Kemmer, White, Hernandez Lift Hooks

CORPUS CHRISTI - Teoscar Hernandez, Jon Kemmer, and Tyler White stroked consecutive seventh-inning singles to produce the decisive run in a 2-1 Corpus Christi win over Frisco Saturday night at Whataburger Field before 6,384.

The Hooks, who completed a series sweep of the RoughRiders while climbing 27 games over .500 for the second time in franchise history, are 47-20. Frisco, 27-41, has dropped seven straight.

Hernandez christened the home seventh by dumping a single into right-center off Cody Ege (1-2), and Kemmer followed suit. Ege was lifted for Jefri Hernandez, and White slapped the game-winner into right field on an 0-2 offering.

Ruben Alaniz (1-0) persevered through a four-inning, six-hit stint to earn the win in relief of Brian Holmes.

Holmes, a left-hander who pitched collegiately at Wake Forest, allowed J.T. Wise's second-inning lead-off double and a two-out single to Edwin Garcia two frames later. He walked one and struck out four in a five-inning, 78-pitch performance (52 strikes).

Wise capitalized on Holmes' exit by driving in Nick Williams (one-out double) during a game-tying three-hit surge vs. Alaniz.

Hooks shortstop Jio Mier prevented the go-ahead run for scoring in the seventh, erasing Luis Marte (lead-off double) on a contact play after fielding Patrick Cantwell's hard-hit grounder.

Corpus Christi drew first-inning first blood against Jose Leclerc, who paid for striking Hernandez with an inside delivery. Hernandez pilfered second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and homeward when Kemmer lined a single to right field.

Though the Hooks kept him on the ropes, Leclerc lasted five innings. He stranded eight, despite yielding four hits and walking four. Leclerc struck out five.

Kemmer, who finished with four singles, owns a six-game hitting streak. White drew three walks.

Mark Appel (4-1) and Kyle Westwood (5-2) are the scheduled pitchers Sunday as the Hooks meet San Antonio in a 5:05 doubleheader. The Missions counter with Justin Hancock (6-2) and Aaron Northcraft (1-0). The first 2,500 fans receive a Hooks Patriotic Cap from Ainsworth Trucking.