RedHawks Game Notes: July 21, 2013
July 21, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Baseball Club News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks (53-47) vs. Memphis Redbirds (49-52)
Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Game #101 of 144/Road #53 of 71 (27-25)
Pitching Probables: OKC-LHP Wade LeBlanc (0-1, 8.36) vs. MEM-RHP Boone Whiting (4-4, 4.77)
Sunday, July 21, 2013 | AutoZone Park | Memphis, Tenn. | 6:05 p.m. CT
Radio: KGHM AM-1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio - Alex Freedman
Today's Game: The RedHawks and Redbirds finish their four-game series at 6:05 p.m. at AutoZone Park. Oklahoma City leads the series, 2-1, and is searching for back-to-back wins for the first time since victories on July 6 in New Orleans and July 8 in Round Rock.
Last Game: Outfielder Robbie Grossman went 5-for-5 and pitcher Jake Buchanan threw six scoreless innings as the RedHawks beat Memphis, 8-1, Saturday. Buchanan (2-2) picked up his second win with OKC, allowing five hits with four walks and five strikeouts over six innings. The RedHawks took the lead in the second inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Carlos Perez connected on a two-run single. A RBI groundout by George Springer and two-out RBI single from Marwin Gonzalez put OKC in front, 4-0, in the third. The RedHawks added four runs in the sixth inning. A sac fly by Kolten Wong ended the shutout in the seventh inning. Making a rehab start, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter allowed four runs and nine hits over 3.1 innings. The former Cy Young Award winner struck out two and walked two in the loss.
Today's Probable Pitcher: Wade LeBlanc will make his fourth start and sixth appearance with the RedHawks tonight, searching for his first win with OKC...LeBlanc pitched last Sunday against New Orleans in Bricktown. He allowed three runs, nine hits and struck out five over six innings in a no decision. It was his first quality start since April 9 while pitching for the Miami Marlins in a game against the Atlanta Braves...Over his last two starts, opponents are batting .455, but he has not allowed a walk...LeBlanc began the season in Miami's starting rotation and made 13 overall appearances with the Marlins, going 1-5 with a 5.18 ERA. He was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by Houston June 8. After making three relief appearances for the Astros, he was designated for assignment again. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the RedHawks on June 28...LeBlanc has had a lot of success against the Redbrids over his career, going 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in five starts. He last started against the Redbirds June 26, 2012 while he was with New Orleans. He allowed two runs on nine hits in 7.0 IP to earn the victory.
Against the Redbirds: 2013: 6-5 2012: 8-8 All-time: 131-120 In MEM: 53-76
The RedHawks have won five games this season at AutoZone Park, two more than the past two seasons combined (2012 - 2; 2011 - 1). Regardless of tonight's result, they will finish with a winning record in Memphis...In each of their previous two series this season, the road team has won three of four games...The RedHawks took a 65-62 scoring advantage through 11 meetings this season with Saturday's win...Oklahoma City is batting .316 against the Redbirds, while Memphis is hitting .283 against the RedHawks...Brandon Laird has a team-leading 19 hits and 13 RBI. He is hitting .413 with two homers...After his big night yesterday, Robbie Grossman is hitting .378 with a .500 on-base percentage and 11 runs scored over 10 games.
Series Stakes: The RedHawks have a chance tonight to win a series for the fifth time in their last six series overall. It would also give them a fourth-straight winning road series.
Give Him a High Five: Outfielder Robbie Grossman collected the second five-hit game of his career Saturday and his first since June 18, 2009 while playing for Low-A West Virginia in the Pittsburgh Pirates system (5x6, 3B, 2B, 5 RBI). The outburst raised his season average from .251 to .268 and he is now batting .377 in July after a .167 mark in June. Grossman also recorded the second five-hit game by a RedHawk this season. Jake Elmore went 5-for-6 April 7, also at AutoZone Park in Memphis.
Springer Uncoiled: Although George Springer did not record a hit Saturday, he still managed to drive in two runs. Springer has hit safely in 17 of his last 19 games, batting .403 (25x62) with eight home runs and 21 RBI. Since June 28, he leads the PCL in all three major offensive categories. He is also second overall in the Minors with 27 homers this season, trailing only Ryan Rua of Low-A Hickory, who has 28. Springer has also swiped 28 bases and is in striking distance of becoming the first player in the Minors to go 30/30 since Grant Desme in 2009.
The Laird Up There: Brandon Laird has hit safely in each of his last six games, going 8-for-23 (.345) with four extra-base hits and five RBIs. He paces the team with 46 RBI and 24 doubles, is tied for the team lead with 11 home runs and second with 45 runs.
Inside the Park: The RedHawks pitching staff has not allowed a homer in three straight games, but they have yet to hold the opposition homer-less in four straight this season. In seven games in Memphis, the RedHawks have allowed just one home run. The 80 dingers they've surrendered this season are tied for second-least in the PCL.
A Fine Ol' Chap: Kevin Chapman has not been scored upon in nine of his last 11 appearances and has posted a 1.35 ERA (2 ER/13.1 IP) with 16 strikeouts during that time. He leads all OKC relievers with 47 K's.
A Healthy Inheritance: RedHawks relievers have allowed only four the last 24 inherited runners to score, including none of the last 13. The RedHawks have allowed only 35 percent of inherited runners to score throughout the season.
Double Down: The RedHawks turned three double plays Saturday, one shy of their season high. Their 102 double plays this season is tied for third-most in the Pacific Coast League. Albuquerque leads the league with 114.
Breathing Room: Four of the RedHawks' last five wins have each been by at least five runs. Their smallest margin of victory in those five wins is three runs.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER OPP. PITCHER
Monday, July 21 7:05 p.m. @ Omaha LHP Brett Oberholtzer (5-6, 4.60) LHP Danny Duffy (2-0, 5.06)
Tuesday, July 22 4:05 p.m.* @ Omaha RHP Asher Wojciechowski (5-4, 2.95) LHP Everett Teaford (3-2, 2.88)
Game 2 @ Omaha TBA RHP Brian Sanches (6-2, 3.68)
Wednesday, July 23 12:05 p.m. @ Omaha RHP Brad Peacock (6-2, 2.59) LHP Justin Marks (4-10, 5.72)
*Completion of game suspended on June 8. OKC trails 1-0 in the 1st inning.
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