Game Notes, June 23 at Frisco
Published on June 23, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
Corpus Christi (2-1, 39-34) @ Frisco (1-2, 42-31)
A packed house here at Dr Pepper Ballpark last night watched a full-length preview of Friday Fireworks. Corpus Christi cranked out 15 hits; six went for extra bases and three left the yard as the Hooks handed Frisco ace Barret Loux his first loss of the season in 13-7 romp of the RoughRiders.
Drew Locke and Jonathan Villar turned in a pair of mammoth two-run shots to center field. Villar's four-RBI night out of the lead-off spot was bookended nicely by a stellar performance from nine-hole hitter Chris Wallace. CC's catcher went 3-for-3 with four runs scored, a double, home run, sac bunt and three RBIs. The barrage backed Bobby Doran making his Double-A debut. The native of nearby Flower Mound yielded five runs on eight hits over five frames to record the victory. Henry Villar fashioned a four-inning save to spell a bullpen that had toiled for 19.1 innings over the last four games.
The Hooks, 9-8 against Frisco this season, have won their last three games here in the Metroplex.
Tonight's Matchup:
RHP Jake Buchanan (3-5, 5.69) vs. RHP Jake Brigham (3-3, 4.31)
Buchanan, an eighth-round pick of the Astros in 2010 out of North Carolina State, makes his 15th start this season and his third opposite the RoughRiders. Buchanan's last start was in San Antonio on Monday when he got shelled for 10 runs (5 ER) on 8 hits over 2.2 innings. Over his last three starts, Buchanan has allowed 19 runs (14 ER) and 24 hits in 14.1 frames (8.79 ERA). He pitched well in April, going 1-0 with a 4.13 ERA, striking out 20 against 5 walks in 24.0 innings. In 25 starts last season for Lancaster in the California League, Buchanan was 5-10 with a 3.91 ERA. Selected as the Astros 2011 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Buchanan became the first Lancaster pitcher to start a minimum of 20 games and finish the season with an ERA under 4.00 since former Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb accomplished the feat in 2001 (28 starts, 3.99 ERA).
- 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 5 road starts / 2-2 with a 5.24 ERA in 9 starts at WF
- In 2 starts vs. Frisco is 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA
- Has issued 2 or fewer walks in 11 of his 14 starts...2.01 BB/9 IP ratio is 4th lowest among TL starters
Brigham, a sixth-round pick of the Rangers in 2006 out of Central Florida Christian Academy, makes his 15th start this season and his fourth against the Hooks. He got rocked for 6 runs (5 ER) on 9 hits over 5 frames in a no-decision Monday at Citibank Ballpark vs. Midland. June has not been kind to Brigham. He is 1-1 with a 6.26 ERA thru four starts this month, allowing 27 hits while striking out 27 against 9 walks in 23.0 innings. The Texas League All-Star went 2-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 10 starts over the first two months of the season. Brigham walked 16 and fanned 55 over 62.2 frames during that stretch. He currently ranks among the TL leaders in strikeouts (82, T-3rd), innings (85.2, 4th) and home runs allowed (14, 2nd). Last year, Brigham went 6-6 with a 4.49 ERA in 35 games and 14 starts for Frisco. Added to the Rangers 40-man roster in November, Brigham missed the entire 2008 season after having "Tommy John" surgery.
- Holding Texas League hitters to a .244 average
- In 3 starts against the Hooks is 1-1 with a 3.48 ERA, with 4 walks and 20 Ks in 20.2 IP
- Split '10 between Hickory & Bakersfield: 7-10 with a 4.69 ERA, tossing 2 CG, 1 SHO, 106 K, 50 BB
Bullish
Corpus Christi's bullpen has carried the load of late. Henry Villar's four-inning save was a welcome sight for skipper Keith Bodie who has marshaled a full-fledged parade between the bullpen and the mound during this road trip. Over the last six games, Hooks relievers have worked 28.1 innings, allowing 6 runs (1.91 ERA) on 25 hits while issuing 9 walks compared to 30 strikeouts. For the season, the pen is 18-9 with a 4.00 ERA, striking out 230 against 114 walks over 252.0 innings pitched.
Hooks closer and Texas League All-Star Jason Stoffel features 10 saves which are tied for third in the league. His BB/9 IP ratio (1.50) and runners/9 IP ratio (8.70) stand second among circuit relievers. Opponents are batting .206 against Stoffel, which is tied for fourth. Fellow all-star Kevin Chapman and Josh Zeid stand second and third among the loop's relief corps in K/9 IP with ratios of 10.63 and 10.20, respectively. Meanwhile, Erick Abreu's eight victories are tied for second in the league.
Singleton to play in Futures Game
Astros top prospect Jon Singleton has been selected as Houston's lone representative to play in Major League Baseball's All-Star Futures Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City next month.
Singleton is currently hitting .269 with a team-leading 11 home runs and 42 RBIs, which rank second on the club. He stands second in the Texas League in runs scored (49) and fourth in walks (45). Acquired as part of the trade that sent Hunter Pence to Philadelphia last season, Singleton was named Corpus Christi's player of the month for May when he hit .281 with 7 home runs and 24 RBIs while featuring an OPS of .931. He was also tabbed as the league's player of the week for May 21-27 (.500-4-12).
The Hooks have been represented at each of the Futures Games since the club's inception. Last season, Jose Altuve went 2-for-3 for the World Team. Altuve is a favorite to lineup for the Astros at this year's MLB All-Star Game.
Bats stir
Corpus Christi's offense has been sluggish on this road trip...that is until last night. The club erupted for 13 runs on 15 hits, including 3 home runs and 3 doubles. The 3 long balls snap a four-game homerless drought and tie a season high achieved on May 26 vs. Springfield (Singleton-Barnes-Villar). The last multi home run game for the Hooks was on June 7 vs. Midland when Kody Hinze went deep twice.
Over the prior eight games, the team was hitting .246 with six home runs and 30 RBIs while averaging 4.3 runs per contest. Hooks hitters struck out 64 times compared to just 21 walks. For the season, the club leads the Texas League with 382 runs scored (5.2 per game) and is tied for second in batting average (.264).
Buck rehab
Astros outfielder Travis Buck continues his rehab with the Hooks. On Houston's 15-day disabled list with Achilles tendinitis, Buck is 1-for-9 with 1 run, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts in 4 games with Corpus Christi. He's expected to stay with the club for the duration of the series here in Frisco.
In 33 games with the Astros this year, Buck is hitting .216 (16x74) with no homers and 6 RBIs. Originally a supplemental first-round pick of the A's in 2005 out of Arizona State, Buck played a portion of the 2006 season (50 games) with Midland, hitting .302-4-22 for the RockHounds.
Pitching Rotation at Frisco
Sunday: RHP Jarred Cosart (3-4, 4.00) vs. RHP Cody Buckel (0-0, 0.00)
Monday: RHP Ross Seaton (5-3, 3.83) vs. RHP Neil Ramirez (0-0, 0.00)
HOOKS PLAYER NOTES
Adam Bailey
- Added to roster May 30 from Advanced-A Lancaster
- Is 5-21 on road trip with 3 walks, 2 doubles, 3 runs and 1 RBI
- Game-winning RBI in 12th Wednesday night snapped 8-game RBI drought
- Batting .232(13-56) vs. RHP; .286(4-14) vs. LHP: .200(3-15) w/RISP
- 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
Jay Fernandez
- Hits in 7 of his last 9 games, 12-30 w/ 1 BB, 3 2B, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 6 R and 5 RBIs
- Selected Texas League Player of the Week June 11-17, hit .524-1-5 w/ 3 doubles
- Now has 6 games experience at 3B in his 9-year career
- Batting .213(13-61) vs. RHP; .364(8-22) vs. LHP; .208(5-24) w/RISP
- Has a career caught-stealing percentage of 40.0 (167 of 417)
Kody Hinze
- Hits in 5 of the last 7 games, 8-30 with 4 walks, 3 HRs, 5 runs and 8 RBIs
- Hitting .311(19-61) in June with 1 double, 5 HRs, 8 runs and 16 RBIs
- Batting .255(25-98) at home; .208(21-101) on the road
- Batting .212(32-151) vs. RHP; .292(14-48) vs. LHP; .210(13-62) w/RISP
- Ranked 4th last year in the minors in walks (94) and 15th in OPS (.961)
Drew Locke
- Joined club June 9 as a free-agent signee by the Astros
- Is 7-40 (.175) on road trip with 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 3 walks, 1 double and 5 runs
- 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
- Hits in 18 of his last 21 games, 29-95 with 5 doubles, 1 HR, 13 runs and 17 RBIs
- Is 11-43 on road trip with 1 walk, 2 doubles, 4 runs and 5 RBIs
- 2nd in the league in hitting (.309) & PA/K (12.00), 3rd in hits (84) & 4th in RBIs (47)
- 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 .296(61-206) vs. RHP; .348(23-66) vs. LHP; .375(30-80) w/RISP
Ryan McCurdy
- Is 0-12 in his last 5 games with 1 walk and 1 run
- Grand slam May 25 his first pro HR (in portions of 3 seasons had played in 72 G)
- Batting .259(15-58) vs. RHP; 0-11 vs. LHP; .238(5-21) w/RISP
- Had played just 2 games w/ Lancaster this season, was 2-3 with 1 HBP
- Hit .324 with 8 R, 6 2Bs and 17 RBIs in 32 games for Tri-City last season
Drew Muren
- 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
- Has 7-game hit streak, 12-31 with 1 walk, 3 doubles and 7 runs
- Batting .375(9-24) vs. RHP; .286(4-14) vs. LHP; .250(2-8) w/RISP
- A 22nd-round pick of the Astros last June out of Cal State-Northridge
Andy Simunic
- Rejoined Hooks June 14 from AAA Oklahoma City, where he was 0-9 in 8 games
- Has 12-game hit streak, 20-54 with 2 walks, 2 doubles, 8 runs and 3 RBIs
- Eighth in the league in hitting (.298)
- Batting .311(47-151) vs. RHP; .262(11-42) vs. LHP; .216(11-51) w/RISP
- Grounded into a DP Wednesday night for just the second time this season
- In five pro seasons has bounced into just 12 DPs in 1,439 plate appearances
- Finished last year at Lancaster: .295-5-28 in 67 games
Jon Singleton
- Is 4-30 on road trip with 4 walks, 2 runs and 2 RBIs
- 2nd in the league in runs (49) and 4th in walks (45)
- 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 .287(50-174) vs. RHP; .221(15-68) vs. LHP; .33824-71) w/RISP
- Hitting .296(50-169) when he starts at 1B; .183(11-60) when he starts in LF
- Has started 47 games at 1B; 16 games in LF
- Ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Astros system
Jonathan Villar
- Hits in 7 of his last 7, 9-35 with 2 walks, 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 5 runs and 10 RBIs
- Is 35-113(.310) in his last 27 games with 2 doubles, 6 HRs, 26 runs and 25 RBIs
- Leads the league with 32 stolen bases
- Tied franchise record with 4 steals June 9 vs. Midland
- Batting .258(49-190) vs. RHP; .278(20-72) vs. LHP; .315(23-73) w/RISP
- Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 prospect in the Astros system
Chris Wallace
- Is 3-14 on road trip with 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 HBP, 5 runs and 7 Ks
- 3-3 last night with 4 R, 1 2B, 1 HR & 3 RBIs (1st HR since 5/31 vs. ARK)
- Was 3-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs June 13 to close out home stand
- Batting .225(20-89) vs. RHP; .182(6-33) vs. LHP; .243(8-37) w/RISP
- His HR (20) and RBI (78) totals ranked third among Houston farmhands last year
Brandon Wikoff
- Joined club May 28 from extended spring, where he'd been recuperating from a wrist injury (left wrist)
- 0-1 as a PH Thursday night...first action of the road trip
- Was 7-25 on recent home stand with 4 walks, 2 doubles, 5 runs and 2 RBIs
- In 103 games last year with the Hooks batted .308 w/ 6 doubles, 3 HRs and 26 RBIs
- Was the Texas League's Player of the Week (April 25-May 1, 2011), hit .600
- Maintained an average of .400 or better from April 25 thru June 6 last year
- Finished last season with four September games w/ OKC (.154-0-0)
BULLPEN REPORT
Starters: 21-25, 4.62 ERA, 405.0 IP, 43 HR, 128 BB, 326 K, .276 AVG
Relievers: 18-9, 4.00 ERA, 252.0 IP, 22 HR, 114 BB, 230 K, .254 AVG
Erick Abreu
- Surrendered 2-run walk-off HR to SA's Nate Freiman in the 11th Thursday night
- Earned 8th victory (T-2nd in TL) Wednesday night: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 IBB, 2 K
- Has not been charged with a run in 10 of last 13 outings...3 of 12 IR have scored
- Is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in 2 starts / 8-2 with a 4.81 ERA in 21 G out of the pen
- Ranked among TL leaders in WHIP (1.22, 4th) and ERA (4.29, 9th) last season
- Captured P-o-W award for 2nd straight year: 10 K, 1 BB, 2 H, 1 UR in 8 IP Aug. 17
- CC's P-o-M in August 2010: 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in 7 games and 4 starts
- Holds club record for Ws (21), Ks (271) & APP (114) & ranks 2nd in IP (305.1)
Kevin Chapman
- Carved out 2 scoreless IP Wednesday night in SA, allowing 2 H while striking out 3
- Suffered the L on last Friday at FRI...allowed 1 R on 1 H, 1 BB and 1 HBP in the 8th
- Had not been charged with a run in 9 of last 10 APP (9.2 IP)...2 of 5 IR have scored
- 21 of his 28 outings have been of the scoreless variety...5 of 12 IR have scored
- Holding lefties to a .227 batting average (10x44), 2 RBIs, 11 BB, 17 K
- K/9 IP ratio of 10.63 ranks 2nd among Texas League relievers
- A top-20 KC prospect by BA last year: 1-4, 10 SV, 4.94 ERA in Wilmington & NWA
- Struck out 90 & walked 28 over 62.0 IP...save total ranked 3rd in the Royals system
- Entered '12 with a career BB-to-K ratio of 1-to-3.06 & is averaging 12.38 K per 9 IP
Arcenio Leon
- Earned the W Tuesday night in SA with 2 shutout frames (2 K, 0 H)
- Has not permitted a run in last 4 appearances (8 IP, 2 H, 8 K, 2 BB--1 IBB)
- Has been charged with 2 ER over last 9 APP (11.2 IP)...4 of 4 IR have scored
- Lefties hitting .328 with 12 BB and 12 K / Righties hitting .195 with 9 BB and 21 K
- Posted a 2.45 ERA in April (7 G), holding the opposition to a .224 batting average
- Led the Texas League last season in SO/9 IP ratio (10.16) for relievers
- Paced the Hooks with 47 app., the third-highest single-season total in team history
- Placed on 40-man in Nov. '10, going 2-4 w/ 4 SV & a 3.97 ERA in Lex. and CC
Alex Sogard
- Allowed 2 H over 2 scoreless frames Thursday night
- Strung together 3.1 shutout frames on Monday in SA: 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K
- Has not yielded a run in last 3 APP (7.1 IP)...2 of 2 IR have scored
- Has surrendered a run in 10 of his 14 appearances with the Hooks
- Was 0-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 6 outings at Lancaster to start the season
- Held the California League to a .197 average, 0 HR, 8 BB & 17 K in 16.0 IP
- 3-4 w/ a 4.14 ERA in 31 G (10 starts) for Lex. last year (4-for-6 in SV chances)
- Notched 148 strikeouts against 37 walks (4-to-1 ratio) in first 2 seasons as a pro
- Teammate of Buchanan at NC State: 10-6 w/ a 5.16 ERA, 73 BB, 96 K over 3 years
Jason Stoffel
- Notched 10th save (T-3rd in TL) Wednesday night after a scoreless 9th
- Blew first save chance of the season Sunday at FRI: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K
- Has not been charged with a run in 16 of last 18 app (19.1 IP)...1 of 9 IR has scored
- 22 of his 27 outings have been of the scoreless variety
- 2nd among TL relievers in runners per 9 (8.70) & BB/9 (1.50), T-4th in AVG (.206)
- Went 2-5 w/ 17 SV & a 4.53 ERA in 50 G between Richmond & CC in 2011
- Tied for 4th among SF farmhands in saves, recording 13 in 17 opportunities
- In 2010, led the Giants system with 25 saves and notched a SO/9 IP ratio of 11.17
- Entered '12 season averaging 10.27 SO/9 IP & has a GO/AO ratio of 1.72 for career
- Stands as the Wildcats career leader in saves (29) and appearances (99)
Henry Villar
- Earned first save of the season last night, permitting 2 R over 4 IP
- Struck out 4 & did not walk a batter over 3 scoreless IP Tuesday night in SA
- Held opp. scoreless in 7 of 10 APP since DL stint: 2.55 ERA (5 ER/17.2 IP, 2 BB, 15 K)
- Activated May 19 after spending the bulk of the month on the shelf
- Made 2 starts for Cosart (4/16 & 4/10): 2 L, 6 IP, 12 H, 9 ER, 2 HR, 1BB, 4 K vs. TUL
- As a reliever: 2-0 with a 3.45 ERA in 14 appearances: 27 H, 4 HR, 5 BB, 19 K, 28.2 IP
- Went 4-5 with a 5.45 ERA in 42 appearances between OKC and CC last season
- Made his big-league debut in 2010 as a September call-up, yielding 3 ER in 6 IP
Josh Zeid
- Struck out 2 and walked 1 over 2 shutout IP Thursday night
- Worked 2 scoreless frames Monday night in SA: 1 H, 4 K
- Has not allowed a run in 5 of last 6 APP (7.1 IP)...1 of 4 IR have scored
- His 10.20 K/9 IP ratio is 3rd among TL relievers
- Bases-loaded BB & HBP preceded a grand slam June 6. vs. MID (3 R, 1 IP)
- Was not charged with a run over 5 app. from May 23 to June 2 (6.0 IP)...2 of 4 IR scored
- Prior to that stretch, yielded 10 R in 3 straight outings (1.2 IP, 9 hits, 1 grand slam)
- Moved to Reading's pen in late June last year: 2 SV, 2.25 ERA, 2 BB, 24 K, 16.0 IP
- Joined Hooks in late July: 0-1, 10.13 ERA, 15 G, 16 IP, 6 BB, 15 K
- Mid-season SAL All-Star in 2010
- Top 5 for Lakewood in W (8, T-1st), SV (8, 2nd), K (111, 2nd) & IP (107.1 IP, 4th)
- Has a career 3.18 K/BB ratio over 3 seasons, holding the opposition to a .245 average
Texas League Stories from June 23, 2012
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- Game Notes, June 23 at Frisco - Corpus Christi Hooks
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