Matthes Powers Hounds in Explosive Eighth
CORPUS CHRISTI - Midland erupted for seven eighth-inning runs - four on Kent Matthes' grand slam off just-inserted Jorge De Leon - to roar past Corpus Christi 8-2 Sunday at Whataburger Field before 5,034.
Reliever Travis Ballew (2-1), on for starter Michael Hauschild, retired just one man as the first three hitters - Chad Oberacker, Blake Forsythe and Conner Crumbliss reached via a bunt single, base-on-balls and bunt single, respectively. Ballew then fanned Dusty Coleman, but Anthony Aliotti and Josh Whitaker produced run-scoring singles as Midland took a 3-2 lead.
De Leon then entered to face Matthes, who homered for the third consecutive game, his blast clearing the left-field berm. One out later, Miles Head powered a solo shot the same way.
Ryan Doolittle, who struck out four in two scoreless innings, evened his mark at 2-2.
Preston Tucker staked Hauschild and the Hooks to a 1-0 second-inning lead with his ninth homer of the year. Tucker's booming shot over the right-field bullpen off Nate Long was his third yard shot in three games.
Hauschild was perfect through the first 4 2/3 innings before walking Jefry Marte on a borderline call. He then allowed Head's single to left and an Oberacker double over the head of Tucker in right field, which leveled the score.
It was the second straight outing in which Hauschild retired the first 14 men he faced. Houston's 33rd-round selection in the 2012 draft from Dayton tossed five scoreless innings during his Double-A debut May 12 at San Antonio.
Telvin Nash opened the sixth by taking Long deep to the left-field berm for his fourth home run, giving the Hooks a 2-1 advantage. The Hooks subsequently loaded the bases against Long, who caught Leo Heras looking to limit further damage.
Long was responsible for five hits, two walks and five strikeouts over six frames and 95 pitches (58 strikes).
Hauschild booked seven complete, striking out eight against a walk and three hits.
Hooks DH Joe Sclafani owns an eight-game hitting streak, catcher Rene Garcia a 10-gamer. Second baseman Nolan Fontana has reached base in 25 of 26 games.
Aliotti's hitting streak sits at 13 games.
Monday brings $ Hot Dogs and Soda from Mrs Baird's. The Emergency Pet Center presents "Bark at the Park," a tribute to man's best friend.