TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Naturals Claim Series

Published on August 11, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


CORPUS CHRISTI - Mauricio Ramos and Alfredo Escalera combined for seven RBIs as Northwest Arkansas defeated Corpus Christi 13-3 Thursday night at Whataburger Field before 4,150.

Up by a run, Ramos' two-out, two-run double in the eighth off Eric Peterson opened up breathing room for the Naturals (25-22; 54-63) at 6-3. Escalera and Ryan O'Hearn, who both stroked one-out singles, scored on the play.

Then came a seven-run, six-hit, 10-batter barrage during the visitors' final turn. Escalera added a two-run double against Michael Freeman as Northwest Arkansas began to pile on. O'Hearn's infield single accounted for the ninth run and the 10th crossed as the result of a throwing error by shortstop Antonio Nunez. Ramos' fourth and final RBI came on a single vs. Jacob Dorris and Zane Evans followed with his third homer of 2016, a two-run shot.

Daniel Stumpf (2-0), the second of three Naturals pitchers, picked up the victory. Aroni Nina earned his first save.

Northwest Arkansas had a 1-0 advantage less than a minute in, Corey Toups' sixth home run on a 1-0 pitch from Cy Sneed (4-5).

Naturals starter Josh Staumont endured a harrowing first, but limited the damage to an unearned run. James Ramsay dumped a lead-off single into left and ultimately scored on J.D. Davis' sacrifice fly. Ramsay reached scoring position when Mott Hyde walked and took third on catcher's interference charged to Evans.

Escalera's two-out single scored Carlos Garcia (walk/stolen base) for a 2-1 Naturals lead two innings later.

Northwest Arkansas moved ahead 3-1 the next frame, Ramos' eighth homer landing in the Hooks bullpen.

Garcia's one-out triple, which extended his hitting streak to seven games, led to the Naturals' fourth run as Toups posted an RBI ground out.

Corpus Christi (22-25; 69-48) closed to within two during the fifth and forced Staumont to the sidelines, Davis' two-out, ground-rule double sending Ramsay (one-out walk) home. Staumont, who grappled with command but consistently threw in the mid-90s, walked five and fanned seven over 4 2/3. The Royals' No. 6 pitching prospect permitted just two hits and recorded five consecutive strikeouts. He threw 99 pitches (53 strikes).

The Hooks continued to chip away in the sixth against Stumpf. Alejandro Garcia stroked an opening double and later crossed when Nunez reached on an infield single.

Sneed's night came to an end after six innings, four hits, a walk, and six strikeouts. His pitch count was 87 (52).

Corpus Christi's potential fourth run was erased at the plate when Chase McDonald was thrown out on Roberto Pena's double to end the eighth, left fielder Garcia to shortstop Humberto Arteaga to Evans.

Friday is Happy Birthday # Night from Radiology Associations, with selfie sticks for the first 1,000 fans. Postgame it's the Texas Lottery Lucky Scratch Ticket Dance-Off, plus Bud Light Friday Fireworks.

The pitching matchup features Corpus Christi right-hander Trent Thornton (1-1) vs. Arkansas righty Alex Blackford (7-6) as the Hooks change opponents.

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Texas League Stories from August 11, 2016


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