NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Joey Curletta's no-doubt blast to left field in the ninth inning Tuesday afternoon was the centerpiece of a four-run inning for the Travelers, who engineered a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Hooks at Dickey-Stephens Park.The setback for Corpus Christi (2-4) spoiled a fine start by right-hander
NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Joey Curletta's no-doubt blast to left field in the ninth inning Tuesday afternoon was the centerpiece of a four-run inning for the Travelers, who engineered a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Hooks at Dickey-Stephens Park.
The setback for Corpus Christi (2-4) spoiled a fine start by right-hander Josh James, who fired five no-hit innings. James struck out nine and issued two walks, throwing 50 of 78 pitches for strikes.
Arkansas (4-2) right-hander Andrew Moore, who appeared in 11 Major League games last season, matched James zero for zero until his exit after the sixth.
In the seventh, Yordan Alvarez crushed a solo home run to right field off Stephen Perakslis. It was the 20-year-old's first Double-A home run, and it gave the Hooks a 1-0 edge.
Corpus Christi converted a bases-loaded chance into a pair of ninth-inning insurance runs. Myles Straw, inserted as a pinch-runner for rehabbing Astro Yuli Gurriel, scored on a wild pitch. Ryne Birk brought Alvarez home on a sac fly, making a 3-0 game.
Erasmo Pinales stranded three Travelers aboard in the seventh and spun a 1-2-3 eighth. In the ninth, Pinales walked the first two hitters before Curletta's drive which landed just inside the left-field foul pole. Joseph Odom was next and doubled into the left-field corner, prompting Riley Ferrell to enter the game.
A balk and a one-out free pass staged runners at the corners for Beau Amaral, who sent an RBI single up the middle to end the game.
The Hooks are off Wednesday before beginning the home slate Thursday night at Whataburger Field. Lefty Framber Valdez (0-0, 3.60) is scheduled to pitch for Corpus Christi. Click Here for a rundown of the Opening Week festivities.
