Hooks Surge Late, Fall Short
Published on August 9, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
Corpus Christi's second-half struggles against the RockHounds continued Sunday night as Midland held off a late rally and claimed its third consecutive victory over the Hooks in 3-2 fashion before 6,444 fans at Whataburger Field.
Now 19-24 in the second half and six games back of the first-place Hounds, Corpus Christi (50-63 overall) has dropped eight of its last 11 meetings with Midland (25-18, 62-51) this season.
Trailing by a run in the ninth, Jhon Florentino doubled off RockHound closer Jared Lansford to begin the frame. A groundout pushed Florentino to third for pinch hitter Collin DeLome. Lansford struck out DeLome on five pitches and induced a roller to first from Wladimir Sutil to record his seventh save of the season.
The Hounds carved out an early lead against Corpus Christi starter Sergio Perez. With two away and one on in the first, Matt Spencer belted a 1-1 pitch into the Zarsky Zone beyond the left-field fence for a two-run advantage. Spencer has four home runs this week and seven on the season for Midland.
Chris Carter, who extended his league-best hitting streak to 24 games, made it 3-0 RockHounds to open the fourth with a deep drive that landed well beyond the berm down the left-field line.
The Hooks' lead-off man reached in each of the first four frames, recording four hits and two walks while stranding five. Midland starter Travis Banwart benefited from a brilliant leaping catch by left fielder Archie Gilbert that robbed Drew Locke of a two-run homer in the third.
Perez (8-10) yielded six hits and three runs over six innings. He fanned four and tossed 60 of his 89 pitches for strikes.
Corpus Christi pushed across a pair of runs in the seventh. An error and a single began the frame and chased Banwart from the game. Mike Benacka entered in relief and walked Mark Ori to load the bases.
Following a strikeout of Nick Moresi, Wladimir Sutil hit into a force out, allowing Ray Sadler to score. Felix Molina, inserted as a replacement for second baseman Drew Meyer in the fifth, laced a single up the middle, cutting Midland's lead to a run. Reliever Jon Hunton thwarted the rally by striking out Locke in the next at-bat.
Banwart (8-5) was charged with two unearned runs and five hits through six-plus innings. He walked two and threw 89 pitches.
Chia-Jen Lo tossed two shutout innings for the Hooks, retiring all six batters he faced. Nineteen of his 16 pitches came across for strikes.
Former Hook Kyle Middleton (1-0) takes on Corpus Christi lefty Andy Van Hekken (6-4) in the series finale Monday night.
Texas League Stories from August 9, 2009
- Traveler Hits Don't Pay Off in 7-3 Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Surge Late, Fall Short - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers Down Cards; Home Stand Wraps on Monday - Springfield Cardinals
- Beavan, 'Riders Hold Off San Antonio - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers' Blasts Beat Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- Torres Named Angels' Pitcher of the Month - Arkansas Travelers
- Texans cheerleaders to visit Whataburger Field - Corpus Christi Hooks
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