Corpus Christi Clips Cardinals

CORPUS CHRISTI - Corpus Christi struck for three first-inning runs in a 3-2 decision over Springfield Wednesday at Whataburger Field before 5,256.

The Hooks won for the second time in six games, riding the arms of starter David Rollins (2-2) and relievers Alex Sogard and Tyson Perez, who picked up his third save.

Rollins began the night by allowing the first two Cardinals to reach, Mike O'Neill and Breyvic Valera on a single and walk, respectively. Rollins recovered nicely, sandwiching strikeouts of Cody Stanley and Jonathan Rodriguez around Curt Smith's pop up.

Rollins went on to retire the next nine and eight of the last nine he faced.

Jonathan Meyer's RBI double highlighted the three-run, three-hit Hooks first against Mike Mayers (1-2). Delino DeShields, Jr., scored on the front end of a double steal with Andrew Aplin and newcomer Brandon Meredith lofted a sacrifice fly to right.

Springfield scratched in the fourth, Rodriguez's soft liner to right-center plating Smith. Rollins then fanned David Popkins and Starlin Rodriguez, escaping a two-on, one-out threat.

The Cardinals pulled to within a run two innings later, Smith blasting his sixth homer into the left-field rocking chairs during Rollins' last frame.

The southpaw, acquired in a 10-player trade by Houston from Toronto two years ago, recorded eight strikeouts vs. five hits and a walk. Mayers, charged with five hits and three walks, also completed six innings, striking out five.

Mitch Harris stranded three Hooks in the eighth by pitching around Tony Kemp's lead-off double, an intentional pass of Aplin and walk to Leo Heras. Harris fanned Meredith to slip out of peril.

Discounted beer and soda from Stripes and postgame fireworks punctuate Thursday's 7:10 start. Springfield left-hander Jonathan Cornelius (7-5) faces Jordan Jankowski (1-3).