CORPUS CHRISTI - Back-to-back home runs by J.J. Matijevic and Stephen Wrenn capped a seven-run third Sunday afternoon as the Hooks marched to a 10-3 win over Midland in the series finale at Whataburger Field.
CORPUS CHRISTI - Back-to-back home runs by J.J. Matijevic and Stephen Wrenn capped a seven-run third Sunday afternoon as the Hooks marched to a 10-3 win over Midland in the series finale at Whataburger Field.
With Midland right-hander Grant Holmes on the hill and Corpus Christi trailing 1-0, Chuckie Robinson reached on an error to begin the home third. Osvaldo Duarte immediately cashed in by scorching a triple into the right-field corner to tie the game at 1. Anibal Sierra was next and finished an eight-pitch at-bat by driving an RBI double into the gap in right-center. Bryan De La Cruz then worked a walk and Jake Meyers reached on a fielder's choice which plated Sierra from third.
Two batters later, Matijevic sent a 2-0 pitch onto the berm in left field for his second home run in as many nights, and his third blast of the four-game series. Wrenn followed with his fifth dinger of the year, putting Corpus Christi up, 7-1.
The barrage marked the ninth time the Hooks have hit consecutive home runs in a game this season.
Forrest Whitley made the start for the Hooks, holding Midland to a solo home run over four frames. Whitley fanned five, walked two, and permitted two hits while throwing 43 of 69 pitches for strikes.
Corpus Christi added insurance in the fourth on a sac fly from Jake Adams and an RBI single off the bat of Matijevic. With the bases full in the sixth, Wrenn was plunked by a Seth Martinez pitch to account for the Hooks' 10th run.
Willy Collado weathered a 33-pitch frame in the fifth. After surrendering a two-run double to Mikey White, Collado recorded three consecutive outs, two via strikes, to strand a pair in scoring position.
Tommy DeJuneas struck out three over three hitless frames and Carlos Sanabria penned a perfect ninth to finish the game.
The Hooks, who forced a split of the four-game series with Midland, now embark on a seven-day road trip to Frisco and the Permian Basin. Bryan Abreu, back from his stint with the Astros, is slated to start Monday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Abreu will be opposed by Jason Bahr. First pitch 7:05.
