NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Oklahoma City Baseball Club

RedHawks Game Notes: August 18, 2014

August 18, 2014 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Baseball Club News Release


Oklahoma City RedHawks (67-63) vs. Sacramento River Cats (72-57)

Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics

Game #131 of 145/Road #67 of 72 (35-31)

Pitching Probables: OKC-RHP Nick Tropeano (7-5, 3.31) vs. SAC-RHP Angel Castro (9-6, 3.84)

Monday, August 18, 2014 | Raley Field | West Sacramento, Calif. | 9:05 p.m. CT Radio: KGHM AM-1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, iHeartRadio - Alex Freedman

Today's Game: The RedHawks try to win a fifth straight game and look to take the first three games of their series in Sacramento at 9:05 p.m. Central at Raley Field. With 14 games remaining, the RedHawks trail Omaha by two games for the division lead.

Last Game: For the second consecutive game, the RedHawks used a five-run inning plus an outstanding starting pitching performance to lead to a 7-2 victory over Sacramento Sunday at Raley Field. RedHawks pitcher Rudy Owens matched his career high with eight innings, allowing just one run and four hits. Owens (8-5) finished with one walk and three strikeouts. The RedHawks took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Jonathan Villar led off with a single and later scored on a RBI groundout by Jesus Guzman. The River Cats pulled even in the second inning with a sacrifice fly by Alden Carrithers. In the third, Guzman ripped a RBI single with two outs to make it 2-1. The RedHawks took control of the game with a five-run fourth inning. The first three scored on a bases-clearing triple by Ruben Sosa. Joe Sclafani added a RBI single, and Guzman plated the inning's final tally with a RBI double. The scored stayed 7-1 until the bottom of the ninth. The River Cats had four straight reach base with one out, including a bases-loaded walk by Carrithers. With the tying run on deck, Anthony Bass took over the on the mound for the RedHawks and got Colin Walsh to hit into a game-ending double play, as Bass collected his first save.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Nick Tropeano (7-5) look to build off a strong outing as he aims to keep RedHawks' winning streak alive...In his last start Wednesday in Fresno, Tropeano had his best outing since coming off the Disabled List in late July. He held the Grizzlies to one run and six hits over seven innings, with seven strikeouts and one walk. Although he left with a 3-1 lead, he had to settle for a no decision after Fresno rallied for three runs in the eighth to come back and win...Tropeano ranks fourth in the PCL with a 3.31 ERA, third with a .207 opponent average, and third with a 1.04 WHIP. He was named to the original roster for the Triple-A All-Star Game, but was unable to participate due to injury...Among Astros full-season minor leaguers, he's first in WHIP, second in opponent average, and fourth in both ERA and strikeouts...He was placed on the DL July 6 (retroactive to July 4) with right arm tightness. He returned to action in late July and since then has made four starts, allowing 17 runs over 21.2 IP (1-1, 7.06 ERA)...Tropeano was named RedHawks Pitcher of the Month in June, going 4-0 over five starts with a 2.02 ERA (8 ER/35.2 IP), 34 strikeouts, and a .195 opponent average...Over his last nine starts, Tropeano is 5-1 and the RedHawks have won six of the nine games...Tonight marks his first career appearance against Sacramento.

Against the River Cats: 2014: 2-0 2013: 2-2 All-time: 31-35 At SAC: 16-18

The RedHawks and River Cats meet for their only series of the season...For the second straight season, they'll play in Sacramento. Last season they split their four-game set at Raley Field, May 16-19. The RedHawks won the first and final games by a combined score of 16-5, while the River Cats won the middle two games. Only three players on the RedHawks' current roster appeared in that series...The RedHawks last won a series against Sacramento in 2010, taking three of four in Bricktown...The last time Oklahoma City won a series in Sacramento was in 2004. Since then, they are 9-13 in California's capital city.

The House Tony D Built: RedHawks manager Tony DeFrancesco was the Sacramento skipper for seven seasons (2003-2007; 2009-2010). He compiled a 578-429 record and won six division titles, five conference championships, and three PCL crowns ('03, '04, '07).

What a Difference a Month Makes: With yesterday's win, the RedHawks improved to 11-5 this month and have already matched their win total from July. After posting a league-worst 11-18 record in July, their record this month is second-best, only behind Memphis (12-5). This is the second time this month the RedHawks have won at least four straight games. The RedHawks never won three straight in July.

Hot Weather, Hot Bats: The RedHawks lead the PCL and rank second in all of the Minors with a .324 team batting average in August (High-A Inland Empire - .338). The RedHawks have scored at least five runs in 13 of their 16 games this month and have notched at least 10 hits 13 times. Their 106 runs this month are second-most in the league behind Memphis (112).

Pitching Prowess: During the current road trip, the pitching staff has posted a 1.86 ERA (11 ER/53.0 IP) and are holding opponents to a .200 average (37x185). Over the last three games, they have allowed a total of six runs (four earned) and kept the opposition scoreless in 23 of 27 innings. Opponents are batting a paltry .141 (13x92), including 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position...Over the last seven games, the starting rotation has combined for a 1.71 ERA (9 ER/47.1 IP), while holding opponents to a .187 average (31x166). They've compiled 39 strikeouts against nine walks over 47.1 IP and turned in six quality starts, including five starts of seven or more innings.

Streaking Sclafani: Joe Sclafani went 2-for-4 and reached base three times yesterday, extending his current on-base streak to 33 consecutive games. It's the longest active streak in the PCL and the second-longest in the league this season (Andy Parrino, Round Rock/Sacramento - 37). It's also the longest streak by a RedHawk since Anderson Hernandez reached base in 34 straight in 2011...Sclafani has hit safely in 19 of his last 21 games, batting .385 (30x78) with 17 RBI and 17 runs.

Rockin' Ronny: Ronny Torreyes has hit safely in 16 of his last 18 games, batting .400 (30x75) with 13 runs and 10 RBI. Since July 29, his 30 hits are tied for second-most in the PCL and are tied for the sixth-most hits in all of the Minors. He has not struck out in 69 consecutive plate appearances and is the hardest player to strike out in the PCL (one per 19.9 PA).

Rehab Report: Jesus Guzman is off to a hot start during the first four games of his rehab assignment, going 8-for-13 with three doubles, five RBI, and three runs scored. Yesterday he collected his second consecutive three-hit game, and he drove in three runs in a game since July 22, 2013 vs. the Milwaukee Brewers. Guzman was placed on Houston's DL on Aug. 2 with back spasms.

The Big One: The RedHawks have pieced together a five-run inning in each of their past three games. They have scored five or more runs in one inning eight times in their last 15 games.

Check out the Oklahoma City Baseball Club Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...

Pacific Coast League Stories from August 18, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Oklahoma City Baseball Club Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central