Hooks Crawl Closer To 1st Half Title, Beat Hounds 9-5
When the RockHounds came to Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi to open a four-game series on April 30, all four teams in the Texas League's South Division were 13-11. The Hooks swept that four-game set and have led the division ever since.
Corpus took another step toward the first half pennant Tuesday night with a 9-5 win over the RockHounds, boosting their lead to at least four games over the rest of the division with just 13 games remaining to play (in the 70-game half).
The 'Hounds were actually very productive against the Hooks' Jake Buchanan, who entered the game 6-0 with a remarkable 0.77 earned run average, and allowing only five-and-a-half hits per nine innings. Conner Crumbliss led off the game with a double, and the RockHounds got back-to-back singles from David Freitas and Dusty Coleman with one out in the second, but Buchanan denied both threats.
A pair of errors by second baseman Darwin Perez opened the door for the Hooks in the second and third innings, and Corpus would score five runs (just two earned) against starter Zach Neal, adding two more in the fourth for a 7-0 lead.
The 'Hounds scored twice against Buchanan in the fifth, and here's a little perspective on those runs: Coming into the game, the Hooks right-hander had allowed SIX total runs (five earned) in 58 innings.
Crumbliss' two-run single brought the 'Hounds to within 7-4 in the top of the eighth, but the Hooks responded with two runs of their own in the home half of the inning.
Kibbles & Bits
- "The Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx … Texas League Style" RockHounds first baseman Anthony Aliotti was named the Topps Texas League Player of the Month for May, hitting .400 for the month, with six home runs, 24 RBI, 22 runs, 22 walks and 23 strikeouts. Since that announcement was made, "Ali" is 0-for-11 with seven strikeouts.
- Jake Goebbert went 3-for-5 against his former club (he played for Corpus Christi in 2011 and 2012), including his team-leading 10th home run. Jake has hit in 7-of-his-last-9 games, batting over .400 in that stretch (14-for-32, .438).
- The RockHounds and Hooks meet in Corpus Christi Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (game time is 7:05 p.m. for each game).
- The RockHounds return home next Saturday, opening one of the season's best home stands. The eight-game stand includes two Saturday nights, one Friday, a "Thirsty Thursday" and the final afternoon game until the Labor Day weekend.
WP Jake Buchanan (7-0, 0.85)
LP Zach Neal (5-3, 4.17)
Sv None
HR RockHounds - Jake Goebbert - (10) Solo in the 9th (off Kenny Long)
Next Game
vs. Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros' AA Affiliate)
Wednesday, June 5 7:05 p.m. Radio at 7:00 p.m.
Whataburger Field Corpus Christi, TX
Probable Starters
Corpus Christi (RH) - Nick Tropeano (1-3, 3.93)
RockHounds (RH) - Arnold Leon (2-3, 3.66)