TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Game Notes, July 29 - Corpus Christi at Midland

Published on July 29, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


Corpus Christi (16-17, 41-62) @ Midland (15-18, 42-61)

The Hooks, fresh off their first series win over San Antonio in nearly a year, open a four-game series tonight at Citibank Ballpark against the RockHounds. Last night, Jimmy Paredes went 4-for-4, Jimmy VanOstrand clubbed a pair of solo homers and J.D. Martinez drilled a line-drive, three-run home run off the left field foul pole as the Hooks rallied from a 5-0 deficit to beat the Missions 7-5. J.D.'s three-run blast sparked a six-run bottom of the fourth - a brash and immediate response to San Antonio's four-run top half of the fourth.

The Hooks have won three of four and six of their last 10. Midland beat Frisco 4-2 last night, giving the Hounds two of three in that series at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The RockHounds have won four of seven and seven of their last 13.

Tonight's Matchup:

RHP Erick Abreu (5-3, 4.01) vs. RHP Ethan Hollingsworth (3-3, 3.94)

Abreu, signed by the Astros as a free agent in January of 2008, makes his 27th appearance and 12th start. Sunday at Frisco, Abreu delivered his fourth straight quality start, only to lose to the RoughRiders 2-1. Abreu allowed two runs on five hits over 6.1 innings while striking out a season-high eight batters. In many respects, it was his best outing of the year - save for two pitches - one each to Jose Ruiz and Mike Bianucci, both of which resulted in home runs. Here in this stretch of four straight quality starts, Abreu is 1-1 with a 2.49 ERA (7 ER in 25.1 IP). His downfall has been the long ball. The seven runs he's allowed in this four-game span have come courtesy of six home runs. Abreu has conceded home runs in eight consecutive starts (11 HRs). In six games and two starts this year against Midland, Abreu is 2-0 with a 5.06 ERA.

· Ranks 8th in the TL in ERA, 2nd in WHIP (1.13) and 4th in opponents' average (.243)

· Has allowed 15 HRs in his last 12 outings, spanning 64.1 innings (no HRs in his first 18.2 IP)

· In 4 appearances with AAA Oklahoma City this year is 0-0 with a 14.54 ERA

Hollingsworth, acquired by Oakland this past January from the Rockies for RHP Clayton Mortensen, makes his 13th appearance and 12th start for the RockHounds. Sunday here against San Antonio, Hollingsworth was touched for four runs on eight hits over five innings in a 4-2 loss. In his three July appearances since coming off the disabled list, which includes one relief outing, Hollingsworth is 0-1 with 1 save and a 4.63 ERA. Though he made two starts late last July for Tulsa, Hollingsworth spent most of the 2010 season with Modesto in the California League, where he went 12-8 with a 3.31 ERA in 25 starts. A Cal League All-Star, he tied for the league lead in wins and finished second in the circuit in ERA.

· In 4 starts against the Hooks is 1-1 with a 5.57 ERA (13 ER in 21.0 IP)

· Is 2-2 with 1 save and a 3.14 ERA at home (1-1, 5.57 ERA in 4 road starts)

· Originally a fourth-round pick of the Rockies in 2008 out of Western Michigan University

Offense still churning

The Hooks outscored the Missions 24-18 in taking two of three in the just-concluded series. Last night's game marked the 14th time this half the Hooks have scored six or more runs in a game. The Hooks are 9-5 in those 14 games.

Here in the second half, the Hooks are averaging 5.52 runs per game, more than a run per game better than what the club produced on offense in the first half (4.31 runs per game). Corpus Christi's team batting average in the second half stands at .281, compared to the club's first-half average of .262.

Going the ‚¬Ëœextra' mile

Two doubles and three home runs last night give the Hooks at least one extra-base hit in 41 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 49 doubles, 9 triples and 47 HRs in 33 games, the Hooks are averaging 3.18 extra-base hits per game.

Most notable is Corpus Christi's home run production. Here in the second half, the Hooks have hit 47 HRs in 33 games, exceeding their long-ball production of the first half (42 HRs in 70 games). The Hooks have hit 18 HRs over the last 11 games.

Pitching Rotation at Midland

Saturday: LHP Dallas Keuchel (9-6, 3.12) vs. RHP Gary Daley (4-4, 4.84)

Sunday: RHP Henry Sosa (2-0, 0.00) vs. RHP A.J. Griffin (2-2, 4.66)

Monday: RHP Jonnathan Aristil (4-8, 6.61) vs. RHP Jason Bergmann (1-6, 6.67)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Brandon Barnes

· Rejoined Hooks July 23 from AAA Oklahoma City

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

· Has 4-game hit streak, 5-14 with 2 doubles, 3 runs and 1 RBI

· Overall this year in 91 games batting .223-11-40

· Batting .250(11-44) vs. RHP; .393(11-28) vs. LHP; .353(6-17) 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

· Hits in 3 of his last 4 games, 4-14 with 1 double, 3 runs and 3 RBIs

· Tossed one inning of shutout relief last 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

· Has 5-game hit streak, 8-18 with 2 HRs, 5 runs and 7 RBIs

· Hits in 6 of his last 7 games, 9-27 with 2 HRs, 5 runs and 7 RBIs

· Has 17 RBIs in his last 26 games

· Batting .254(54-213) vs. RHP; .213(16-75) vs. LHP; .213(20-94) w/RISP

Jacob Goebbert

· Hits in 9 of his last 10 games, 15-37 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 4 runs and 5 RBIs

· Went 4-11 in San Antonio series with 1 triple and 5 RBIs

· Has 27 multi-hit games

· Hitting .287 on the road; is 0-6 with the bases loaded

· In 97 games overall this season batting .302-10-51

· Batting .335(66-197) vs. RHP; .267(16-60) vs. LHP; .412(28-68) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

· Joined Hooks July 7 from Lancaster in the Cal League

· Leads all full-season minor leaguers in OBP (.450) and ranks third in walks (78) and fourth in OPS (1.074)

· Hits in 13 of his last 14 games, 22-52 with 4 doubles, 4 HRs, 11 runs and 7 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 (81)

J.D. Martinez

· Has 5-game hit streak, 9-20 with 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 6 runs and 6 RBIs

· Hits in 12 of his last 14, 20-53 with 7 doubles, 4 HRs, 13 runs and 15 RBIs

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

· Has 27 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 .333(75-225) vs. RHP; .356(32-90) vs. LHP; .400(38-95) w/RISP

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

Jimmy Paredes

· Has 3-game hit streak (SA series), 8-13 with 1 double, 3 runs and 4 RBIs

· Has RBIs in 4 straight (5 total RBIs)

· Has 6 HRs in the last 32 games (4 HRs in his first 59)

· Ranks third in the TL in steals (29)

· Leads team with 30 multi-hit games, including three 4-hit games

· Batting .267(73-273) vs. RHP; .292(31-106) vs. LHP; .277(28-101) w/RISP

· Has 128 PO, 196 A, 18 E (Fielding pct. of .947)

T.J. Steele

· Was 0-1 in SA series; 2-7 in Frisco series with 2 runs and 1 RBI

· Is 8-26 in his last 8 games with 3 doubles, 1 HR, 5 runs and 3 RBIs

· Has single-season career highs in games (92), at-bats (338), hits (72), doubles (12), HRs (7), RBIs (42) and steals (16)

· Batting .175(42-240) vs. RHP; .306(30-98) vs. LHP; .190(19-100) w/RISP

Jimmy VanOstrand

· Hits in 6 of his last 8 games, 11-30 with 1 double, 3 HRs, 4 runs and 7 RBIs

· Has 27 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 .299(67-224) vs. RHP; .295(26-88) vs. LHP; .261(23-88) w/RISP

Jonathan Villar

· Hits in 10 of the last 11, 15-41 w/4 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HRs, 11 runs and 9 RBIs

· Was 0-4 last night to snap 10-game hit streak, his longest of the season

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

· In 93 games overall this year batting .246(88x358)-11-44

· Batting .238(31-130) vs. RHP; .222(12-54) vs. LHP; .281(9-32) w/RISP

· Has 66 PO, 114 A, 13 E (Fielding pct. of .933)

· 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 11 of his last 14 games, 15-53 with 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 7 runs and 14 RBIs

· Has 21 RBIs in his last 19 games (none in his last 5)

· Has thrown out 1 of 19 (5.3%) would-be base stealers

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

· Overall this year in 93 games batting .282(96x340)-19-76

· 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

· Has 3-game hit streak, 3-11 with 1 run

· 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 .324(55-170) vs. RHP; .274(17-62) vs. LHP; .333(16-48) w/RISP

· Has 74 PO, 161 A, 6 E (Fielding pct. of .975)

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 29-36, 4.91 ERA, 562.2 IP, 72 HR, 183 BB, 439 K, .272 AVG

Relievers: 12-26, 5.29 ERA, 350.2 IP, 40 HR, 191 BB, 318 K, .274 AVG

Xavier Cedeno

· Last appearances: Walked 2 & hit a batter, allowing 3 R while recording 1 out (sac bunt) Wednesday

· Made initial relief appearance of the year on Monday at Frisco: 1 BB, 1 K, 1.1 IP

· Rejoined club on Sunday after making 1 start for OKC: 2 ER over 4 IP in loss to Isotopes

· 5-5 with a 3.81 ERA in 19 starts...109 Ks and 42 BBs in 108.2 IP

· Fanned first 9 and was perfect thru 5.2 on June 27 vs. Frisco...ended with club-record 14 Ks in 6.2 IP

· Won Pitcher of the Week honors for performance, 1 of 9 quality starts on the season

· Carried a no-hitter into the 8th at Hammons Field on May 26

· Leads the TL in strikeouts, 3rd in opposition batting (.238), 5th in WHIP (1.28) and 6th in ERA

· DNP in 2010 regular season but went 1-2 with a 2.32 ERA in 12 appearances for Carolina of the PWL

· Was 4-4 with a 4.66 ERA in 44 relief outings between Tulsa and Modesto in 2009

Chris Hicks

· Last appearance: Walked 1 and fanned 1 in a scoreless 7th last night vs. San Antonio

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

· Retired all 5 batters he faced Sunday night at Frisco

· 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: (1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K) Allowed an IR to score on a groundout in the 5th Wednesday

· Struck out 2 and walked 1 over 1.2 scoreless last Saturday at Frisco

· Has yielded 1 run over last five outings (7.1 IP, 14 Ks, 5 BBs)

· Charged with 5 runs over last 16 appearances (22.2 IP, 29 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: Spun 2.1 shutout frames last night, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk while fanning a batter

· Touched for 1 run and 4 hits in last 5 appearances: 10 K, 2 BB, 6.0 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

· 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: Worked around a lead-off error and struck out 2 in a scoreless 8th last night

· Notched a perfect 8th Tuesday night, striking out a batter

· Failed to record an out last 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

· 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 his 2nd save with CC last night, facing the minimum in the 9th thanks to a DP

· Walked 1 and struck out 2 in a scoreless 9th Wednesday night

· Yielded 2 runs on 3 hits in 1 inning last Saturday 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: Tagged for 3 R on 4 H, notching just 1 out in the 8th inning Wednesday night vs. SA

· Had not yielded a run in his last four appearances (1 W, 1 SV, 5 IP, 4 Ks)

· Fashioned a shutout ninth Monday night at Frisco

· 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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