Game Notes, August 28 at Frisco

August 28, 2012

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Corpus Christi (41-22, 78-55) @ Frisco (34-29, 75-58)

Ross Seaton did everything but drive the bus to the Metroplex last night. Seaton tossed seven shutout innings and cracked a two-run triple in the fourth as Corpus Christi completed a sweep of Frisco with a 3-0 victory at Whataburger Field. The Houston native allowed four hits and did not issue a walk, notching a career-high nine strikeouts in the process. Seaton was relieved by Erick Abreu who struck out three batters over two perfect innings. Twenty of Abreu’s 29 pitches came across for strikes. The result marked the Hooks’ seventh shutout of the season and the club’s 10th victory in the last 12 games.

Austin Wates notched the other RBI for Corpus Christi, plating Seaton an infield hit to short. Ben Orloff and Chris Wallace both extended their hitting streaks to seven games while Jon Singleton went 3-for-4 with a ground-rule double.

The Hooks, riding a four-game win streak, looks to clinch the Texas League South second-half crown tonight. Corpus Christi leads Frisco by seven games with seven to go.

Tonight’s Matchup: RHP Bobby Doran (5-2, 5.73) vs. RHP Nick Tepesch (6-3, 4.31)
Doran, selected by the Astros in the fourth round of the 2010 draft out of Texas Tech, makes his ninth start with Corpus Christi. Doran tossed 5.1 scoreless innings against Midland last Tuesday, holding the Hounds to four hits and two walks while striking out a career-high 10 batters. He notched his second consecutive victory, throwing 66 of 103 pitches for strikes. Doran turned in his best effort as a Hook on August 16 at Dickey-Stephens Park, limiting Arkansas to one run on three hits in seven innings. Doran yielded a first-inning home run and settled down from there, retiring the last seven men in order. He was roughed up for 14 earned runs on 18 hits over his first two outings (10.2 IP) after rejoining Corpus Christi. He had a four-start stint with the Hooks from June 22-July 10, in which he went 3-1 with a 5.57 ERA. Doran was recalled from Lancaster on August 3 where he stood 8-4 with a 3.57 ERA in 17 starts. He struck out 72 and walked 30, holding the league to a .244 batting average while featuring a GO/AO ratio of 1.22. Doran ranked sixth in the California League in ERA and placed second among league starters in opponents’ batting average. Named to the CL All-Star Team, he posted a quality start in his last five outings and in 12 of his 17 overall with the JetHawks. His Double-A debut came June 22 at Frisco. Doran allowed five runs on eight hits over five innings to notch the victory. He was the ace of the Red Raider staff in 2010, going 5-4 with a 4.35 ERA as a junior. Doran was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the 36th round of the 2009 draft out of Seward County CC in Kansas.

Went 4-3 with a 3.48 ERA over first two months of the season (17 BB / 47 K)
1-3 with a 9.05 ERA in 22 appearances (13 starts) for Lancaster in 2011
Graduate of 5A Flower Mound High School...tossed first no-hitter in school history (2007)

Tepesch, a 14th-round pick of the Rangers in 2010 out of the University of Missouri, makes his 13th start and 15th appearance with Frisco. He was tagged for eight runs on 11 hits over 3.2 innings last Thursday in San Antonio. Tepesch had won his last four decisions, posting an ERA of 1.72 over five starts. The run, which featured three scoreless outings, began after he suffered a tough-luck loss at Whataburger Field. The Hooks got to him for three runs in six innings but only one was earned. Tepesch crafted a stellar start but had to settle for a no-decision July 10 against Arkansas, tossing eight innings of one-run ball. He made his Double-A debut at Whataburger Field on June 15, holding the Hooks to two runs and seven hits over seven innings. Tepesch began the season with Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League, where in 12 starts he was 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA. June 9 at Carolina, Tepesch tossed the first complete-game shutout of his career, blanking the Mudcats on three hits and three walks over seven innings in the first game of a doubleheader. Over his last five starts for the Pelicans, Tepesch went 4-0 with a 0.78 ERA (3 ER in 34.2 IP). That streak of goodness began May 19 at Wilmington, when Tepesch hurled the first 7.1 innings of a combined no-hitter against the Blue Rocks. He pitched last year at Hickory, going 7-5 with a 4.03 ERA and two complete games. Tepesch struck out 118 and walked 33 in 138.1 innings.

Had a 2.20 GO/AO ratio in his 12 starts for the Pelicans
Rangers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June: 3-0 with a 2.23 ERA (37 K | 9 BB | .211 AVG)
Went 6-6 with a 4.20 ERA in his junior year at Missouri and led the Tigers in strikeouts

Second-half crown
A win tonight would seal the deal for the Corpus Christi in the second half. As second-half champs, the Hooks would open the best-of-five Texas League South Division Series with two games at Dr Pepper Ballpark before returning to Whataburger Field to close out the series.

Should the RoughRiders storm back to win the second half, Games 1 & 2 would be played at Dr Pepper Ballpark with the next two taking place in Corpus Christi. Frisco would then host a Game 5, if needed. Frisco won its series at Midland but lost the finale last night 2-1 in 13 innings. The Hooks lead the RoughRiders, who have won 12 of their last 16, by three games in the overall standings.

Honor squad
First-year Corpus Christi Hooks skipper Keith Bodie is the 2012 Texas League Manager of the Year, TL president Tom Kayser announced today. Bodie, who served as Corpus Christi’s hitting coach in 2009, is the first Hooks manager so honored since Dave Clark in 2006.

Four Hooks - second baseman Jose Martinez, outfielder Austin Wates, first baseman Jon Singleton and closer Jason Stoffel, were also voted onto the postseason honor squad by league beat writers, broadcasters and field managers. All four players were members of the South Division All-Stars at mid-season.

Bodie, who’s piloted the Hooks to a team-record 78 victories, has Corpus Christi on the verge of the TL South Division second-half title. The Hooks’ magic number to clinch is one, second-place Frisco seven games out with seven to play. Bodie and his charges open a four-game series with the RoughRiders tonight at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The clubs meet in next week’s South Division playoff series, Corpus Christi’s first postseason berth since the 2006 TL championship run.

This is Bodie’s fifth year as a manager in the Texas League and each of his previous four teams (Wichita 2000-03) won a second-half championship. His .560 winning percentage is tied for sixth all-time among circuit managers with 500-plus games. In 16 seasons as a manager from short-season A through Triple-A, nine of Bodie’s teams have qualified for the playoffs.

Springer named Cal League All-Star
The California League named Hooks outfielder and former Lancaster JetHawk George Springer to its post-season all-star team today. In 106 with Lancaster, he hit .316 with 18 2B, 22 HR, 82 RBI and 28 SB. The Astros promoted Springer, their top draft pick in 2011, to Double-A on August 9.

Despite playing his last game in the California League three weeks ago, Springer still ranks eighth in the league in batting average (.316), fourth in slugging percentage (.557), second in runs (101) and third triples (10). He earned player of the week honors the week of May 7 after he hit .522(12-23) with five home runs and 10 RBI.

The CL mid-season all-star played exclusively in centerfield as a JetHawk and posted a .992 fielding percentage (two errors in 246 chances) with seven outfield assists. Springer, the 2011 Big East Player of the Year at Connecticut, put together a 16-game hitting streak from June 23-July 8.

Starting strong
Corpus Christi has won nine of its last 10 games largely due to the success of its starting rotation. Since a 12-4 win at Springfield on August 18, the starters have gone 7-0 with a 0.74 ERA (5 ER in 61 IP).

The two veterans of the staff, Paul Clemens and Ross Seaton, have lead the charge. Clemens is 2-0 without an earned run in 12 innings pitched, while Seaton is 2-0 and has allowed two earned runs in 14 innings. Last night Seaton struck out a career-high nine hitters; Clemens won the playoff-clinching game Saturday.

The team’s only loss was the August 24 suspended game against Midland, which starter Rob Rasmussen exited with a 2-0 lead after five innings. Corpus Christi’s bullpen allowed four earned runs over the final four to take the loss.

Bound for glory
After opening the season with an 18-25 record, the Hooks have shifted into high gear en route to the playoffs. Following a 9-3 loss to Midland on May 20 at Citibank Ballpark, Corpus Christi has gone 59-30 (.663). The longest winning streak during this stretch has been seven games with the Hooks taking 17 of 22 series while splitting four.

A modern-day Babe Ruth
Ross Seaton may not be on track to hit 714 career home runs, but he did his best Babe Ruth impression last night. Seaton earned the win with seven shutout innings on the hill, and a two-RBI triple in the fourth inning which turned out to be the game-winning hit. His triple was the first ever by a Hooks pitcher, as was his home run on April 15, 2011.

Helping himself is nothing new for Seaton, who is 4-for-20 (.200) with three extra base hits and five RBI this season. He doubled home the first run of a 2-1 Hooks win on June 20 and contributed two RBI to a 17-3 win over San Antonio May 8, in which he was the winning pitcher.

The only other Hooks pitchers to drive in a run this year are Paul Clemens, Matt Heidenreich, Brett Oberholtzer (4-for-10, 2 2B and 2 RBI) and Jason Stoffel (2-for-2), 1 2B, 1 RBI). Over the last two seasons with Corpus Christi, Seaton is hitting .244 (10-for-41) with 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR and 10 RBI.

Alpha Hook
The 2012 Hooks, featuring a winning percentage of .586, have locked up the best record in franchise history. The 2006 Texas League Champions finished the regular season 76-63 (.547) to cap the club’s lone winning campaign. Corpus Christi is 23 games over .500 which is one better than the 2006 squad. Those Hooks peaked at 55-33 on July 12 after winning the opener of a double header at Springfield.

Rotation at Frisco
Wednesday: LHP Rob Rasmussen (4-3, 4.50) vs. RHP Neil Ramirez (2-4, 3.57)
Thursday: RHP Matt Heidenreich (2-1, 3.99) vs. RHP Cody Buckel (4-5, 4.42)
Friday: RHP Paul Clemens (3-2, 3.44) vs. RHP Wilfredo Boscan (7-5, 3.91)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Bobby Borchering

1-for-7 with 1 double and 2 Ks in series vs. San Antonio
2-for-12 with 1 runs and 3 Ks in series vs. Midland
9 H & 5 RBIs in last 18 G (61 ABs, 21 Ks, 5 BBs)
In first six games with the Hooks went 8-for-20 (.400) with 3 HRs and 10 RBIs
Batting .211(12-57) vs. RHP; .208(5-24) vs. LHP; .333(8-24) w/RISP
Hit .277 with 23 2B, 18 HR and 60 RBIs for Visalia this season
Promoted to Mobile on July 3: .103-2-8 in 21 games for the BayBears
1st round pick of the D-Backs in 2009, rated as best power hitter in their system by BA
Hit .267 with 29 2B, 24 HR and 92 RBIs for Visalia last year
Played exclusively in the OF this season with ARI...161 G at 3B | 68 G at 1B thru first 3 years
Graduated from Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, same alma mater as Chris Johnson

Jay Fernandez

Riding a 5-game hit streak, 5-18 with 1 R, 1 HR and 6 RBIs
DNP in SA series
1-for-4 Monday with GW HR...first HR since July 9
9-for-45 (.200) with 1 HR & 10 RBIs in 13 G since return from OKC
Has hit safely in 25 of the last 34, 33-118 (.280) w/ 7 2B, 5 HR, 18 R & 25 RBIs
Promoted in mid-July, was 1-for-8 w/ 2 RBIs for the RedHawks...hip-flexor injury limited action
Selected Texas League Player of the Week June 11-17, hit .524-1-5 with 3 doubles
Batting .228(28-123) vs. RHP; .298(14-47) vs. LHP; .250(14-56) w/RISP
Has a career caught-stealing percentage of 38.9 (171 of 439)
In 8 seasons in the Mariners and Twins systems, hit .244-16-162 in 439 games

Jacob Goebbert

3-for-8 with 1 HR and 2 RBIs in series vs. SA
3-for-10 with 3 runs & 1 2B in series vs. MID
Hits in 12 of last 16 games, 22-51 (.438) with 15 R, 5 2B, 1 3B, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs & 8 BB
7th in average (.299) and is 4th in OBP (.400)
Batting .390 with 5 2Bs, 1 3B, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs, 12 BBs and 10 Ks thru 21 games in August
Hit .282 with 4 2B, 1 3B, 20 BB, 16 K, 2 HR and 10 RBIs in July
Promoted to OKC on June 9...went 4-for-30 (.133) with 2 R, 1 2B and 1 RBI in 16 G
His walk-off, 3-run HR April 9 the first walk-off HR in his pro career
Named Texas League Co-Player of the Week (April 5-15), hit .429
Batting .289(77-266) vs. RHP; .329(26-79) vs. LHP; .341(31-91) w/RISP

Robbie Grossman

Has hit safely in 6 of last 7 games, 7-27 with 4 R, 2 2B, 2 HR & 6 RBIs
Has hits in 21 of his 29 games with CC
2-for-8 with 1 run, 1 2B and 3 Ks in series vs. SA
5-for-15 with 3 runs, 1 2B, 2 HR & 6 RBIs in series vs. MID
Batting .267(23-86) vs. RHP; .360(9-25) vs. LHP; .167(3-18) w/RISP
Hitting a combined .271(125x461) with 80 R, 27 2B, 6 3B, 10 HR, 46 RBIs, 76 BB, 13 SB
Acquired from PIT with LHPs Rudy Owens and Colton Cain for LHP Wandy Rodriguez
Hit .266 with 20 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 36 RBI and 9 SB in 95 games for Altoona (.378 OBP)
Was 5th in the Eastern League with 59 runs scored and first in walks (59) before the trade
Named Pittsburgh’s Player of the Year last year, led the FSL in runs (124) and walks (104)
Hit .292 with 13 home runs, 56 RBIs and 24 stolen bases for Bradenton, posting a .381 OBP
Originally a 6th round pick of the Pirates in 2008 out of Cy Fair High School in Houston
Ranked by Baseball America as Pittsburgh’s No. 7 prospect entering 2012

Enrique Hernandez

2-for-6 in series vs. SA with 1 run & 1 2B | 2-for-12 in series vs. MID with 1 solo HR, 3 BB, 3 K
5-for-14 with 2 R in series at SPR | 1-for-7 in 2 G at ARK
Has hits in 8 of last 13, 13-47 (.277) w/ 7 R, 2 2Bs, 1 HR & 2 RBIs
With Lancaster, hit .275 (104-378) with 52 R, 25 2B, 7 3B, 5 HR and 49 RBI in 100 games
Let the CL 2B in fielding percentage (.971) and double plays (71) turned
In June, hit .330 (30-91) with 15 RBI | His 9.56 PA/K ration ranked 3rd in the circuit
Played for Lexington in 2011 and hit .247-2-17; with Tri-City in 2010, hitting .280-3-33
Named the ValleyCats’ P-o-M for August as Tri-City went on to win the NYPL Championship
Was the Gulf Coast League Astros MVP for 2009, after hitting .295
Selected by HOU in the 6th round of the 2009 draft out of the American Military Academy in PR

Drew Locke

1-for-4 in series vs. SA | 0-for-7 with 2 R and 1 RBI in series vs. MID
Appeared in 1 G at Springfield (1-for-5)
Has hit safely in 7 of last 11 games, 8-37 with 8 R, 2 HR and 5 RBIs
Clubbed second inside-the-park home run in club history last Thursday in ARK
Has hit safely in 21 of last 28, 34-101 (.336) with 7 2B, 1 3B, 19 R, 3 HR and 21 RBIs
Since June, is batting .335(55x164) with 12 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 30 RBI in 44 G
Named the Astros Double-A Defensive Player of the Month for July
Went 5-for-5 July 19 at Midland, owns two of the five 5-hit games in club history
Thru 26 games in July: .371 with 15 runs, 7 doubles, 1 HR and 19 RBIs
Batting .309(54-175) vs. RHP; .290(20-69) vs. LHP; .375(27-72) w/RISP
Had played 40 games this season for Sugar Land Skeeters (.285-4-24)
Was the Texas League’s batting champion with the Hooks in 2009 (.338)
Holds franchise single-season records for average (.338) and RBIs (109)

Ben Orloff

Has hits in 7 straight and in 16 of last 21, 25-75 (.333) with 3 2Bs, 1 3B and 7 RBIs
2-for-8 with 2 runs & 1 RBI vs. SA | 5-for-9 with 2 runs & 1 RBI in series vs. Midland
DNP at SPR | 3-9 with one double is series at ARK
Posted career highs for hits (5) & RBIs (4) August 12 vs. SPR...5-5 with 3 R, 2B, & 3B
Batting .289(24-83) vs. RHP; .316(6-19) vs. LHP; .300(6-20) w/RISP
Was hitting .288 with 8 doubles, 29 RBIs and 7 steals in 77 games at Lancaster
Featured the lowest K/PA ratio (15.09) in the California League...32 BB / 22 K
Featured a .972 fielding percentage, tops among CL shortstops
.284-2-31 with 15 doubles and 51 RBIs in 96 games at Lexington last year
MVP for Tri-City in 2010...ValleyCats went on to win NYPL Championship
Hit .307 with 52 R, 4 2B, 16 RBIs, 34 BB, 19 Ks & 23 SB in 63 games that season

Andy Simunic

1-for-11 with 1 2B & 1 RBI vs. SA |
Has hits in 3 of last 5 games, 3-for-18 with 1 run, 2 runs and 2 walks
Hits in 11 of the last 14 G & in 20 of 28, 29-95 (.305) with 2 2B, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 11 BB & 14 R
Batted .316 thru 21 games in July, scoring 17 runs and driving in 9
Hit 2nd pro grand slam July 20 & drove in career-high 5 runs
Has hits in 29 of last 36 games, 44-139 (.317) with 28 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 15 RBI and 14 BB
Rejoined Hooks June 14 from AAA Oklahoma City, where he was 0-9 in 8 games
Hit .391 with 4 doubles and 7 RBIs during 16 games in June
6th in the league in hitting (.303)
Batting .297(85-286) vs. RHP; .325(26-80) vs. LHP; .240(24-100) w/RISP
Finished last year at Lancaster: .295-5-28 in 67 games

Jon Singleton

3-for-7 with 1 2B vs. SA | 4-for-14 with 4 R 1 HR and 2 RBIs vs. MID
7-for-15 with 5 R, 1 2B, 2 HR and 4 RBIs in series at SPR
Has hits in 10 of last 15, 21-60 (.350) with 17 R, 4 2B, 6 HR and 15 RBIs
11 HR thru first 50 games | 23 RBIs in last 24 games
Hits in 28 last 42 games, 49-157 (.312) with 35 R, 9 2B, 3B, 8 HR & 29 RBIs
7-for-17 July 2-9 w/ 3 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs & 4 BB to earn TL POW honors
1st in the TL in R (92), 2nd BB (82), T-3rd XBH (51), 3rd Ks (127), 4th TB (221) & T-5th RBIs (78)
.347-3-14 with 9 2B, 2 3B, 18 BB & 25 K over 28 games in July to earn CC P-o-M honors
.148-1-6 with 4 2B and 20 BB thru 25 games in June
Named the Texas League’s Player of the Week (May 21-27), hit .500-4-12
CC’s offensive player of the month in May (.281-7-24, .931 OPS)
Batting .300(97-323) vs. RHP; .240(29-121) vs. LHP; .289(37-128) w/RISP
Batted .350 with 7 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR 13 RBIs, 12 walks, 16 Ks thru 22 G in April

George Springer

1-for-11 with 1 2B, 1 BB and 4 K in series vs. SA
Has hits in 6 of last 8 games, 8-28 with 2 R, 2 2B, 4 BB, 6 K
2-for-5 with 1 R, 1 2B 3 BB & 2 Ks at SPR | 0-for-14 with 6 Ks in series at Arkansas
1-for-3 w/ 1 2B, 1 R and 1 BB in first AA start (8/10) ...HBP on the head in 9th...missed 3 games
Hit .316 with 18 2B, 10 3B, 22 HR, 82 RBI and 28 SB in 106 games for Advanced-A Lancaster
Was 8th in the California League in BA (.316), t-3rd in HR (22), 5th in RBI (82), 2nd in H (137)
In July, hit .389 with 6 HR, 24 RBI, 9 SB (.464 OBP | .657 SLG)
Mid-season all-star, voted CL Player of the week ending 5/14, 12-for-23 (.522), 5 HR & 10 RBIs
Posted 3 HR night on 5/11 vs. Lake Elsinore, 16-game hit streak from 6/23 to 7/8
Rated as the No. 3 prospect in the HOU system by both Baseball America and MLB.com
BA rated him as the best defensive outfielder and best outfield arm in the organization
Played in eight games last season for Short Season A Tri City last year and went 5-for-28
Received the second highest signing bonus in Astros history at $2.525 million
Selected in the first round (11th overall) in the 2011 draft out of the University of Connecticut
Named the 2011 Big East Player of the Year after hitting .343 with 12 HR, 77 RBI and 31 SB

Chris Wallace

Has hits in 7 straight, 9-31 with 2 R, 2 2B & 3 RBIs
Rejoined the Hooks following a 3-week stint at Triple-A OKC
3-for-10 with 1 R & 1 2B at SPR | 0-for-5 in series at ARK with a SF
Has hit safely in 14 of last 17, 22-56 (.393) w/ 8 R, 6 BB, 4 2B & 8 RBIs
Has hits in 15 of last 22, 25-69 (.362) with 12 R, 4 2B & 10 RBIs
Went 10-for-37 (.270) with 3 2B & 7 RBIs in 15 games with the RedHawks
.167-1-7 in 16 June games / .467-1-3 in 11 July games
Batting .257(37-144) vs. RHP; .261(12-46) vs. LHP; .255(14-55) w/RISP
His HR (20) and RBI (78) totals ranked third among Houston farmhands last year
Posted a .291 average in 4 years for the Cougars, led Houston with 10 HRs as a senior

Austin Wates

Riding a 3-game hit streak, 6-for-9 with 2 runs, 1 2B, 1 HR and 2 RBIs
3-for-16 with 1 2B & 1 RBI in series vs. Midland
Has hit safely in 8 of last 10 games, 13-34 with 5 R, 1 3B, 2 HR and 8 RBIs
Has 4 HR & 20 RBIs in last 24 games
Has hit safely in 16 of last 21 games; 27-71 (.380) with 15 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR & 12 RBIs
Hit his first walk-off HR as a pro July 12 vs. Frisco (3-for-5 with 6 RBIs)
4th player in Hooks history to drive in six RBIs in one game
3rd in the league with a .312 average
Hitting .333 (46-138) since the beginning of June with 6 2Bs, 1 3B, 4 HRs and 24 RBIs
Struck out 5 times July 5 at NWA - a career and franchise high
Batting .327(87-266) vs. RHP; .260(20-77) vs. LHP; .367(29-79) w/RISP
Named Lancaster’s MVP in 2011, led the JetHawks in 8 statistical categories