Houston, We Have A Problem Shortstop
There has been a great deal of speculation about when the Houston Astros will call shortstop Carlos Correa up to the Triple-A level (or, as many have suggested, direct to the big leagues with the Astros). As far as the RockHounds (and the rest of the Texas League for that matter) are concerned, now would be just fine and dandy.
Correa, rated the Astros' #1 prospect and considered one of the top young talents in the game, was "the show" Thursday night at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, providing all the offense in a 3-1 Hooks victory. The 20-year-old shortstop lifted a solo home run in the bottom of the first, and followed that with a two-run double in the fifth. For good measure, Correa walked in the eighth inning and stole his 14th base of the season. He also flashed his outstanding glove, including a terrific play on Chad Oberacker's chopper in the ninth to end the game. Carlos leads the league, or is among the leaders, in virtually every major offensive category in the 2015 Texas League season.
Another outstanding Astros prospect, Lance McCullers, earned the win with five scoreless innings. While the right-hander allowed just two hits, the RockHounds threatened to do some early damage, putting a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings. McCullers escaped, stranding six baserunners through three innings, improving to 2-1, with a sub-one earned run average (0.72).
The Hooks won their fourth straight overall and in the season series with the RockHounds, while the 'Hounds dropped their fourth in-a-row.
The RockHounds
… have dropped three straight (the first three of the series at Corpus Christi) … are 12-15 overall … are 7-8 in division play … are 4-9 on the road overall and 1-6 on the current road trip … have dropped 7-of-their-last-8 overall … have scored just eight runs in their last six games (see "Kibbles & Bits," below) … and are 3-4 against division-leading Corpus Christi.
Texas League South Division: Corpus Christi's win over the RockHounds pushed the Hooks five games ahead of the RockHounds and guaranteed the Hooks a lead of no fewer than four games over the division, pending the result of Thursday's Frisco-San Antonio game.
Texas League North Division: Springfield has had a rough start to the 2015 season, entering Thursday's play with a 6-20 record, but the Cardinals snapped Northwest Arkansas' 11-game win streak in a game that deserves a shout-out. The clubs combined to score nine runs in the first inning and eight more in the seventh, with Springfield scoring seven times in the eighth. The rally erased an 8-6 deficit and gave the Cardinals a 13-8 win in a game that saw seven home runs hit at Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri.
Kibbles & Bits
- After breaking out of an 0-for-16 stretch with an eight-inning double Wednesday night, Matt Olson extended his on-base streak to 17 games with a 1-for-2 night at the plate, including a pair of walks and a single.
- Scoring runs has become a major issue for the RockHounds, who have now stranded 30 base runners in the first three games of the series at Corpus Christi. The club has scored just 14 runs in seven games on the road trip with a team batting of .175 in those games.
On Deck
The RockHounds and Hooks conclude their series in Corpus Christi … and the 'Hounds wrap up their road swing … Friday evening at 7:05.
The 'Hounds then return home to Security Bank Ballpark to open an eight-game, nine-day home stand this Saturday. The RockHounds will host the Frisco RoughRiders (May 9-12) and San Antonio Missions (May 13-16), with fireworks shows (following both of the home stand's Saturday night games) and a "Thirsty Thursday" highlighting the eight games at Rocky Town.
Friday's Probable Pitchers
RockHounds RHP Tim Atherton (0-1, 4.50) at Corpus Christi LHP Aaron West (0-1, 3.86)