SPRINGDALE - Elier Hernandez' bases-loaded flare into right field in the ninth inning Thursday night sent Northwest Arkansas to a 5-4 walk-off win before 5,490 fans at Arvest Ballpark.After yielding a two-run home run to Samir Dueñez in the first inning, Hooks starter Framber Valdez settled in, dispatching 13 of
SPRINGDALE - Elier Hernandez' bases-loaded flare into right field in the ninth inning Thursday night sent Northwest Arkansas to a 5-4 walk-off win before 5,490 fans at Arvest Ballpark.
After yielding a two-run home run to Samir Dueñez in the first inning, Hooks starter Framber Valdez settled in, dispatching 13 of the final 15 men he faced.
Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel, recovering from surgery to remove the hook in his left hamate bone, was credited with two hits in four at-bats. Gurriel laced an RBI double to left field in the third and sent a run-scoring single into center in the sixth. He also smoked a liner off the back of pitcher Jake Kalish, which was ruled an error. Gurriel is expected to DH tomorrow.
Catcher Jamie Ritchie, via a sac fly in the fifth, and DH Nick Tanielu each plated runs for Corpus Christi. Tanielu, who missed the bulk of 2017 recovering from right knee surgery, notched an RBI double in the fifth.
Josh James was the second half of the Hooks' Opening Night pitching tandem. James struck out seven in three innings, but surrendered a pair in the eighth which tied the game at four.
Riley Ferrell fanned two but walked the bases full in the ninth, leading to Hernandez's heroics.
Brock Dykxhoorn gets the ball for Corpus Christi Friday night. The Naturals counter with Zach Lovvorn. First pitch 7:05.
