Corpus Christi (Kiii Sports) -
Brandon Hynick had a memorable pitching debut for Tulsa Tuesday night at Whataburger Field.
Hynick (1-0) coaxed 14 ground-ball outs over eight innings and 84 pitches as the Drillers upended Corpus Christi 5-1 before 6,632.
The Drillers' record in Texas League second-half play is 3-7. They are 43-37 overall. The Hooks slipped to 7-4, 44-37.
Hynick, who's spent most of this season shuttling between Rockies affiliates Triple-A Colorado Springs and High-A Modesto, permitted just four hits - three in one inning. He struck out two.
Tulsa second baseman Angelys Nina had a busy night. He recorded eight assists.
The Drillers had a runner at third in each of the first two innings, but Jarred Cosart kept them at bay. That wasn't the case in the fourth, when Tulsa pieced together four one-out singles while taking a 3-1 advantage. Kent Matthes drove home Ben Paulsen and eventually scored on Cosart's wild pitch. Lars Davis had the other RBI.
An inning later, Tulsa extended its lead to 4-1 with Paulsen's run-scoring single, which plated Nina. That was all for Cosart (4-5) after 4 2/3 frames, eight hits, five strikeouts and three wild pitches. He was also flagged for a balk and had to contend with blisters on his pitching hand.
Matthes' ninth home run - a solo shot to begin the ninth off Arcenio Leon - increased the spread to 4.
Between Cosart and Leon, Erick Abreu motored through 3 1/3 innings. Abreu faced the minimum and fanned five.
Hynick retired the first six Hooks before Jay Fernandez doubled to open the home third. Two outs later, Fernandez raced 180 feet for the game's first run when Jonathan Villar laced a single into right field.
--Corpus Christi Hooks
