TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Game Notes, July 26 - San Antonio at Corpus Christi

Published on July 26, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


San Antonio (19-11, 68-32) @ Corpus Christi (14-16, 39-61)

The Hooks return to Whataburger Field for the shortest home stand of the 2011 season - a three-game series against first-place San Antonio. Last night at Dr Pepper Ballpark, the Hooks salvaged the final game of a four-game set, beating Frisco 9-3. Jonathan Villar led the charge on offense with a 3-for-5 night that included a triple, a home run and three RBIs. Villar carries an eight-game hitting streak into tonight's action.

The Missions pounded the RockHounds 14-2 last night in Midland to gain a split in that four-game series. The run total was the highest for San Antonio since a 17-6 win over Midland at Wolff Municipal Stadium May 2. The Missions, 6-6 in their last 12 games, own a commanding 14-2 lead in the season series with the Hooks.

Tonight's Matchup:

RHP Casey Kelly (10-3, 3.99) vs. RHP Henry Sosa (1-0, 0.00)

Kelly, one of four players obtained by the Padres in the December deal that sent first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox, makes his 21st start and his fifth against the Hooks. Last Wednesday at home against Frisco, Kelly tossed five innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit - a third-inning single by Renny Osuna - to beat the RoughRiders 1-0. Kelly takes the mound tonight having won each of his last four starts, with a 2.05 ERA in that span. Originally a first-round pick of the Red Sox in 2008 out of Sarasota (FL) High School, Kelly ranks second in the Texas League in wins and 10th in ERA. At the plate, Kelly, signed as a shortstop, is 7-for-17 with 2 doubles, 1 HR and 2 RBIs. His HR and both of his RBIs have come against the Hooks.

· In 4 starts against the Hooks is 4-0 with a 5.14 ERA

· Has allowed just 1 HR over his last 5 starts (26.0 IP)

· Father Pat Kelly played 12 years of pro ball (catcher) and appeared in 3 games for Toronto in 1980; also managed the Wichita Wranglers in the Texas League in 1988 and 1989

Sosa, one of two pitchers obtained by the Astros in last Tuesday's deal that sent infielder Jeff Keppinger to the Giants, makes his second start for the Hooks. The 25-year-old (soon to be 26) right-hander was brilliant in his Hooks debut last Thursday, tossing seven shutout innings in a 6-0 win over Midland. Sosa scattered four singles and a walk while striking out five. He opened this season with AAA Fresno in the Pacific Coast League, where in 17 relief appearances he was 3-1 with a 10.41 ERA. Reassigned to Richmond (Va.) of the AA Eastern League, Sosa posted a 5-2 record and a 2.68 ERA in eight outings and six starts. In his eighth season of pro ball, Sosa was originally signed by the Giants as a non-drafted free agent in 2004. At the plate this year in the Giants system, Sosa is 2-for-11 with 1 RBI and 5 Ks.

· Has a combined record this year of 9-3 with a 4.97 ERA (39 ER in 70.2 IP) in 26 games and 7 starts

· Spent all of 2010 with Fresno, going 7-8 with a 4.07 ERA in 36 games and 14 starts

· In 13 games and 10 starts with Augusta in 2007 was 6-0 with 1 save and a 0.73 ERA (5 ER in 62.0 IP)

Keuchel gets number 9

Dallas Keuchel limited the RoughRiders to three runs over six innings to collect his ninth win of the season last night. The effort marked his 13th quality start this year and gives him a record of 5-0 with a 3.33 ERA over his last seven starts. Keuchel's last loss came June 15 at San Antonio when he allowed one run over seven frames in a 1-0 decision.

Keuchel ranks second in the league in ERA (3.12) and innings pitched (121.1). He also ranks fourth in the circuit in WHIP (1.14). His nine wins is the most for a Hooks pitcher since Sergio Perez posted a record of 11-11 in 2009.

Going the ‚¬Ëœextra' mile

With Villar's triple and home run last night, the Hooks have produced at least one extra-base hit in 38 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 43 doubles, 8 triples and 42 HRs in 30 games, the Hooks are averaging 3.10 extra-base hits per game.

Most notable is Corpus Christi's home run production. Here in the second half, the Hooks have hit 42 HRs in 30 games, matching their long-ball production of the first half (42 HRs in 70 games) in 40 fewer games. Corpus Christi hit seven home runs in the series at Frisco (all solo shots) and has 13 HRs over the last eight games.

Missions offense has leveled

Despite the fact the Missions racked up 14 runs last night at Midland, San Antonio's run production has been more human here in the second half. Still far and away the league leader in runs scored (581) this season, the Missions are not mauling teams the way they were in the first half.

Here in the second half, the Missions have scored 148 runs for an average of 4.93 runs per game. In the first half, San Antonio blitzed opponents for 433 runs, or, an average of 6.19 runs per game.

Pitching Rotation vs. San Antonio

Wednesday: LHP Pedro Hernandez (0-0, 3.60) vs. RHP Jonnathan Aristil (4-8, 6.44)

Thursday: LHP Juan Oramas (6-2, 2.72) vs. RHP Ross Seaton (4-7, 5.68)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Brandon Barnes

· Rejoined Hooks Saturday from AAA Oklahoma City

· In 71 games with the RedHawks batted .197-8-27 with 5 SBs

· Is 3-8 in the last 2 games with 1 double and 2 runs

· Overall this year in 89 games batting .220 (65x295) w/16 doubles, 5 triples, 11 HRs and 39 RBIs

· Batting .250(10-40) vs. RHP; .385(10-26) vs. LHP; .333(5-15) w/RISP

· Led all Astros farmhands with 28 HRs last year

· In 126 games with Lancaster in 2010 hit .269-27-80 with 14 SBs

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

· Went 1-4 in Frisco series with 1 double and 2 RBIs

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

· Has thrown out 7 of 25 (28.0%) would-be base stealers

Jon Gaston

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

· Hits in 4 of his last 5 games, 6-20 with 2 HRs, 3 runs and 6 RBIs

· Had 2 HRs and 5 RBIs last Thursday night vs. Midland

· Has 16 RBIs in his last 24 games

· Batting .248(52-210) vs. RHP; .211(15-71) vs. LHP; .207(19-92) w/RISP

Jacob Goebbert

· Has 7-game hit streak, 11-26 with 2 doubles and 2 runs

· Is 15-40 in his last 11 games with 3 doubles, 3 runs and 2 RBIs

· Has 26 multi-hit games

· Batting .335(64-191) vs. RHP; .255(14-55) vs. LHP; .391(25-64) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

· Joined Hooks July 7 from Lancaster in the Cal League

· Leads all full-season minor leaguers in OBP (.448) and ranks third in walks (76)

· Hits in 11 of his last 12 games, 19-45 with 4 doubles, 3 HRs, 9 runs and 5 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 (26) and RBIs (79)

J.D. Martinez

· Was 3-15 in Frisco series with 1 RBI; 3-7 in last 2 games with 1 RBI

· Hits in 9 of his last 11, 14-40 with 5 doubles, 2 HRs, 7 runs and 10 RBIs

· Named the TL's Batter of the Week twice (June 27-July 3 and July 11-17)

· Has 25 multi-hit games

· Went 2-for-4 w/ a double to help the South beat the North 3-2 in the TL ASG

· Has hit streaks of 14 (June 25-July 11) 12 (June 11-22) and 11 games (April 7-18)

· Established a club-record nine-game RBI streak (April 11-21) with 14 RBIs

· Batting .327(71-217) vs. RHP; .353(30-85) vs. LHP; .391(36-92) w/RISP

· Houston's Minor League Player of the Year in 2010 (.341-18-89, 5 SBs)

Jimmy Paredes

· Is 0-14 in the last 3 games with 1 RBI; 2-29 in the last 7 games

· Went 1-18 in Frisco series with 1 HR, 1 run and 2 RBIs

· Has 6 HRs in the last 29 games (4 HRs in his first 59)

· Tied for fourth in the TL in steals (27)

· Leads team with 28 multi-hit games, including two 4-hit games

· Batting .258(69-267) vs. RHP; .273(27-99) vs. LHP; .268(26-97) w/RISP

· Has 123 PO, 193 A, 18 E (Fielding pct. of .946)

T.J. Steele

· Went 2-7 in Frisco series with 2 runs and 1 RBI

· Is 8-25 in his last 7 games with 3 doubles, 1 HR, 5 runs and 3 RBIs

· Has single-season career highs in games (91), at-bats (337), hits (72), doubles (12), HRs (7), RBIs (42) and steals (16)

· Batting .176(42-239) vs. RHP; .306(30-98) vs. LHP; .190(19-100) w/RISP

· In his first three pro seasons hit .281-10-79 in 157 games; his playing time hampered by a variety of injuries

Jimmy VanOstrand

· Hits in 5 of his last 7 games, 8-26 with 1 double, 1 HR, 2 runs and 5 RBIs

· Has 26 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 162 RBIs

· Batting .299(67-224) vs. RHP; .274(23-84) vs. LHP; .261(23-88) w/RISP

Jonathan Villar

· Has 8-game hit streak, 12-28 w/3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HRs, 10 runs and 8 RBIs

· Has raised average during the streak from .196 to .234 (38 points)

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

· Batting .240(30-125) vs. RHP; .217(10-46) vs. LHP; .286(8-28) w/RISP

· Has 62 PO, 105 A, 13 E (Fielding pct. of .928)

· 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 10 of his last 12 games, 14-44 with 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 6 runs and 14 RBIs

· Has 21 RBIs in his last 17 games

· Has thrown out 1 of 16 (6.3%) would-be base stealers

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

· 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)

· In just his second year of pro ball...last year split his time between Greeneville (.310-8-32) and Tri-City (.250-2-8), hitting .293 overall

Brandon Wikoff

· Went 0-11 in Frisco series with 2 walks and 2 sacrifice bunts

· 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 18 multi-hit games, including two 4-hit games

· Batting .321(53-165) vs. RHP; .286(16-56) vs. LHP; .348(16-46) w/RISP

· Has 69 PO, 150 A, 5 E (Fielding pct. of .978)

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 28-36, 4.88 ERA, 547.2 IP, 72 HR, 176 BB, 428 K, .272 AVG

Relievers: 11-25, 5.29 ERA, 338.2 IP, 39 HR, 185 BB, 306 K, .281 AVG

Chris Hicks

· Last appearance: Retired all 5 batters he faced Sunday night at Frisco

· Hooks debut last Wednesday 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: Struck out 2 and walked 1 over 1.2 scoreless Saturday night at Frisco

· Has yielded 1 run over last four outings (5.2 IP, 12 Ks, 5 BBs)

· Charged with 5 runs over last 15 appearances (21.0 IP, 27 Ks, 14 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: Recorded two outs last night, yielded 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out a batter

· Touched for a run and 3 hits in last 3 appearances: 7 Ks, 1 BB, 2.2 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

· Made his AA debut w/ Hooks July 19 and limited opponents to 2 ER in first 6 app. (2.16 ERA)

Danny Meszaros

· Last appearance: Failed to record an out on Friday 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

· Struck out 2 in the ninth last Wednesday vs. Midland to notch his fifth save

· 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: Yielded 2 runs on 3 hits in 1 inning on Saturday at Frisco

· Made Hooks debut last Wednesday 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 117 strikeouts against 41 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: Fashioned a shutout ninth last night

· Has 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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