TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Hooks Homer Past Naturals in Series Opener

Published on June 3, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - The Corpus Christi Hooks (33-20) hit a couple of key home runs during their 3-2 win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (26-27) in the series opener between the two teams on Friday night at Arvest Ballpark. The loss to Corpus Christi snaps Northwest Arkansas' five game winning streak against the Texas League South Division.

Locked in a tight battle all game long, the Hooks used the long ball to their advantage in the 3-2 win. Roberto Pena launched a two-run home run in the top of the second to start the scoring while Teoscar Hernandez hit the eventual game-winning solo home run for Corpus Christi in the eighth. The two home runs tonight give the Double-A Houston Astros 63 for the season, which is good for the best in the Texas League and 10 better than the nearest opponent.

Neither starter LHP Matt Strahm of Northwest Arkansas or RHP Francis Martes of Corpus Christi would factor in the decision but both pitchers did a great job of keeping their team's in the ballgame. The two pitching prospects had similar lines as Strahm, the Royals No. 8 prospect, went 6.0 innings giving up six hits and two runs while issuing one walk and striking out two. Martes, the Astros No. 2 prospect, gave up two runs, only one earned, in 6.1 innings while walking three and striking out six. RHP Eric Peterson (2-1, 3.38 ERA) got the win working 0.2 scoreless innings while RHP Evan Beal (2-1, 2.61) of the Naturals received the loss as he pitched well in defeat but made the lone mistake to Hernandez.

The Naturals offense collected seven hits on the night with catcher Cam Gallagher leading the attack by going 3-for-4 with a RBI single in the fourth and a double in the seventh. Gallagher has been scorching at the plate of late as he is hitting .529 (9-for-17) in the last five games. Mauricio Ramos recorded the other RBI while going 1-for-4 on the night.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 3, 2016


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