Thursday, April 26, 2012

Corpus Christi Hooks hold on for 5-4 win in roller coaster affair

Lead off hitter Austin Wates went 3-5 with an RBI and designated hitter Kody Hinze had a home run and 2 RBI to lead the Hooks to a win over the Midland Rockhounds on Thursday.  Jake Buchanan pitched 6.2 solid innings for the Hooks and allowed 3 earned runs in getting the no decision.

The Hooks closed out a home-stand and moved to 11-9, good for second in the Texas League southern division.  The Hooks now hit the road for eight games.  The Rockhounds fell to 10-10, but they are still right in the hunt in the Texas League southern division.

The home team scored one run in the first to open the scoring and followed that with two runs in the second, including an RBI from Wates.  It was part of a three hit night for the right fielder, that also included a diving catch to rob a base hit in the eighth inning.  As a lead off hitter, Wates knows his jobs is to get on base.

"The guys behind me I know are very talented and able to drive me in," Wates said in a post game interview.  "That is what I love about this team, if one guy doesn't pick it up, we know someone else will."

The two teams appeared to be evenly matched in the four game series which they split.  And it showed in this game, as the Rockhounds did not let the Hooks run away with the win.  The Rockhounds answered the Hooks with three runs in the third and fourth innings. Tyler Ladendorf had an RBI in the third and Ryan Lipkin had a two RBI hit in the fourth for the Rockhounds.

That would be all the scoring for the Rockhounds.  Kody Hinze tied the game for the Hooks in the fifth.  Then the Hooks took the lead for good on a Hinze home run in the seventh.  Hinze is ready to continue the team's success tonight on the upcoming road trip.

"Frisco is in first place (in the Texas League southern division), so we have to go get them a little," Hinze said.

The game was an exciting affair, as it featured three lead changes and two ties.  The teams also combined to leave 18 runners on base.

James Simmons got the loss for the Rockhounds.  Kevin Chapman and Jason Stoffel combined for two innings of stellar relief to close the game out for the Hooks.

NOTES: Dominican baseball players in the game were Jonathan Villar (La Vega, Dominican Republic) for the Hooks, and pitcher Jonathan Ortiz (Bani, Republica Dominicana) for the Rockhounds.
Always love this shot from the 1st base line, players, coaches, umpires, and fans
Dominican baseball player Jonathan Villar bats for the Corpus Christi Hooks
Slip slidin, the third run crosses for the Hooks in the 2nd inning
One of the players of the game, Austin Wates, moments after a spectacular diving catch

*All photos by Dominican Baseball Guy.  See the full album on the Dominican Baseball Guy Facebook.

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