Hooks Split Twin Bill in Wichita
Published on June 29, 2007 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - Under gray skies and a slightly chilly and damp evening in Wichita, the Hooks and Wranglers split a doubleheader at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Corpus Christi won the opener 7-2 in nine innings, while Wichita captured the nightcap 3-2. Both clubs are 3-5 in the second half after the split.
In game one, the Hooks rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to forge extra innings and a big win. With two men out and a runner at first in the top of the sixth, Francisco Caraballo slugged an opposite-field home run to right-center to knot the score at 2-2. The blast was the seventh this season for Caraballo.
Neither club scored in the seventh, sending the game into extra innings. Both teams came up empty in the eighth, stranding two runners each. Former Hooks third baseman Jared Sandberg, now with Wichita, came close to delivering a game-winning hit with a looping fly ball inside the right field line. Caraballo, playing in right, made a fine running catch to retire Sandberg to send the game into the ninth.
The Hooks managed to load the bases with two outs in the ninth, setting the stage for second baseman Jonny Ash, who ended Tuesday's Texas League All-Star Game with a walk-off single in the 10th. Thursday, Ash provided a pop-up single inside the left field line to plate both Josh Flores and Todd Self for a 4-2 Hooks lead. Catcher J.R. Towles followed with a home run off the left field foul pole, and Corpus Christi had a commanding 7-2 advantage.
Reliever Brian Gordon (3-0) earned the victory with shutout innings. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two. Felipe Paulino started and was impressive despite the early runs. The right-hander was charged with two runs, one earned, on four hits and a walk. He struck out four and retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced.
The Wranglers bolted to a 3-0 lead in the first in game two and held on for the win. Designated hitter Kila Kaaihue provided an RBI double and first baseman Mike Stodolka added a two-run single. One of the three runs charged to Hooks starter Josh Muecke (1-4) was unearned when Adam Greenberg reached base on catcher's interference called on Jeff Mackor. The error was one of three assessed against the Hooks in the nightcap.
Shortstop Edwin Maysonet provided an RBI single to put the Hooks on the board in the third. Caraballo, who scored the third-inning run, punched an RBI single to right in the fifth to plate Towles to make it a 3-2 game. Towles had opened the frame with a double off the left field wall.
Muecke went the distance (six innings) despite the loss. He allowed only one hit over his last five innings on the hill. Wichita starter Greg Atencio (3-4) picked up a complete-game victory. He scattered four hits and did not walk a batter while striking out five.
Towles finished the evening 4-for-8 with two doubles, a homer, three runs, three RBI's and a stolen base. Caraballo had a 3-for-7 night with a home run, two runs and three RBI's. Stodolka paced Wichita's offense with a 3-for-6 effort that included two doubles, a run, two RBI's and one steal.
The three-game series wraps up Friday night at 7:05. Jimmy Barthmaier goes up against Wichita's Luke Hochevar in what will likely be Corpus Christi's final game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
Texas League Stories from June 29, 2007
- Hundley Smashes Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Sweep Hounds - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Win Opener - San Antonio Missions
- Hooks, Wranglers Washed Out in Wichita - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Texas League Elects Six to Hall of Fame - TL1
- Hooks Split Twin Bill in Wichita - Corpus Christi Hooks
- 'Riders and Travelers split Thursday's doubleheader - Frisco RoughRiders
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