Hessman Delivers Clutch Hit in 5-3 Win
Published on May 21, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Colorado Springs, Colo. - Mike Hessman delivered a pinch-hit two-run single in the ninth to break a tie and the Oklahoma City RedHawks escaped a jam in the bottom of the ninth to win 5-3 over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (23-21) before 1,609 at Security Service Field Monday night.
Heading into the ninth, the game was tied 3-3. With two on and one out, Jimmy Paredes singled to right, but Brian Bixler was thrown out at the plate by Hernan Iribarren for the second out.
Mike Hessman stepped up next as a pinch-hitter and delivered a two-run single to left field off Zach Putnam (1-2) to put the RedHawks ahead.
Colorado Springs didn't go down quietly in the bottom of the inning. A single, an error, and a wild pitch put the tying runs in scoring position with just one out. Jose Valdez then struck out Brendan Harris for the second out. After Andrew Brown walked to load the bases, Chad Tracy popped out to end the game.
The RedHawks got out to an early 3-0 lead in the third, scoring all three times with two outs. Paredes drove in the first run with a single, and Fernando Martinez brought home two more with a shallow single to left field.
The Sky Sox were able to break through against RedHawks pitcher Wes Musick in the fifth. They recorded four straight hits with one out, including an RBI double by Wil Nieves and an RBI single by D.J. LeMahieu.
Making his Triple-A debut, Musick was undaunted by the promotion and the hitter friendly environment at Security Service Field. He went six strong innings, allowing two runs on six hits. The lefty walked one and struck out two.
Shortly after Musick left the game, the Sky Sox tied the score. Nieves hit a solo homer that just stayed fair down the left field line off Adalberto Flores to make it 3-3.
However, Flores (3-0) would wind up with the win after pitching two innings, and Valdez earned his 10th save of the season.
The RedHawks will seek a third straight win Tuesday night when they face the Sky Sox at 7:05 p.m. central time. Live coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on 1340 AM The Game, 1340thegame.com, or through the free IHeartRadio app on your mobile device.
Video highlights of today's game are available at the PCL FTP site, pacificcoastleague.exavault.com, in the Colorado Springs folder. The proper files will reflect today's date, and are accompanied by a text file containing a brief description of the content available.
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