Newcomers Villar, Altuve Shine

CORPUS CHRISTI - Jonathan Villar's walk-off home run lifted Corpus Christi past Springfield 6-5 Wednesday at Whataburger Field before 4,817.

The Hooks won for just the second time in eight games in improving to 19-32. Springfield stands 23-27.

Villar's blast on the first pitch of the home ninth landed in the home bullpen. His double-play partner, shortstop Jose Altuve, finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Each of Altuve's hits came on first-pitch offerings.

The loser was Nick Greenwood (2-2), who threw just one pitch. Sammy Gervacio (1-0), who joined the Hooks May 25 after shoulder surgery and extended spring training, picked up the win despite permitting the tying (unearned) run in the ninth.

Villar and Altuve arrived at the ballpark at about 5:30 after traveling all day from Lancaster, Calif., Houston's High-A affiliate in the California League.

Corpus Christi parlayed the first two of three first-inning singles into a run. Jimmy Paredes opened with a single to right, swiped second and scored on Altuve's hit to left. Attempting to stretch his single into a double, Altuve was erased at second by Jermaine Curtis' throw.

Altuve's first Double-A home run - a two-out, two-run blast into the Hooks bullpen - came with Villar aboard via a double to right-center. The round-tripper was Altuve's sixth of 2011, pushing Corpus Christi's advantage to 3-0 through three.

The Cardinals pulled to within one in the fifth. Alan Ahmady singled and was sacrificed into scoring position by pitcher Kevin Thomas. Jose Garcia's single chased Ahmady home to make it 3-1. Garcia, who advanced to third as Ryan Jackson reached first on a strikeout/passed ball with two out, moved home on Matt Adams' third hit of the night.

Thomas, lifted for pinch-hitter Tommy Pham with two on in the sixth, allowed seven hits and struck out one.

The Hooks then grabbed some temporary breathing room at 4-2, touching Jesse Simpson for their fourth run on a bases-loaded sacrifice liner to right by Federico Hernandez.

Springfield responded by spoiling Xavier Cedeno's fifth victory bid with a two-run seventh against Blake King. The big blow was Alex Castellanos' 13th homer after Garcia drew a lead-off walk.

Cedeno worked the first six frames and was responsible for six hits, an earned run, two walks and five strikeouts.

Corpus Christi moved up 5-4 on eighth-inning doubles by Jacob Goebbert and Hernandez, but the Cardinals evened things up Adams' double to left, an error and a pinch-hit sacrifice fly from Eric Duncan.

The Hooks start Jonnathan Aristil (2-3) Thursday at 7:05. Springfield counters with Michael Blazek (5-2).