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.

Rangers dominate Mariners in 5-2 win, behind 4 RBI from Michael Young

Derek Holland pitched 7 and 1/3 innings and allowed two runs to pick up the win for the Rangers over the Mariners on Thursday. The win was the 13th win in 14 decisions for Holland, dating back to last year. Micheal Young was 3-4, including a home and 4 RBI for the Rangers.

The defending AL champion Rangers took the series 3-1. They moved to 5-2 on the 7 day home stand to start the year, and now hit the road for 9 games. The Mariners moved to .500 on the year.

Young opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with an RBI single. He added a 2 run home run in the 5th. Young has a .329 lifetime average with runners in scoring position, and he showed once again why he is such a feared hitter in RBI situations.

Mike Adams gave up a run in the 9th, but still got the save for the Rangers.

Seattle scored three runs which would turn out to be meaningless. Alex Liddi, the lone Italian player in MLB this season, had an RBI. Kyle Seager had a solo home run for the M’s in the 6th inning.  And Dominican baseball player Miguel Olivo had an RBI in the 9th.

NOTES: Dominicans playing were Nelson Cruz (Monte Cristi), Adrian Beltre (Santo Domingo), and Miguel Olivo (Villa Vasquez).

Pre-game from the right field upper deck, photo by Bonzer Wolf aka @BonzerWolf

Rain delay, then lights delay, then Gigantes loss

11/18/09 Game
Yes thats right. Wednesday night was an interesting game. The Gigantes lost 8-1 at home to Aguilas. There was a rain delay, then the lights went out. Another thing you don't see in stateside baseball. Electricity is shotty throughout this city, but the electricity company usually makes sure the stadium has lights. Last night they went out and took 45 minutes or so to come back on.

A number of import players (ie Americans and Japanese) have come and gone. So many that I can not keep up with it, much less explain it in a blog post. Vince Sinisi has arrived with los Gigantes though, and I remember him from his time with Rice. He played AAA ball last season in the Pacific Coast League and I got a nice clip of him making a diving catch last night-

During the light delay, a few players gathered in the bullpen and played a game, which I think is unique to Dominican baseball. I know the Dominicans are the ones always playing it. Obviously Americans play it now, but not sure where it originated. It is basically a version of hacky sack mixed with hot potato, using gloves and a ball. Here is a clip of Alexi Casilla and some others playing-

I posted some other videos of this little side game on the Dominican Baseball Guy Facebook page, as well as some photos.  Here are some of the photos, all by the Dominican Baseball Guy:

The Dominican Baseball Guy in the right field bleachers of Julian Javier Stadium

The Dominican Baseball Guy with Gigantes fans

The Dominican Baseball Guy with a vendor/friend

Juan Francisco, Conor Jackson Continue to Mash, Luis Durango will be in Majors

11/13/09 Game
Juan Fracisco had two towering home runs last night. These shots were close to 400 footers. This guy has a ton of power and will definitely be in the big leagues next year. Also for Gigantes, Luis Durango is a really really fast center fielder that has been playing well. He also showed off his arm last night, gunning a guy down at the plate when I thought he had no chance on the play. The Dominican Baseball Guy GUARANTEES they will be in the big leagues within 2 years.

For Escogido, Conor Jackson is leading the league in average, runs scored, and stolen bases, and is 3rd in RBI. Diamondbacks fans should be happy he is rounding back into big league form.

Here are some photos of the game from the Julian Javier Stadium in San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, all courtesy of the Dominican Baseball Guy: