CORPUS CHRISTI - Hooks catcher Colton Shaver provided the tying and winning runs Friday to propel his team to a 3-2 victory over the Springfield Cardinals in the opener of a four-game set at Whataburger Field.Shaver stepped up with runners on the corners and one out in the ninth to
CORPUS CHRISTI - Hooks catcher Colton Shaver provided the tying and winning runs Friday to propel his team to a 3-2 victory over the Springfield Cardinals in the opener of a four-game set at Whataburger Field.
Shaver stepped up with runners on the corners and one out in the ninth to face Ronnie Williams (L, 1-1) with as the Cardinals aligned a five-man infield. Shaver promptly drove the ball to the warning track, one-hopping the fence for a long walk-off single.
The 23-year-old earlier launched a home run (7) to tie the game in the fifth against starter Evan Kruczynski. It was Shaver's first hit off a left-hander at the Double-A level after previously going 0-for-15.
Osvaldo Duarte got the Hooks on the board in the first with a solo shot of his own, his 11th to establish a new career-best for a single season and a 1-0 lead.
But Springfield rallied for two runs in the following frame against starter Cristian Javier, who struggled with command throughout his start. The righty went 3.1 innings, allowing four hits, two runs (1 earned) and three walks, though he struck out seven.
After Nick Hernandez fired 1.2 perfect innings, Bryan Abreu (W, 4-2) shut down the Cardinals lineup, fanning seven with two hits allowed over 4.0 stanzas. Hooks pitchers struck out 15 in total.
Astros infielder Aledmys Díaz, making his first rehab start with the Hooks after two games with Triple-A Round Rock, went 0-for-3 with a walk.
Southpaw Brett Adcock (1-7, 6.79) gets the start for Corpus Christi on Saturday against Roel Ramirez (5-2, 4.82). The first 2,000 fans at Whataburger Field Saturday will receive a Josh Reddick Wrestler Pillow, presented by Sunnyside Pediatrics. Gates open at 5:45 p.m. for the 7:15 p.m. start.
