DeShields, Hooks Walk Off vs. Missions

CORPUS CHRISTI - Delino DeShields, Jr., connected for a lead-off home run off Josh Geer to lift Corpus Christi past San Antonio 5-4 in 10 innings Monday at Whataburger Field before 5,114.

DeShields drove a 2-2 breaking ball 414 feet over the left-field berm, making a winner of Tyson Perez (3-0). Geer, inserted for the fateful frame, fell to 5-10.

The Hooks (52-56; 18-20 Texas League second half) won for the second time in 10 games, improving their circuit-best extra-inning mark to 9-3. The Missions are 5-15 in such affairs.

Perez teamed with his bullpen mate, Mitchell Lambson, to toss 4 1/3 shutout innings. Each permitted just one hit; Lambson struck out three in 2 1/3.

Cody Overbeck's two-out solo home run pushed the Missions to a 1-0 second-inning advantage. His eighth blast of 2014 came with a 1-1 count off Luis Cruz.

The promise of Tyler Heineman's one-out stand-up double off San Antonio starter Justin Hancock went unfulfilled the next inning. Right fielder Yeison Asencio gunned Heineman at third to complete an inning-ending double play after catching Tony Kemp's hooking fly on the run near the right-field line.

San Antonio (54-54; 18-20) was burned for three runs in a sloppy fourth. Hancock issued a lead-off walk to Ruben Sosa, who pilfered second and sprinted to third on a throwing error by catcher Austin Hedges. Andrew Aplin's single into right field scored Sosa. Hancock struck DeShields with a pitch and the speedy outfielder ultimately scored when Hedges' pick-off throw was wide of third. Aplin later crossed on a throwing error by third baseman Adam Buschini.

Overbeck did more damage in the sixth, his two-out triple putting the visitors on top 4-3. The Missions' first three men - Diego Goris, Asencio and Alex Dickerson - reached via singles before Hunter Renfroe produced a sacrifice fly.

Cruz, done for the evening after issuing a free pass to Lee Orr in the wake of Overbeck's three-bagger, struck out six against seven hits and a walk during a 100-pitch performance. Hancock, charged with one earned run, achieved one less out over 81 pitches and scattered five hits. He walked one and struck out three.

His successor, former Hook Michael Dimock, left the bases loaded in the sixth. Frank Garces threw a perfect seventh for San Antonio, but Luis De La Cruz was unable to prevent the tying run, Jonathan Meyer (one-out single/wild pitch advance to second) from scoring in the eighth, M.P. Cokinos drilling a two-out double to left.

Kemp made two spectacular plays at second base on hard-hit line drives; the first saved a run in the sixth.

DeShields owns a five-game hitting streak.

Tuesday is AutoNation Family Night and Half-Price Group Night. Call 361-561-HOOK for details. First pitch is 7:10 for Corpus Christi's Brady Rodgers (4-10). His opposition: Leonel Campos (1-3).