(5-14-08)

Hooks Score but Can’t Win
Controversial sac fly in 9th snaps string of zeroes at 31 innings

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Hooks finally broke through and scored their first run of this series in the top of the ninth Wednesday afternoon at Wolff Municipal Stadium. That’s the good news.

The bad news is the Hooks were beaten again by the Missions, this time 4-1, Corpus Christi’s fifth loss in seven tries against San Antonio. The loss drops the Hooks to 21-18 in the first half, while the Missions are back to .500 at 19-19.

San Antonio’s bid for a franchise record fourth consecutive shutout victory was thwarted by the Hooks in the ninth. Chris Johnson opened the frame with a single and moved to second when Ole Sheldon walked. Billy Hart’s single to center loaded the bases with nobody out.

Shortstop Wladimir Sutil, who entered the game on a double switch in the sixth, lifted a fly ball to right that was caught by Craig Cooper. Johnson tagged and slid across home for Corpus Christi’s first run since Rob Cosby belted a two-run homer in the third inning of Saturday’s 6-4 win at Whataburger Field over Frisco. The run snapped Corpus Christi’s streak of 31 consecutive innings without a run, the longest such streak in franchise history.

The Hooks couldn’t really even enjoy that run. Missions’ catcher Colt Morton argued that he tagged Johnson on his left hand before Johnson had touched the plate, but Mike Lusky’s call stood and the Hooks had their elusive run.

Starter Steve Garrison breezed through seven innings to get the win. He allowed just four hits and struck out four. His only trouble came in the fifth when Eli Iorg tripled into the right field corner with two out. Iorg was the only Hooks’ runner to advance past first base against Garrison (3-2).

Hooks’ starter Bud Norris (3-2) did a decent job but suffered the loss. He was charged with two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings. Norris notched one strikeout. The only runs allowed by Norris came on a two-out RBI single by Kyle Blanks in the first and Cooper’s solo home run in the fourth. San Antonio’s other runs came on a two-run blast by Seth Johnston off Chris Blazek in the sixth.

Corpus Christi’s ninth-inning tally also snapped San Antonio’s string of consecutive innings without allowing a run at 39.

The Hooks try to salvage the final game of the series Thursday evening at 7:05. Chance Douglass (3-2) gets the call for the Hooks while the Missions counter with Mike Ekstrom (2-3).

Copyright 2007 CC Hooks Baseball