Javier, McKee Dominate Amarillo in 1-0 Nail-biter

CORPUS CHRISTI - Cristian Javier and Colin McKee combined to complete a nail-biting 1-0, three-hit, shutout of the Amarillo Sod Poodles Saturday at Whataburger Field.
The win moved the Hooks within half a game of the first-place Frisco RoughRiders in the Texas League South race with eight games to play in the first half.

Javier (2-1) dominated the Poodles over 6.1 innings, fanning eight - all swinging - while surrendering only two hits and two walks. He lowered his ERA to 1.99 with Corpus Christi through 22.2 innings at the Double-A level and 1.40 over 12 games (8 starts) between the Hooks and Advanced-A Fayetteville.
The 22-year-old right-hander has allowed only one run over his last 20.2 innings pitched (0.44 ERA) in four starts since May 21.
McKee likewise shut down the Amarillo lineup in a rare 2.2-inning traditional save (5). He allowed a hit and a walk while punching out four.
Corpus Christi's lone run came on an Osvaldo Duarte fielder's choice ground ball in the fifth inning against Amarillo starter Kyle Lloyd (L, 2-2). Lloyd threw 6.0 innings of three-hit ball with two walks and five strikeouts.
The Hooks go for the series win Sunday at 4:15 p.m. with lefty Brett Adcock (1-5, 7.25) on the hill against "opener" Adrian Morejon (0-4, 5.40) followed by Emmanuel Ramirez (4-4, 4.25) for Amarillo.