Game Notes, July 18 at Midland
Published on July 18, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
Corpus Christi (16-7, 53-40) @ Midland (9-13, 44-48)
Jose Cisnero picked up his fourth consecutive victory last night as the Hooks rolled to a 9-3 triumph over the RockHounds in the series opener at Citibank Ballpark. Corpus Christi had traffic in every inning and all nine Hooks batters reached base, coaxing a season-high 12 walks. Jose Martinez led the offensive charge with a three-run home run in the sixth inning. Jon Singleton went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Chris Wallace was 2-of-3 at the plate with two runs scored, two walks and two RBIs, extending his hitting streak to seven games.
Cisnero, who allowed just two hits thru the first five frames, worked around four walks and four hits, permitting two runs while striking out eight in 6.2 innings. Arcenio Leon allowed one run in the eighth on consecutive singles and a double play to open the frame. Josh Zeid pitched in a scoreless ninth to nail down the victory.
Due to Monday night's rainout, the Hooks are faced with their first doubleheader of the season. Corpus Christi, having won 26 of the last 36 games, is 2.5 games ahead of Frisco for the best record in the Texas League. The Hooks remain a half game in front of San Antonio for first in the TL South second-half race.
Tonight's Game 1 Matchup:
RHP Ross Seaton (6-5, 3.54) vs. RHP Sonny Gray (3-7, 4.72)
Seaton, a third-round selection of the Astros in the 2008 draft, makes his 19th start for the Hooks and his third start against the RockHounds. Seaton pitched well last Thursday vs. Frisco but had to settle for a no-decision. He pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four. Corpus Christi stormed back to win the game 8-7 in 11 innings on a walk-off three-run home run by Austin Wates. Seaton's effort marked the fifth quality start over his last six appearances. He has pitched at least seven innings while allowing two runs or fewer in those five performances, posting an ERA of 2.36 (11 ER/42.0 IP). Seaton has lowered his season ERA from 4.28 to 3.54 which ranks 10th in the league. The Houston native has struck out 31 against six walks during this stretch but only has a 1-2 record and three no-decisions to show for it. Corpus Christi has scored just eight times in the last six games with Seaton on the mound, averaging 1.3 runs per outing. He delivered a stellar performance last Friday at Northwest Arkansas, carrying a no-hitter through five and a one-hitter into the ninth. Back-to-back singles forced his exit and Jason Stoffel was called upon to notch the final two outs of a 3-0 victory. In all, Seaton walked two and struck out eight, throwing 69 of 100 pitches for strikes. He was selected by the Astros as Corpus Christi's pitcher of the month in May, when he went 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts. Tabbed Texas League Pitcher of the Week twice last season, he led the circuit in starts (28), posting the second highest single-season total in team history. Seaton has not missed a turn in the rotation since July of 2009 when he pitched for Lexington - a span of 82 starts.
- Has issued 2 or fewer walks in 15 of his 18 starts with the Hooks (just 8 walks in his last 9 starts)
- 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 2 starts vs. Midland (7 BB | 6 K | 10.0 IP)
- Made his AAA debut with OKC April 22 vs. Albuquerque (4.2-7-6-5-2-1, ND)
Gray, Oakland's first-round pick (18th player taken overall) in last June's draft out of Vanderbilt University, makes his 18th start for the RockHounds and his fifth against the Hooks. Gray earned his first win in a month on Friday tossing 5.1 scoreless innings at The Wolff in San Antonio. Over his last three starts, he issued 13 walks against 13 strikeouts in 15.1 innings. For the month of June, Gray was 1-3 with a 5.84 ERA in five starts. His best outing of the year came way back on April 19 against the Missions when he allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five over seven innings. Rated by Baseball America as the #2 prospect in the A's system, Gray made five starts at the end of last year for the RockHounds, going 1-0 with a 0.45 ERA (1 ER allowed in 20.0 innings). In three seasons at Vanderbilt, he ranks second all-time in wins (27), fourth in strikeouts (317 in 293 innings) and seventh in ERA (3.19). Gray became just the second Vanderbilt pitcher to be selected in the first round of the draft, joining David Price (Tampa Bay Rays). He was named Baseball America's Summer Player of the Year in 2010 after an outstanding summer with the USA National Team In five games, Gray went 3-0 with an 0.38 ERA (4 BB | 37 K | 24.0 IP).
- Holding league hitters to a .265 average while posting a 2.13 GO/AO ratio
- In 4 starts vs. the Hooks is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA (9 BB | 11 K | 18.2 IP)
- Was 12-4 with a 2.43 ERA and an SEC-leading 132 strikeouts his junior year (2011) with the Commodores
Tonight's Game 2 Matchup:
RHP Erick Abreu (8-3, 4.87) vs. RHP Shawn Haviland (5-7, 5.37)
Strong arms
The Hooks have been on an incredible roll since May 21, winning 35 of 50 contests. During this stretch, Corpus Christi hurlers have posted a 3.53 ERA (180 ER/459.0 IP) and 387 strikeouts against 121 walks while holding the opposition to a .252 batting average (440 H/1,743 AB). Meanwhile, the club is scoring 5.8 runs per game (289 R/50 G).
Slam the door
Corpus Christi is 12-5 since the all-star break and the bullpen continues to hold up its end of the bargain. Hooks relievers stand 4-1 with a 3.43 ERA, allowing 22 earned runs on 50 hits and 10 walks while striking out 56 in 57.2 innings. For the season, Corpus Christi's bullpen is 22-10 with a 3.90 ERA, holding the opposition to a .250 batting average. The Hooks are 38-0 when leading after seven innings and 42-0 when on top after eight.
Pitching Rotation at Midland
Thursday: RHP Jake Buchanan (5-5, 4.90) vs. LHP Carlos Hernandez (2-4, 5.96)
HOOKS PLAYER NOTES
Adam Bailey
- Has not played since July 9...1-6 on last road 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
Rene Garcia
- Hit .279 with 13 doubles, and 22 RBIs in 60 games at Lancaster
- Has hit safely in 7 of last 9 games after posting a .321 average in 10 RBIs in June
- Posted .984 fielding percentage (7 PB in 447 chances)
- His 26 percent caught-stealing rate ranked seventh in California League
- .242-1-27 in 86 games for the JetHawks last season
- Ranked among the circuit's top catchers last year in fielding percentage (.984), double plays (10, 1st), assists (69, 3rd) and caught-stealing efficiency (30%, 4th)
Jacob Goebbert
- Hits in 5 of last 7 games: 7-16 (.438) with 9 R, 3 2B, 1 HR and 4 RBIs
- 2-11 on the last trip thru NWA & TUL with 4 R, 1 HR and 4 BB
- HR last Monday 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 .235(43-183) vs. RHP; .386(22-57) vs. LHP; .293(17-58) w/RISP
Kody Hinze
- 7-41 (.171) in last 12 games with 6 R, 2 2B, 1 HR & 5 RBIs
- Hit .306 (22-72) in June with 2 doubles, 5 HRs, 10 runs and 17 RBIs
- Struggled in May: .106-0-5 with 9 walks and 24 strikeouts in 66 at-bats
- Batting .257(29-113) at home; .197(24-122) on the road
- Batting .205(35-171) vs. RHP; .281(18-64) vs. LHP; .182(14-77) 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
- Riding a 3-game hit streak, 4-12 with 1 R, 1 2B and 1 RBI
- 3-11 vs. FRI after hitting .435 on prior road trip with 2 2B, 1 HR and 6 RBIs
- Has hit safely in 8 of last 10: 15-43 (.349), 1 HR, 3 2B, 6 R & 8 RBIs
- .314-3-15 in 14 G at home | .238 -2-9 in 18 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 6 of 9 since 5-day hiatus (knee): 11-40 with 7 R, 2 2B, 3B, 4 HR & 15 RBIs
- Hits in 29 of his last 35 games, 49-153 (.320) w/ 7 2Bs, 8 HR, 27 runs and 39 RBIs
- T-2nd in TL in AVG (.306), 2nd in RBIs (69), 3rd in PA/K (10.88) & 4th in H (102)
- 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 .294(75-255) vs. RHP; .346(27-78) vs. LHP; .398(38-98) w/RISP
Drew Muren
- Has a 13-game hit streak, 17-46 (.370) with 7 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR & 5 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
Ben Orloff
- Was hitting .288 with 8 doubles, 29 RBIs and 7 steals in 77 games at Lancaster
- Featured the lowest K/PA ratio (15.09) in the California League...32 BB / 22 K
- Featured a .972 fielding percentage, tops among CL shortstops
- MVP for Tri-City in 2010...ValleyCats went on to win NYPL Championship
- Hit .307 with 52 R, 4 2B, 16 RBIs, 34 BB, 19 Ks & 23 SB in 63 games that season
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 29 of last 35 games, 47-151 (.311) with 27 R, 5 2B & 11 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-2nd in the league in hitting (.306)
- 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 4 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 (61)
- .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 .304(68-224) 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 7 straight, 13-21 (.619) with 5 R, 4 BB, 2 2B and 4 RBIs
- 3-for-3 June 22 at FRI with 4 R, 1 2B, 1 HR & 3 RBIs
- Has hits in 9 of last 12 (.500), 17-34 with 10 R, 3 2B & 6 RBIs
- Batting .257(29-113) vs. RHP; .275(11-40) vs. LHP; .267(12-45) 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 5th in the league with a .305 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 15 of his last 25 games, 27-86 (.314) w/ 8 BB, 5 2B, 10 R, 1 HR & 13 RBIs
- Struck out 5 times last July 5 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
Texas League Stories from July 18, 2012
- 7-2 Take Down of Naturals Is Travs Third Straight - Arkansas Travelers
- Tulsa Survives Late Scare to Beat Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- Travelers Trounce Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- 'Riders Outlast Missions to Take Game Three - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Fall to Drillers 6-5 - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Player and Mascot to Make Appearance at Bleed Blue Blood Drive - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, July 18 at Midland - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Ethan Hollingsworth Promoted to AAA - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Naturals Announce Arvest Ballpark Video Contest with $1,000 Prize - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Back for Fast Four, Again - Corpus Christi Hooks
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