FRISCO - Newcomer Rico Noel's two-run single in the seventh inning Friday night pushed the Hooks to a 3-2 win over the RoughRiders at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Frisco starter Pedro Payano dominated much of the proceedings, holding Corpus Christi (20-21, 54-57) to an infield single through the first six innings.
FRISCO - Newcomer Rico Noel's two-run single in the seventh inning Friday night pushed the Hooks to a 3-2 win over the RoughRiders at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
Frisco starter Pedro Payano dominated much of the proceedings, holding Corpus Christi (20-21, 54-57) to an infield single through the first six innings. Payano, who carried a 2-0 lead into the seventh, struck out 10.
The lone walk he issued was a lead-off free pass to Jon Singleton in the seventh. One out later, Jason Martin lopped a single into left, ending Payano's night. Lefty Shane McCain (2-2) entered and surrendered singles to Garrett Stubbs and Ryne Birk, making it 2-1 Riders. With the bases full and two down, Noel sent on 0-1 pitch from Reed Garrett down the right-field line, scoring Martin and Stubbs.
Kevin Hill, making his Double-A debut, yielded one hit and one walk over 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the victory. Riley Ferrell recorded the final out in the eighth, stranding men at the corners.
Ferrell then worked around an error in the ninth to secure his first Double-A save. The TCU product struck out three.
Frisco (16-26, 47-65) scored both of its runs in the first on four singles and one error. Franklin Perez bounced back by retiring 12 of the final 15 men he faced. Two of the exceptions were infield singles.
Perez has yielded just three runs in his last two starts, spanning 10 frames. Corpus Christi has won three of the 19-year-old's four Texas League appearances.
The Hooks, taking aim at a series victory, send lefty Alex Winkelman (1-5, 3.86) to the hill Saturday night. Rehabbing Ranger Tyson Ross gets the ball for Frisco.
