Hooks jump on Cardinals early and late in 11-4 loss

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Hooks pounced early and the Hooks pounced late, and that was all they needed on this date.

Four runs crossed in the first inning for Corpus Christi, forcing the Cardinals hottest starter out of the ballgame and allowing the Hooks to cruise to an 11-4 final over Springfield on a Purina Woof Wednesday.

Back-to-back singles and a Taylor Jones home run made it 3-0 Hooks before most of the 3,322 in attendance had settled into their seats at Hammons Field. Randy César made it back-to-back bombs off Jake Woodford a batter later.

Woodford had pitched at least four innings in his first 10 starts of the season but made it through just two thirds of an inning in this one, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out one.

Woodford (2-6) had a 2.25 ERA over his past six starts entering Wednesday and had held the Hooks scoreless over eight innings last Thursday in Corpus Christi.

Despite the loss, Springfield maintains sole possession of first place in the Texas League North.

Springfield drew as close as 5-3 after a two-run Thomas Spitz homer in the sixth, but a four-run seventh buoyed by a Cesar RBI single and a three-run Stephen Wrenn bomb pushed the difference to 9-3.

The Cardinals made it 9-4 when Evan Mendoza singled home Lane Thomas in the seventh.

Taylor Jones connected for another Hooks homer in the eighth that capped the game's final score at 11-4.

Earlier, Granden Goetzman got the Cardinals on the board in the sixth with a sacrifice fly that scored Mendoza.

UP NEXT

St. Louis Cardinals righty Carlos Martínez is expected to start for Springfield on Thursday night at 7:10 p.m. in a rehab assignment as the Cardinals and Hooks close out a three-game series.

Thursday is also our St. Louis Cardinals Replica 1968 National League Championship Ring giveaway (2,000 fans), a Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night and our second Pre-Game On-Field Happy Hour of the season, where fans can enjoy drink specials on the outfield warning track starting when gates open at 6:10 p.m. and ending at first pitch (7:10pm).