Homers doom Hooks
July 13, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) - Home runs by Kevin Estrada and Tyler Minges and failed scoring opportunities throughout the evening added up to a 4-2 win for Springfield Wednesday night at Whataburger Field. The Hooks dropped to 12-8 in the second half and fell back into second place in the Western Division, since San Antonio won again, beating Arkansas 8-4.
Estrada, batting leadoff for the Cardinals on Wednesday, opened the fourth inning with a homer to right into the pool area near the visitors' bullpen, putting Springfield up 1-0. The blast by Estrada was the only blemish for Hooks' starter Tim McClaskey (5-7) through 5.1 innings. The right-hander retired 16 of the first 17 batters he faced, with Estrada's fourth-inning at-bat the lone exception.
The Hooks evened the score in their half of the fourth. Singles by Mark Saccomanno and Charlton Jimerson and a walk by Eric Riggs loaded the bases with one out for Wade Robinson, whose line drive sacrifice fly to right plated Saccomanno for a 1-1 score.
The game's decisive blow came in the top of the sixth. Hits by pitcher Randy Leek and Estrada gave the Cardinals runners at second and third with two out for Minges. Springfield's leading hitter clubbed a 1-0 pitch beyond the berm in left for his 15th homer of the year and a 4-1 Cardinals' advantage.
Corpus Christi tallied the game's final run in the eighth after consecutive singles by Saccomanno, Jimerson and Mike Rodriguez loaded the bases with one out. Riggs drew a walk after a lengthy plate appearance, forcing home Saccomanno to make it 4-2.
A chance to draw closer was thwarted after moves by both managers. Hooks' skipper Dave Clark brought in Humberto Quintero to pinch hit for Robinson. Quintero, continuing his rehab assignment with the Hooks, was summoned to face the lefty reliever Anthony Ferrari, who had given up the single to Rodriguez and the walk to Riggs. But Cardinals' boss Chris Maloney called upon righty reliever Jeremy Cook to face Quintero. The result was a ground ball to shortstop Milko Jaramillo, who started a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
For the night, the Hooks stranded 11 base runners compared to only three men left on by the Cardinals. Corpus Christi out-hit Springfield 10-6 and left at least one man on in every inning but the seventh.
Leek (10-4) became the league's first 10-game winner by allowing just one run over seven innings. He got help in the ninth from Cory Doyne, who racked up his eighth save of the season and third against the Hooks despite walking the first two batters of the inning.
McClaskey was saddled with the loss even though he put forth a strong effort. He sat down 21 of 26 batters faced, his only mistakes being the pitches to Estrada and Minges.
The two clubs will close out the series Thursday night at Whataburger Field. The Cardinals will have RHP Chris Lambert (1-2, 4.67) on the mound, while the Hooks will feature Astros' southpaw Wandy Rodriguez (4-4, 7.25 with Houston). Game time is set for 7:05 pm.
Texas League Stories from July 13, 2005
- Travs continue struggles in San Antonio in 8-4 loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Homers doom Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers stage another rally - Tulsa Drillers
- Estrada and Minges homer to back Leek's win - Springfield Cardinals
- Archbishop Jose Gomez to Become Honorary Mission - San Antonio Missions
- Hooks in first; Nolan Ryan Weekend - Corpus Christi Hooks
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