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PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Grossman, Buchanan Key 8-1 Victory in Memphis

July 20, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Memphis, Tenn. - Robbie Grossman went 5-for-5 and Jake Buchanan tossed six scoreless innings to lead the Oklahoma City RedHawks to an 8-1 win over the Memphis Redbirds before 14,734 at AutoZone Park Saturday night.

Grossman collected four singles and a triple with one RBI and two runs scored. It was the second five-hit game of his career and his first since June 18, 2009 while playing for Low-A West Virginia as a Pittsburgh Pirates farmhand.

It was also the second five-hit game by a RedHawk this season. Jake Elmore went 5-for-6 on April 7, coincidentally also at AutoZone Park.

Buchanan captured his second win with the RedHawks after holding the Redbirds scoreless over six innings. He allowed five hits with five strikeouts.

Buchanan (2-2) uncharacteristically walked four batters in the victory. He had walked 10 batters all season coming into Saturday, and he never had walked more than one batter in a game. Three of the walks were issued to Memphis designated hitter Chad Huffman, who finished with four walks.

The Redbirds (49-52) had a chance to score against Buchanan in the first inning. They loaded the bases with two outs, but Buchanan struck out Tommy Pham to escape trouble.

The RedHawks (53-47) took the lead after a nice two-out rally in the second inning. With nobody on base, Jimmy Paredes and Jon Singleton each singled before Jose Martinez walked to load the bases. Carlos Perez followed with a two-run single to make it 2-0.

Two more runs followed in the third. George Springer collected an RBI groundout, and Marwin Gonzalez added a two-out RBI single to extend the lead to 4-0.

Still down 4-0, Memphis loaded the bases with one out in the fifth inning. Buchanan then coaxed an inning-ending double play off Jamie Romak's bat to maintain the four-run lead.

The RedHawks broke things open with four more runs in the sixth. Grossman laid down a bunt single to plate a run, and on the next play, Memphis shortstop Greg Garcia committed a throwing error to make it 6-0.

Springer added a sac fly, and Brandon Laird finished the scoring with an RBI double to push the lead to 8-0.

The Redbirds were able to avoid the shutout in the seventh, getting on the board with a sac fly by Kolten Wong.

Most of the capacity crowd at AutoZone Park came to watch rehabbing St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter. The RedHawks had no trouble against the former Cy Young Award winner, as Carpenter (0-1) allowed four runs and nine hits over 3.1 innings. He struck out and walked two each.

The RedHawks will have a chance to take three of four from the Redbirds when they finish their series at 6:05 p.m. Sunday evening. Live coverage begins at 5:35 p.m. on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free IHeartRadio mobile app.

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