TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Game Notes, June 25 at Frisco

Published on June 25, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


Corpus Christi (4-1, 41-34) @ Frisco (1-4, 42-33)

Corpus Christi made it five in a row at Dr Pepper Ballpark, holding on for a 3-2 win last night. The Hooks, 11-8 against Frisco this season, are in search of their first series sweep at Frisco since July 2005.

Jarred Cosart tossed six shutout innings and allowed just four hits and two walks, inducing nine groundball outs against three fly outs. The Hooks supported Cosart with two runs in the third against 20-year old Cody Buckel, making his Double-A debut. Travis Buck and Drew Locke smacked RBI doubles to left and right field, respectively, putting the visitors up 2-0. In the fifth, Martinez greeted reliever Richard Bleier with his second solo home run to left field in as many nights.

Cosart's shutout bid was held intact by brilliant defensive work from Drew Muren and Jay Fernandez in the sixth. Engel Beltre began the frame with a double and moved to third on a sac bunt by Leury Garcia. Jurickson Profar then hit a line drive to center field. Muren made the catch and fired a strike to Fernandez at home plate. Beltre barreled down the line and collided with Fernandez who held on to complete the double play.

Kevin Chapman entered in relief of Cosart and retired the first seven batters he faced before Garcia's double in the ninth. One out later, Chris McGuiness, who hit three home runs in Game 1 of the series, belted a two-run shot to left field, cutting Corpus Christi lead to one. Hooks closer Jason Stoffel retired the next batter for his 11th save.

Tonight's Matchup:

RHP Ross Seaton (5-3, 3.83) vs. RHP Neil Ramirez (0-0, 0.00)

Seaton, a third-round selection of the Astros in the 2008 draft, makes his 15th start for the Hooks and his third against the RoughRiders. Last Wednesday at San Antonio, Seaton had his best start of the season, tossing 8.0-innings of 4-hit, 1-run ball. He had to settle for a no-decision as the Hooks won the game 2-1 in 12 innings. The effort followed up a strong performance June 15 here at Dr Pepper Ballpark when Seaton limited the RoughRiders to two runs on seven hits over seven innings while striking out a season-high seven batters in a 3-2 loss. Seaton, who threw 92 pitches, did not figure in the decision. The Houston native 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. Seaton has not missed a turn in the rotation since July of 2009 when he pitched for Lexington - a span of 78 starts.

- Has issued 2 or fewer walks in 12 of his 14 starts with the Hooks (just 2 walks in his last 5 starts)

- He is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 2 starts against the RoughRiders (8 Ks, 0 BB)

- Made his AAA debut with OKC April 22 vs. Albuquerque (4.2-7-6-5-2-1, ND)

Ramirez, a supplemental first-round pick (44th overall) of Texas in 2007 out of Kempsville High School in Virginia, makes his first start of the season with Frisco. A member of the Rangers' 40-man roster, Ramirez was recently optioned from Triple-A Round Rock where he went 6-8 with a 7.66 ERA in 15 starts. PCL hitters featured a .271 batting average against Ramirez, belting 12 home runs. He struck out 63 and walked 31 in 74.0 innings. Ramirez pitched well in his last start, holding Iowa to 3 runs on 2 hits (1 HR) in 6.2 innings Wednesday. He struck out 8 and walked 2 but was saddled with the loss. The 23-year old out of Virginia Beach allowed 5 runs thru is first 4 starts (21.0 IP) before posting a 3-3 record and 9.79 ERA in May. Ramirez combined to go 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA and 199 Ks against 44 walks in 25 starts between Myrtle Beach (1), Frisco (6) and Round Rock (18), last season, limiting the opposition to a .215 batting average. He made just one start with the Pelicans before earning a promotion to Triple-A. Ramirez was named Texas' Minor League Pitcher of Month for April after going 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA in first 5 starts for the Express (30 Ks/26.2 IP). For the season, averaged 10.9 strikeouts per 9 innings.

- Entered 2012 as the 5th-best prospect in the Rangers system, according to Baseball America

- 10-8 with a 4.43 ERA in 28 appearances (26 starts) for Hickory in 2010...142 Ks, 37 BBs, 14 HR, 140.1 IP

- 6-2, 1.46 ERA, 74 Ks, 52.2 IP as a senior at Kempsville HS (Gatorade Virginia Baseball Player of the Year)

Cosart named Pitcher of the Week

Two days after being named to the Texas League South Division All-Star Team, Jarred Cosart has been tabbed the circuit's Pitcher of the Week for June 18-24. Cosart turned in his second consecutive shutout performance last night, holding the RoughRiders to four hits and two walks. The League City native blanked San Antonio thru seven frames last Tuesday. He struck out 9 against 3 walks for the week, inducing 20 ground ball outs compared to 4 fly outs. Including his June 14 start here at Dr Pepper Ballpark, Cosart has not allowed a run over his last 15 frames.

Jose Cisnero won Pitcher of the Week honors earlier this month when he struck out 7 and allowed only 1 unearned run on 1 walk and 5 hits over 7.0 innings May 31 at Arkansas.

June boom

The Hooks, who have won 7 of their last 9 and 14 of the last 18 games, are playing their best brand of ball here in the month of June. For the month, the club is 16-7, including a 7-1 mark at Whataburger Field. Corpus Christi features a team batting average of .275, 21 home runs and 113 RBIs. The Hooks are averaging 4.2 runs per game in June.

Pitching has been the key to this recent run. Hooks hurlers have posted a 3.84 ERA, a vast improvement from their overall ERA of 4.31. They have struck out 185 against 63 walks during the month, limiting the league to a .246 batting average. For the season, the opposition is batting .266.

Running rough shot

Corpus Christi enters play tonight having won five in a row against Frisco. A victory here tonight would put the Hooks in a tie with the 'Riders for first place in the TL South overall standings. CC has outscored the RoughRiders 40-15 during the streak.

A win this evening would also mark the Hooks' first series sweep at Dr Pepper Ballpark since 2005 when the club ran the table in a five-game set July 6-10. Chris Sampson tossed a complete game three-hit shutout to beat John Danks 4-0 in the series finale.

Buck rehab

Astros outfielder Travis Buck continues his rehab with the Hooks. On Houston's 15-day disabled list with Achilles tendinitis, Buck is 3-for-17 (.176) with 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, 4 walks and 6 strikeouts in 6 games with Corpus Christi.

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 vs. NW Arkansas

Friday: LHP Chris Dwyer (5-6, 5.24) vs. RHP Jose Cisnero (4-6, 3.79)

Saturday: LHP Noel Arguelles (2-7, 6.12) vs. RHP Bobby Doran (1-0, 9.00)

Sunday: RHP Sugar Ray Marimon (0-0, 1.50) vs. RHP Jarred Cosart (4-4, 3.65)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Adam Bailey

- Added to roster May 30 from Advanced-A Lancaster

- Is 6-23 on road trip with 4 walks, 2 doubles, 3 runs and 2 RBIs

- Game-winning RBI in 12th last Wednesday snapped 8-game RBI drought

- Batting .251(14-58) vs. RHP; .286(4-14) vs. LHP: .250(4-16) 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 8 of his last 10 games, 13-34 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 .203(13-64) vs. RHP; .391(9-23) 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 8 games, 8-34 with 4 walks, 3 HRs, 5 runs and 8 RBIs

- Hitting .292 (19-65) in June with 1 double, 5 HRs, 8 runs and 16 RBIs

- Batting .255(25-98) at home; .200(21-105) on the road

- Batting .208(32-154) vs. RHP; .286(14-49) 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 8-48 (.166) on road trip with 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 3 walks, 2 doubles 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 20 of his last 23 games, 33-103 with 5 doubles, 3 HRs, 17 runs and 19 RBIs

- Is 15-51 on road trip with 2 walks, 2 doubles, 7 runs and 7 RBIs

- 2nd in the league in AVG (.314) & PA/K (11.88), 2nd in hits (88) & 3rd in RBIs (49)

- 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 .302(64-212) vs. RHP; .353(24-68) vs. LHP; .370(30-81) 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

- Had 7-game hit streak snapped Saturday, 12-31 with 1 walk, 3 doubles and 7 runs

- Batting .333(10-30) vs. RHP; .333(5-15) vs. LHP; .182(2-11) 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 club-high 14-game hit streak, 24-61 with 2 walks, 2 doubles, 9 runs and 3 RBIs

- Tied for 5th in the league in hitting (.305)

- Batting .314(50-159) vs. RHP; .273(12-44) 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 5-35 on road trip with 7 walks, 2 runs and 2 RBIs

- 2nd in the league in runs (49) and 3rd in walks (48)

- 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(51-178) vs. RHP; .217(15-69) vs. LHP; .333(24-72) w/RISP

- Hitting .293(51-174) when he starts at 1B; .183(11-60) when he starts in LF

- Has started 49 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 9, 10-43 with 3 walks, 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 5 runs and 10 RBIs

- Is 36-121(.298) in his last 29 games with 2 doubles, 6 HRs, 26 runs and 25 RBIs

- Leads the league with 33 stolen bases

- Tied franchise record with 4 steals June 9 vs. Midland

- Batting .254(50-197) vs. RHP; .274(20-73) vs. LHP; .311(23-74) w/RISP

- Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 prospect in the Astros system

Chris Wallace

- Is 3-17 on road trip with 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 5 runs and 9 Ks

- 3-3 Friday 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 .217(20-92) 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 last Thursday...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, 4.47 ERA, 418.2 IP, 43 HR, 132 BB, 331 K, .274 AVG

Relievers: 18-9, 4.04 ERA, 256.1 IP, 23 HR, 114 BB, 232 K, .252 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

- Retired first 7 in order last night...yielded 2-R HR to McGuiness in 9th (2.2 IP, 2 R)

- 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

- 21 of his 29 outings have been of the scoreless variety...5 of 12 IR have scored

- Holding lefties to a .229 batting average (11x48), 4 RBIs, 1 HR, 11 BB, 17 K

- K/9 IP ratio of 10.06 ranks 3rd 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

- Big K with the bases loaded to end the eighth Saturday night (1 HBP, 1 R, 0.1 IP)

- Earned the W Tuesday night in SA with 2 shutout frames (2 K, 0 H)

- Has been charged with 3 ER over last 10 APP (12.0 IP)...4 of 4 IR have scored

- Lefties hitting .323 with 12 BB and 13 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

- Retired lone batter he faced last night to notch 11th save (3rd in TL) in 12 chances

- Allowed IR to score Saturday night on two WP (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R)

- Blew first save chance of the season last Sunday at FRI: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K

- Has not been charged with a run in 18 of last 20 app (20.2 IP)...2 of 10 IR have scored

- 24 of his 29 outings have been of the scoreless variety

- Leads TL relievers in runners per 9 (8.33) & BB/9 (1.44), 2nd in AVG (.198)

- 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 Friday 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 2nd 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

Check out the Corpus Christi Hooks Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 25, 2012


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