CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Ronnie Dawson's two home runs in the first two innings Wednesday led the Hooks to a 7-6 comeback victory over the Northwest Arkansas at Whatburger Field.
The Hooks jumped on Naturals starter Andres Sotillet early with Dawson leading things off with a solo home run (4), his third lead-off homer on the season. Abraham Toro's RBI double later in the first extended his on-base streak to 15 games and gave the Hooks a 2-0 lead, which jumped to 3-0 later in the frame on a double play.
Dawson made it 5-0 with his second long ball in as many innings, a two-run shot that scored Anibal Sierra. Sotillet surrended seven hits, five runs and three walks over 4.0 innings.
Brandon Bailey looked strong early, but he loaded the bases in the top of the third for Naturals home run leader Gabriel Cancel. Cancel smacked a grand slam over the left field fence to pull the road side within a run.
Bailey allowed the four runs and three hits over 4.0 innings while striking out seven.
Brendan Feldmann relieved Bailey and promptly gave the Naturals their first lead of the game in the top of the fifth as storms loomed in the distance beyond Corpus Christi Bay.
In a light rainfall, Joshua Rojas stepped up with a runner on first and swatted his first home run of 2019 to give the Hooks back the lead and the final, 7-6.
The tarp then went on the field in the middle of the sixth, resulting in a 45-minute delay. When play resumed, Carlos Sanabria (S, 1) took the hill for his Double-A debut and effortlessly twirled 3.0 no-hit innings, fanning five and allowing just one baserunner via error.
Feldmann was the pitcher of record to move to 1-0.
Sierra went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored on the night. Cancel was 2-for-4 with five RBIs for Northwest Arkansas in the losing effort.
The Hooks go for the series win Thursday at 6:15 p.m. in the finale at Whataburger Field. MLB.com's No. 6 Astros prospect J.B. Bukauskas (0-3, 19.13) goes for Corpus Christi against righty Conner Greene (2-0, 1.57).