Deetz-led Hooks shut down Missions in opener

Dean Deetz fired six shutout innings in leading Corpus Christi to a 7-1 win over San Antonio Saturday night before 5,845 at Wolff Stadium.

San Antonio's Seth Simmons entered Saturday's start having allowed one run or less in seven of his last nine starts. However, Corpus Christi came out swinging against one of the Texas League's best pitchers, taking a 1-0 lead in the first with Drew Ferguson's one-out solo homer to left.

Three innings later, the Hooks started to pull away, pushing their lead to 4-0 with a three-run rally capped by Nick Tanielu's single to right. Corpus Christi made the score 5-0 in the fifth when catcher Garrett Stubbs followed a two-out Ferguson walk with an RBI-double down the right-field line.

The five runs allowed were a season high for Simmons (3-4), who fanned five over six innings.

Corpus Christi capped its scoring in the seventh against reliever T.J. Weir with J.D. Davis' two-run double to left.

The rest of the game belonged to the Hooks' pitching duo of Deetz (2-0) and reliever Kyle Smith. Deetz, who tossed six shutout innings against San Antonio in his Double-A debut on August 28 at Whataburger Field, repeated the feat Saturday. The 22-year-old hurler was even more dominant in his second start, allowing just one hit and two walks, while striking out eight.

The Missions spoiled the shutout bid in the ninth against Smith (third save) with Ryan Miller's run-producing groundout.

San Antonio (36-32, 58-80) resumes its series-ending, three-game series with Corpus Christi (36-32, 83-55) Sunday at 6:05 PM. The first 500 kids 12 & under will receive a free cereal bowl courtesy of Kellogg's. Jerry Keel (0-1, 8.68) will get the ball for the Missions Sunday, while the Hooks counter with fellow southpaw Kent Emanuel (5-4, 5.33).

Notes: Catcher Austin Allen went 1-for-3 in his Double-A debut for San Antonio. Allen replaced Rocky Gale, who was transferred to Triple-A El Paso earlier in the day.