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TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Tulsa takes series opener 4-2

June 3, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


(CORPUS CHRISTI, TX) – A routine pop-up falls in for a double, and the Drillers take advantage to turn a deficit into a win. We're not rehashing this past Sunday's game in Tulsa, but recounting what happened Friday night at Whataburger Field.

With eerie similarities to last Sunday's game, the Drillers defeated the Hooks Friday 4-2 in the first game of a three-game series between the two clubs. Tulsa raises its record to 34-21, while the Hooks drop to 19-36 in the first half.

Turning back the clock to Sunday, the Hooks, behind the superlative pitching of Fernando Nieve, carried a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth. With a runner at second and two men out, Ryan Spilborghs' routine fly ball to right fell in for a cheap double because right fielder Charlton Jimerson was blinded by the sun. The next batter, Sean Barker, crushed a two-run homer to left, giving the Drillers a 3-2 walk-off win.

Let's move ahead now to Friday. Mark Saccomanno pounded a line drive homer to left, his first of the season, in the bottom of the second to put the Hooks in front 1-0. Given the way Nieve was pitching again Friday, one run looked like it might hold up. Nieve was working on a two-hit shutout through five innings, and had racked up nine strikeouts by that point.

Then came the sixth and the routine pop up. This time off the bat of Jeff Salazar leading off the inning. Shortstop Wade Robinson was drifting back to get under the ball, but at the last moment peeled away for left fielder Carlos Rodriguez. Problem was, Rodriguez remained stationary, and the ball fell in for a double. That was the break the Drillers needed to get going.

Doug Bernier sacrificed Salazar to third, and Spilborghs' single up the middle brought Salazar home for a 1-1 score. Barker then reached first on catcher's interference, and Corey Slavik followed with a single to right to plate Spilborghs, giving the Drillers a 2-1 lead. Alvin Colina's double to the gap in left-center chased Barker and Slavik home, and in a matter of minutes the Drillers were ahead 4-1.

The Hooks got a run in the home sixth, cashing in on a leadoff double by Jimerson. A Ray Navarrete ground ball out later in the inning plated Jimerson, and the Hooks were back to within two at 4-2.

Despite another strong effort Nieve (3-3) took the loss, giving up four runs, three earned, over his six innings. Reliever Roberto Giron tossed three frames of shutout ball to keep Corpus Christi close. Tulsa starter Jon Asahina (7-2) picked up his second win in as many starts against the Hooks. He was charged with two runs in six innings, scattering seven hits in the process.

Game two of the series takes place Saturday night at 7:05. Hooks' RHP Jason Hirsh (4-5, 3.82) will be opposed by Drillers' RHP Enmanuel Ulloa (0-0, 1.93).

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