MIDLAND - The homestanding RockHounds plated two runs in the 11th Saturday night to edge Corpus Christi, 7-6, before 4,081 fans at Security Bank Ballpark.After the club exchanges zeros in the 10th, the Hooks enjoyed a fleeting 6-5 lead when Granden Goetzman sent an RBI single into left field, scoring
MIDLAND - The homestanding RockHounds plated two runs in the 11th Saturday night to edge Corpus Christi, 7-6, before 4,081 fans at Security Bank Ballpark.
After the club exchanges zeros in the 10th, the Hooks enjoyed a fleeting 6-5 lead when Granden Goetzman sent an RBI single into left field, scoring automatic runner Bryan De La Cruz from second base. In the home half, lead-off hitter Nate Mondou rolled a ground ball to the right side, advancing Brallan Perez to third. Colin McKee, who pitched a scoreless 10th, then walked Edwin Diaz placing men at the corners for Kevin Merrell, who lifted a sac fly to left to tie the game at 6. Collin Theroux was next and belted a fly ball off the wall in right to win the game.
Merrell and Theroux, batting eighth and ninth in the order, teamed to go 3-for-6 with four runs, three walks, and two RBIs. The Hooks established a 4-0 lead after the first two frames, prompting an early exit for Grant Holmes. Stephen Wrenn stroked a two-run single in the first and Goetzman added a two-out, two-run double in the second.
Midland scored twice against Bryan Abreu in the third thanks to a throwing error by Colton Shaver and a sac fly off the bat of Chase Calabuig.
Corpus Christi answered in the fifth with Wrenn working a two-out walk from Norge Ruiz. Wrenn stole second and then scored on a Ronnie Dawson base hit.
Merrell and Theroux, as was the case in the third, both reached to start the fifth. The Hounds went on to score three runs while sending eight men to bat, chasing Abreu from the game. Calabuig, who cracked a key double down the left-field line, scored the tying run via a wild pitch.
The Hooks had a great scoring chance in the sixth but a run was taken off the scoreboard after a controversial call by umpire Justin Robinson. With the bases loaded and no out, Abraham Toro hit a soft ground ball to the right side. Merrell made an off-balance wide throw into second base attempting a force out but Robinson ruled interference at the bag by the runner De La Cruz, preventing Midland from making an unlikely double play. Two outs were called on the play with Chuckie Robinson and Sierra being sent back to their bases at third and second, respectively. Hooks manager Omar Lopez was ejected after arguing the call. Seth Beer then hit a sharp ground ball down the first base line but Calabuig made a diving stop to end the inning.
Robinson has been responsible for three of the four Hooks ejections this season.
Cristian Javier retired nine of the 10 men he faced in relief for Corpus Christi, striking out six.
Riley Ferrell spun a scoreless ninth.
The Hooks will try again at a series win Sunday afternoon. Lefty Brett Adcock takes the ball for Corpus Christi. Midland plans to send Daulton Jefferies to the hill. First pitch 2:00.
