Cardinals fall to Hooks in series opener, Chinea and Goetzman go deep

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A four-run comeback unraveled in what felt like the blink of an eye for the Cardinals.

After a pair of two-run homers erased a 4-0 deficit by the end of the fourth inning, Corpus Christi piled six runs on Springfield in the sixth before the Cardinals could record an out, cruising from there to an 11-4 final in front of 4,763 fans at Hammons Field.

Granden Goetzman and Chris Chinea hit the two two-run dingers for Springfield. Goetzman's home run cut the Hooks lead to 4-2 in the second and Chinea's tied the game 4-4 in the fourth.

Springfield starter Conner Greene pitched 1.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks and striking out one on 47 pitches.

Yeison Medina (0-2) was hit with the loss after allowing four runs on three hits and two walks in an inning of work.

After Springfield put four runs up on Hooks starter Ryan Hartman, Yoanys Quiala (5-4) shut down the Cardinals over the game's final five innings, allowing just three hits and striking out six.

THE GAME WAS OVER WHEN

The Hooks scored six runs without recording an out in the sixth inning.

After two singles and a walk off Medina loaded the bases, Anibal Sierra made it 5-4 Hooks with a single. After a pitching change, Myles Straw drew a bases-loaded walk, making it 6-4. Next, a Josh Rojas triple pushed three more across. The inning reached its peak at 10-4 two batters later when Randy César singled in Rojas.

Ritchie's third RBI of the night made it 11-4 Hooks in the eighth.

Earlier, Taylor Jones gave the Hooks a 1-0 lead in the first by singling in Straw.

The Hooks tallied three more runs in the second, starting with a Ritchie single that scored Stephen Wrenn. Ritchie later scored on a Greene wild pitch, and a Jones sacrifice fly to center made it 4-0 Hooks.

TSUNAMI WARNING

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Tuesday that RHP Carlos Martínez is expected to make a Rehab Start for the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field this Thursday, May 31 for the 7:10pm game against the Hooks.

Thursday will be the first appearance for Martinez in Springfield since April 29, 2013.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals and Hooks continue a three-game series Wednesday night at 6:30 pm.

Wednesday's game is a Purina Woof Wednesday, where all Baseball Loving Dogs are invited to sit back, relax and watch the game they love with their best friend. One owner ticket=free entry for your Very Good Boy/Girl! Dogs are encouraged to enjoy the game from the outfield grass/General Admission areas.

For tickets, call 417-863-2143 or visit www.SpringfieldCardinals.com/tickets.