Hooks Take 2 of 3 in Series
Published on June 8, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Springfield Cardinals dropped their first home series this season, as the Corpus Christi Hooks picked up a 6-3 win on Monday night, giving them two of three in the series at Hammons Field.
Despite the Springfield loss, the Cards remain two games up over second-place Tulsa, which dropped their third straight game to Midland on Monday night. The Cards and Drillers meet on Wednesday, in game one of a critical five-game set at Drillers Stadium.
Felix Molina's two-out double plated a pair of unearned runs in the sixth inning, giving the Hooks the lead for good.
The Hooks broke open a one-run game, taking advantage of three walks in the ninth inning from Springfield reliever Tyler Norrick. Norrick forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk to Drew Meyer, making it a 4-2 game. Marco Gonzalez was summoned into the game and gave up a two-run single to Drew Meyer, giving the Hooks a four-run advantage at 6-2.
Mike Folli took Corpus Christi closer T.J. Burton deep for his first career Double-A homer in the bottom of the ninth, rounding out the scoring at 6-3. Burton followed by striking out Antone DeJesus for the final out, earning his fifth save of the year.
Springfield starter David Kopp pitched well, as his club got him an early lead. Pete Kozma's sac fly in the second, and DeJesus' first home run of the year in the third, put the Redbirds up 2-0 after three innings.
Kopp stranded one Hooks' base-runner in each of the first four innings, but lost the shut-out in the fifth, when Wladimir Sutil knocked in Corpus Christi pitcher Brad James with an RBI double, making it a 2-1 game.
In the sixth, Kopp walked the lead-off hitter, but induced Mitch Einertson into one of five double-plays turned by Springfield's defense on Monday night. With two outs, Collin DeLome grounded one off the glove of shortstop Pete Kozma, prolonging the inning. The Hooks would take advantage, as Brian Esposito singled, setting the table for Molina's two-run go-ahead double.
Kopp (1-1) pitched six total innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, but only one run was earned.
Hooks' starter Brad James (2-4) turned in a quality start, allowing two runs on three hits over six innings.
Texas League Stories from June 8, 2009
- Hooks Take 2 of 3 in Series - Springfield Cardinals
- Hounds Take Down Drillers, 8-2 - Tulsa Drillers
- Bourjos lands on disabled list - Arkansas Travelers
- Royals' reliever Tejeda to rehab with Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Front-Running RockHounds Return - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Astros Closer Valverde To Join Hooks This Week - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Castro Watch Over; Top Prospect Here Wednesday - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals' INF Mertins named Texas League Player of the Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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