Game Notes, April 20 vs. Frisco

April 20, 2012

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Frisco (9-4) @ Corpus Christi (5-8)

Chris McGuiness knocked in four runs and Barret Loux and two relievers combined on a three-hitter as Frisco opened this series with a convincing 10-0 win last night over the Hooks. McGuiness got the RoughRiders off to a good start with a three-run double in the first. He added a solo home run during a four-run top of the sixth. Jurickson Profar and Jose Felix picked up two RBIs each for the RoughRiders, who have won five of their last six.

Loux allowed just one hit and a pair of walks over five shutout frames. He struck out eight. Carlos Pimentel and Corey Young covered the final four innings, surrendering a total of two hits. Jon Singleton, Jay Fernandez and Brandon Barnes had Corpus Christi's three hits, with Barnes providing a ninth-inning double. Here tonight the Hooks look to snap a five-game losing streak and a string of 21 consecutive scoreless innings.

Tonight's Matchup:
RHP Jake Brigham (1-0, 1.64) vs. LHP Brett Oberholtzer (0-0, 9.35)
Brigham, a sixth-round pick of the Rangers in 2006 out of Central Florida Christian Academy, makes his third start this season. Last Saturday at home against Springfield, Brigham held the Cardinals to two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings while striking out four to collect a 6-2 win. Last year, Brigham went 6-6 with a 4.49 ERA in 35 games and 14 starts for Frisco. In seven appearances and four starts against the Hooks last season, Brigham was 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA. Added to the Rangers 40-man roster in November, Brigham missed the entire 2008 season after having "Tommy John" surgery.

Tossed six shutout innings in his first start of the year (April 8) at Arkansas
In the second half of the 2010 season went 6-5 with a 3.36 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) for Hickory
Is a nephew of Ron Karkovice, who played 12 seasons (1986-1997) for the Chicago White Sox

Oberholtzer, acquired by the Astros last July in the Michael Bourn deal with Atlanta, makes his third start of the season. Saturday at Northwest Arkansas, the lefty was touched for seven runs, six earned, on nine hits over 4.1 innings. Leaving with the score knotted at 7-7, Oberholtzer did not get a decision in Corpus Christi's 9-7 loss. In six starts with the Hooks last season after the trade, Oberholtzer went 2-3 with a 5.27 ERA. Oberholtzer had limited opponents to two or fewer runs in four of his first five starts for Corpus Christi, then was unable to escape the first inning in his final outing of the year at San Antonio. A Southern League All-Star with Mississippi last year, Oberholtzer is listed as the No. 7 prospect in the Astros system according to Baseball America.

In 21 starts for Mississippi last year was 9-9 with a 3.74 ERA
Tossed an inning of shutout relief for the South Division in the June 21 Southern League All-Star Game
Has allowed 21 HRs over 403.2 innings in four pro seasons (1 HR for every 19.2 innings)...allowed HRs Saturday to Wil Myers and Carlo Testa

Back-to-back
After scoring at least one run in each of the first 11 games this season, the Hooks have been shut out in the last two games. The last time the Hooks were blanked in back-to-back games was August 8 and August 10 last season. On August 8, the Hooks finished a home stand with a 1-0 loss to Midland. Two nights later, the Hooks dropped a 1-0 decision at Arkansas in 11 innings. Taking into account the games on either side of those results, the Hooks went 23 innings without scoring a run, beginning August 7 and ending August 12.

The current string of offensive futility for the Hooks stands at 21 innings entering tonight's game. The last run scored by the Hooks came courtesy of a solo home run by Jose Martinez in the top of the sixth of Monday's game at Tulsa.

Barnes and doubles
Brandon Barnes now leads the Texas League with 10 doubles after his two-out double off the warning track in center in the ninth inning last night. Barnes has doubled in seven of the last eight games and has four more doubles than anyone else in the league. At his current pace, Barnes would finish the season with 107 doubles.

To take a more realistic view, Barnes' season high for doubles is 32, achieved in 2010 with Lancaster (31) and Round Rock (1). He had 26 doubles last year split between Corpus Christi (13) and Oklahoma City (13).

Familiar face in Frisco uni
Frisco outfielder Val Majewski is back at Whataburger Field for the first time since August 2, 2010, when he was a member of the Midland RockHounds. In his 10th season in the pro ranks, Majewski is playing for his fourth team in the Texas League.

Signed as a free agent by the Astros out of independent ball in 2008, Majewski played 16 games for the Hooks that season and hit .333 with 6 doubles, 3 HRs and 10 RBIs. He finished the 2008 campaign with AAA Round Rock. Majewski then played for Arkansas in 2009 and Midland in 2010. He played 35 games for Round Rock last season, this time as a member of the Rangers organization.

Majewski has played just one game this season for Frisco and is currently on the disabled list.

Bodie milestone watch
Manager Keith Bodie is 9 wins away from milestone win number 1,000 in his pro career. In this his 16th season as a manager in the minor leagues, Bodie enters play tonight with a career regular-season record of 991-933 (.515 winning percentage). Adding this season to his four years at the helm with Wichita, Bodie's managerial record in the Texas League stands at 311-255.

Pitching Rotation vs. Frisco
Saturday: LHP Tim Murphy (0-1, 7.04) vs. RHP Jake Buchanan (0-0, 3.97)
Sunday: RHP Justin Grimm (3-0, 0.50) vs. RHP Jarred Cosart (0-0, 0.00)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Brandon Barnes

Hits in 7 of the last 8 games, 14-33 with 9 doubles, 1 HR, 6 runs and 7 RBIs
Has doubles in 7 of the last 8
Named Texas League Co-Player of the Week (April 5-15), hit .432
Batting .385(10-26) vs. RHP; .364(8-22) vs. LHP; .385(5-13) w/RISP
Was Lancaster's MVP in 2010 (.269-27-80)

Jay Fernandez

Drew 3 walks in Monday's game at Tulsa
Has a career caught-stealing percentage of 40.2 (164 of 408)
In 8 seasons in the Mariners and Twins systems hit .244-16-162 in 439 games
Signed by the Astros as a free agent in January, 2012

Jacob Goebbert

His walk-off, 3-run HR April 9 the first walk-off HR in his 4-year pro career
Is 0-11 in the last 3 games; went 2-11 with 1 HR in Tulsa series
Named Texas League Co-Player of the Week (April 5-15), hit .429
Batting .273(6-22) vs. RHP; .353(6-17) vs. LHP; .667(6-9) w/RISP

Kody Hinze

Went 0-4 in Tulsa series; is 3-19 in his last 6 games with 4 walks, 4 runs and 1 RBI
Has runs in 7 of 10 games
Batting .071(1-14) vs. RHP; .333(7-21) vs. LHP; 0-13 w/RISP
Ranked 4th last year in the minors in walks (94) and 15th in OPS (.961)

Jordan Kreke

Is 1-13 in his last 4 games with a triple and 2 runs
Has played 304 games in four pro seasons
Has 131 career games at 3B, 124 at 2B and 49 at SS
Signed by the Astros as a free agent in January, 2012...originally a 13th-round pick of the Braves in 2009

Jose Martinez

Is 2-16 in the last 5 games with 1 HR, 1 run and 3 RBIs
Continues to lead the league with 14 RBIs
Was 2-11 in Tulsa series with 1 HR
Batting .222(6-27) vs. RHP; .353(6-17) vs. LHP; .471(8-17) w/RISP
Played just 6 games in the three-year period 2009-11
Last full season was 2008 with Springfield (.253-8-67 in 127 games)

Andy Simunic

Went 2-7 in Tulsa series with 1 HBP
Hit .263-5-32 in 104 games last year with CC, OKC and Lancaster
Played every position in the field last year except catcher and 1B
In five pro seasons has bounced into just 10 DPs in 1,255 plate appearances

Jon Singleton

Hits in 9 of his last 10 games, 13-33 with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 7 runs and 4 RBIs
Was 2-10 in Tulsa series
Last year hit .298-13-63 in 128 games with Clearwater and Lancaster
Hit all 13 of his home runs last season off RHP
Batting .368(7-19) vs. RHP; .286(6-21) vs. LHP; .375(3-8) w/RISP
Ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Astros system and the No. 39 prospect in the game today

T.J. Steele

Has RBIs in 5 of his 7 starts
Was 0-1 in Tulsa series; 1-8 with 1 double, 3 walks, 2 runs and 2 RBIs on road trip
Batting .250(4-16) vs. RHP; .083(1-12) vs. LHP; .333(4-12) w/RISP
Is tied for fourth on the Hooks all-time stolen base chart with 29

J.C. Thompson

Singled in his first pinch-hitting experience of the season Monday in the 4th
Hit .273-10-46 in 87 games last year with Lancaster and CC
With the Hooks in 18 games hit .115-0-0
Batted .440-10-62 in 59 games with Western Oklahoma State College in 2009

Jonathan Villar

Is 2-25 in the last 6 games with 1 double and 3 runs
Leads the league with 7 stolen bases
Batting .107(3-28) vs. RHP; .192(5-26) vs. LHP; 0-12 w/RISP
Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 prospect in the Astros system

Chris Wallace

Hits in 5 of his last 7 games, 5-26 with 4 doubles, 2 runs and 7 RBIs
Batting .154(2-13) vs. RHP; .176(3-17) vs. LHP; .250(3-12) w/RISP
His HR (20) and RBI (78) totals ranked third among Houston farmhands last year
Only Hook to club two grand slams last season (July 3 and July 12)

Austin Wates

Is 2-16 in the last 5 games with 2 walks
Batting .375(9-24) vs. RHP; .304(7-23) vs. LHP; 385(5-13) w/RISP
Hit .300-6-75 with 26 stolen bases in 132 games last year with Lancaster
Named Lancaster's MVP, led the JetHawks in 8 statistical categories

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 1-5, 5.40 ERA, 60.0 IP, 71 H, 11 HR, 23 BB, 47 K, .286 AVG
Relievers: 4-3, 3.74 ERA, 53.0 IP, 50 H, 7 HR, 12 BB, 49 K, .254 AVG

Erick Abreu

Yielded a HR to McGuiness and 3 additional unearned runs in the 6th last night
Touched for 3 ER over 3 IP Monday at Tulsa...including a 2-R HR by Nina
Allowed a total of 2 R in first 3 appearances: 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K, 8.2 IP
Ranked among TL leaders in WHIP (1.22, 4th) and ERA (4.29, 9th) last season
Captured P-o-W award for 2nd straight year: 10 K, 1 BB, 2 H, 1 UR in 8 IP Aug. 17
CC's P-o-M in August 2010: 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in 7 games and 4 starts

Jonnathan Aristil

Touched for 2 runs on 4 hits over 2 frames last night...struck out 3
Fanned 3 Saturday at NWA, yielding a solo shot to Colon in the 6th
Opened year with OKC and made 1 app. for the RedHawks: 1.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB
Went 4-8 w/ 2 saves & a 6.31 ERA in 30 G and 21 starts for the Hooks last season
Led CC with 117 strikeouts - the third-highest single season total in club history
Was 1-0 with a 3.10 ERA in 9 appearances out of the pen
Played at the top 3 tiers of the Rockies system in 2010: 2-0, 5.90 ERA, 71 K, 71.2 IP

Kevin Chapman

Surrendered a solo homer to Arenado in 8th on Sunday at Tulsa
Did not allow a run in first 2 outings of the season, posting 4 K & 1 BB over 2.2 IP
A top-20 KC prospect by BA last year: 1-4, 10 SV, 4.94 ERA in Wilmington & NWA
Struck out 90 & walked 28 over 62.0 IP...save total ranked 3rd in the Royals system
Entered '12 with a career BB-to-K ratio of 1-to-3.06 & is averaging 12.38 K per 9 IP

Adalberto Flores

Fanned 2 in a scoreless 9th last night
Fashioned a 1-2-3 7th inning on Monday, striking out 2
Made 4 appearances at OKC to open the year: 0-0, 2 ER, 10 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 5.0 IP
TL All-Star in 2011 for Frisco: 5-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 41 appearances
Split '10 with the 'Riders & Bakersfield: 4-5 w/ a 4.37 ERA, 70 K, 26 BB, 68.0 IP
Entered 2012 with 316 career strikeouts against 116 walks in 299.1 innings pitched
Originally selected by Florida in the 32nd round of the 2005 draft

Chris Hicks

Placed on the disabled list April 10
Surrendered a grand slam to Tulsa's Kiel Roling in losing effort on April 8
Went 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA in 28 appearances between Lancaster and CC last year
Recovering from shoulder surgery, made season debut in May
Named the JetHawks' P-o-M in June: 1-1, 1.64 ERA, 2 BB, 15 K over 11 IP
Missed all of 2010 due to a shoulder injury...underwent surgery in June

Arcenio Leon

Tossed a shutout frame Tuesday at Tulsa
Held the Drillers scoreless and to 2 H over 3 IP on April 10, posting 2 BB & 2 K
Led the Texas League last season in SO/9 IP ratio (10.16) for relievers
Paced the Hooks with 47 app., the third-highest single-season total in team history
Placed on 40-man in Nov. '10, going 2-4 w/ 4 SV & a 3.97 ERA in Lex. and CC
Over seven seasons has a career SO/9 IP ratio of 7.82

Jason Stoffel

Yielded 1 R on 2 H in the 8th inning Monday at Tulsa
Open the year with 3 scoreless appearances: 0 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 4 IP
Went 2-5 w/ 17 SV & a 4.53 ERA in 50 G between Richmond & CC in 2011
Tied for 4th among SF farmhands in saves, recording 13 in 17 opportunities
In 2010, led the Giants system with 25 saves and notched a SO/9 IP ratio of 11.17
Entered '12 season averaging 10.27 SO/9 IP & has a GO/AO ratio of 1.72 for career
Stands as the Wildcats career leader in saves (29) and appearances (99)

Henry Villar

Made two spot starts for Cosart (4/16 & 4/10): 2 L, 6 IP, 12 H, 9 ER, 2 HR, 1BB, 4 K
As a reliever: 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA (1 ER / 5.0 IP) in 2 appearances
Was 1-2 w/ a 2.40 ERA over last 11 G with CC in '10, posting 2 BB & 13 K in 15 IP
As a Hook, 1-0, 1 SV, 1.17 ERA, 14 G on road / 1-4, 1 SV, 6.04 ERA, 18 G at home
Went 2-1 with a 6.81 ERA in 10 appearances (7 starts) at Oklahoma City
Made his big-league debut in 2010 as a September call-up, yielding 3 ER in 6 IP

Josh Zeid

Placed on the disabled list Sunday
Last appearance: 2 ER, 3 H, 1.0 IP Friday at NWA
Moved to Reading's pen in late June last year: 2 SV, 2.25 ERA, 2 BB, 24 K, 16.0 IP
Joined Hooks in late July: 0-1, 10.13 ERA, 15 G, 16 IP, 6 BB, 15 K
Mid-season SAL All-Star in 2010, ranked within the top five on Lakewood's staff in wins (8, T-1st), SV (8, 2nd), strikeouts (111, 2nd) and innings pitched (107.1 IP, 4th)
Has a career 3.18 K/BB ratio over 3 seasons, holding the opposition to a .245 average