RedHawks at Zephyrs Tonight
Published on July 21, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
TONIGHT: The RedHawks meet the New Orleans Zephyrs in the second of a 4-game series at Zephyr Field. OKC won the first game 3-1 last night, but New Orleans leads the season series 6-3. Righthander Elizardo Ramirez is OKC's scheduled starter. He's faced the Z's once this year, turning in a quality start June 14 in a 4-2. Ramirez allowed 3 runs on 8 hits, including a solo homer by David Matranga. Righthander Willie Glen, a starter at Double-A Jacksonville recently promoted to New Orleans, will make a spot start. The RedHawks are 2 games back of Albuquerque in the American South, while the Zephyrs are tied for third, 7.5 games back.
SERIES OPENER TO OKC: Kevin Richardson's 3-run homer in the third inning was all OKC would need last night in a 3-1 win at Zephyr Field. RedHawks starter Josh Rupe (3-6) recorded his second straight quality start, allowing 1 run on 4 hits in 6 innings. After a scoreless seventh from Brian Gordon, Warner Madrigal notched his 11th save by working the final 2 scoreless innings. Madrigal faced the potential tying run either on base or at bat in both innings, but escaped the danger in part by recording strikeouts for 5 of his 6 outs. Willie Collazo (7-4) allowed 3 runs on 5 hits in 7 innings to take the loss.
RICHARDSON AT 10: Kevin Richardson's 3-run blast to center field last night was his team-high 10th homer of the season. Esteban German and Royce Huffman have the second-highest homer totals with 4. Last night was the fourth time this month Richardson has accounted for all of OKC's runs in a game. During a 3-game series at Iowa July 1-3, OKC tallied 1 run each game and Richardson had all 3 RBIs as OKC went 1-2 in that brief series against the Cubs. Three of Richardson's 4 hits during the current trip are home runs.
ARIAS STREAK ENDS AT 10: Joaquin Arias went 0-for-5 last night to see his hitting streak stopped at 10 games. Arias was 19-for-49 (.388) during the streak, which matched the third-longest by a RedHawk this season.
MORE STREAKS: Julio Borbon has reached base by hit or walk in 17 consecutive games dating to June 21, which was prior to his recall by Texas. Borbon has also hit safely in 7 straight (14-for-33, .424). Royce Huffman lengthened his on-base streak to 14 games last night with a hit-by-pitch and a walk.
LIKING THE LEFTIES: The RedHawks improved last night to 21-15 in games started by a left-handed pitcher. OKC is 26-32 vs. right-handed starters.
HOME RUN STREAK BROKEN: New Orleans did not hit a home run against OKC pitching last night for the first time this season. The Zephyrs had homered 6 times in each of the two previous series against the RedHawks, with at least one homer in each contest. OKC pitching has allowed the fewest homers in the league (59), one better than Las Vegas.
GERMAN'S RANKING: OKC's Esteban German served as DH for the first time last night, going 0-for-3 with a walk. German, the PCL's "Top Star" in last week All-Star Game, has hit safely in 17 of his last 20, going 28-for-78 (.359) with 18 RBIs in that span. German is tied for sixth in the league in batting with a .320 average, second in the PCL in on-base percentage at .421 and third in walks with 54.
BULLPEN WINS: The RedHawks' bullpen has not had a losing decision since June 17. Each of the RedHawks last 11 losses has gone to the starting pitcher. The relief corps has earned 9 wins since its last loss.
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