CORPUS CHRISTI - Brett Kennedy permitted two runs on four hits over six innings and Fernando Tatis, Jr., had four hits as San Antonio defeated Corpus Christi 6-3 Saturday at Whataburger Field before 5,253.
CORPUS CHRISTI - Brett Kennedy permitted two runs on four hits over six innings and Fernando Tatis, Jr., had four hits as San Antonio defeated Corpus Christi 6-3 Saturday at Whataburger Field before 5,253.
Kennedy, (13-7), the Texas League leader in victories, walked and struck out one in his 26th start of 2017. San Diego's 11th-round selection out of Fordham two years ago threw 86 pitches, 52 for strikes.
All 15 of the Missions' hits were singles as Corpus Christi fell for the first time in seven contests.
Kyle Tucker staked Josh James and the Hooks (30-35; 64-71) to a 1-0 first-inning advantage by cracking his 15th Double-A home run 335 feet to left. The salvo came on a two-out, first-pitch offering.
San Antonio's seven-single second gave the Missions (37-30; 78-59) a 6-1 bulge and pushed James (4-8) to the sideline for Alex Winkelman. Ty France, Noah Perio, Nick Torres, Stephen McGee, Luis Urías, Tatis, and Josh Naylor did the damage; Torres and McGee contributed single RBIs, Tatis and Naylor a pair each.
Winkelman went on to pitch 3 2/3 scoreless frames.
Arturo Michelena was credited with a fielder's choice RBI as Corpus Christi pulled within four during the fifth. His comebacker plated Jason Martin, who drew an opening walk and advanced two bases when Antonio Nunez doubled to left.
With Kennedy out of the game and José Castillo pitching, the Hooks struck for a seventh-inning run. Michelena's bases-loaded sacrifice fly scored Jamie Ritchie, but San Antonio executed its fourth double play of the night when Martin was retired at third right fielder Franmil Reyes to first baseman Naylor to France. Castillo walked Ritchie and Nunez and yielded a Martin single before Michelena's plate appearance.
Ryan Thompson, who followed Winkelman, spun three shutout innings. Riley Ferrell worked the ninth and extended his scoreless streak to 12 innings over eight appearances with 18 strikeouts.
With Frisco's 2-1, 11-inning triumph over Midland Saturday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark, the Hooks remain 1 ½ games behind the RockHounds with three to play, as Midland owns the tiebreaker. Midland's magic number to clinch the wild-card playoff berth opposite two-half champion San Antonio in the divisional playoff is two.
The Hooks and Missions are back at it Sunday in a 4:05 doubleheader. Left-hander Cionel Pérez (0-0) and Forrest Whitley (0-0) are the announced starters for Corpus Christi. San Antonio counters with Cal Quantrill (1-4) and Jake Esch (0-2).
It's H-E-B Kids Day, so all children run the bases after postgame fireworks.
