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TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Hooks take game one, 3-0

September 5, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) - Nolan Ryan receives a standing ovation as the Hall of Fame pitcher is introduced before throwing out the game's ceremonial first pitch. Check.

Juan Gutierrez is brilliant as Corpus Christi's starter. Check.

Relievers Chad Reineke and Paul Estrada retire all nine men they face. Check.

A crowd in excess of 6,000 shows up for the Hooks' historic first playoff game, waving rally towels in support of their team. Check.

The clutch game-winning hit is provided by...Osvaldo Fernando?

Yes, Osvaldo Fernando. A defensive wizard at short, Fernando's first triple of the season came with two on and two out in the bottom of the fourth to give the Hooks a 2-0 lead, spurring the home team on to a 3-0 victory over the Midland RockHounds in the opening game of the best-of-five Texas League South Division playoff series Tuesday night at Whataburger Field.

Corpus Christi's fourth-inning rally began when Jorge Cortes walked with one out. Brian Peterson followed with a line drive to center that was slicing away from Midland center fielder Matt Allegra. Catching up to the ball in stride, Allegra reached to his left and had the ball in his glove, only to drop it for a two-base error that put runners on second and third.

With the RockHounds playing their infield in, Jonny Ash popped up to shortstop Ronnie Merrill for the second out. That brought Fernando and his .217 average to the plate. Without a triple or a home run this season and with only seven RBI's for the entire year, Fernando ripped an 0-1 pitch inside the bag at third and past Mark Kiger for a triple to make it a 2-0 game.

The Hooks added a run in the fifth when Tike Redman opened the frame with a single and scored on a double to left-center by Hunter Pence, who was out on the play trying to stretch his hit to a triple.

Gutierrez labored some in the first three innings when he stranded five base runners, but tossed six shutout innings to get the win. He allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out three. He retired the last 10 men he faced and 12 of the last 13. In his five outings since coming off the disabled list, Gutierrez has strung together 20 innings without giving up a run.

Midland starter Brad Knox suffered the loss despite a solid performance. He allowed three runs (one earned) on eight hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. Knox fanned four and set down seven of the last nine batters he faced.

Game 2 of the South Division playoff series takes place Wednesday night at 7:05 at Whataburger Field. Lefty Troy Patton (2-5, 4.37) will battle Midland's Kevin Olsen (6-1, 3.61) as the Hooks try to make it two straight to start the series. "Let's Go Hooks" t-shirts will be given to the first 2,500 fans on Wednesday courtesy of Star Orthodontics, and NASCAR racing legend and Corpus Christi native Terry Labonte will throw out the game's ceremonial first pitch.

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