CORPUS CHRISTI - Down to the final strike of the game, Chas McCormick blasted a walk-off two-run home run to give the Hooks - playing as the Blue Ghosts - a 5-4 win in 11 innings over the Frisco RoughRiders Thursday at Whataburger Field..The win moved Corpus Christi a half-game
CORPUS CHRISTI - Down to the final strike of the game, Chas McCormick blasted a walk-off two-run home run to give the Hooks - playing as the Blue Ghosts - a 5-4 win in 11 innings over the Frisco RoughRiders Thursday at Whataburger Field..
The win moved Corpus Christi a half-game back of Frisco in the Texas League South race.
The Blue Ghosts entered the bottom of the 11th down 4-3 with the placed runner on second against Locke St. John, who entered the night with a sub-1.00 ERA. McCormick drilled a full-count curveball for his third home run in his last six games. It was the Hooks' second walk-off homer of the season, which also came against Frisco on a Chuckie Robinson blast on April 15.
Brandon Bailey was impressive in his start for Corpus, allowing one earned run on three hits over 6.0 innings. The lone run against him came on a wild pitch in the sixth.
Bailey was matched by Frisco's Pedro Payano, who threw 6.0 shutout innings.
Corpus grabbed its first runs and the lead in the seventh against Yoel Espinal. Ronnie Dawson drove in the tying run with an RBI double and later scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.
Frisco took the lead back in the next inning when Juremi Profar lifted a two-run shot (4) off Justin Ferrell for a 3-2 Riders lead. But the Blue Ghosts tied it right back up, loading the bases against CD Pelham, who threw a wild pitch to make it 3-3.
After a scoreless 10th, Andretty Cordero reached on an infield single that allowed Michael De Leon to score and give the Riders a 4-3 lead in the 11th. It was McCormick's heroics that saved the Blue Ghosts from sinking.
Carlos Sanabria picked up the win (2-0) for the Ghosts. McCormick, the league leader in on-base percentage, stayed true to form going 2-for-3 with a pair of walks in addition to the game-winner. Abraham Toro went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored.
Carson LaRue (1-1, 5.23) is slated for Corpus on Friday against righty Edgar Arredondo (3-2, 6.11) for Frisco. Bud Light Friday Fireworks follow the game.
