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Corpus Christi hooks series-opening win at Hammons Field

June 26, 2014

Springfield, MO - The Corpus Christi Hooks claimed the series-opening win, 7-4, against the Springfield Cardinals before 3,941 fans at Hammons Field on Wednesday night.

After Cardinals RHP Sam Gaviglio and Hooks LHP David Rollins alternated four scoreless innings apiece, the Cardinals (3-4, 37-40) broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Corpus Christi bullpen.

With one down and the bases empty in the fifth, 2B Breyvic Valera worked a walk from RHP Travis Ballew. LF David Popkins followed with a double, advancing Valera to third base. C Travis Tartamella worked a walk to load the bases, before CF Mike O'Neill promptly unloaded the bases with a two-run single up the middle, plating Valera and Popkins. A base hit by SS Aledmys Diaz loaded the bases again and ended the outing of Ballew, who gave way to RHP Brady Rodgers (W, 3-9). Facing Rodgers, C Cody Stanley belted a deep RBI sacrifice fly to the wall in left field, enabling Tartamella to come home for the 3-0 lead.

After five shutout frames by Gaviglio, the Hooks (3-4, 37-40) got on the board against the Cardinals right-hander in the top of the sixth. With runners at the corners and two down, the Hooks attempted a delayed double steal. LF Leo Heras took off from first base on the pitch, drawing a throw from Tartamella. On the throw to second, RF Andrew Aplin then took off from third trying to score. Aplin beat the throw from SS Aledmys Diaz, which also bounced slightly away from home, enabling Heras to advance to third on the error. C Rene Garcia then struck with an RBI single, scoring Heras to bring the Hooks within one run of tying it, 3-2.

After RHP Mitch Harris retired the final out in the sixth, the Hooks completed the comeback and moved in front in the top of the seventh. Harris struck out the first batter of the frame, before 2B Tony Kemp knocked a ground-rule double to right field. LHP Ryan Sherriff (L, 2-2) took over on the mound to face DH Ruben Sosa, who drove an RBI triple to straightaway center field, bringing in Kemp for the 3-3 tie. After a pop out for the second out of the inning, 3B Jonathan Meyer worked a walk to put runners at the corners. Heras then tapped an RBI single back to the left side of the infield that brought in Sosa from third and led to an errant throw by Sherriff, enabling Meyer to get all the way to third. CF Delino DeShields, Jr. plated an insurance run with an RBI single chopped through the left side, making it 5-3.

The Hooks stayed on the attack with two more tallies in the top of the eighth. A SS Jio Mier double and walks from 1B Telvin Nash and Kemp loaded the bases with no outs to start the charge. Sosa then struck with an RBI single to bring in Mier, but Billbrough battled back with a foul out and a strikeout to log the first two outs of the frame. However, Heras worked a bases-loaded RBI walk that forced in one more run, extending the Hooks advantage to 7-3.

The Cardinals refused to go down quietly, attempting a rally in the bottom of the eighth. Diaz and Stanley started the inning with consecutive singles to put two men on. They both advanced ninety feet on a deep fly out to center by 1B Jonathan Rodriguez. 1B Curt Smith also crushed a deep fly ball to center for the RBI sacrifice fly, bringing in Diaz and bringing the Cardinals within three runs, 7-4.

Springfield had one last try in the bottom of the ninth against RHP Tyson Perez (2). With two away, Diaz and Stanley both struck again with back-to-back base hits, extending the game for Rodriguez. Perez, though, induced a chopper to short for the game-ending fielder's choice, and the Hooks hung on for the 7-4 win.

Click here for the complete box score from Wednesday's game.

Guarantee Individual Promo Items with the brand-new Promo Seats

The brand-new Promo Seats Package includes one Diamond Box Ticket for a game featuring a Promotional Item and guarantees that you receive one of that night's Promotional Items, plus a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative to provide tickets for area youth and non-profit organizations.

By purchasing the Promo Seats, fans will have an item reserved for them regardless of where they are in line or what time they arrive at the game. And, for the first time, out-of-town fans that order a Promo Seat Package can choose to have their Promotional Item mailed to them for an additional shipping and handling charge of $10 per item. Both out of town fans and those unable to make the game may donate their game ticket to the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative.

Promo Seat Packages are just $28 each and there are only 61 available for each game. Call the Ticket Office at (417) 863-2143 right now to order yours!

Click here for more information on Cardinals Promo Seats.

1964 World Championship Rings, Three Fireworks Shows, Joe Kelly "Standoff" Bobbleheads and more this week

Springfield continues the homestand with the St. Louis Cardinals 1964 World Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500) and $1 bratwursts on Thursday, June 26 at 7:10pm. The game will also feature Missouri Lottery Baseball Bingo.

Also this homestand, don't miss -

-AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Music from the Jacksons on Friday, June 27 at 7:10pm.

-CoxHealth Fireworks at the Field Celebration on Saturday, June 28 at 5:10pm.

-Cline Dental Joe Kelly "Standoff" Champion Bobblehead Giveaway (2,500), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases on Sunday, June 29 at 6:10pm.

-AM Pyrotechnics Bonus Fireworks featuring Fan's Vote Music and a Specialty Cap Auction to benefit Horses of Hope on Monday, June 30 at 7:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a The Cup Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.

Click here for the complete 2014 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

Escape to Cardinals Baseball!