Power & Pitching Wins Series

SPRINGDALE, AR - Chris Devenski turned in a solid start and Brandon Meredith and Delino DeShields, Jr., belted late home runs as the Hooks rolled against the Naturals 7-2 Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark.

Devenski (3-3) kept Northwest Arkansas off the scoreboard over the first five frames, standing five on base. He worked around three walks and fanned three, throwing 50 of 88 pitches for strikes.

The Hooks broke through against Christian Binford in the third. Tyler Heineman singled to open the inning and moved to second on a groundout by Carlos Perdomo. Tony Kemp kept the line moving with a base hit to left. With runners at the corners, DeShields laid down a squeeze bunt for a 1-0 Corpus Christi lead. Leo Heras added another run with a two-out single to left.

Binford went on to retire six straight until Kemp and DeShields reached to open the sixth. With two away, Meredith launched a monster home run onto the rock garden beyond the centerfield fence. The blast marked Meredith's second homer in three nights.

DeShields notched another two-out shot to center in the seventh. His two-run bomb knocked Binford out of the game and put the Hooks ahead 7-0.

Binford (3-2) had surrendered two earned runs or less in each of his prior five outings.

Josh Hader, making his Double-A debut, yielded two runs on two hits and three walks in three innings.

Tyson Perez authored a perfect ninth to nail down Corpus Christi's first road series victory since late May.

The Hooks continue their trek to North Little Rock for a three-game set against the Travelers. Jordan Jankowski is slated to start for Corpus Christi on Friday night. The Travs have tabbed Michael Roth as their starter. First pitch is 7:10.