Riders Clip Hooks for Series Win

Box Score

CORPUS CHRISTI - Backed by another strong pitching performance, Frisco picked up two runs in the seventh Friday night to beat the Hooks, 2-1, before 4,862 fans at Whataburger Field.

The effort secured a Riders series triumph as the visitors from the Metroplex have won the first four games this week.

Julio Robaina turned in a scoreless start for Corpus Christi, striking out seven against four hits and one walk over five innings of work. Robaina has permitted only one run over his last four outings, covering 16 innings pitched.

At 8-4 with a 3.52 ERA in 21 games, the 22-year-old from Havana slots second in the Texas League in both wins and ERA.

Jonathan Sprinkle preserved the scoreless stalemate by facing three in the sixth.

The Riders managed their two markers in the next frame without the benefit of a base hit. Back-to-back walks and a stolen base along with a wild pitch put men at the corners for ninth-place hitter Jayce Easley who executed a squeeze bunt. Sprinkle made an errant throw to first on the play, allowing the second run to score.

Logan VanWey struck out three over 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the Hooks. Ray Gaither added two strikeouts in a shutout ninth.

Following 4 1/3 from starter Dane Acker, five Frisco relievers teamed to strike out nine while allowing one hit and two walks.

Luis Aviles Jr. hit a home run to deep left-center in the ninth as CC avoided being shutout for the third time in the series.