Corpus Christi Win Second Straight Game with an 8-2 Win Over the Midland RockHounds
Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 05:16PM MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – MIDLAND, Texas – Corpus Christi’s offense, rejuvenated from Thursday’s 13-run output in a win at San Antonio, tallied six runs in the top of the fifth to snap a 1-1 tie en route to an 8-2 victory over Midland at Citibank Ballpark Friday night.
RockHounds’ starter Henry Rodriguez, plagued in recent outings by control problems, had allowed just a run on three hits in the first four innings Friday. Those control issues, however, cropped up in the fifth, and the Hooks took full advantage.
Rodriguez (1-4) opened the frame by striking out Mitch Einertson, but he struck him out on a wild pitch that allowed Einertson to reach first. A second consecutive wild pitch to Lou Santangelo moved Einertson to second. Santangelo eventually walked, and Drew Sutton followed with a well-placed bunt single to load the bases.
ADVERTISEMENT Tommy Manzella walked on four pitches to force Einertson home for a 2-1 Corpus Christi lead. Chris Johnson was next, and he drilled a pitch off the back of Rodriguez, stunning the Midland hurler and causing him to fall. Third baseman Brian Snyder recovered the carom and got Johnson at first as Santangelo scored to make it 3-1 in favor of the Hooks.
Rodriguez weathered the direct hit but his time left on the hill was soon to expire. Richie Paz, back with the Hooks following Ray Sadler’s promotion to Round Rock, sent a line drive past first base all the way into the right field corner for a two-run triple and a 5-1 bulge. Billy Hart’s single to left allowed Paz to trot home for a 6-1 score. Hart advanced to second when left fielder Nick Blasi mishandled the line-drive hit.
Rodriguez was lifted for reliever Jason Glushon, who yielded Ole Sheldon’s RBI single, and the Hooks enjoyed a 7-1 cushion.
The rest of the evening was mostly uneventful, thanks primarily to good pitching and some solid defense up the middle. Starter Brad James (5-2) was steady, holding Midland to two runs on five hits over six innings to get the win. He navigated his way through four walks while striking out two.
Relievers Ryan Thompson and Evan Englebrook combined for three innings of shutout relief. Thompson fanned three in his two innings on the hill, while Englebrook notched one strikeout in the ninth. Manzella at short and Sutton at second turned in strong plays in support of the Hooks’ staff.
The two clubs go at it again Saturday night at 6:30. Lefty Brian Bogusevic (0-3) takes the mound for the Hooks and will be opposed by Midland’s Vince Mazzaro (4-2).
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