Hooks keep rolling behind surging Correa

Carlos Correa has racked up the accolades and milestones during his time in the Minor Leagues, but one accomplishment has eluded him: hitting for the cycle.

On Sunday, the Astros' top prospect came within a triple of accomplishing the feat on an another productive day at the plate as Double-A Corpus Christi topped Frisco, 5-2 at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

Correa went 3-for-5 with his fourth homer of the season and three RBIs for the Hooks -- though his afternoon didn't get off to a bang.

"In my first at-bat, I popped up to the first baseman and I got under the ball, so I tried to drive it in my next at-bat," the 20-year-old shortstop said. "I got a 3-2 slider and I hit it right to the wall. [Pitcher Alec Asher] left it up and I was able to hit a line drive."

In the fourth, MLB.com's third overall prospect smacked a leadoff double, his Texas League-leading 10th two-bagger of the year. Facing the Rangers' No. 24 prospect again an inning later with two on and one out, Correa was primed for his second long ball in as many games.

"[Asher] left me a hanging changeup and I was able to get the line drive over the left-field wall and get three RBIs for my team," he said. 

Correa singled in the seventh to put himself three bases from the elusive cycle. With the Hooks down to their final out in the top of the ninth, he said he had one goal in mind.

"I was trying to hit the ball to the right side of the field because that would be my best chance to get the triple. I hit it to the right side, but I hit a line drive to the right fielder," the top overall pick in the 2012 Draft said. "Not disappointed -- it was a good game, we got the win -- but definitely wanted the triple. All I could do is hit the ball hard."

While he didn't get the cycle, Correa boosted his team-leading average to .375 with his second straight three hit-game.

"It feels great. I just stick with my approach every day," he said. "It's a great feeling to be locked in at the plate and be able to help the team win some games."

With the success of its No. 3 hitter, comes the success of the team. The Hooks have won five straight and own the league's best record at 12-4. Correa said it's been a combination of good hitting and good pitching that's accounted for the hot start.

Hooks starter Mike Hausechild (2-1) allowed a run on six hits while fanning four in five innings before turning the ball over to Lance McCullers. The Astros' No. 10 prospect worked around an unearned run and four hits while notching nine strikeouts in four frames.

Asher (0-1) was charged with five runs -- four earned -- on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

Rangers top prospect Joey Gallo collected his first two hits of the season in his second game since joining the RoughRiders from extended spring training.