Skid Hits Four

MIDLAND - Ninth-place hitter Beau Taylor notched a pair of two-out, run-scoring doubles Thursday night as Midland upended Corpus Christi 3-2 at Security Bank Ballpark.

The Hooks, who are 0-7 in the Permian Basin this season, have scored six runs on three extra-base hits over the last four contests.

Corpus Christi (29-30) scored in the first against Nate Long. With runners at first and second and two out, Delino DeShields, Jr., batting fifth in the lineup, looped a single into left to plate Carlos Perdomo for a 1-0 lead. DeShields was gunned down trying to reach second for the final out.

The advantage was short-lived as Michael Hauschild allowed the first two to reach in the Midland (32-27) first. A force play pushed Billy Burns to third base and Josh Whitaker drove him home with a single to center.

Hauschild then induced a ground ball and Jio Mier, playing in his first pro game at second base, initiated a nifty 4-6-3 double play to end the frame.

Corpus Christi's right-hander struck out the first two in the second before Dusty Coleman sent a base hit thru the right side. On an 2-2 pitch, Taylor stroked a double over DeShields in center to score Coleman from first base.

With two away in the fourth, Taylor took advantage of an over shift in left, sending an RBI two-bagger past Leo Heras for a 3-1 RockHounds advantage.

Hauschild (1-1) surrendered a season-high nine hits but stranded five. He struck out five and did not issue a walk.

Preston Tucker gave the Hooks life in the sixth, belting an opposite-field solo shot to left field. Tucker now paces the Texas League with 14 home runs and is tied for the league lead with 38 RBIs.

Long (6-1) won his third straight and struck out seven over eight innings. Seth Frankhoff nailed down his 11th save, stranding two in the ninth.

Alex Sogard was sharp in relief for the Hooks, retiring all nine men he faced.

Corpus Christi sends Jordan Jankowski (0-1) to the hill in Friday's finale. Midland goes with Chris Jensen (2-5). First pitch is 7:00.