Perez, James Pitch Hooks Past 'Hounds

CORPUS CHRISTI - Franklin Perez and Josh James limited Midland to five hits as Corpus Christi dropped the RockHounds 3-1 Friday night at Whataburger Field before 5,550.

Perez (1-1), who covered the first five frames in 80 pitches (46 strikes), gave up three hits, walked two, and struck out five. James flashed a 98-mph fastball and breezed through three innings before Midland threatened during the ninth. Lead-off batter Jermaine Curtis posted an infield single and Viosergy Rosa worked a walk. From there, James retired J.P. Sportman on a fly to center, got Max Schrock to hit into a 3-6 fielder's choice, and Tyler Ramirez to ground out to shortstop Antonio Nunez.
James, who picked up his third save, struck out five against two hits and a base-on-balls.
Midland (14-21; 49-56) has dropped consecutive games; the Hooks have three straight wins.
Perez worked his way out of first-inning trouble for Corpus Christi (18-17; 52-53). The 19-year-old yielded a one-out single to B.J. Boyd and walked Curtis before falling behind 3-0 to Rosa. Franklin battled back to whiff the RockHounds slugger and then induced a Sportman fielder's choice for the final out.
Ramirez's double, a Sean Murphy single, and Richie Martin bounce out produced a 1-0 Midland second-inning lead. The inning ended on Murphy's unsuccessful attempt to score from second via a wild pitch.
Midland starter Dustin Hurlbutt (3-2) then navigated choppy waters, permitting one-out singles to Garrett Stubbs and Nunez before catching Ryne Birk with a called third strike and getting Arturo Michelena to ground out.
Hurlbutt wasn't as fortunate in the third, Jon Singleton's 17th home run a 3-0 opposite-field shot traveling 387 feet with Kyle Tucker and Drew Ferguson aboard. Tucker reached on a throwing error by third baseman Jordan Tarsovich, Ferguson on a two-strike single.
Hurlbutt was removed in the wake of five innings, six hits, two earned runs, and six strikeouts. His pitch count was 96 (59). Brandon Mann dominated out of the RockHounds bullpen. He faced two over the minimum and booked six strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings.
Tucker's 14-game hitting streak was snapped.
Saturday, the first 1,750 fans receive Hooks Jerseys in the Ray High School colors of scarlet and white with gray trim, presented by CITGO. Gates open at 5:35, first pitch 7:05.
Left-hander Alex Winkelman (1-5) takes the ball at 7:05; his opposition is Midland southpaw A.J. Puk (1-3).