Behind Cruz, Hooks Cruise

CORPUS CHRISTI - Luis Cruz pitched seven innings of one-run ball and Jio Mier, Telvin Nash and Leo Heras homered as Corpus Christi beat Frisco 4-1 Sunday at Whataburger Field before 5,067.

Cruz (5-5) spread four hits, walked one and struck out four. The left-hander from San Juan, PR, threw 84 pitches (54 strikes). Cruz retired 14 of his last 17, facing two over the minimum after the third.

Jordan Jankowski earned his second save by going the rest of the way.

Corpus Christi (2-4 Texas League second half) split the four-game series with the RoughRiders. Frisco is 2-3.

Cruz found himself in early trouble after giving up a lead-off single to Guilder Rodriguez. Though the veteran shortstop pilfered two bases, he was left at third when pro baseball home run leader Joey Gallo let a curve go by for strike three.

Odubel Herrera's opening double in the third went for naught as well.

Edwar Cabrera cruised through the Hooks' first two turns, but eight- and nine-hole hitters Mier and Nash homered consecutively for a 2-0 Corpus Christi lead. Mier's yard shot into the left-field bullpen was his first since April 8; Nash's eighth round-tripper deflected off the glove of left fielder Ryan Rua.

Teodoro Martinez's two-out no-doubter to left during the fifth cut the Hooks' advantage in half.

Cabrera (3-5) booked six innings, five hits and three strikeouts. Fifty-five of his 71 pitches were strikes. Reliever Jerad Eickhoff was victimized by Heras' home run into the right-field swimming pool.

M.P. Cokinos' RBI single in the eighth plated Delino DeShields (lead-off walk) and chased Will Lamb, who recorded just one out as the third of four Frisco hurlers. Cokinos finished with a game-high three hits.

The Hooks take Monday and Tuesday off for the Texas League All-Star Break, resuming play at Springfield Wednesday.