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Astros’ Double-A Hooks’ Season Ends in Heartbreak

By Matthew Bartlett |
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Astros Minors: The winningest regular season team will be watching the Texas League Championship from home after falling to Midland in the first round.

Only two Astros minor league teams made the playoffs in 2017, the Hooks and Jethawks. It wasn’t the way that the Hooks wanted the season to end. But there will be no more games under the lights at Whataburger field until the 2017 season kicks off. There will be a time to assess superlatives, rising stars, and the next wave of young talent. But first we’ll recap the final series and shine a light on the successes and failures of the 2016 post-season campaign.

Corpus Christi’s last Texas League title came in 2006. That was also the last appearance in the championship game for the Hooks. They also fell to Midland in the first round of the playoffs last year.

Game Results

Game 1: Wednesday, L 2-6 (WP: Seddon, LP: Martes)

Game 2: Thursday, W 5-4 (WP: Peterson, LP: Stull)

Game 3: Friday, L 5-7 (WP: Friedrichs, LP: Dorris)

Game 4: Saturday, L 2-5 (WP: Mann, LP: Sneed)

Next: Games 1 & 2

Games 1 & 2

The Hooks started the series with a pair of games at Whataburger Field, managing a split with the Rockhounds after dropping the first game on Wednesday night.

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Francis Martes gave up a season-high ten hits in the first game of the series but managed to escape with just three runs being charged against him. All the runs coming in a five-hit, third inning. Martes wasn’t incredible, but he kept the Hooks within striking distance. The offense, which led the Texas League in total bases this year, was only able to scratch across two runs before Kevin Comer and Jacob Dorris allowed three more runs in the top of the ninth inning.

Twelve hits would only result in two runs, one of which came on a solo home run from Nick Tanielu, his twelfth of the year. Corpus Christi would finish the night just 1 for 15 with runners in scoring position. The one hit was a Garrett Stubbs single after Drew Ferguson‘s one out single in the 7th inning.

In the Hooks’ game two victory they would still leave 12 men on base but improved in clutch situations, hitting .236 (4 for 17) with runners in scoring position. The offense was bottled up for the most part until the game looked to be getting out of reach. After Trent Thornton (6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) threw well, the Hooks bullpen wasn’t up to the task – leaving the Hooks down by four runs in the bottom of the eight. The Hooks would tie things up in that half inning, setting up a walk-off RBI single from Antonio Nunez in the final inning.

Next: Games 3 & 4

Games 3 & 4

If the two games in Corpus Christi were rough for the Hooks, their trip to Midland was crushing. The Hooks took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth in game three and came within one out of taking a commanding 2-1 series lead. An error hit by pitch, two walks, and two hits later they found themselves in a 2-1 series deficit that they were unable to turn around. Dropping the following contest on Saturday and watching their impressive season come to an end.

Third game a charm?

For the third consecutive game, the Hooks benefited from good starting pitching. This time from Rogelio Armenteros (5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K). Armenteros finished the regular season with a 1.96 ERA and carried over his effectiveness into the Hooks third game against the Rockhounds. Things were looking good for Corpus Christi after a five-run fourth inning, led by a three-run bomb off the bat of Bobby Boyd. The Hooks would take a 5-2 lead into the final frame before Viesergy Rosa launched a grand slam over the right field wall, stealing the game out from under the Hooks’ feet.

Emotionally and physically exhausted, the Hooks weren’t able to muster much offense in what would end up being the final game of the series on Saturday. Ramon Laureano and Ferguson each came up with a two-out RBI in the eight and ninth innings, respectively. Cy Sneed, who has had an up and down second half allowed three earned runs in four innings. Before the break, Snead was 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA. Since the break, Snead is 3-4 with a 4.59 ERA. The Hooks got the second-half Sneed on Saturday and not enough pop in the bats to overcome it.

Minor League Playoffs: Jethawks Advance to Division Final

The Hooks end their 2016 campaign with 86 wins and 58 losses (including the playoffs). Their regular season record (85-55) was the best in the Texas League. But for the second year, they are sent home early at the hands of the Rockhounds.

***Statistics from MiLB.com and Baseball Reference***

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Schedule