RedHawks Game Notes: August 20, 2014
August 20, 2014 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Baseball Club News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks (68-64) vs. El Paso Chihuahuas (62-69)
Houston Astros vs. San Diego Padres
Game #133 of 145/Home #65 of 72 (32-32)
Pitching Probables: OKC-RHP Asher Wojciechowski (3-4, 5.46) vs. ELP-RHP Matt Wisler (7-5, 5.16)
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 | Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, Okla. | 7:05 p.m. CT Radio: KGHM AM-1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, iHeartRadio - Alex Freedman
Today's Game: The RedHawks open their final homestand of the regular season at 7:05 p.m. against the El Paso Chihuahuas. With 12 games remaining, the RedHawks trail Omaha by two games for first place in the American Northern Division.
Last Game: After being shut down at the plate over the first three games of the series, Sacramento's offense re-emerged in a 7-4 win over the RedHawks Tuesday at Raley Field. The River Cats scored four times in the second inning. Colin Walsh started the scoring with a two-run single. Rehabbing Oakland A's outfielder Craig Gentry added a sac fly, and Nick Buss finished the rally with a two-out RBI single. The RedHawks responded with two runs in the third. Leading off the inning, Max Stassi connected on his first home run since June 3. Preston Tucker brought home another run on a fielder's choice to make it 4-2. Leading 5-2 in the sixth, Shane Peterson delivered a two-run homer for the River Cats. The RedHawks answered with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh on RBI singles by Jonathan Villar and L.J. Hoes, pulling Oklahoma City within 7-4. Sacramento starting pitcher Zach Neal (6-7) tossed 6.2 innings and earned the win. RedHawks starter Luis Cruz (1-1) allowed five runs and six hits, with four walks and one strikeout over 2.2 innings in the loss. Jeremy McBryde pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 15th save.
Today's Probable Pitcher: Asher Wojciechowski (3-4) seeks his fourth win in five starts tonight...Wojciechowski turned in his best start of the season last Friday in Fresno. He went a season-high seven innings and allowed two unearned runs on just three hits. He finished with a season-high seven strikeouts and walked one. He retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced and ended his outing by retiring 10 of the last 11 batters he faced...Wojciechowski missed the beginning of the season after suffering a strained lat muscle Feb. 1 while throwing a bullpen session. Shortly after his season debut in New Orleans May 21, Wojciechowski sustained a right forearm flexor strain, sidelining him again. He returned to action June 18 in Reno...After struggling in his first few games following the flexor strain, he has started to regain his form. Over his last five games, Wojciechowski has posted a 3.77 ERA and is holding opponents to a .224 average, with 24 strikeouts against six walks. He's gone at least six innings in three straight starts...He spent the majority of 2013 with OKC, going 9-7 with a 3.56 ERA over 22 games. He led the club with 21 starts, 134.0 IP, nine wins and 104 strikeouts. He ranked second in the PCL in opponent average (.229), third in WHIP (1.19) and seventh in ERA (3.56).
Against the Chihuahuas: 2014: 0-0 2013: N/A All-time: 0-0 At OKC: 0-0
The RedHawks are playing PCL newcomer El Paso for the first time...Oklahoma City went 1-3 during a road series last August when the franchise played in Tucson. The RedHawks were 8-4 all-time against the former Tucson Padres...El Paso has one former RedHawk on its current roster: Reliever Hector Ambriz appeared in 32 games over the 2012 and 2013 seasons with the RedHawks...RedHawks pitching coach Steve Webber was with the Padres organization for nine seasons (2004-2012), the last three of which were spent at Triple-A.
What a Difference a Month Makes: The RedHawks are 12-6 this month and have already surpassed 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 (13-6).
Pitching Prowess: Even with a bit of a hiccup yesterday, the pitching staff posted a 2.31 ERA (18 ER/70.0 IP) and held opponents to a .207 average (51x246) during their eight-game road trip. In five of the eight contests, they allowed two or fewer runs. Prior to allowing seven runs Tuesday, the RedHawks allowed a total of six runs (four earned) over their previous four games combined...Over the last nine games, the starting rotation has combined for a 2.22 ERA (14 ER/56.2 IP), while holding opponents to a .195 average (39x200). They've compiled 48 strikeouts against 13 walks over 56.2 IP and turned in seven quality starts, including five starts of seven or more innings.
Hot Weather, Hot Bats: The RedHawks lead the PCL and rank second in all of the Minors with a .319 team batting average in August (High-A Inland Empire - .323). The RedHawks have scored at least five runs in 14 of their 18 games this month and have notched at least 10 hits 14 times. Their 117 runs this month are second-most in the league behind Memphis (121).
Streaking Sclafani: Joe Sclafani did not play yesterday, and his on-base streak remains at 34 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 also reached base in 34 straight in 2011. During the streak he is batting .345 with a .433 on-base percentage...Sclafani has hit safely in 20 of his last 22 games, batting .378 (31x82) with 17 RBI and 18 runs.
Speed Demon: Jonathan Villar has stolen five bases over his last four games, with at least one steal in each contest. Since joining the RedHawks on July 2, Villar's 22 stolen bases are the most in the PCL and the most by any player above A-ball.
Rockin' Ronny: Ronny Torreyes has hit safely in 17 of his last 20 games, batting .395 (32x81) with 13 runs and 10 RBI. Since July 29, his 32 hits are tied for third-most in the PCL...Torreyes has not struck out in 77 consecutive plate appearances and is the hardest player to strike out in the PCL (one per 20.26 PA), and the second-hardest in all of the Minors (Willians Astudillo, Low-A Lakewood - 23.7).
Nip and Tuck: Preston Tucker ranks third in the PCL with 22 RBI this month. He leads the Astros farm system with 86 RBI this season.
L.J. in OKC: L.J. Hoes rejoined the RedHawks Monday and has collected hits in his first two games back. He has now hit safely in his last 14 straight games with Oklahoma City, dating to June 12.
Whole Lotta Glove: The RedHawks have not committed an error in seven of their last eight games. They have turned 13 double plays in their last 10 games and lead the PCL with 142 double plays this season.
Opening Statements: The RedHawks have won five straight series openers and are 21-12 in series openers this season (9-7 at home).
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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 20, 2014
- Isotopes Open Road Trip with 7-4 Win against Sky Sox - Albuquerque Isotopes
- E-Train Rolls to 5-2 Victory in Salt Lake - Round Rock Express
- El Paso Wins Series Opener with RedHawks - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Defense, Pitching Lift Chihuahuas 2-1 - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Memphis Opens Homestand with 6-3 Loss to Sacramento - Memphis Redbirds
- Tonight's Game Postponed Due to Unplayable Field Conditions - Fresno Grizzlies
- Wednesday's Sounds Game at Greer Postponed - Nashville Sounds
- Cubs Place Mike Olt on Disabled List - Iowa Cubs
- INF Carlos Triunfel Rejions Isotopes - Albuquerque Isotopes
- RedHawks Game Notes: August 20, 2014 - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Aces Open Final Homestand with Four Games against Iowa - Reno Aces
- RedHawks to Honor Beverly Grove as Chesapeake Energy Community All-Star - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Sounds Unveil Seating Map, Ticket Plans for First Tennessee Park - Nashville Sounds
- Second-Inning Outburst Helps Cats Snap Skid - Sacramento River Cats
- River Cats Bats Spring Back, Avoid Sweep - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Isotopes Come up Just Short in 13-12 Shootout against Sounds - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sounds Outslug Isotopes, 13-12 - Nashville Sounds
- Greene, Chihuahuas End Memphis Streak - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Canha Leads Z's Past Reno in Series Finale - New Orleans Baby Cakes
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