TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Hooks Lock(ed) In, Drop Missions

Published on July 29, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


CORPUS CHRISTI - Drew Locke smashed two home runs - including a sixth-inning grand slam - as Corpus Christi blitzed San Antonio 8-1 Wednesday night before 7,444 at Whataburger Field.

The Hooks are 14-17 in the second half of Texas League play and have won four of their last six. The Missions slipped to 14-18.

Locke has a career season-best 92 RBIs in 99 games. He drove in 85 in 122 contests at High-A Inland Empire (Dodgers) last year. The corner outfielder's previous best was 89 between Columbus and Vero Beach in 2006.

Corpus Christi wasted no time tagging Stephen Faris. Drew Meyer led off with a single to right and was gunned down at second by Mitch Canham. Faris retired Felix Molina on a liner to left but Locke's 14th homer, a single from Jason Castro and Mark Ori's towering double to center gave the home club a 2-0 lead.

The Hooks doubled their lead in the fourth when Jhon Florentino powered an RBI double to left-center. He later scored on a throwing error by catcher Ali Solis, who was attempting to complete a 5-2-3 bases-loaded double play.

That was enough for Faris (4-11), who exited with a line of three earned runs, seven hits, a walk and four strikeouts.

San Antonio scratched in the sixth off Kenny Baugh (2-1), who threw just 62 pitches through the first five innings. Baugh issued a one-out walk to Eric Sogard and threw the ball away on a pick-off attempt. Anthony Contreras followed with a run-scoring infield hit to the right side.

The Hooks replied by breaking the game open against Zach Herr. Locke made the left-hander pay for walks to Meyer and Molina by hitting his second round-tripper of the night, a grand slam over the left-field berm.

Baugh, who threw 83 pitches (54 strikes) scattered three hits and walked one. He struck out five. The Rice product retired 16 of the first 18 batters.

Danny Meszaros faced the minimum the rest of the way for his first save.

Meyer's hitting streak stands at 12 games and Ori has a six-game run. Ori and Castro had three hits each.

Corpus Christi's Sergio Perez (7-9) takes the mound at 7:05 Thursday vs. Corey Kluber (1-0).

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Texas League Stories from July 29, 2009


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