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Astros: Hooks Continue to Fall Further in the Standings

By Matthew Bartlett |
Astros Apr 21, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs and a bat on the field during batting practice prior to a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Astros Apr 21, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs and a bat on the field during batting practice prior to a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
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A few bright spots weren’t enough to salvage a winning week for the Astros Double-A affiliate as they continue to fall further in the South Division.

While Midland (6-4 in its last 10 games) and San Antonio (7-3 in its last 10 games) the Hooks find themselves winners of just 4 of their last 10 games and 7 of their last 20. Hooks pitching  has been up and down (4.70 ERA this week) and the offense can’t seem to click (3.29 runs per game this week with a team average of .216).

Danry Vaquez was suspended for five games after instigating a bench clearing scuffle last week. Gonzalo Sanudo was released this week. The 24 year old right hander had a 4.05 ERA in four appearances with Corpus Christi. Shortstop Antonio Nunez was assigned to the team from the Lancaster Jethawks. Nunez held a .273 batting average this season with the Jethawks after splitting time between Quad Cities and Lancaster since April. Nolan Fontana and Edison Frias were promoted to Fresno on Monday. David Paulino was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Astros for a rehab assignment on Thursday.

Game Results

Monday: @ San Antonio L 4-10

Tuesday: @ San Antonio L 2-6

Wednesday: @ San Antonio W 3-0

Thursday: Midland L 2-3

Friday: Midland W 5-4

Saturday: Midland L 5-8

Sunday: Midland L 2-4

Second Half Record: 16-21, 3rd in the South Division, nine games behind Midland

Next: Offense

Offense

Danry Vasquez made an immediate impact coming off of his suspension midweek driving in the tying run on a triple Saturday evening. One of his three extra base hits in four games. It was his first triple of 2016. Vasquez has become a mainstay in the middle of the order since the promotions of Teoscar Hernandez and Alex Bregman.

Also making an immediate impact this week was infielder Antonio Nunez, recently promoted from Lancaster. He reached base via a walk in his first Double A at bat and has two RBIs in three games so far with the Hooks. Like a previous Hooks shortstop, he doesn’t strikeout very often and finds ways to get on base and has a .374 OBP between Lancaster and Corpus Christi.

Related Story: Corpus Christi Player Spotlight: Ramon Laureano

The new additions of Garrett Stubbs, Ramon Laureano, and Antonio Nunez have helped keep the Hooks near the .500 mark, but it’s no secret that Astros #15 prospect J.D. Davis has become the key piece in the Hooks lineup in the second half. Davis carries a .456 slugging percentage and leads Corpus Christi with 16 home runs and 40 extra base hits. He mashed four doubles this week, driving in three runs and scoring two himself. The Hooks cleanup hitter has kept this sputtering offense alive, but he’s going to need help if the Hooks are going to turn things around and climb out of a growing hole in the Texas League South.

Next: Defense and Pitching

Defense and Pitching

With the trade deadline approaching, Francis Martes hurled his most impressive start of his Double A career. The number three prospect in the Astros system threw seven shutout innings allowing one hit and striking out nine batters. If the Astros are able to acquire a top tier pitcher it appears that Martes has placed his name near the top of many wish lists. After his most recent start on Thursday the young Dominican is striking out 9.03 batters per nine innings with a 3.76 ERA and 1.300 WHIP.

On the not-so-good list: Cy Sneed (again), Kent Emanuel, Aaron West, Michael Freeman, and Kyle Smith. Sneed and Emanuel both failed to get through six innings and allowed seven and six runs respectively, although Sneed did bounce back on Sunday throwing six and two thirds innings of two run ball. West has continued to struggle as heir apparent to Brendan McCurry. He had one clean two thirds of an inning on Thursday, but he took the loss on Tuesday and allowed three unearned runs on Friday.

Next: Lance McCullers is the Ace at the Trade Deadline

Trent Thornton, who joined the Hooks last week, made his pitching debut on Tuesday night against the San Antonio Missions. Thornton had a 7-4 record with a 4.12 ERA in the California League. On Tuesday he tossed six innings and allowed five hits. The only real blemish was a two run home run in the 4th inning in an otherwise excellent debut.

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

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