Astros’ Corpus Christi Hooks Pitching Highlights Strong Week

May 1, 2016; Frisco, TX, USA; Corpus Christi Hooks pitcher Keegan Yuhl (35) delivers to the plate against the Frisco RoughRiders in the 2nd inning at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Frisco, TX, USA; Corpus Christi Hooks pitcher Keegan Yuhl (35) delivers to the plate against the Frisco RoughRiders in the 2nd inning at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 5, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Alex Bregman (82) bats during a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Alex Bregman (82) bats during a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

The Astros Double-A affiliate, the Corpus Christi Hooks, steamrolled through the state of Arkansas this week, going 5-1 on the road trip.

The Arkansas Travelers and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals sit at the bottom of the North Division in the Texas League. Both teams have sub .500 records. And while the Hooks rolled, the Frisco Roughriders went 2-3, surrendering 1st place in the Texas League South Division. Frisco is 2-8 in their last ten games.

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Monday: Off

Tuesday: @Arkansas, W 4-3

Wednesday: @Arkansas, W 10-2

Thursday: @Arkansas, W 4-0

Friday: @ NW Arkansas, 3-2

Saturday: @ NW Arkansas,L 1-2

Sunday: @ NW Arkansas, W 3-2

Current Record: 34-21, 1st in South Division, one and a half games ahead of Frisco

Next: Hitting

Hitting

Credit: Flickr user Jayne
Credit: Flickr user Jayne /

Teoscar Hernandez had the best showing from the plate against the two clubs from Arkansas, going 11-25 with one of the three Hook’s home runs on the weekend. Hernandez bumped his average up 21 points this week to .298.

There is finally something negative to say about Alex Bregman, and he failed to reach base on Saturday. That was only the second time Bregman didn’t reach base this season. The 0-4 night dropped his average to .308 on the season. After 3-22 week the up-and-coming star still ranks second in the Texas League with a 1.012 OBP.

Wednesday’s game produced a curious line in the box score as the Hooks were outhit by the Travelers 10 to 9 yet won the game 10-2, thanks to drawing a season-high 13 walks. Corpus Christi leads the league with 212 walks in 54 games, and that’s 3.9 free passes per game. The Hook’s patience at the plate has played a significant role in the team’s collective .322 on-base percentage, a mark that would rank 15th among big league teams.

Next: Pitching and Defense

Pitching and Defense

Feb 24, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros pitcher
Feb 24, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros pitcher /

Keegan Yuhl continues to get it done at AA. The winning pitcher in Wednesday’s 10-2 victory, Yuhl struck out six, allowing two runs on eight hits in six innings of work. In his last five starts, Yuhl is 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA.

Kent Emanuel, working the back half of a tandem start with David Paulino, picked up a four-inning save on Thursday. The duo allowed just one hit, a fifth-inning single by Angel Rosa surrendered by Paulino. Paulino now holds a 1.80 ERA in 10 appearances. Emanuel has a 1.00 ERA and .560 WHIP in two appearances with Corpus Christi since being activated off the disabled list in late May.

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Overall the pitching staff performed excellently this week. Across six games, Hooks starters allowed six runs while the relief corps allowed just three – two charged to Michael Freeman, who has struggled at AA so far. All told, the Hooks pitching struck out 56 batters, allowed 14 walks and no home runs in the week

**Statistics provided by MiLB.com and Baseball-Reference***

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