RedHawks Game Notes
Published on May 17, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks (21-15) vs. Fresno Grizzlies (24-12)
Games 37 & 38 | May 17, 2010, 4:05 pm CDT | AT&T Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, OK
1340 AM Fox Sports, RedHawks Radio Network | Play-by-Play: Jim Byers & Judson Richards
LH Michael Kirkman (4-0, 2.56) vs. RH Kevin Pucetas (1-2, 4.50)
RH Omar Beltre (0-2, 4.85) vs. LH Madison Bumgarner (2-1, 4.37)
TODAY: After yesterday's rainout, the RedHawks and Fresno Grizzlies will play a pair of seven-inning games at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The series opened on Saturday with a 2-0 Fresno victory. Lefthander Michael Kirkman gets the start for the RedHawks in Game 1. He's 10th in the league in ERA at 2.56. Kevin Pucetas gets the start for Fresno, his first against OKC. In Game 2, reliever Omar Beltre will make a spot start, his first start in the U.S. since 2003, replacing the promoted Guillermo Moscoso. Lefty Madison Bumgarner starts for Fresno.
TRANSACTION RECAP: Pitchers Guillermo Moscoso and Pedro Strop were recalled Saturday by the Texas Rangers, with RHP Doug Mathis and OF Craig Gentry optioned. Strop spent one day in the major leagues and was optioned by Texas yesterday to make room on the roster for infielder Joaquin Arias. On Friday, Nelson Cruz was reinstated from rehab and Ryan Garko was optioned to OKC, but is not yet active. Lefty reliever Zach Phillips was promoted from Class AA Frisco to the RedHawks yesterday. Today, Wes Bankston was transferred to Frisco. Omar Beltre will be activated from the DL to make the start in today's nightcap. He had been on the DL retroactive to May 7 with elbow soreness.
PHILLIPS DEBUTS: Left-handed reliever Zach Phillips made his Triple-A debut Saturday and tossed 3 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 walk with 2 strikeouts. He became the third reliever to join the RedHawks from Double-A Frisco in a 15-day span, joining Tanner Scheppers and Alexi Ogando. Phillips and Ogando are 40-man roster members and Scheppers is the organization's No. 4 prospect according to Baseball America.
PCL TEAM LEADERBOARD: Despite being out-hit in 3 straight games and collecting 5 hits or fewer in 5 of the last 12 games, the RedHawks remain among the PCL's team leaders in many categories. OKC is third in the PCL in home runs (33), behind Las Vegas (35) and Albuquerque (34). OKC leads in triples with 16, is third in on-base percentage (.349) and third in slugging (.432). The RedHawks have out-scored the opposition 196-145, owning the best run differential (+51) in the league. Fresno has the second-best run differential at +45.
PCL TEAM LEADERBOARD, PITCHING: OKC's team ERA (3.30) is second behind Tacoma's 3.24. OKC has allowed the second-fewest home runs, 21. Round Rock has surrendered the fewest homers with 20.
BULLPEN BASHERS: The RedHawks have scored more runs against opposing teams' bullpens than starting staffs this season. Of OKC's 196 runs, 100 have been against relievers, with 96 charged to starters. OKC has collected 154 hits in 122 innings against the league's collective relief corps, while amassing 183 hits in 199.1 innings vs. starters. The RedHawks have failed to score against an opponents' bullpen 8 times in 36 games, going 1-7 in those contests.
REDHAWKS BLANKED IN SERIES OPENER: The RedHawks were shut out for the second time in 2010 in the series opener Saturday, as Fresno scored twice in the first inning and made the runs hold up in a 2-0 win. OKC's other offensive shutout was a 3-0 defeat in Nashville April 23. Fresno accumulated 12 hits, all singles, while the RedHawks had 4 including the game's only extra-base hit, a double by Brandon Boggs. Geoff Geary (3-4) soaked up 6 innings in his second start of the season, allowing 2 runs on 9 hits to take the loss. Fresno starter Matt Yourkin (2-0) received the win with Santiago Casilla pitching a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save. Alex Hinshaw and Steve Edlefsen also contributed to the combined shutout.
ODDS AND ENDS: Esteban German is tops in the league with 34 runs scored, 6 more than Albuquerque's John Lindsey...German is third in the league with 14 stolen bases...Hernan Iribarren leads the PCL with 5 sacrifice flies.
UPCOMING PROBABLES:
Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio
Tuesday May 18 Fresno LH Michael Ballard 2-1, 4.66 RH Eric Hacker 6-1, 2.61 KTOK AM 1000
Wed. Off Day
Thursday May 20 @ Portland KTOK AM 1000
Friday May 21 @ Portland KTOK AM 1000
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 17, 2010
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- Comeback Falls Short in Z's 9-8 Loss - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Round Rock Express Suspended at Colorado Springs - Round Rock Express
- Pre-Game Concert, Fireworks Highlight âTopes' Eight-Game Homestead - Albuquerque Isotopes
- River Cats To Celebrate Raley Field 10th Anniversary May 21 - Sacramento River Cats
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Express To Host 100th HeartGift Patient - Round Rock Express
- Pre-Game Concert, Fireworks Highlight 'Topes Next Homestand - Albuquerque Isotopes
- River Cats to Celebrate Raley Field 10th Anniversary Friday, May 21 - Sacramento River Cats
- Gordon, Walters Named PCL Player, Pitcher Of The Week - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Gordon Named PCL Batter of the Week - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Wilson Completes Rehab, Budde Optioned to Salt Lake - Salt Lake Bees
- Johnny Rosenblatt Bobblehead Giveaway Highlights Next Homestand - Omaha Storm Chasers
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