Hooks Fall Under Protest in Frisco

FRISCO - Home runs by Drew Robinson and Jake Skole highlighted a four-run seventh for the RoughRiders as Frisco rallied for a 4-3 win over the Hooks Friday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

The protest stems from a collision at home plate in the fifth inning. Locked in a scoreless tie, Skole occupied third base with one out. Patrick Caldwell hit a ground ball directly to the drawn-in shortstop, Jio Mier. Mier immediately fired home and Skole barreled into the catcher, Tyler Heineman, who was waiting with the ball. Heineman absorbed the blow and held on for the out. Home plate umpire Matt Czajak ruled obstruction by Skole.

Hooks manager Keith Bodie contended that the egregious contact applied by Skole impeded Heineman's ability to throw out the runner at first. The umpiring crew deliberated and, after a lengthy delay, ruled Cantwell safe at first base. Corpus Christi then resumed play under protest.

Hooks reliever Alex Sogard induced a fly ball to end the inning.

Corpus Christi (8-6) responded by taking the lead in the sixth. Joe Sclafani blistered a lead-off triple to right-center off Alec Asher. Aplin sent him home with single to right. Preston Tucker was next and cracked a liner down the right-field line. The ball was mishandled by Robinson, allowing Aplin to score from first and Tucker to reach second. Later in the frame, Nolan Fontana laid down a safety squeeze, pushing Tucker home for a 3-0 Hooks advantage.

In the top of the seventh, Delino DeShields, Jr., was struck in the face by a pitch from Phil Klein. DeShields left the field under his own power and was taken to an area hospital for treatment.  

Robinson opened the Frisco (10-4) seventh and launched a 2-1 pitch from Sogard over the fence in right field. Three batters later, Skole crushed a 3-2 offering from Jordan Jankowski that landed in the pool in right-center. The two-run blast tied the game.

Jankowski (0-1) hit the next batter and was then lifted for Andrew Robinson. Luis Sardinas followed and served a single into right field, chasing Cantwell to third. Rougned Odor rolled a slow grounder to first base. M.P. Cokinos charged the ball and threw behind the runner at third. Cantwell made it safely back to the bag, loading the bases. Jordan Brown hit a chopper to first but Cokinos bobbled the ball as Cantwell crossed the plate for the RoughRiders' fourth run.

Klein (3-0), Jimmy Reyes and Matt West combined to hold the Hooks hitless over the final three frames.

Frisco's ninth-consecutive win spoiled a fine start by Aaron West. West limited the home team to a pair of singles over the first four innings. He walked one and struck out five.

Corpus Christi hopes to break its four-game slide Saturday night. The tandem of Ross Seaton (0-0, 1.42) and Luis Cruz (2-1, 2.08) faces rehabbing Texas Ranger Matt Harrison (0-0, 3.38). First pitch 7:05.