Hooks' Grills shines in Double-A debut

Evan Grills was one pitch away from making history on Friday. Unfortunately, it was his second pitch of the game.

The Astros prospect tossed a seven-inning one-hitter in his Double-A debut as Corpus Christi blanked Frisco, 6-0, to complete a doubleheader sweep.

Grills (1-0) gave up a leadoff single to Ryan Cordell, who was immediately erased on a double play started by third baseman J.D. Davis. The 23-year-old left-hander allowed only two more baserunners: Zach Cone was hit by pitch in the second inning and Kellin Deglan walked with one out in the third.

Grills retired the final 14 RoughRiders and struck out five en route to his first career shutout.

"For the first few innings, it was my sinker and my changeup," he said. "I didn't really have my slider until the fourth or fifth inning. Then I kind of found it in warmups. That played big for me later on. I had been through the lineup a couple of times and they had seen the changeup and a couple of guys were on it. Having the slider to keep them off-balance was huge for me."

After going 3-1 with a 3.47 ERA in five games, including three starts, for Class A Advanced Lancaster, Grills moved up to the Texas League after the Astros bumped No. 8 prospect Joe Musgrove to Triple-A Fresno.

"Usually, I have some nerves before the game, but today was more of an excitement to get out there," the Ontario native said. "That was new me for me. During my pregame and warmup and everything, I was excited.

"I couldn't imagine the first guy getting a hit and then no hits from there on out, especially because I'm a guy who pitches to contact. So it was great."

While he was making his Double-A debut, Grills was able to draw on experiences pitching against some of the Rangers' top prospects, like Cordell and Lewis Brinson, last season in the California League.

"I faced most of those guys in High Desert, so I had an idea on what I was up against," he said. "I really don't focus on the hitters too much. I focus on executing pitches and that's what I did tonight and it worked out pretty well.

"I'm at a new level but throwing strikes. Keeping the ball down works at every level. So keep that routine going and I'll be fine."

Astros No. 9 prospect Derek Fisher homered for the fifth time in his last six games and drove in three runs for the Hooks.

"He's on a roll," Grills said. "Anytime he puts the barrel on the ball, it's got a chance to go out. The whole team in general has been hitting great the last two days, so it's been great."

RoughRiders starter David Perez fell to 1-1 after allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out four over 2 1/3 innings.

Corpus Christi also won the opener, 5-2, as Evan Gattis went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer.