Left-hander Gabe Morales struck out five batters in two scoreless innings of relief, and 22-year-old Agustin Ruiz belted a solo home run, but on opening night in the Texas League, it wasn’t nearly enough for the San Antonio Missions.

The Corpus Christi Hooks erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the first Friday night and then cruised to a 14-2 victory in front of 5,543 at Whataburger Field.

Missions starter Osvaldo Hernandez got only one out before he had to be lifted. He was charged with seven runs on six hits.

For the Hooks, Shay Whitcomb and Grae Kessinger homered in the outburst, with Whitcomb going deep off of Hernandez and Kessinger against Ryan Lillie.

Kessinger’s shot was a three-run blast that lifted the Hooks into a 9-0 lead barely 25 minutes into the Missions’ season.

Coming up

Saturday — Missions at Corpus Christi Hooks, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday — Missions at Corpus Christi Hooks, 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday — Frisco RoughRiders at San Antonio Missions, 7:05 p.m.