Foltynewicz, Martinez: Pitching Supreme

CORPUS CHRISTI - Jason Adam didn't look like a pitcher with an 0-5 record and 8.22 earned run average Friday night at Whataburger Field.

But Mike Foltynewicz and David Martinez were better, teaming on a one-hitter as Corpus Christi defeated Northwest Arkansas 2-0 for a series sweep before 5,852.

Foltynewicz, Houston's No. 5 prospect, worked five no-hit innings - walking three and fanning a pair - before turning the game over to Minor League Baseball's winningest pitcher. Backed by two double plays, all Martinez (8-0) did was face the minimum the rest of the way after the first batter he faced, Roman Hernandez, broke up the no-hitter.

Jonathan Meyer dropped an RBI single in front of left fielder Carlo Testa as Corpus Christi snapped a scoreless stalemate in the seventh. Lead-off hitter Domingo Santana was struck in the helmet by Adam. Erik Castro's single to right with Santana on the move put runners at the corners for Meyer.

Adam, who didn't come out for the eighth, gave up five hits, walked one and recorded five strikeouts. He threw 100 pitches (71 strikes).

Naturals reliever Matt Ridings paid for issuing a lead-off walk to Jiovanni Mier when Rene Garcia smacked a one-out RBI double to left for insurance.

Hooks catcher Max Stassi made the most noise of the first three innings when he opened the home third by doubling to right. Attempting to stretch his two-base hit into a triple, Stassi was retired right fielder Hernandez to second baseman Alex McClure to third baseman Angel Franco.

Corpus Christi had runners at first and third with an out in the fourth, but Adam fanned Castro and got Meyer on a fly to center field.

Ruben Alaniz (0-5) is Corpus Christi's scheduled pitcher for the series opener vs. Arkansas Saturday at 7:05. The Travelers counter with Michael Roth (1-0). The first 2,500 fans receive a Hooks Retro Cap from Kleberg Bank.