TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Game Notes, September 1 - Frisco at Corpus Christi

Published on September 1, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


Frisco (35-30, 75-60) @ Corpus Christi (25-40, 50-85)

The blow was sudden and swift. Renny Osuna clubbed a grand slam home run with two outs in the top of the eighth to lift the visiting RoughRiders to a 6-5 win over the Hooks last night. Osuna entered the game in the bottom of the sixth after third baseman Tommy Mendonca injured himself diving for a ball off the bat of T.J. Steele that turned into a double. Osuna smacked the second pitch from reliever Henry Villar (2-4) over the wall in left for his 10th homer of the year, this after Arcenio Leon had walked the two previous batters.

Osuna's slam erased Corpus Christi's three-run half of the seventh. Kody Hinze's single to center plated Brandon Barnes from second for a 3-2 Hooks lead, and Steele followed with a majestic home run to left-center that staked the home club to a 5-2 advantage. The result robbed starter Ross Seaton of a well-deserved win. Seaton yielded just two runs on four hits over seven innings while posting a season-best seven strikeouts.

Tonight's Matchup:

RHP Neil Ramirez (1-0, 1.88) vs. RHP Jake Buchanan (0-0, 0.00)

Ramirez, a supplemental first-round pick (44th overall) of the Rangers in 2007 out of Kempsville (VA) High School, makes his sixth start for Frisco and his 24th start this season in the Texas farm system. Last Saturday at Midland, Ramirez allowed just one run on two hits and a walk over five innings in a 3-1 win over the RockHounds. The outing represented his first start with Frisco that exceeded three innings. The fourth-year pro opened the year making one start for Myrtle Beach (Apr 8 vs. Wilm, 4.2-1-0-0-1-9, ND) before receiving a promotion to AAA Round Rock, where in 17 starts he was 4-3 with a 3.68 ERA. Placed on the disabled list in mid July with shoulder fatigue, Ramirez reemerged with Frisco in early August.

· Overall this season in 23 starts is 5-3 with a 3.22 ERA, with 42 walks and 111 strikeouts in 92.1 innings

· Went 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA in 4 April starts with Round Rock

· Held PCL hitters to a .232 average

Buchanan, an eighth-round pick of the Astros in 2010 out of North Carolina State, makes his AA debut here tonight for the Hooks. Called up in the wake of RHP Paul Clemens' promotion to AAA Oklahoma City, Buchanan has spent the entire season with Lancaster in the California League, where in 25 starts he went 5-10 with a 3.91 ERA, with 157 hits, 35 walks and 102 strikeouts in 158.2 innings. Though he suffered losses in each of his last six starts with the JetHawks (0-6, 4.74 ERA), Buchanan's 3.91 ERA ranks third in the Astros farm system - no small achievement when you consider that Lancaster's home games are played at ClearChannel Stadium, easily one of the most offensive ballparks in the pro ranks. To put it in perspective, Lancaster's team ERA entering play tonight stands at 5.98.

· Had a 2.31 GO/AO ratio with Lancaster and held Cal League hitters to a .256 average

· In 14 road starts with the JetHawks went 4-4 with a 2.17 ERA (1-6, 6.86 in 11 home starts)

· Spent all last year with Tri-City in the NYPL, going 4-5 with a 4.28 ERA in 14 starts

Slammin' it

Osuna's grand slam last night was a rarity. How rare' It was just the second slam for the RoughRiders this season. Their only other grand slam came June 13 when Mike Bianucci slugged one out as part of a seven-run top half of the fourth in Frisco's 13-6 romp at Midland.

The blast was just the third surrendered by the Hooks this year. Midland's Stephen Parker hit one May 6 and San Antonio's Jaff Decker clubbed one June 22. Both of those were also hit here at Whataburger Field.

The Hooks, meanwhile, have hit five grand slams this year - three at home and two at Northwest Arkansas in the same game (July 3).

Seaton, Cosart rolling

Seaton's start last night continued his trend towards a strong finish to the year. In striking out a season-high seven batters in seven innings, Seaton threw just 72 pitches. The performance marked his fifth straight no-decision, and in those last five starts he has a 2.37 ERA (8 ER in 30.1 IP).

Seaton's start followed Tuesday's effort by Jarred Cosart, who allowed just one run in five innings in the series opener against the RoughRiders. In his last four starts, Cosart is 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA.

Franchise lows

Last night's result marked Corpus Christi's 85th loss this year, tying the franchise record for most losses in a single season, set by the 2008 club (55-85). Adding to the record-low index, the loss gave the Hooks a mark of 8-21 in August - the worst August in the club's seven-year history. The previous August low (10-20) was set in 2008.

Furthermore, the setback gave the club a record of 11-29 in games decided by one run. That's a winning percentage of .275 in one-run games. The club's worst single-season effort in one-run affairs was also set in 2008 when the team went 16-27 for a winning percentage of .372.

Pitching Rotation vs. Frisco

Friday: LHP Ben Snyder (10-5, 4.03) vs. RHP Erick Abreu (6-7, 4.51)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Adam Bailey

· Joined club August 12 from Lancaster in time for game 2 of DH at Arkansas

· Hits in 6 of the last 7 games, 8-27 with 2 doubles, 2 runs and 3 RBIs

· In 109 games this year with Lexington and Lancaster was batting .284(125x440) with 17 doubles, 2 triples, 21 HRs and 80 RBIs

· Ranks second among Astros farmhands in HRs (22) and RBIs (90)

Brandon Barnes

· Rejoined club August 1 from the temporarily inactive list

· In 71 games with AAA OKC batted .197-8-27 with 5 SBs

· Has 4-game hit streak, 8-15 with 2 doubles, 1 HR, 2 runs and 3 RBIs

· Is 8-17 this home stand with 2 doubles, 1 HR, 2 runs and 3 RBIs

· Overall in 119 gms is .234(96x411) w/24 doubles, 5 triples, 15 HRs and 54 RBIs

· Batting .222(26-117) vs. RHP; .385(25-65) vs. LHP; .283(13-46) w/RISP

Brian Esposito

· Returned to club August 6 from AAA Oklahoma City

· Had been on the DL (right knee)

· Is 0-13 in his last 4 games; 1-20 in his last 6

· Is 9-49 with 4 walks, 3 doubles, 5 runs and 3 RBIs in 16 games since his return

· Batting .203(15-74) vs. RHP; .086(3-35) vs. LHP; .259(7-27) w/RISP

· Has thrown out 5 of 35 (14.3%) would-be base stealers

David Flores

· Rejoined club August 4 from Lancaster

· In 50 games with JetHawks hit .311(57x183) with 14 doubles, 12 HRs and 48 RBIs

· Hits in 8 of the last 10 games, 8-29 with 1 double, 2 runs and 1 RBI

· Batting .199(28-141) vs. RHP; .188(12-64) vs. LHP; .220(11-50) w/RISP

· Started in LF Monday night - 1st start in LF and 3rd game played there

· Has 81 PO, 106 A, 6 E (Fielding pct. of .969)

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

· In 15 games with the Lancaster Barnstormers (indy) batted .280-2-11

· Is 14-46(.304) in his last 18 gms w/14 walks, 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 6 runs and 4 RBIs

· Has thrown out 8 of 39 (20.5%) would-be base stealers

Jon Gaston

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

· Is 1-24 in the last 8 games with 1 HR

· Is Corpus Christi's leader with 5 triples

· Batting .225-6-24 in 55 second-half games

· Batting .228(67-294) vs. RHP; .235(24-102) vs. LHP; .203(24-118) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

· Joined Hooks July 7 from Lancaster in the Cal League

· Tied for third among all full-season minor leaguers in walks (92) and ranks sixth in OBP (.428)

· Is 5-19 this home stand with 3 walks, 3 runs and 2 RBIs

· Is 15-50 in his last 14 games with 1 HR, 6 runs and 9 RBIs

· With JetHawks in 80 games hit .323(92x285) w/20 doubles, 22 HRs and 70 RBIs

· 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 (29) and RBIs (97)

T.J. Steele

· Hits in 8 of his last 11, 14-38 w/5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HRs, 11 runs and 12 RBIs

· Has single-season career highs in games (117), at-bats (415), hits (89), doubles (17), HRs (11), runs (55), RBIs (55) and steals (20)

· Batting .179(52-291) vs. RHP; .298(37-124) vs. LHP; .192(23-120) w/RISP

J.C. Thompson

· Rejoined club August 12 from Lancaster in time for game 2 of DH at Arkansas

· Is 3-26 with 2 walks, 1 double and 2 runs in 8 games since his return

· In 69 games with JetHawks hit .303(81x267) with 14 doubles, 10 HRs and 46 RBIs

· Signed by Astros as a free agent in January; a non-roster invitee to ML Spring Tr'ing

· Played 1 year at Western Oklahoma JC (2009), hit .440-10-62 in 59 games

Jimmy VanOstrand

· Hits in 7 of his last 9 games, 11-26 with 1 double, 2 runs and 3 RBIs

· Hits in 14 of his last 19, 23-62(.371) with 2 doubles, 3 HRs, 6 runs and 10 RBIs

· Has 29 multi-hit games, including eight 3-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 167 RBIs

· Batting .305(75-246) vs. RHP; .306(30-98) vs. LHP; .276(27-98) w/RISP

Jonathan Villar

· Hits in 6 of the last 7 games, 9-26 with 1 HR, 5 runs and 2 RBIs

· Leads Astros farm system with 34 SBs

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

· In 124 games overall this year batting .240(115x480)-14-51

· Batting .243(51-210) vs. RHP; .198(19-96) vs. LHP; .216(11-51) w/RISP

· Has 107 PO, 190 A, 22 E (Fielding pct. of .931)

· Rated as Astros #3 prospect entering the 2011 season by Baseball America

Brandon Wikoff

· Hits in 3 of the last 4 games, 6-13 with 2 walks, 1 double, 3 runs and 2 RBIs

· Hits in 10 of the last 15 games, 17-47(.362) w/2 doubles, 2 HRs, 8 runs and 7 RBIs

· 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)

· Has 27 multi-hit games, including three 4-hit games

· Batting .316(75-237) vs. RHP; .289(26-90) vs. LHP; .348(23-66) w/RISP

· Has 108 PO, 234 A, 7 E (Fielding pct. of .980)

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 35-45, 4.64 ERA, 738.2 IP, 89 HR, 243 BB, 577 K, .263 AVG

Relievers: 15-40, 5.35 ERA, 452.2 IP, 52 HR, 247 BB, 423 K, .277 AVG

Jonnathan Aristil

· Last appearance: Fanned 7 batters over four one-hit scoreless frames Tuesday to earn his second save

· Had allowed 7 ER over last 7 appearances (12.1 IP) since joining the bullpen: 6 BB, 15 K

· Allowed 1 R on 2 H and 2 BB over 2 frames Saturday night vs. SA

· Is 3-8 with a 6.75 ERA in 21 games as a starter this season

· His 117 K and 66 BB stand 4th in the Texas League

· Pitched for the Rockies top three affiliates in 2010, making 11 of his 33 appearances with Tulsa

· Was 1-1 with a 4.39 ERA in 11 appearances and 3 starts last year for the Drillers

· Originally signed by the Rockies as a non-drafted free agent in July of 2003

· Former infielder, converted to pitching while with the DSL Rockies early in 2006

Chris Hicks

· Last appearance: Tip-toed around 2 H and a BB in the fifth of Game 2 of the DH last Friday at MID

· Surrendered two IR on a triple by Tartamella in the 8th August 21 vs. SPR

· A couple errors, 1 BB & 2 H paved the way toward 4 R (1 ER) in the 9th August 18 vs. ARK

· Had not been charged with a run in 7 of his first 9 app. as Hook, yielding a total of 2 ER in 10.1 IP

· 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

Blake King

· Last appearance: Issued 4 BB in the 6th inning Sunday night vs. SA and allowed 2 R

· Has allowed 7 ER and 1 IR over his last 5 appearances (5.1 IP): 2 HR, 11 BB, 2 K

· Notched a 2.40 ERA for July, yielding 4 ER and 11 BB while fanning 22 over 15 frames

· 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 app: (.2 IP, 3 R) Yielded a pair of two-out 1Bs & 2 BBs in the 8th last night before Osuna's GS

· Spun a scoreless 9th Sunday night vs. SA, permitting an infield single

· Suffered the loss in Game 1 of DH last Fri at MID, allowing 1 UR on 1 H and 2 BB over 2 IP

· In last 8 outings, charged with 16 R (13 ER), 18 H, 8 BB and 11 K over 13.2 IP

· Had yielded 2 runs and 6 hits in prior 7 appearances: 11 K, 3 BB, 7.0 IP

· Owns the 2nd highest K/9 IP ratio in the Texas League (10.16) among relievers

· (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 G stretch from 5/2-6/8 (12 IP, 6.75 ERA): 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

Danny Meszaros

· Last appearance: Fanned 5 over 2 scoreless frames Monday night vs. SA

· Has held the opposition scoreless over last 3 appearances: 4.1 IP, 9 K 0 BB

· Had allowed 9 R (7 ER) in 7 appearances (10.0 IP) from July 30 to August 20

· Failed to record an out July 22 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

· Promoted to CC in mid May 2009 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 1 R on 1 H and 1 BB in the 9th Monday night vs. SA

· Fashioned a 1-2-3 8th Saturday night against the Missions

· Is 1-3 with an 8.00 ERA in August: 8 R, 3 HR, 7 BB, 11 K, 9.0 IP

· Charged with 2 R over first 6 appearances (5.1 IP) as a Hook, going 3-for-3 in save chances

· Since then has been touched for 7 ER (3 HR) over last 9 outings (7.2 IP)

· 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 132 strikeouts against 48 walks as a professional

· Selected in the 4th round by San Francisco in 2009 out of Arizona: all-time leader in SV & G

Henry Villar

· Last appearance: Suffered the loss last night, surrendering a grand slam to Renny Osuna in the 8th

· A pair of 2Bs produced a couple runs over 2 frames Sunday night vs. SA

· Has been charged with 4 ER over his last 11 appearances (13.2 IP): 12 K, 1 BB

· Saddled with the loss June 27 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, ending July 7

· Since then 14 of his last 17 outings have been of the scoreless variety: 5 ER, 20.2 IP, 18 K, 1 BB

· Worked 7 (8.0 IP) consecutive shutout outings to open 2011 tenure with CC

· 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

· For his career, has struck out 343 batters while walking 93 over 372.1 innings entering the 2011 season

Josh Zeid

· Last appearance: Worked around a walk and a single in a scoreless 9th last night

· Tagged for 2 R on 3 H in 2 IP, striking out 2 on Sunday night vs. SA

· Started Game 2 of last Friday's DH at MID, allowing 2 R (1ER) on 1 H and 1 BB over 2 IP

· Charged with 7 ER over the last 5 appearances (6.0 IP): 4 BB, 5 K

· Made 21 appearances and 11 starts for Reading this season: 2-3 with a 5.65 ERA and 2 saves

· Began the year as a starter (2-3, 6.80 ERA) before shifting to the bullpen (2-for-4 in saves, 2.25 ERA)

· Struck out 24 and walked 2 in 16 innings of relief for the Phillies

· Went 8-4 with a 2.93 ERA and 8 saves last season in 43 appearances and 12 starts for Lakewood

· Featured 111 Ks against 27 walks in 107.1 IP as a member of the BlueClaws

· Was 6-0 with a 4.01 ERA for Tulane in 2009...45 K over 76.1, featured staff-best .236 opp. average

· Pitched 2 years at Vanderbilt where he helped the Commodores set a school record with a string of 38.2 consecutive scoreless innings in March 2006

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