RedHawks Game Notes - April 6, 2012
Published on April 6, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Memphis Redbirds (1-0) vs. Oklahoma City RedHawks (0-1)
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros
Game #2 of 144/Home #2 of 72 (0-1)
Pitching Probables: MEM-RH Brian Broderick vs. OKC-RH Aneury Rodriguez
Friday, April 6, 2012 | Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, Okla.| 7:05 p.m. CT
Radio: KGHM AM-1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio - J.P. Shadrick & Alex Freedman
UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
Saturday, April 7 vs. Memphis (STL): OKC-LH Dallas Keuchel vs. MEM-RH Joe Kelly - 7:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio
Sunday, April 8 vs. Memphis (STL): OKC-RH Jordan Lyles vs. MEM-RH Shelby Miller - 2:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio
Monday, April 9 vs. Nashville (MIL): OKC-TBA vs. NAS-TBA - 7:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio
Tuesday, April 10 vs. Nashville (MIL): OKC-RH Paul Clemens vs. NAS-TBA - 7:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio
Wednesday, April 11 vs. Nashville (MIL): OKC-RH Aneury Rodriguez vs. NAS-TBA - 7:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio
Tonight's Game-- The RedHawks look for their first win of 2012 as they face the Memphis Redbirds tonight at 7:05 p.m. On the mound, RHP Aneury Rodriguez makes his debut for OKC after spending all of last season in Houston. RHP Brian Broderick makes his first start of the season for Memphis. After the game, there will be Friday Fireworks presented by Majestic Roofing Oklahoma.
Last Night-- Angel Sanchez drove in two RedHawks runs with a ninth inning double, but the Memphis Redbirds held off the late rally for a 4-3 win over the RedHawks before 9,021 on Opening Night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Memphis starter Brandon Dickson (1-0) allowed one run and five hits over five and one-thirds innings in the winning decision. Oklahoma City starter Paul Clemens (0-1) gave up two solo home runs and four other hits in six innings for a tough-luck loss. Eduardo Sanchez (1) saved the game after giving up two ninth inning runs. Mike Hessman hit the first RedHawks home run of the season with a solo shot in the second inning--the first HR in the PCL this season. Pete Kozma and Matt Adams each homered for Memphis.
Welcome to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark-- Officials with the Oklahoma City RedHawks and the Chickasaw Nation on Thursday announced a new name of the ballpark, now known as Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The RedHawks and the Chickasaw Nation believe the new name meets the objectives of the partnership and is respectful to the wishes of Oklahoma City citizens and our passionate RedHawks fans. It also underscores both parties' mutual commitment to be responsive to the community. Despite the name change, the agreement still includes branding elements for Newcastle Casino, Chickasaw Country and the Chickasaw Nation, consumer promotions, hospitality at stadium events and opportunities to use the ballpark for Chickasaw Nation and Newcastle Casino programs.
Tonight's Probable Pitchers-- Aneury Rodriguez makes his RedHawks debut this evening...Rodriguez was a Rule 5 pick by the Astros in December, 2010 and in order to stay under club control, he remained on the Astros active roster all of the 2011 season, becoming the first Astros Rule 5 pick to stick with club for entire season since LHP Wesley Wright in 2008...With Astros, made 43 app., including 8 starts, going 1-6 with a 5.27 ERA...Over six minor league seasons, Rodriguez is 41-43 with a 4.56 ERA...He was originally signed by Colorado in 2005 and traded to Tampa Bay in 2009. Memphis RHP Brian Broderick was also a 2010 Rule 5 Draft pick, selected by the Washington Nationals...Broderick went 0-1 with a 6.57 ERA over 11 appearances for the Nationals before being returned to the Cardinals...He was then assigned to Memphis, making 22 appearances (15 GS), going 7-7 with a 5.04 ERA...A native of Phoenix, Broderick was a 21st round pick by the Cardinals in 2007 from Grand Canyon University.
Trading Up-- Nine members of the RedHawks current roster came to the Houston system via trade. Pitchers Juan Abreu and Paul Clemens came from Atlanta in exchange for Michael Bourn last season. Infielder Jimmy Paredes was a Yankees farmhand until he was sent to the Astros in exchange for Lance Berkman in 2010. Pitchers Jonnathan Aristil (COL), Enerio Del Rosario (CIN), Henry Sosa (SF), Mickey Storey (OAK), and infielders Angel Sanchez (BOS) and Brett Wallace (TOR) also came to be Astros via trade.
Lots of Familiar Faces...Lots of New Faces-- Of the 25 active players on the current roster, 14 spent time with the RedHawks in 2011. Although 10 pitchers return for another stint, only four position players donned a RedHawks uniform last season. Of the 11 players who are new to the RedHawks, eight are new to the Astros organization entirely. Scott Moore and Brad Snyder each faced the RedHawks with PCL foe Iowa last season. Adalberto Flores (TEX), Diory Hernandez (ATL), Fernando Martinez (NYM), Landon Powell (OAK), and Justin Ruggiano (TB) are newcomers after parting with their respective long-time organizations. Mike Hessman returns to the U.S. after spending last season playing for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan.
The Men in Charge-- Manager Tony DeFrancesco returns for his second year as RedHawks skipper after leading the team to a 68-75 mark last season...DeFrancesco holds a career 1,168-1,028 managerial record over 17 seasons, including seven seasons with the Sacramento River Cats (OAK) of the PCL...Burt Hooton also returns for his second season as pitching coach, and eighth consecutive season coaching in the Astros system...Last year Hooton guided the RedHawks to the 5th-best ERA in the PCL (4.63)...New to the staff this year is hitting coach Leon Roberts...Most recently Roberts served as the minor league hitting coordinator for the Atlanta Braves
Against the Redbirds-- The RedHawks struggled against the Redbrids last season, going 5-11...The offense was kept in check by the Memphis pitching staff, as the RedHawks hit just .236 and scored 54 runs (3.4 rpg) with 5 HR...The two teams are scheduled to meet 16 times again in 2012, meeting next week in Memphis for the Redbirds' home opener...Memphis' next visit to Oklahoma City is June 30-July 3.
RedHawks Radio-- For the second consecutive season, the Oklahoma City RedHawks and Clear Channel Radio of Oklahoma City will broadcast all 144 RedHawks games on AM 1340 The Game...Each game will be carried live and all broadcasts will start 30 minutes before the first pitch with "RedHawks On-Deck"... Game audio will also be available through the station website stream at 1340thegame.com and on mobile devices through the free Clear Channel iheartradio app.... "The Voice of the RedHawks" J.P. Shadrick returns for his second season and will be joined in the booth this year by Alex Freedman.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 6, 2012
- Z's Walk off on 12th Inning Error - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- RedHawks Take Friday Night Win, 12-3 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Storm Chasers Fall to the Isotopes, 5-2, on Friday - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sounds Drop Extra-Inning Affair in New Orleans, 2-1 - Nashville Sounds
- Isotopes Power to First Win, 5-2 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Round Rock Express Even Series at Iowa 4-3 - Round Rock Express
- Rainiers S.H.I.E.L.D. Night - Tacoma Rainiers
- Esmailin Caridad Added to I-Cubs Roster - Iowa Cubs
- RedHawks Game Notes - April 6, 2012 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes at Iowa Cubs - Round Rock Express
- Storm Chasers Beat the Isotopes, 8-4, on Opening Night - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Rainiers Drop Season Opener to Salt Lake - Tacoma Rainiers
- River Cats Take Season-Opener Over Las Vegas, 11-6 - Sacramento River Cats
- Padres Still Looking for First Run of 2012 - Tucson Padres
- Aces Roll to Season-Opening Victory Over Sky Sox, 5-2 - Reno Aces
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