Hooks Win a Thriller in Frisco
Published on June 29, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
FRISCO, Texas - In every season, there are a handful of games that qualify as memorable. Sunday's game in Frisco was one of those games.
Brian Esposito's two-run double highlighted a five-run rally for the Hooks in the top of ninth, lifting Corpus Christi to a 5-4 victory over the RoughRiders Sunday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The Hooks improve to 4-1 in the second half.
Trailing 3-0, Corpus Christi made its move against Frisco closer John Bannister, whose first pitch plunked leadoff hitter Wladimir Sutil. Collin DeLome bunted for a base hit, putting runners at first and second. Bannister struck out Drew Locke, but Jimmy Van Ostrand followed with a single to right to plate Sutil from second to get the Hooks on the board at 3-1.
Esposito, who entered the game as a pinch hitter for catcher Jason Castro in the seventh, was up next. Castro took a foul ball off his right hand in the bottom of the sixth, and while he finished the inning defensively was unable to bat in the seventh.
Esposito fell behind in the count and fouled off a series of 1-2 pitches before drilling the seventh pitch in the at-bat into the left field corner for a double that scored both DeLome and Van Ostrand to knot the affair at 3.
Not content with drawing level, the Hooks kept going. Jhon Florentino pounded an 0-1 pitch off the wall in left for a triple to give the Hooks their first lead at 4-3. Bannister (2-2) was lifted at that point in favor of Brennan Garr.
Frisco brought its infield in for Mark Ori, who flared a single into shallow left-center, allowing Florentino to trot home for a 5-3 Corpus Christi lead.
The RoughRiders refused to go quietly. Marcus Lemon doubled to right off closer T.J. Burton to open the home ninth. Burton retired the next two batters, but Justin Smoak reached on an infield hit to put runners at the corners.
Tim Smith singled to right to plate Lemon, bringing the Riders to within a run. Smoak went to third on the play. Burton's first pitch to Manny Pina sailed over Pina's head all the way to the backstop, but Smoak remained at third, while Smith advanced to second on the wild pitch.
Pina worked the count to 3-1 before hitting a sharp grounder up the middle. Sutil, moving hard to his left from his position at short, fielded the ball, spun and threw to first from shallow center. His one-hop throw was picked by Van Ostrand at first in time to retire Pina for the game's final out, leaving a pair of runners in scoring position.
Burton notched his 11th save, preserving the win for reliever Erick Abreu (2-0), who allowed a run during his two innings on the hill.
Abreu allowed that run in the eighth on an RBI double by Dustin Majewski. Later in the inning, Majewski attempted to score from second on a single to left by Renny Osuna, but Locke made a perfect one-hop throw to Esposito to nail Majewski for the final out. The outfield assist was Locke's ninth this season.
The Riders tallied single runs in the first and second against Hooks starter Wilton Lopez. Mitch Moreland was credited with a controversial RBI double off the wall in left in the second. Frisco manager Mike Micucci argued that Moreland's drive ricocheted off the railing above the wall, which would have been a two-run home run. The call stood, however, and Moreland was left stranded at second.
Lopez settled down after those rough two innings and finished with a quality start. He allowed two runs on seven hits and a pair of walks over six innings. He fanned three.
Corpus Christi's furious rally in the ninth wiped a win off the ledger for Frisco starter Kasey Kiker, who blanked the Hooks over six innings. He allowed just four hits while striking out six.
The four-game series concludes with Monday's 7:05 p.m. start. Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton is expected to make a rehab appearance for the RoughRiders. Prosper native Brad James (2-5, 5.74) faces Frisco right-hander Tanner Roark (1-1, 6.17).
Texas League Stories from June 29, 2009
- Rally falls short as Hooks drop finale - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers win second straight over Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards fall Monday; Lohse to pitch Thursday - Springfield Cardinals
- Another balanced attack snatches series with Travs - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Baseball, Hot Dogs, Family, Fireworks! - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Lose Third Straight Before All-Star Break - Arkansas Travelers
- Bianchi named Texas League Player of the Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Naturals sign RHP Orvella, add OF Lough - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Win a Thriller in Frisco - Corpus Christi Hooks
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