TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Osuna Leads Naturals Past Hooks

Published on April 11, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


SPRINGDALE, ARK. - Starter Edgar Osuna carried a shutout into the sixth and Kurt Mertins drove in three runs as Northwest Arkansas dealt Corpus Christi its first loss of the season, 7-4 Sunday afternoon at Arvest Ballpark.

Osuna, in his first outing as a member of the Royals organization, allowed just three singles after five innings. He was charged with three unearned runs on five hits over 5.1 innings. Osuna did not walk a batter and struck out four. Ten of the 16 outs he recorded came on fly balls to the outfield.

While Osuna kept the Hooks at bay, his teammates gradually built a 4-0 lead through the fifth. Tim Smith opened the second and fourth innings with doubles and eventually scored both frames, staking the Naturals to a 2-0 advantage. The home team tacked on two more runs in the fifth on Mertins' sacrifice fly and Ernesto Mejia's RBI single.

The Hooks capitalized on two Northwest Arkansas errors to score three runs in the sixth. Wladimir Sutil led off the frame with a single and went to second when J.B. Shuck reached on Mejia's error at first. T.J. Steele hit a 398-foot fly ball that was caught at the wall in center, allowing Sutil to tag and advance to third.

Shortstop Chris McConnell mishandled German's Duran's grounder, putting runners at first and second as Sutil scored Corpus Christi's first run. Koby Clemens followed with a double to left, plating Shuck for a 4-2 score.

Osuna was lifted in favor of reliever Louis Coleman, who got David Cook to ground out to short. Duran scored from third on the play, pulling the Hooks to within a run at 4-3.

Corpus Christi's good fortune in the top half of the inning did not last long. The Naturals erased Corpus Christi's gains by scoring three times on three singles, two walks, a balk and four stolen bases. Mertins provided the big hit - a two-run single that pushed Northwest Arkansas' lead to 7-3.

Hooks catcher Lou Santangelo closed out the scoring with a solo home run to left in the top of the seventh. The homer was his second in as many days.

Corpus Christi starter Jordan Lyles suffered the loss, charged with three earned runs on five hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He notched four strikeouts during his 81-pitch effort.

Both teams are now 3-1 and will go at it again Monday night at 7:05. Jeremy Johnson gets the nod for the Hooks, while Blake Johnson counters for the Naturals.

Check out the Corpus Christi Hooks Statistics

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Texas League Stories from April 11, 2010


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