Astros Weekly Hooks Update: Yulieski Gurriel Struggles

Offense

On Friday the Arkansas Travelers sent the first 26 Hooks batters down in order and came within one strike of a 1-0 victory and a perfect game. With two outs pinch hitter Ramon Laureano walked, Bobby Boyd singled, and Nick Tanielu singled in the game-tying run bring Yulieski Gurriel to the plate with the winning run on third base. With the count at 1-2, pitcher Eduardo Parades through a wild pitch, scoring Bobby Boyd and giving the Hooks their most improbable win of the season.

Related Story: Corpus Christi Spotlight: Yulieski Gurriel

The Hooks did not receive the injection of offense they were expecting from Gurriel this week. After going 8-21 in six combined games between the Gulf Coast Astros and Lancaster JetHawks, “El Yuli” was only able to scratch across two hits in 17 at-bats in Double-A competition. Gurriel was expected to join the Astros on Tuesday. Instead, he will go to Triple-A to work on his timing.

Gurriel wasn’t the only Hook that struggled at the plate this week. Coming into last Tuesday’s game Corpus Christi hitters were hitting .247 this season, averaging 8.5 hits and a little over one home run per contest. This week the Hooks were held without a home run in six games and managed a meager .197/.280/.268 slash line.

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