Astros: Hooks’ Headlines – Carlos Gomez Rehab in Progress

Carlos Gomez at bat by Tammy Tucker
Carlos Gomez at bat by Tammy Tucker
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Houston Astros Farm Report: The Hooks Hosted Gomez

Astros’ Carlos Gomez at bat by Tammy Tucker
Astros’ Carlos Gomez at bat by Tammy Tucker /

TheAstros Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks have been able to mask most of their pitching deficiencies with red hot bats for most of the season. On the season, Hooks pitchers allow 3.80 earned runs per game while Hooks hitters average 4.80 runs per game. Those averages held up this week, good enough for a 4-3 stretch and edging a few games closer to the division leading Frisco Roughriders.

Lefty Chris Cotton was promoted to Fresno this week. He holds a 1.62 ERA with the Hooks this season in 8 appearances. To fill his place, Eric Peterson joined the club from Lancaster and started Kent Emanuel returned from the disabled list.

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Monday: @Midland W 11-7

Tuesday: Arkansas W 7-4

Wednesday: Arkansas W 2-1

Thursday: Arkansas L 4-8

Friday: NW Arkansas W 4-2

Saturday: NW Arkansas L 5-6

Sunday: NW Arkansas L 4-1

Current Record 29-20, 2nd in the South Division, one game back of Frisco.

Next: Hooks Batting

Batting

Carlos Gomez celebrates Astros’ prospect J.D. Davis’ home run. Photo Credit by Tammy Tucker
Carlos Gomez celebrates Astros’ prospect J.D. Davis’ home run. Photo Credit by Tammy Tucker /

Carlos Gomez was the story in Corpus Christi this week going, 5-20 in five rehab starts. His first start on Tuesday was grim, going 0-3 with two strikeouts. The leg kick was inconsistent, and he just wasn’t able to get into any rhythm at the plate. Things started to turn around for him on Wednesday after he launched a no-doubt home run in the 5th inning on Wednesday. With that shot to left-center, Gomez raised his 2016 home run total to one

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Teoscar Hernandez continues to produce at a high level. He hasn’t garnered as much attention as Alex Bregman, but the Dominican outfielder has continued to get clutch hits – contributing to a .355 on-base percentage. Down 7-5 to the Missions on Monday, Hernandez smashed a bases loaded double to the base of the wall, driving in all three runners and securing a Hooks victory. His 12 doubles on the season are tied with J.D. Davis for the most on the team.

Bregman might not be featured in these recaps for much longer as he continues to crush the competition in AA. This week’s slash line: .333/.400/.778 with a 1.178 OPS. For the season, he sports a 1.077 OPS, the best in the Texas League. This week he led, or was tied for the team lead in runs, hits, home runs, extra-base hits, total bases, and walks.

Next: Hooks Pitching and Fielding

Pitching and Fielding

Astros’ Prospect Brendan McCurry, picture by Tammy Tucker
Astros’ Prospect Brendan McCurry, picture by Tammy Tucker /

For all of his struggles, Carlos Gomez can never be accused of a lack of effort as evidenced by his tremendous defensive play this week at Whataburger Field. On Wednesday alone he notched three outfield assists, gunning down two would-be game-tying runners at the plate.

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Kent Emanuel made his first start of the season, and it was a gem. The southpaw threw five innings of one-run ball, earning the win on Friday night. Emanuel’s strong start gives him a 1.80 ERA and 1.000 WHIP going into his next start this week. Only Evan Grills has better marks among Corpus Christi starters this season.

Next: Astros Minors: Newcomer Arturo Michelena Off To Great Start

Brendan McCurry earned a pair of saves in 5 and 2/3rds innings this week in three relief appearances. His only run allowed came via the long ball. McCurry and Aaron West have shared the closer role for most of the season, with 13 saves between the two. West picked up a save and a win this week in two appearances.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference and MiLB.com***

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