AMARILLO - After dropping the first two games of a critical series vs. the first-place Sod Poodles, Corpus Christi rallied for a 7-3 triumph Thursday night at Hodgetown.
The Hooks netted four two-out runs in the fourth inning and received a sterling showing from the bullpen, pulling to within three games of Amarillo with 15 to play in the second half race.
Will Bush, who had a two-run double in his final plate appearance Wednesday, began Thursday with a two-run circuit clout in the first inning. Bush has 12 home runs and 40 RBIs on the season.
The Hooks turned a one-run edge into a 6-1 ballgame by sending eight men to bat in the fourth inning. Alejandro Nuñez, 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles on the day, stroked a single to center to spark the rally. Marcus Brown then doubled with Brandon Forrester drawing a walk.
With two away in the frame, Justin Thomas Jr. blistered a 1-2 curve off the fence in right for a two-run double. Thomas, who belted home runs last Saturday and Sunday, has hit safely in five consecutive games.
Trevor Austin, who homered and drove in three runs on Wednesday, capped the onslaught with a two-run single to left.
Hooks starter Alonzo Tredwell limited the Sod Poodles to two runs over four-plus innings, paving the way for Ramsey David, Amilcar Chirinos, and Joey Mancini.
David, who stranded two inherited walks in the fifth, picked up his third win with two scoreless innings.
Chirinos allowed one run but left the bases loaded in the seventh.
Boasting a six-pitch eighth, Mancini was perfect over the final two frames to nail down the win.
Amarillo managed only five hits after producing 17 knocks Wednesday.
Nuñez doubled with one away in the eighth, helping the Hooks to insurance. Following a steal of third, Forrester produced his first Double-A RBI via a squeeze bunt, perfectly surveyed toward the first-base line.