'Hawks Beat Express
June 26, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
he Oklahoma City RedHawks beat the Round Rock Express 2-1 Friday night at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark to complete a four game sweep. Elizardo Ramirez allowed one run on four hits while striking out eight as the RedHawks extended their season-high winning streak to six straight.
Oklahoma City took the lead against Round Rock starter Bud Norris in the fourth inning. Joaquin Arias walked to start the inning and then scored on a triple by Esteban German. Norris (3-5) entered play as the Pacific Coast League's earned run average and strikeout leader, and added six strikeouts to his totals while seeing his ERA rise from 2.11 to 2.17.
The RedHawks extended the lead in the fifth inning when Steve Murphy walked and later scored on a base hit by Arias. Oklahoma City wound up leaving the bases loaded in the fifth.
Ramirez (4-6) gave way to the bullpen in the seventh. Orlando Hernandez made his second relief outing of the series and season for the RedHawks, and struck out the first two batters he faced for the second straight game. In Wednesday's Oklahoma City win, Hernandez retired Reggie Abercrombie and Tommy Manzella on strikes. Friday evening, the order was batting order was reversed, with Manzella striking out before Hernandez got Abercrombie swinging.
A.J. Murray allowed a leadoff double to Yordanny Ramirez in the eighth, and Ramirez advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Geoff Blum, with Round Rock on a Major League rehab assignment, lined out to right field and Greg Golson's throw beat the tagging Ramirez to the play for an inning-ending double play.
In the ninth, the Express put the tying run on base against Clayton Hamilton, but the right-hander retired the next three batters to end the game for his second career Triple-A save.
Arias and Murphy had two-hit games to lead the RedHawks, while Brian Bogusevic had two of the Express' six base hits.
Five of the six games during Oklahoma City's winning streak have been won by one run, including three of the four wins during the sweep of Round Rock. The RedHawks are one win shy of matching their season-long winning streak during the 2008 American Conference Championship campaign; a seven-game streak from April 7 through 13 against Nashville and Albuquerque. Prior to the seven game streak in 2008, Oklahoma City hadn't won seven straight since late May into early June 2005 (May 28-June 3), the same year they also had a nine game winning streak and a 13 game losing streak.
Oklahoma City embarks on a seven game roundtrip starting Saturday at Nashville. The RedHawks took three out of four from the Sounds last weekend, with each win coming in walk-off fashion. Bryan Corey will get the start for Oklahoma City against Nashville's Chase Wright.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 26, 2009
- 'Topes Silence Sounds - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Portland Explodes for 10 Runs in Game One Before Game Two Shutout - Portland Beavers
- Isotopes Shutout Sounds 2-0 in Series Finale - Nashville Sounds
- Aces Swept by Beavers - Reno Aces
- 'Hawks Beat Express - Oklahoma City Comets
- Z's Fall in Iowa - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Cubs Take the Series From Z's - Iowa Cubs
- MacLane Earns Win with Strong Outing - Memphis Redbirds
- Mayor Bobble Head Showdown - Reno Aces
- Triple-A-Baseball Announces Criket Wireless Triple-A All-Star Game Umpires - Portland Beavers
- Express at RedHawks Tonight - Oklahoma City Comets
- Seanez Returns from Disabled List - Salt Lake Bees
- Michael Jackson Tribute on June 27th - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Grizzlies Announce Free Ice Cream, Kid-a-Palooza - Fresno Grizzlies
- 11-Year Olds Get in Free June 29 at Rosenblatt - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Whitesell Powers Aces Past Beavers, 8-6 - Portland Beavers
- Whitesell Powers Aces To 6th-Straight Win - Reno Aces
- Albuquerque Prevails In Rain-Shortened 4-0 Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
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