs. FRI after hitting .435 on prior road trip with 2 2B, 1 HR and 6 RBIs

- Has hit safely in 7 of last 9: 14-38 (.368), 1 HR, 2 2B, 6 R & 8 RBIs

- .314-3-15 in 14 G at home | .240 -2-9 in 17 G on the road

- Hit safely in first 5 games with the Hooks: 8-21 (.381) with 3 HRs & 12 RBIs

- Tied with Mark Saccomanno (05-06) for franchise lead with 4 career grand slams

- Had played 40 games this season for the independent Sugar Land Skeeters, where he was batting .285(47x165) with 6 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HRs, 28 runs and 24 RBIs

- Was the Texas League's batting champion with the Hooks in 2009 (.338)

- Holds franchise single-season records for average (.338) and RBIs (109)

Jose Martinez

- 2-17 with 2 HR and 4 RBIs in FRI series

- Hits 5 of 8 since 5-day hiatus (knee): 9-36 with 5 R, 2 2B, 3B, 3 HR & 12 RBIs

- Hits in 28 of his last 34 games, 47-149 (.315) w/ 7 2Bs, 7 HR, 25 runs and 36 RBIs

- T-4th in TL in AVG (.304), 3rd in PA/K (11.03), T-4 in H (100) & T-2nd in RBIs (66)

- Reached base safely in 23 consecutive games (May 4-28) w/.352 avg. and .402 OBP

- CC's defensive player of the month in April (47 PO, 56 A, 0 E)

- Batting .291(73-251) vs. RHP; .346(27-78) vs. LHP; .398(38-96) w/RISP

Drew Muren

- Has a 7-game hit streak, 11-25 (.444) with 5 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR & 4 RBIs

- Has hit safely in 21 of his 25 games with the Hooks

- Added to roster June 13 from Class A Lexington

- In 48 games with the Legends batted .279-3-17 with 12 doubles and 4 SBs

- Batting .377(23-61) vs. RHP; .269(7-26) vs. LHP; .200(4-20) w/RISP

- A 22nd-round pick of the Astros last June out of Cal State-Northridge

Andy Simunic

- 8-game hit streak snapped Sunday (0-3, SAC, 1 R): .394 w/ 12 R, 1 2B and 2 RBIs

- Has hit in 28 of last 34 games, 45-146 (.308) with 26 R, 5 2B & 10 RBIs

- Rejoined Hooks June 14 from AAA Oklahoma City, where he was 0-9 in 8 games

- Hit .391 with 4 doubles and 7 RBIs during 16 games in June

- T-4th in the league in hitting (.304)

- Batting .294(61-206) vs. RHP; .333(19-57) vs. LHP; .225(16-71) w/RISP

- In five pro seasons has bounced into just 13 DPs in 1,440 plate appearances

- Finished last year at Lancaster: .295-5-28 in 67 games

Jon Singleton

- Has hit in 3 straight...went 5-16 w/ 5 R, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBIs in FRI series

- 7-for-17 July 2-9 w/ 3 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs & 4 BB to earn TL POW honors

- 3-4 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI in Sunday's Futures Game

- 2nd in the league in runs (61) & 3rd in walks (60)

- .148-1-6 with 4 2B and 20 BB thru 25 games in June

- Named the Texas League's Player of the Week (May 21-27), hit .500-4-12

- CC's offensive player of the month in May (.281-7-24, .931 OPS)

- Batting .285(61-214) vs. RHP; .244(21-86) vs. LHP; .326(29-89) w/RISP

- Hitting .300(66-220) when he starts at 1B (63); .183(11-60) when he starts in LF(16)

- Batted .350 with 7 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR 13 RBIs, 12 walks, 16 Ks thru 22 G in April

Chris Wallace

- Has hits in 6 straight, 11-18 (.611) with 3 R, 2 BB, 2 2B and 2 RBIs

- 3-for-3 June 22 at FRI with 4 R, 1 2B, 1 HR & 3 RBIs

- Has hits in 8 of last 11 (.484), 15-31 with 8 R, 3 2B & 4 RBIs

- Batting .245(27-110) vs. RHP; .275(11-40) vs. LHP; .233(10-43) w/RISP

- His HR (20) and RBI (78) totals ranked third among Houston farmhands last year

Austin Wates

- 10-20 with 5 R, 3 2B, 2 HR and 10 RBIs in Frisco series

- Hit his first walk-off HR as a pro Thursday (first HR since May 4 at MID)

- 4th player in Hooks history to drive in six RBIs in one game

- Ranks 7th in the league with a .303 average

- 2-17 on the road trip with 11 Ks

- Activated following the all-star break after a 15-day stint on DL (left quad)

- Hits in 14 of his last 24 games, 25-81 (.309) w/ 7 BB, 5 2B, 9 R, 1 HR & 13 RBIs

- Struck out 5 times last Thursday at NWA - a career and franchise high

- Batting .316(66-209) vs. RHP; .265(18-68) vs. LHP; .333(21-63) w/RISP

- Named Lancaster's MVP in 2011, led the JetHawks in 8 statistical categories

Check out the Corpus Christi Hooks Statistics

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