Corpus Christi (25-29, 56-68) @ Springfield (24-29, 62-61)

Brandon Dickson allowed just one run over seven innings and Aaron Luna knocked in all three Springfield runs as the Cardinals opened this series last night with a 3-1 win over the Hooks.  Dickson (8-9) gave up four hits and two walks while equaling his season high in strikeouts with nine.  Dickson retired 13 in a row at one point and took care of 15 of the last 17 batters he faced.  Chuckie Fick tossed two innings of shutout relief to earn his first save.

Luna sliced a two-run home run off the right-field foul pole in the second.  He also forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk in the seventh.  Corpus Christi’s only run came on first-inning singles by Wladimir Sutil and Ray Sadler, a sacrifice bunt by Collin DeLome and a wild pitch from Dickson.  The Hooks have scored exactly one run in each of their three losses on this road trip.              

Today’s Matchup:  RHP Wilton Lopez (4-4, 4.79) vs. LHP Nick Additon (1-2, 3.68)

Lopez, claimed off waivers in April by the Astros, makes his 29th appearance and 15th start for the Hooks.  Last Monday at Whataburger Field, Lopez slashed through the Springfield order, blanking the Cardinals over 7.2 innings in Corpus Christi’s 2-0 win.  Lopez allowed five hits and a walk while striking out six.  No one in the league has been better than Lopez in August.  In four starts this month, Lopez is 2-1 with a 0.61 ERA, with 14 hits, 4 walks and 18 strikeouts in 29.2 innings.  Opponents are batting just .141 off Lopez in August.  In three outings and two starts against the Cardinals, Lopez is 1-1 with a 1.15 ERA.  As a hitter, Lopez is 0-for-13 with 3 strikeouts.               

·        A member of Houston’s 40-man roster

·        In nine quality starts since June 23 has 2 wins, 2 losses and 5 no-decisions

·        In his 14 starts is 3-4 with a 3.92 ERA

Additon, selected by the Cardinals in the 47th round of the 2006 draft out of Indian River Community College in Florida, makes his fifth start for Springfield and his first against the Hooks.  Additon’s last start came nine days ago at San Antonio, when he allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits in five innings in a 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Missions.  In his last three starts, Additon is 1-1 with a 1.47 ERA.  The lefty started the season with Palm Beach in the Florida State League, where in 19 appearances and 15 starts he went 4-3 with a 3.06 ERA, with just one home run allowed in 79.1 innings.  At the plate, Additon is 1-for-3 with 1 sacrifice bunt and 2 strikeouts.

·        Strung together 18.0 innings without giving up a run over three starts May 3-14 with Palm Beach

·        Was 9-5 with a 2.50 ERA last year at Quad Cities, posting the fifth-best ERA in the Midwest League

·        Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 30 prospect in the Cardinals organization

Locke DNP Saturday

Drew Locke was a late scratch from Corpus Christi’s lineup last night.  According to manager Luis Pujols, Locke was experiencing stiffness in his neck.

Locke, who leads the Hooks with 121 games played, has missed just three games all season.  Locke did not play on Opening Night against Tulsa, and also missed the June 15 game at San Antonio.

Day baseball

Today’s game is the last scheduled day game for the Hooks this season.  Thank goodness.  The Hooks are a befuddling 3-13 in day games this year; 3-9 on the road and 1-2 this half.  The Hooks won their most recent day game, beating Midland 4-0 in the opener of a doubleheader at Citibank Ballpark August 1.  Lopez tossed a complete-game shutout that day, scattering four hits over seven innings. 

“One is the lonliest number…”

It was a crisp and refreshing evening last night at Hammons Field, but not quite a “Three Dog Night.”  But we borrow the song to point out the fact that the Hooks have scored exactly one run in each of their last four losses.

The result also marked the 21st time this season the Hooks have scored just one run.  Interestingly, the Hooks are 3-18 in those 21 games, having won three 1-0 games this year.

Hitters update

Jason Castro has hits in 3 of the last 4 games, 5-for-17 with 1 HR, 1 run and 4 RBI’s.

Collin DeLome has hits in 4 of his last 5 games, 7-for-21 with 2 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 3 runs and 7 RBI’s.

Drew Locke has hits in 15 of his last 18 games, 29-for-75 (.387) with 7 doubles, 3 HR’s, 14 runs and 8 RBI’s.

Drew Meyer has hits in 4 of his last 5 games, 7-for-17 with 4 runs and 1 RBI.

Wladimir Sutil has hits in 2 of the last 3 games, 4-for-13 with 1 double and 1 run.

Jimmy Van Ostrand has a 10-game hitting streak, 13-for-35 with 1 double, 2 HR’s, 4 runs and 7 RBI’s.

Pitching Rotation at Springfield

Monday:  LHP Douglas Arguello (2-4, 3.30) vs. RHP Trey Hearne (10-3, 3.06)