Game Notes, July 8 at Tulsa

July 8, 2012

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Corpus Christi (11-4, 48-37) @ Tulsa (6-9, 46-39)

Welcome back! Jose Martinez went 3-for-5 with five RBIs last night as the Hooks polished off a sweep of Northwest Arkansas with a 7-3 come-from-behind victory at Arvest Ballpark. Martinez, who had missed the last five games due to a sore knee, now has three five-RBI performances on the season and all have come against the Naturals.

Down 3-0 in the sixth, Martinez laced a two-run triple down the right-field line to draw Corpus Christi within one.
Chris Wallace singled into left field to lead off the seventh. A sac bunt by Brandon Wikoff and Andy Simunic walked to put two on for Martinez, who ripped a line drive into center field, tying the game at three. Goebbert was hit by a pitch for the second time to begin the eighth. Austin Wates sacrificed him to second and Drew Muren sent him home on a single up the middle to give the Hooks their first lead of the night.

Hooks starter Jake Buchanan was charged with one earned run on six hits over six innings. He walked one and fanned three, throwing 62 of 98 pitches for strikes. Kevin Chapman (5-3), Josh Zeid and Jason Stoffel allowed just three hits the rest of the way. The triumvirate struck out seven and walked one.

Corpus Christi has won four in a row and 10 of its last 13 road games. The Hooks, who have taken four consecutive series, now face a Tulsa club which leads the season series 6-3 after sweeping CC here at ONEOK Field in April.

Tonight's Matchup:
LHP Rob Rasmussen vs. RHP Brandon Hynick (1-0, 1.13)
Rasmussen, acquired by Houston as part of the trade that sent Carlos Lee to Miami, makes his debut tonight as an Astros farmhand. Rasmussen was 4-7 with a 3.90 ERA for Jupiter of the Florida State League, ranking 10th in the Marlins system in ERA. The lefty struck out 75 and walked 36 over 87.2 innings pitched for the Hammerheads, holding the circuit to a .250 batting average. Rasmussen made the start last Friday against St. Lucie and settled for a no-decision, allowing one run on four hits in 5.2 frames. He has permitted one run in each of his last three starts, going 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA. Rasmussen's best start of the year came against Palm Beach on May 16 when he tossed seven innings of one-run ball, walking one while striking out seven. Four of Rasmussen's seven losses occurred over his first five starts despite a 3.62 ERA. Rasmussen entered the season as Miami's No. 7 prospect according to Baseball America and was rated by the publication has having the top slider in the Marlins system. Originally selected in the second round of the 2010 draft out of UCLA, Rasmussen led the 2010 Bruins to a school-best 51-17 record and a trip to the College World Series. Rasmussen posted an 11-3 record and 2.72 ERA, striking out 128 over 109.1 innings.

12-10 with a 3.64 ERA in 27 starts for the Hammerheads last season (118 Ks | 71 BBs | 148.1 IP)
4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in the '09 Cape Cod League...selected to start the all-star game at Fenway Park
Currently enrolled at UCLA, majoring in History with a minor in Economics

Hynick, signed by the Rockies as a free agent this spring, makes his second for the Drillers. The seven-year veteran allowed just one run on four hits over eight impressive frames against the Hooks on Tuesday, earning the lone win for Tulsa in the series. Hynick returned to the Colorado system after being released by Cincinnati in spring training. He had been shuttling between Triple-A Colorado Springs and High-A Modesto, going a combined 2-4 with a 5.10 in 10 appearances (5 starts). Hynick has struck out 36 batters against seven walks over 54.2 innings. He started for the Sky Sox on June 28 at Tucson and took the loss, allowing five runs on nine hits in 5.2 frames. Hynick's best outing of the year was with Modesto against Inland Empire on June 5 when he tossed eight inning of three-hit, one-run ball. He struck out a season-high seven and did not walk a batter. Hynick was the California League Pitcher of the Year and Rockies Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2007. He went 16-5 with a 2.52 ERA in 28 starts for Modesto, striking out 136 while walking 31. Hynick won 10 games for Tulsa in 2008 before being traded to the White Sox in 2009. He made stops at Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte in 2010, going 4-5 with a 4.39 ERA in 21 starts.

5-10 with a 5.29 ERA in 31 appearances (17 starts) between Carolina, Charlotte and Louisville last year
Selected by Colorado in the eighth round of the 2006 draft out of Birmingham-Southern College
Threw a seven-inning perfect game for Colorado Springs in 2009 (June 30 vs. Portland)

Driller Drama
Corpus Christi has managed just three wins against Tulsa in nine tries this season, but all of those triumphs have come in dramatic fashion. Two culminated in walk-off home runs; Jonathan Villar's opposite-field two-run shot on Monday followed up a three-run blast by Jacob Goebbert off Kurt Yacko on April 9.

In Wednesday's series finale, Jay Fernandez stole the show, sending a three-run laser shot onto the left-field berm in the sixth inning. The two-out blast turned a two-run deficit into a 4-3 Corpus Christi lead. The advantage would hold thanks to two perfect frames of relief from Josh Zeid and magnificent defensive play in the ninth. Tim Torres stroked a one out single into right field and pinch-hitter Jimmy Cesario followed with a double down the right-field line. Drew Locke dug it out of the corner and fired on target to Brandon Wikoff who relayed a seed to Fernandez covering the plate. The veteran catcher placed a diving tag on Torres for the second out of the frame as a packed house of 8,115 went crazy. With Cesario at second, Jason Stoffel struck out lead-off man Josh Rutledge to end the ballgame and give the Hooks their 11th victory in the last 13 games at Whataburger Field.

Wave of the future
Astros top prospect Jon Singleton is the starting first baseman for the U.S.A Team in Major League Baseball's All-Star Futures Game at Kauffman Stadium this afternoon. He hit a single to center and walked in first two trips to the plate.

Singleton is currently hitting .271 with a team-leading 12 home runs and 47 RBIs, which are tied for fifth in the Texas League. He is tied for third in the circuit in runs scored (53) and ranks third in walks (55). Acquired as part of the trade that sent Hunter Pence to Philadelphia last season, Singleton was named Corpus Christi's player of the month for May when he hit .281 with 7 home runs and 24 RBIs while featuring an OPS of .931. He was also tabbed as the league's player of the week for May 21-27 (.500-4-12).

The Hooks have been represented at each of the Futures Games since the club's inception. Last season, Jose Altuve went 2-for-3 for the World Team. Altuve, who leads National League second basemen in batting average and hits, will represent the Astros at this year's MLB All-Star Game.

Best of the best in June
Corpus Christi's 21 wins over the last 28 games are due to an impressive run month of June. The club went 18-8, tying a franchise high for June victories. Houston's player development department has named Jose Cisnero as the Hooks' pitcher of the month. Jonathan Villar was tabbed as the offensive player of the month with Andy Simunic taking home defensive honors. The awards were chosen by skipper Keith Bodie, pitching coach Gary Ruby and hitting coach Joel Chimelis.

Villar hit .292 with five home runs, 20 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 24 games. Jose Cisnero went 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA over five starts, including the first complete-game shutout of his career (June 16 at Frisco). Cisnero, who was named Texas League Player of the Week for May 29-June 4, posted 31 strikeouts against eight walks over 33.0 IP. Simunic earned Corpus Christi's defensive player award for the second consecutive month. He's featured a .963 fielding percentage in 57 games at third base this season, committing just six errors in 160 total chances.

Pitching Rotation at Tulsa
Monday: RHP Jose Cisnero (6-6, 3.68) vs. RHP Joe Gardner (3-5, 4.54)
Tuesday: RHP Bobby Doran (3-0, 5.06) vs. RHP Parker Frazier (3-9, 4.00)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Adam Bailey

0-4 in Game 2 at NWA
Added to roster May 30 from Advanced-A Lancaster
2-16 in last 8 games with 2 runs and 2 RBIs
Game-winning RBI in 12th June 20 snapped 8-game RBI drought
Batting .212(14-66) vs. RHP; .267(4-15) vs. LHP: .235(4-17) w/RISP
In 47 games with the JetHawks was batting .279-8-25 with 2 SBs
In 23 games at the end of last season with the Hooks hit .323-3-15

Jay Fernandez

3-9 with a HR and 3 RBIs at NWA
Hits in 4 straight & 13 of the last 17 G, 18-59 (.305) w/ 4 2B, 3 HR, 11 R & 12 RBIs
Selected Texas League Player of the Week June 11-17, hit .524-1-5 w/ 3 doubles
Now has 6 games experience at 3B in his 9-year career
Batting .203(16-79) vs. RHP; .364(12-33) vs. LHP; .257(9-35) w/RISP
Has a career caught-stealing percentage of 40.0 (169 of 422)
In 8 seasons in the Mariners and Twins systems hit .244-16-162 in 439 games

Jacob Goebbert

1-7 with a run at NWA
Promoted to OKC on June 9...went 4-for-30 (.133) with 2 R, 1 2B and 1 RBI in 16 G
Hits in 14 of the last 19 with the Hooks, 19-67 (.284) w/ 11 BB, 4 2B, 9 R & 4 RBIs
His walk-off, 3-run HR April 9 the first walk-off HR in his pro career
Named Texas League Co-Player of the Week (April 5-15), hit .429
Batting .226(38-168) vs. RHP; .385(20-52) vs. LHP; .288(15-52) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

1-9 with an RBI at NWA
Hits in 8 of the last 13 games, 12-52 (.231) with 7 walks, 3 HRs, 7 runs and 10 RBIs
Hit .306 (22-72) in June with 2 doubles, 5 HRs, 10 runs and 17 RBIs
Batting .262(28-107) at home; .193(22-114) on the road
Batting .201(32-159) vs. RHP; .290(18-62) vs. LHP; .197(14-71) w/RISP
Ranked 4th last year in the minors in walks (94) and 15th in OPS (.961)

Drew Locke

5-9 with 2 R, 2 2Bs and 2 RBIs at NWA
Has hit safely in 3 consecutive games: 6-14, 2 2B, 3 R & 3 RBIs
.325-3-14 in 11 G at home | .213 -1-5 in 14 G on the road
Hit safely in first 5 games with the Hooks: 8-21 (.381) with 3 HRs & 12 RBIs
Joined club June 9 as a free-agent signee by the Astros
Tied with Mark Saccomanno (05-06) for franchise lead with 4 career grand slams
Had played 40 games this season for the independent Sugar Land Skeeters, where he was batting .285(47x165) with 6 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HRs, 28 runs and 24 RBIs
Was the Texas League's batting champion with the Hooks in 2009 (.338)
Holds franchise single-season records for average (.338) and RBIs (109)

Jose Martinez

3-for-5 last night w/ a 3B & 5 RBIs in first game back after a 5-day hiatus (knee)
2-9 with 3 R, HR, 5 RBIs in NWA series | DNP vs. Tulsa
Hits in 23 of his last 27 games, 39-119 (.328) w/ 5 2Bs, 4 HRs, 21 runs and 29 RBIs
Was 16-55 on previous road trip with 2 walks, 2 doubles, 7 runs and 7 RBIs
2nd in the TL in AVG (.315), 1st in PA/K (12.22) & 4th in RBIs (59)
Reached base safely in 23 consecutive games (May 4-28) w/.352 avg. and .402 OBP
CC's defensive player of the month in April (47 PO, 56 A, 0 E)
Batting .302(67-222) vs. RHP; .355(27-76) vs. LHP; .402(35-87) w/RISP

Drew Muren

5-11 with 2 R, 2 RBIs and 2 BBs at NWA
Has hit safely in 17 of his 21 games with the Hooks, including 3 in a row
Added to roster June 13 from Class A Lexington
In 48 games with the Legends batted .279-3-17 with 12 doubles and 4 SBs
Batting .375(18-48) vs. RHP; .280(7-25) vs. LHP; .167(3-18) w/RISP
A 22nd-round pick of the Astros last June out of Cal State-Northridge

Andy Simunic

5-10 with 7 R and 1 RBI at NWA
Had club-high 14-game hit streak snapped last Monday
Has hit in 23 of last 28 games, 37-120 (.308) with 19 R, 4 2B & 9 RBIs
Rejoined Hooks June 14 from AAA Oklahoma City, where he was 0-9 in 8 games
Hit .391 with 4 doubles and 7 RBIs during 16 games in June
4th in the league in hitting (.304)
Batting .296(53-179) vs. RHP; .327(18-55) vs. LHP; .230(14-61) w/RISP
Grounded into a DP last night for the fourth time this season
In five pro seasons has bounced into just 13 DPs in 1,440 plate appearances
Finished last year at Lancaster: .295-5-28 in 67 games

Jonathan Villar

1-11 with a 3-run homer at NWA
Has hit two walk-off home runs this season, three in tenure with club
Hits in 14 of his last 19, 19-80 with 11 walks, 2 doubles, 5 HRs, 14 runs and 18 RBIs
Is 45-158(.285) in his last 39 games with 2 doubles, 9 HRs, 34 runs and 33 RBIs
Leads the league with 37 stolen bases
Tied franchise record with 4 steals June 9 vs. Midland
.207-0-7 in April | .277 (61x220) with 9 HR & 39 RBIs since
Batting .253(57-225) vs. RHP; .268(22-82) vs. LHP; .313(26-83) w/RISP
Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 prospect in the Astros system

Chris Wallace

3-for-5 with a run last night in lone appearance at NWA
Was 3-18 on previous trip with 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 5 runs and 9 Ks
3-3 June 22 at FRI with 4 R, 1 2B, 1 HR & 3 RBIs (1st HR since 5/31 vs. ARK)
Has hits in 6 of last 19 games, 12-59 (.203) with 2 2B, 2 HR & 8 RBIs
Batting .210(21-100) vs. RHP; .243(9-37) vs. LHP; .233(10-43) w/RISP
His HR (20) and RBI (78) totals ranked third among Houston farmhands last year

Austin Wates

1-8 with 7 Ks at NWA
Ranks T-8th in the Texas League with a .294 average
Activated following the all-star break after a 15-day stint on DL (left quad)
Hits in 11 of his last 18 games, 17-59 with 7 walks, 2 doubles, 6 runs and 5 RBIs
Struck out 5 times Thursday - a career and franchise high
Saturday, recorded his first RBI at home since April 26 vs. Midland
Batting .308(57-185) vs. RHP; .254(16-63) vs. LHP; .315(17-54) w/RISP
Named Lancaster's MVP in 2011, led the JetHawks in 8 statistical categories

Brandon Wikoff

1-11 at NWA | 1-30 in last 10 games
Joined club 5/28 from extended, where he'd been recovering from a left wrist injury
In 103 games last year with the Hooks batted .308 w/ 6 doubles, 3 HRs and 26 RBIs
Was the Texas League's Player of the Week (April 25-May 1, 2011), hit .600
Maintained an average of .400 or better from April 25 thru June 6 last year
Finished last season with four September games w/ OKC (.154-0-0)