Hooks Rope Riders

FRISCO - Corpus Christi scored 11 times on six extra-base hits over the first three innings Friday night en route to a 12-4 romp of the RoughRiders at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

The Hooks (12-9, 46-45), who have won eight of their last nine games, notched a season-high 16 hits on the night.

Luis Cruz stole the show on the hill, tossing seven innings of three-hit, two-run ball. After allowing a two-run homer to Drew Robinson in the second, Cruz retired 16 of the last 18 men he faced. The San Juan lefty walked one and struck out eight.

Tony Kemp set the tone offensively, sending a lead-off triple into the right-corner. Alec Asher then surrendered run-scoring doubles to Ruben Sosa, Jonathan Meyer and Carlos Perdomo.

Leading 4-0, Brandon Meredith opened the second with a two-bagger off the fence in left-center. Kemp reached for the second time via a single to center field and promptly stole second base. Two outs later, Meyer laced a base hit up the middle to plate a pair. Andrew Aplin was next and belted a 2-2 pitch over the fence in left. His fifth home run of the year upped Corpus Christi's advantage to eight.

Corpus Christi answered the Robinson salvo with a three-run third against Brodie Downs, making his debut as a Rangers farmhand.

Meyer, who has plated 13 in his last eight contests, became the first Hook this season to notch five RBIs in a game. Kemp pulled down his second four-hit performance in the last week.

Sosa and Perdomo each extended their hit streaks to seven.

The Hooks have outscored their opposition 54-22 during the month of July.

Corpus Christi aims for its third consecutive series victory Saturday night. Brady Rodgers (4-9, 4.48) is slated to pitch for the Hooks. Frisco (10-10, 50-39) counters with Jerad Eickhoff (6-6, 4.17). First pitch is 7:05.