Another Cardinals rally helps them top Hooks to end series

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7

CARDINALS 3, HOOKS 2, 10 INN.

Top performers

Cardinals: Mike Antico 1-4, R, RBI; Masyn Winn 1-5, R; Nick Dunn 2-4, RBI; Matt Koperniak 2-4; Dalton Roach W (3-6), 2 IP, 1 BB, 2 K; Gordon Graceffo 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 K

Hooks: CJ Stubbs 1-4, R, RBI; Grae Kessinger 2-4, R, RBI; Jaime Melendez 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K; Adrian Chaidez 4 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K

Highlights: Mike Antico's single in the top of the 10th inning drove in Brady Whalen to complete the comeback for the Cardinals in their second win of the series. The Hooks scored both of their runs in the fifth inning on a C.J. Stubbs solo home run and another solo shot from Grae Kessinger.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

CARDINALS 5, HOOKS 1

Top performers

Cardinals: Julio E. Rodriguez 2-3, R; Errol Robinson 3-4, RBI, R; Justin Toerner 1-3, R; Chase Pinder 1-5, 2 RBI; Jordan Walker RBI, R; Nick Dunn RBI.

Hooks: Grae Kessinger 1-2, 2B; Bryan Arias 2-4, 2B; Shay Whitcomb 1-3, 3B, RBI, R; Joe Perez 1-3; Edwin Diaz 1-4; Misael Tamarez 5 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 7 K.

Highlights: The Hooks' season-best six-game winning streak came to an end after the Cardinals rallied for five runs in the seventh inning at Whataburger Field. Both teams began the seventh in a scoreless tie before Errol Robinson hit an RBI single off reliever Julio Robaina and Jordan Walker drew a bases loaded walk. Nick Dunn was hit by a pitch to bring home another run and Chase Pinder hit a two-run single to make it 5-0. Corpus Christi's lone run came in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI triple by Shay Whitcomb. Hooks starting pitcher Misael Tamarez struck out seven in five scoreless innings.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

HOOKS 7, CARDINALS 6

Top performers

Cardinals: Mike Antico 3-5, HR, RBI, 2 R; Masyn Winn 2-4, 2 R; Nick Dunn 1-4, RBI; Jordan Walker 1-3, 2B, 2 R; Brady Whalen 1-4, RBI; Julio E. Rodriguez 1-4, RBI; Matt Koperniak 1-4, RBI.

Hooks: Joe Perez 3-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R; Cesar Salzar 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, R; Justin Dirden 1-4, 2B, R; Will Wagner 1-4, RBI; Grae Kessinger 1-4, HR, RBI, R; Shay Whitcomb 1-4, 2B, R.

Highlights: The Hooks came out swinging in their quest for a season-best sixth consecutive win on Friday at Whataburger Field. Corpus Christi accomplished the feat behind three home runs from Joe Perez, Grae Kessinger and Cesar Salazar. It was the 17th home run in the last six games for Corpus Christi. Perez finished with three hits and three RBI to lead the Hooks offensively. Jose Bravo earned his fifth win of the season after delivering six innings and allowing three runs with five strikeouts. Derek West inherited a one-run lead in the seventh, but pitched two scoreless innings and Jojanse Torres closed the door in the ninth to secure the win. Hooks outfielder Justin Dirden, who was named the Texas League Player of the Month in July, remained hot at the plate after recording a double in the third to raise his batting average to a team-best .327. Dirden hit .412 last month and led the league in hits (35); total bases (63); slugging percentage; (.741) and OPS (1.241). Dirden finished with 11 multi-hit games during that stretch.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4

HOOKS 7, CARDINALS 2

Top performers

Cardinals: Masyn Winn 1-5, 2B, R; Nick Dunn 2-4; Jordan Walker 1-4; Chase Pinder 1-3, 2B; Brady Whalen 2-4, 2B, RBI, R; Justin Toerner 1-3, 2B, RBI; Errol Robinson 1-3.

Hooks: Joe Perez 2-4, R; Cesar Salzar 2-3, 2B, 2 R; Justin Dirden 1-4, 3B, 2 RBI, R; Will Wagner 1-4, RBI; Edwin Diaz 1-2, HR, RBI, R; Alex McKenna 2-4, 2B, RBI, R; Grae Kessinger 1-4; Jordan Brewer 1-4, RBI, R; Tyler Brown 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K; Jonathan Sprinkle 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 K.

Highlights: Edwin Diaz homered for the second consecutive game and Justin Dirden drove in two key runs with a triple as the Hooks rolled past for the Cardinals for their fourth consecutive win. Tyler Brown earned his first win of the season after holding Springfield to two runs in five innings. Corpus Christi's biggest inning came in the fourth when it scored four runs on the two-run triple by Dirden, a solo home run by Diaz and a sacrifice fly by Will Wagner.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3

HOOKS 5, CARDINALS 4

Top performers

Cardinals: Masyn Winn 1-5, HR, RBI, R; Nick Raposo 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Nick Dunn 1-4, 2B, R.

Hooks: Justin Dirden 1-3, RBI; Cesar Salazar 2-4, 2B, 2 R; Will Wagner 2-4, 2 RBI; C.J. Stubbs 1-4; Edwin Diaz 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R; Cody Deason 3 IP, R, BB, 2 K; Freylin Garcia 2.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, BB, 4 K; Layne Henderson 1.2 IP, H, 4 K; Michael Horrell 1.2 IP, 3 BB, 3 K, S.

Highlights: The Hooks captured their second consecutive win against the Cardinals Wednesday at Whataburger Field, and they did it in come-from-behind fashion. Corpus Christi took the lead for good behind a solo home run by Edwin Diaz and a two-run single by Will Wagner in the fifth inning. The Hooks' bullpen delivered three scoreless innings to preserve the one-run victory. Layne Henderson earned the win in relief and Michael Horrell retired Springfield in order in the ninth to record his first save of the season.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2

HOOKS 10, CARDINALS 0

Top performers

Cardinals: Julio E. Rodriguez 1-2; Masyn Winn 1-4.

Hooks: Justin Dirden 3-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R; Alex McKenna 2-4, 3 RBI, R; Cesar Salazar 1-4, 2 R; Jordan Brewer 1-3, R; C.J. Stubbs 2-5, HR, 2 RBI, R; Bryan Arias 2-2, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R; Adrian Chaidez 5 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K; Jaime Melendez 3 IP, 2 BB, 3 K; Jojanse Torres 1 IP, 3 K.

Highlights: Justin Dirden finished with three hits, including his team-best 20th home run of the season as the Hooks opened their homestand with a shut out win against the Cardinals at Whataburger Field. Dirden, the Texas League Player of the Week for July 25-31, raised his batting average to .328. Corpus Christi connected on three home runs behind Dirden, Bryan Arias and C.J. Stubbs. Hooks' pitchers Adrian Chaidez, Jaime Melendez and Jojanse Torres combined to allow two hits with nine strikeouts.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Scores and highlights from the Hooks and Springfield Cardinals series