CORPUS CHRISTI - Chas McCormick's two-run go-ahead single was the difference in the Hooks' 4-3 win Thursday night at Whataburger Field, giving them a win of the four-game set against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Corpus Christi improved to 9-2 at home this season.
CORPUS CHRISTI - Chas McCormick's two-run go-ahead single was the difference in the Hooks' 4-3 win Thursday night at Whataburger Field, giving them a win of the four-game set against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Corpus Christi improved to 9-2 at home this season.
The Hooks entered the sixth down 3-0 with Naturals righty Conner Greene (L, 2-1) looking strong, but Corpus Christi got to him for four runs including the game winner in the frame. Abraham Toro got the Hooks on the board with an RBI single that put runners on the corners with one out. Granden Goetzman launched the next pitch into the left-center field gap, which the umpires originally thought cleared the fence. After a conference between them, they ruled Goetzman's blast a ground rule double, making it 3-2 but keeping Toro at third.
McCormick stepped in with one out and drove a hard grounder past the drawn-in infield for a 4-3 lead that would hold.
J.B. Bukauskas, Houston's No. 6 prospect according to MLB.com, made his first start of 2019 at Whataburger Field and looked nearly untouchable, fanning nine with an unearned run allowed over 4.0 innings. He struck out eight of the first 10 batters he faced in the effort.
Brandon Bielak (W, 1-0) gave up two runs in the sixth, including an RBI double to Gabriel Cancel, and it was 3-0 before the Hooks came back later that inning.
Colin McKee shut the door on the Naturals with 1.1 scoreless to earn his second save.
Toro was 2-for-4 with an RBI on the night, extending his on-base streak to 16 games. Cancel was 1-for-3 with a steal and two runs scored for the losing side.
The Hooks open a four-game series with the Tulsa Drillers Friday at 7:15 p.m. with righty Jose Hernandez-Urquidy (1-1, 5.00) scheduled to start and touted Astros prospect Bryan Abreu scheduled to make his Double-A debut in the game. Bud Light Friday Fireworks follow the game.
