Game Notes, August 5 at Midland

August 5, 2012

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Corpus Christi (28-14, 65-47) @ Midland (18-23, 53-58)

The Hooks set the ninth on fire last night, breaking a 6-6 tie with an 11-run frame as Corpus Christi rolled to a 17-6 romp over the RockHounds. The 17 runs tie a club record achieved May 8 against San Antonio. Bobby Borchering and Jose Martinez each had four hits while Borchering clubbed two home runs and drove in four. Marc Krauss equaled the franchise record for RBIs in one game with six. Krauss, who began the ninth with a mammoth opposite field home run to left field, now has five long balls and 15 RBIs in five games with the Hooks. After an 11-day stint on the disabled list, Andy Simunic hit a double and a triple, scoring twice while posting two RBIs.

Corpus Christi starter Bobby Doran, just called up from Lancaster, worked well for the first six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks. He permitted the first four to reach in the seventh and all scored. Erick Abreu allowed an inherited runner to come across on a slow roller up the third-base line but managed to get two outs to end the inning. Arcenio Leon fashioned 1.2 hitless innings, walking one while striking out two to notch the victory.

The Hooks have won seven of their last 10 games, improving the club’s lead to six over the Missions for first place in the Texas League South second-half race. A win tonight, would give Corpus Christi a .500 record on the road at 28-28.

Tonight’s Matchup:
LHP Rob Rasmussen (2-2, 5.68) vs. RHP Murphy Smith (6-8, 4.42)
Rasmussen, acquired by Houston as part of the trade that sent Carlos Lee to Miami, makes his sixth start with the Hooks. He turned in his best effort with Corpus Christi on Monday against these RockHounds at Whataburger Field. Rasmussen earned the victory, yielding two runs on five hits, including a solo shot to Jeremy Barfield, through 7.1 innings. The lefty walked one and struck out seven, throwing 65 of 102 pitches for strikes. Rasmussen had been touched for three runs in his prior two outings, working six innings July 20 to notch the victory against Frisco before lasting three July 25 in San Antonio. He allowed a total of eight runs and 13 hits in his first two starts with the club (8.0 IP). Rasmussen was 4-7 with a 3.90 ERA for Jupiter of the Florida State League. The lefty struck out 75 and walked 36 over 87.2 innings pitched for the Hammerheads, holding the circuit to a .250 batting average. He permitted one run in each of his last three starts with Jupiter, going 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA. Four of Rasmussen’s seven losses occurred over his first five starts despite a 3.62 ERA. He entered the season as Miami’s No. 7 prospect according to Baseball America and was rated by the publication has having the top slider in the Marlins system. Selected in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft out of UCLA, Rasmussen led the 2010 Bruins to a school-best 51-17 record and a trip to the College World Series. He went 11-3 with a 2.72 ERA, fanning 128 over 109.1 IP

12-10 with a 3.64 ERA in 27 starts for the Hammerheads last season (118 Ks | 71 BBs | 148.1 IP)
4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in the ’09 Cape Cod League...selected to start the all-star game at Fenway Park
Currently enrolled at UCLA, majoring in History with a minor in Economics

Smith, selected by the A’s in the 13th round of the 2009 draft out of Binghamton (NY) University, makes his 23rd appearance and 20th start of the season for Midland. Smith lost his second consecutive outing on Tuesday, permitting four runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings at Dr Pepper Ballpark. He posted a quality start on July 26, allowing three runs (2 ER) and six hits over six innings. Smith had a forgettable month of June, notching a 1-3 record and 8.46 ERA. The results were better in July as Smith went 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA in seven starts. He made three relief appearances to begin the season, going 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA and 17 strikeouts against two walks. Smith won his first three decisions of the year and went 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA over his first nine appearances and six starts. As a starter, Smith is 5-8 with a 4.66 ERA. He spent all last year with Stockton in the California League, where in 26 games and 24 starts he posted a 6-9 record with 1 save and a 3.94 ERA. Smith split 2010 between Kane County and Stockton, going a combined 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA. He ranked second in the A’s system in wins, fifth in innings (144.1 IP) and ninth in strikeouts (104).

Enters play tonight with 314 career strikeouts and 130 walks over four pro seasons
In 4 starts against the Hooks is 1-3 with a 4.12 ERA (15 BB / 11 K / 19.2 IP)
Named America East Conference Pitcher of the Year his junior season (2009) when he went 7-3 with a 3.12 in 14 starts for the Bearcats

Making history
Corpus Christi’s 11-run ninth inning not only set a club record for runs scored an inning (the previous Hooks high was nine, last achieved June 17 at Frisco in the 11th), but ranked among the biggest ninths in Texas League history. It was the first time a team scored 11 or more runs in the ninth inning since April 29, 1937 when Fort Worth did it in an 11-2 win at Beaumont.

It was also just the eighth time in league history that a team has scored 10 or more runs in the ninth inning. The record for ninth inning runs is 12 by Denison against Dallas on July 23, 1896, while the last team to reach double figures in the ninth was the San Antonio Missions on September 9, 2009, also at Midland.

The ninth inning has the fewest occurrences of 10 run innings. Five teams have scored 10, two have scored 11 and one has scored 12.

Astros name players of the month
The Astros player development department named its minor league players of the month for July late Saturday, tabbing RHP Jason Stoffel the Hooks’ pitcher of the month, 1B Jonathan Singleton the offensive player of the month and OF Drew Locke the defensive player of the month.

Stoffel, the Hooks closer, allowed just three earned runs in 11 innings, while he struck out 13 and racked up eight saves in 12 July appearances. Singleton started to break out of a power slump at the end of the month, hitting .347 with three home runs and 14 runs batted in. He won the Texas League Player of the Week award on July 9, after he went 7-17 with six extra base hits in five games. Singleton posted an on-base percentage of .443 and a slugging percentage of .579 for the month.

Locke has not made an error in 51 games and 102 chances in the outfield this year. He has three outfield assists and made numerous sliding plays in the month of July.

Castro rehabs with CC
Astros catcher and former Hook Jason Castro continues his rehab assignment with Corpus Christi tonight. He has caught three innings each of the last two nights, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Castro is slated to work five innings this evening.

Castro, hitting .254 with two home runs and 20 RBIs this season, has been on the disabled list since July 8 with right knee effusion. The numbers have improved of late as Castro has hit .301 with a .380 on-base percentage in 83 at-bats leading up to the knee injury. He missed all of last season following ACL surgery. A first-round selection (10th overall) in the 2008 draft out of Stanford, Castro hit .293 with three home runs and 29 RBIs in 63 games for the Hooks in 2009. He batted .376 with 14 home runs and 73 RBIs for the Cardinal in 2008. Castro earned team MVP honors, leading Stanford to the College World Series.

Pitching Rotation at Midland
Monday: RHP Matt Heidenreich (1-0, 2.08) vs. RHP Shawn Haviland (6-8, 4.84)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Adam Bailey

0-1 as a PH in SA series
4-9 with 2 runs, 1 HR and 3 RBIs in Midland series
Has hit safely in 8 of last 14, 12-33 (.363) with 2 doubles, 1 HR and 7 RBIs
Prior to this stretch, was hitless in previous 10 at-bats
Batting .258(25-97) vs. RHP; .278(5-18) vs. LHP; .321(9-28) w/RISP
Added to roster May 30 from Advanced-A Lancaster
In 47 games with the JetHawks was batting .279-8-25 with 2 SBs
In 23 games at the end of last season with the Hooks hit .323-3-15

Bobby Borchering

2-11 with a HR and 4 RBIs in 4 games prior to the series
Hit .277 with 23 2B, 18 HR and 60 RBIs for Visalia this season
Promoted to Mobile on July 3: .103-2-8 in 21 games for the BayBears
1st round pick of the D-Backs in 2009, rated as best power hitter in their system by BA
Tabbed by MLB.com as Arizona’s No. 11 prospect
Hit .267 with 29 2B, 24 HR and 92 RBIs for Visalia last year
Has struck out 447 times compared to 141 walks in his career
Played exclusively in the OF this season with ARI...161 G at 3B | 68 G at 1B thru first 3 years
Graduated from Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, same alma mater as Chris Johnson

Jay Fernandez

Rejoined the club Wed. from OKC and went 0-4, snapping a 7-game hit streak
1-4 last night with a 2-run 2B...was hitless in prior 9 at-bats, 1 BB, 1 K
Has hit safely in 17 of the last 23, 24-82(.293) w/ 6 2B, 4 HR, 16 R & 17 RBIs
Promoted in mid-July, was 1-for-8 w/ 2 RBIs for the RedHawks...hip-flexor injury limited action
Selected Texas League Player of the Week June 11-17, hit .524-1-5 with 3 doubles
Now has 6 games experience at 3B in his 9-year career
Batting .229(21-96) vs. RHP; .308(12-39) vs. LHP; .267(12-45) w/RISP
Has a career caught-stealing percentage of 39.6 (169 of 426)
In 8 seasons in the Mariners and Twins systems, hit .244-16-162 in 439 games

Jacob Goebbert

Hitless in last 9 at-bats with 2 R & 3 BB
0-1 as a PH in SA series
2-for-13 with 3 runs and 1 RBI in Midland series (last start July 30 vs. Midland)
Hits in 12 of last 22 games: 22-69 (.319) with 16 R, 4 2B, 2 HR and 10 RBIs
Hit .282 with 4 2B, 1 3B, 20 BB, 16 K, 2 HR and 10 RBIs in July
Promoted to OKC on June 9...went 4-for-30 (.133) with 2 R, 1 2B and 1 RBI in 16 G
His walk-off, 3-run HR April 9 the first walk-off HR in his pro career
Named Texas League Co-Player of the Week (April 5-15), hit .429
Batting .251(55-219) vs. RHP; .362(25-69) vs. LHP; .312(24-77) w/RISP

Robbie Grossman

Has hits in 8 of his 10 games with CC & 5 straight, 6-19 with 5 R, 2 2B, 1 3B & 1 RBI
Acquired from PIT with LHPs Rudy Owens and Colton Cain for LHP Wandy Rodriguez
Opened season with Double-A Altoona in the Eastern League
Hit .266 with 20 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 36 RBI and 9 SB in 95 games with the Curve (.378 OBP)
Was 5th in the Eastern League with 59 runs scored and first in walks (59) before the trade
Had a 13 game hitting streak from 6/16-6/29 in which he hit .380 (19-50)
Named Pittsburgh’s Player of the Year last year, led the FSL in runs (124) and walks (104)
Hit .292 with 13 home runs, 56 RBIs and 24 stolen bases for Bradenton, posting a .381 OBP
Originally a 6th round pick of the Pirates in 2008 out of Cy Fair High School in Houston
Ranked by Baseball America as Pittsburgh’s No. 7 prospect entering 2012

Ben Heath

2-for-4 Thursday night...only offensive action vs. SA
2-for-10 with one double, one walk, a sac fly and four RBIs in Midland series
Made 2012 Hooks debut July 23 against Frisco; went 0-for-3, R, BB
.298 with nine doubles, five home runs and 29 RBIs in 50 games at Lancaster
Hit safely in his last four games with the JetHawks / .407-3-16 during June
Hit .252 with 22 doubles, 10 home runs and 42 RBIs between Lancaster and Lexington last year
Played in 4 G w/ the Hooks in September of 2010, going 6-for-12 with a double and four RBIs

Kody Hinze

0-1 as PH in SA series | 1-3 with a 2-R HR in Midland series...has played in 7 G since July 18
1 for his last 15...2-run HR, 1 BB, 6 K
In 12 July games, batted .167 (6-36) with 2 HR and 7 RBI
Hit .306 (22-72) in June with 2 doubles, 5 HRs, 10 runs and 17 RBIs
Struggled in May: .106-0-5 with 9 walks and 24 strikeouts in 66 at-bats
Batting .258(31-120) at home; .180(24-133) on the road
Batting .202(36-178) vs. RHP; .253(19-75) vs. LHP; .179(15-84) w/RISP
Ranked 4th last year in the minors in walks (94) and 15th in OPS (.961)

Marc Krauss

Equaled the franchise record for RBIs in one game last night with 6
3-for-8 with 1 HR and 5 RBIs vs. LHP | 6-for-14 with 4 HR and 10 RBIs vs. RHP
Second Hook to hit HR in first AB with the club this season: Carlos Lee -- 6/14 at FRI
.283-15-61 for Double-A Mobile this season with 29 2B and an OPS of .924 in 104 G
Leaves Southern League among leaders in R (75, 1st), OBP (.416, 1st), XBH (46, 2nd), walks (73, 2nd), 2B (T-2nd), RBIs (3rd), SLG (.509, 4th) & TB (176, 4th)
Featured an 11-game hit streak from June 22 to July 2, .462 w/ 5 2B, 1 HR, 12 BB, 3 K & 6 RBIs
Notched on-base streak of 24, 5th longest in the circuit
2nd round pick of Arizona in 2009 | D-Backs No. 20 prospect as rated by MLB.com
.242-16-65 RBIs for Mobile last season | .302-25-87 for Visalia in 2010
Won first team All-America honors and Mid-American Player of the Year in 2009
.402 w/ 27 HR (3rd in nation) and 70 RBIs for Ohio as a junior | .852 SLG ranked 8th nationally

Jordan Kreke

1-1 as a defensive replacement Friday | hits in 3 of last 5, 3-12 with GS & 6 RBIs
0-4 with 2 RBIs and 1 SF in SA series | 2-for-14 in Midland series
Grand slam Sunday night, first of his career, broke on 0-25 stretch with the Hooks
4 RBIs Sunday also a career high...last HR was 9/4/11 with Mississippi at Carolina
Rejoined the Hooks Wednesday after third stint with OKC
12-44 (.273) in 21 games for OKC with 9 R, 3 2B, and 3 RBIs
Batting .207(17-82) at home; .176(9-51) on the road
Batting .207(23-111) vs. RHP; .115(3-26) vs. LHP; .119(5-42) w/RISP
Originally a 13th-round pick of the Braves in 2009

Drew Locke

Riding a 5-game hit streak, 9-22 (.409) with 6 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR & 7 RBIs
Has hit safely in 13 of last 14, 23-52 (.442) with 6 2B, 1 3B, 12 R, 1 HR and 15 RBIs
Hits in 22 of last 27: 43-107 (.402), 2 HR, 9 2B, 1 3B, 20 R & 23 RBI
Went 5-for-5 July 19th, the first five-hit game by a Hook this season
Thru 26 games in July: .371 with 15 runs, 7 doubles, 1 HR and 19 RBIs
.341-4-26 at home | .308-2-14 on the road
Batting .324(45-139) vs. RHP; .321(18-56) vs. LHP; .387(24-62) w/RISP
Hit safely in first 5 games with the Hooks: 8-21 (.381) with 3 HRs & 12 RBIs
Had played 40 games this season for Sugar Land Skeeters (.285-4-24)
Was the Texas League’s batting champion with the Hooks in 2009 (.338)
Holds franchise single-season records for average (.338) and RBIs (109)

Jose Martinez

Has hit in 3 straight and in 11 of last 12 games, 17-48 (.354) with 12 R, 1 2B, 4 BB and 4 RBIs
Posted second four-hit game of the season last night
3-10 with 6 runs and 3 walks in SA series
Current stretch combats a 1-for-15 stretch during Frisco series July 20-23
.318-4-22 during 15 games in June
Hit .342 with 8 doubles, two triples, 3 home runs and 17 RBIs in May
4th in TL AVG (.307), 2nd PA/K (11.64), T-1st in H (125), T-2nd in R (72), 4th RBI (74)
Reached base safely in 23 consecutive games (May 4-28) w/.352 avg. and .402 OBP
CC’s defensive player of the month in April (47 PO, 56 A, 0 E)
Batting .291(91-313) vs. RHP; .362(34-92) vs. LHP; .383(44-115) w/RISP

Ben Orloff

2-12 with 1 R & 1 2B in SA series | 3-16 with 1 run and 1 RBI in Midland series
Has hit safely in 7 of last 10, 9-39 (.231)...1-for-13 in prior 4
Batting .208(11-53) vs. RHP; .231(3-13) vs. LHP; .091(1-11) w/RISP
Was hitting .288 with 8 doubles, 29 RBIs and 7 steals in 77 games at Lancaster
Featured the lowest K/PA ratio (15.09) in the California League...32 BB / 22 K
Featured a .972 fielding percentage, tops among CL shortstops
.284-2-31 with 15 doubles and 51 RBIs in 96 games at Lexington last year
MVP for Tri-City in 2010...ValleyCats went on to win NYPL Championship
Hit .307 with 52 R, 4 2B, 16 RBIs, 34 BB, 19 Ks & 23 SB in 63 games that season

Andy Simunic

Hits in seven straight games, 11-27 (.407), 4 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR & 8 RBIs
Batted .316 thru 21 games in July, scoring 17 runs and driving in 9
Hit 2nd pro grand slam Friday night & drove in career-high 5 runs
Has hits in 16 of last 18 games, 26-71 (.366) with 18 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 11 RBI and 6 BB
Rejoined Hooks June 14 from AAA Oklahoma City, where he was 0-9 in 8 games
Hit .391 with 4 doubles and 7 RBIs during 16 games in June
3rd in the league in hitting (.312)
Batting .307(71-231) vs. RHP; .328(22-67) vs. LHP; .256(21-82) w/RISP
In five pro seasons has bounced into just 14 DPs in 1,573 plate appearances
Finished last year at Lancaster: .295-5-28 in 67 games

Jon Singleton

Has hit safely in 6 of last 8, 10-34 (.294) with 10 R, 2 2B, 6 BB, 4 RBIs
Tuesday, hit first HR since July 13 and notched first RBI since July 23 - both vs. Frisco
Has 4 extra-base hits in his last 19 games
Hits in 17 last 22 games, 25-81 (.309) with 18 R, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR & 10 RBIs
7-for-17 July 2-9 w/ 3 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs & 4 BB to earn TL POW honors
1st in the league in runs (75), 2nd in walks (71)
.347-3-14 with 9 2B, 2 3B, 18 BB & 25 K over 28 games in July
.148-1-6 with 4 2B and 20 BB thru 25 games in June
Named the Texas League’s Player of the Week (May 21-27), hit .500-4-12
CC’s offensive player of the month in May (.281-7-24, .931 OPS)
Batting .288(76-264) vs. RHP; .257(27-105) vs. LHP; .296(32-108) w/RISP
Batted .350 with 7 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR 13 RBIs, 12 walks, 16 Ks thru 22 G in April