Homer Happy Hooks Clip Cards in Wild Win

SPRINGFIELD – The Hooks hit a season-best four home runs and withstood a late charge by the Cardinals to edge Springfield, 11-10, before 3,689 fans Friday night at Hammons Field.

Corpus Christi bounced back from a three-run, first-inning deficit by plating five runs in the second. Bryan Arias and Wilyer Abreu recorded singles while Luke Berryhill, Justin Dirden and Grae Kessinger turned in doubles. The production paved the way for a three-run home run off the bat of Edwin Díaz.

Edwin Díaz, who plated four on the day, has hit three home runs in his last four games.

The Hooks posted another five-spot by sending eight men to bat in the fifth. Yainer Diaz ignited the rally with a mammoth 447-foot home run to left field for his fifth long ball in a span of nine games.

Shay Whitcomb, who went deep Thursday, belted an opposite-field, two run homer to right-center. After doubling in his first two at-bats, Kessinger capped the rally with a two-run clout to left.

Corpus Christi has clubbed 10 home runs in the past three games. Each man in the Hooks lineup recorded a knock and the team’s nine extra-base hits mark a new season high.

Jose Bravo picked up the win by permitting two earned runs over 4 2/3 innings of relief.

The Cardinals rallied for five runs on eight walks, two hits and an error over their final three turns at-bat.

Chandler Casey faced three batters and recorded two outs to strand the bases loaded in the ninth for his first Double-A save.

The Hooks aim for a third consecutive win Saturday night with Jimmy Endersby on the hill. Michael McGreevy is slated to toil for Springfield. First pitch 6:35.