RockHounds Pinched; Fall to Hooks, 5-4

Corpus Christi Hooks 5, RockHounds 4

Friday, July 23, 2021

Momentum Bank Ballpark

David Hensley’s pinch-hit, two-run home run in the top of the ninth gave the Corpus Christi Hooks a 5-4 win over the RockHounds Friday night at Momentum Bank Ballpark.

Hensley’s live drive, which found the right field bullpen, erased a 4-3 deficit as the Hooks evened the current series at two games apiece.

The game saw three lead changes, with the RockHounds getting on the board first. JJ Schwarz walked to lead off the second inning, went to third on Jake Suddleson’s line drive single to right-center, and scored on Max Schuemann’s sacrifice fly (Hooks center fielder Corey Julks made a tremendous catch, turning a would-be double into the sac fly). Logan Davidson doubled leading off the fourth and later scored on Devin Foyle’s sharp ground ball to first base, giving the ‘Hounds a 2-0 lead.

Norel Gonzalez singled to open the sixth, the start of a three-run Hooks rally. Korey Lee drilled an RBI double into the left field corner and Julks followed with a two-run home run to left.

The RockHounds manufactured two runs in the seventh to regain the lead. Suddleson (who reached base in each of his four trips to the plate) was hit by a pitch and Schuemann followed with a double, driving in his second run of the game. Walks to Collin Theroux and (pinch-hitter) Jonah Bride loaded the bases and, with two out, Jhonny Santos brought home the go-ahead run, drawing a 10-pitch walk.

Marty Costes, the Double-A Central’s second-leading hitter (.327), doubled against RockHounds closer Aaron Brown to lead off the ninth and, one batter later, Hensley was sent to the plate as a pinch-hitter. He lined Brown’s first pitch into the right field bullpen, giving the Hooks the 5-4 lead.

Santos and Davidson had back-to-back singles with two out in the ninth before Nick Hernandez escaped the jam, getting Schwarz to ground into a game-ending force out.

Kibbles & Bits

RockHounds starter Ty Damron tossed five scoreless innings before the Hooks broke through in the sixth. Up to that point, the former Texas Tech Red Raider had allowed just two runs in his last 17⅔ innings.

We missed an “all Texas Tech” pitching match-up by one day; former Red Raider Parker Mushinski is scheduled to start for Corpus Christi Saturday night.

The blown save was Aaron Brown’s first of the season after closing the door in each of his first nine chances.

The RockHounds lost for just the fourth time in their last 17 games.

Next Game: Saturday, July 24

RockHounds vs. Corpus Christi Hooks

Fifth of a six-game series and 11th of a 12-game homestand

First Pitch at 7:00

Postgame Fireworks

Probable Starters

CC Parker Mushinski (LH, 0-4, 4.14)

RH Kyle Friedrichs (RH, 1-3, 6.15)

This Weekend at Rocky Town

The RockHounds host the Corpus Christi Hooks for Saturday night fireworks (7:00 p.m.) and Family Day / Ice Cream Sunday (2:00 p.m.).