A Night to Remember
It was a historic night at Whataburger Field yesterday as 9,118 fans witnessed the Corpus Christi Hooks play the Houston Astros. The previous attendance record was 9,002 when Roger Clemens pitched a tune-up start on June 11, 2006.
The Houston Astros brought their full 25 man squad which included Hunter Pence, Ivan Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada, Lance Berkman and Humberto Quintero and Wandy Rodriguez. Of that 25 man squad, Wandy Rodriguex, Hunter Pence, Chris Johnson and Lou Santangelo have worn the Corpus Christi Hooks uniform. Dave Clark a coach for the Houston Astros returned to Whataburger Field. He coached the Hooks from 2005 through 2007. The 2006 Hooks won the Texas League Championship. Lance Berkman was the Astros designated hitter.
The Hooks 27 man exhibition roster included 11 previous Hooks, seven pitchers, three outfielders and one infielder.
Wandy Rodriguez and Felipe Paulino were the starting pitchers for each team. Rodriguez pitched six stellar innings, he struck out 11 Hooks and allowed only one hit, a double off of Wladimir Sutil in the bottom of the third. The Astos scored a run in the third due to two wild pitches by Paulino. They added another run in the fourth off of doubles by Miguel Tejada and Hunter Pence.
Wandy Rodriguez was replaced by Jose Capellan in the 7th, he walked Drew Meyer who was brought home by Jhon Florentino's homer over the right field fence. The Hooks ended up loading the bases but were unable to bring any further runs across the plate.
The Astros would get three runs in the top of the eighth inning, which started with a walk and a fielding error by Mitch Einertson which allowed Reggie Abercombie to score. The Hooks were able to get out of the inning when Hunter Pence grounded into a forced out.
The Hooks came within one run when Andrew Locke hit a solo shot over the right field fence. The Astros came up in the ninth and were able to get a single by Santangelo and Jason Smith. Quintero grounded into a double play ending any further threat.
Jose Capellan was replaced by Christopher Salamida. Outfielder Mitch Einertson hit a sharp ground ball to left field.
Einterston would be brought home on a Walk-Off homer by Catcher Brian Esposito over the right field fence. The fans were sure given a game to remember.
The San Antonio Missions another Texas League team also won their exhibition game against their Major League affiliate, the San Diego Padres.
The Houston Astros brought their full 25 man squad which included Hunter Pence, Ivan Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada, Lance Berkman and Humberto Quintero and Wandy Rodriguez. Of that 25 man squad, Wandy Rodriguex, Hunter Pence, Chris Johnson and Lou Santangelo have worn the Corpus Christi Hooks uniform. Dave Clark a coach for the Houston Astros returned to Whataburger Field. He coached the Hooks from 2005 through 2007. The 2006 Hooks won the Texas League Championship. Lance Berkman was the Astros designated hitter.
The Hooks 27 man exhibition roster included 11 previous Hooks, seven pitchers, three outfielders and one infielder.
Wandy Rodriguez and Felipe Paulino were the starting pitchers for each team. Rodriguez pitched six stellar innings, he struck out 11 Hooks and allowed only one hit, a double off of Wladimir Sutil in the bottom of the third. The Astos scored a run in the third due to two wild pitches by Paulino. They added another run in the fourth off of doubles by Miguel Tejada and Hunter Pence.
Wandy Rodriguez was replaced by Jose Capellan in the 7th, he walked Drew Meyer who was brought home by Jhon Florentino's homer over the right field fence. The Hooks ended up loading the bases but were unable to bring any further runs across the plate.
The Astros would get three runs in the top of the eighth inning, which started with a walk and a fielding error by Mitch Einertson which allowed Reggie Abercombie to score. The Hooks were able to get out of the inning when Hunter Pence grounded into a forced out.
The Hooks came within one run when Andrew Locke hit a solo shot over the right field fence. The Astros came up in the ninth and were able to get a single by Santangelo and Jason Smith. Quintero grounded into a double play ending any further threat.
Jose Capellan was replaced by Christopher Salamida. Outfielder Mitch Einertson hit a sharp ground ball to left field.
Einterston would be brought home on a Walk-Off homer by Catcher Brian Esposito over the right field fence. The fans were sure given a game to remember.
The San Antonio Missions another Texas League team also won their exhibition game against their Major League affiliate, the San Diego Padres.
Great pictures! It must have been a fun game to be at.
Julia
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It was a very good game. You could definitely feel the excitement in the air.
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Off-topic, but I'm sure you heard Tip Fairchild got released? I was pretty disappointed by that news.
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That doesn't surprise me. I think a demotion to the Single A level would benefit Tip in the long run as it would give him a chance to work on building his confidence level up. It was very painful to watch him pitch last year when you could see him struggling.
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True... the first year back from Tommy John surgery is painful to watch. And 9 times out of 10, a 25-year-old pitcher is going to get released before he's going to get sent back down to A ball. Francisco Liriano was 24 when he went to Ft. Myers, and he only threw five and a third there.
I kept hearing what a great spring he was having, which is why it surprised me a little. But I do hope someone takes him on. He was very promising before his surgery.
Look forward to reading up on the Hooks through this blog, by the way!
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