Another Junis Gem Hinders Hooks

SPRINGDALE, AR - Reigning Texas League Pitcher of the Week Jake Junis tossed six shutout innings as the Naturals edged Corpus Christi 2-1 Saturday evening at Arvest Ballpark.

Teoscar Hernandez opened the game with a single but Junis responded by retiring the next 11 batters. The streak was snapped when J.D. Davis was struck with an 0-2 pitch in the fourth.

Junis (5-3) struck out eight and walked one. The 23-year-old right-hander has allowed one run, a Derek Fisher homer, in his last three starts (18 IP).

The Naturals (27-27) got their runs in the fifth. Bunts by Carlos Diaz and Terrance Gore opened the frame. Hooks lefty Evan Grills made a wild throw on Gore's bunt. The ball caromed up the right-field line, allowing Diaz to score. Second baseman Nick Tanielu, trying to cut down Diaz at the plate, fired past catcher Roberto Pena, permitting Gore to come home.  

Grills (1-1) struck out six and did not issue a walk in five frames. Edison Frias finished the game with three scoreless innings. Frias fanned four.

Conrad Gregor worked a one-out walk against Eric Stout in the seventh. Tanielu then clocked a double off the left-field wall, putting a pair in scoring position. Pena delivered a sac fly to right field.

The Hooks (33-22) had two on with one away in the eighth but Naturals closer Kevin McCarthy entered the game and retired the side.

Tanielu reached with one out in the ninth when Carlos Garcia dropped a fly ball in left field. Pena was next and blistered a 2-1 pitch into the right-center gap. Logan Moon, racing to his right, made a sensational diving catch to save the day for Northwest Arkansas. McCarthy managed to strand Tanielu at second for his 10th save.

Corpus Christi, 4-1 on this road trip, aims for a series victory Sunday afternoon. Lefty Brian Holmes (3-2, 4.01) is slated to face Ashton Godeau (1-1, 1.93) in a 2:05 rubber match.