OKC RedHawks Game Notes 5-3-09
Published on May 3, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
TODAY: The RedHawks send newly-turned 21-year-old Neftali Feliz to the mound in the series finale against the New Orleans Zephyrs. OKC needs a win today to earn its fourth series split of the season, as the Zephyrs have won the last 2 games after the RedHawks' 8-7, extra-inning win on Thursday. Feliz turned 21 yesterday. The Rangers' No. 1 prospect makes his fifth Triple-A start this afternoon. Owasso, Okla. native Dallas Trahern gets the call for the Zephyrs. Despite losing their last 2, the RedHawks remain second in the American South Division, a half-game back of Albuquerque. New Orleans is only a half-game back of OKC and 1 game out of first.
ZEPHYRS LEAD WIRE-TO-WIRE IN SATURDAY WIN: New Orleans opened a sizable early lead for the second straight game last night in a 5-2 win in game 3 of the series. For the second straight game the Zephyrs compiled 13 hits. They built a 3-0 lead in the first inning against starter Doug Mathis (1-2) with the help of a 2-run homer by Michael Ryan. On Friday, New Orleans opened a 6-0 lead in the second inning en route to an 11-2 win. OKC closed to within a run at 3-2 in the third inning, but New Orleans closed the scoring wih single runs in the fourth and eighth innings. Starter Daniel Barone (2-2) went 5 innings for the win with Brian Sanches earning his second save.
VALLEJO PROMOTED FROM FRISCO: Infielder Jose Vallejo was promoted from Class AA Frisco today. The winner of the Rangers' inaugural Minor League Defender of the Year award in 2008, Vallejo is in Triple-A for the first time. The switch-hitting 22-year-old was batting .289 with 10 RBIs in 20 games for Frisco, 19 at second base and 1 as DH.
BANNISTER DEBUTS: Right-handed reliever John Bannister made his Triple-A debut in last night's ninth inning. The Tucson native, like Vallejo a member of Texas' 40-man roster, allowed a pair of 2-out singles but no runs. Bannister was promoted from Frisco along with starter Tommy Hunter prior to yesterday's game.
YOUNG CLUB: The RedHawks' pitching staff currently has only 2 players age 30 or over: Brian Gordon (30) and Bryan Corey (35). The rotation (Feliz, 21; Hunter, 22; Mathis, 25; Ballard, 25; Ramirez, 26) averages 23.8 years of age. Seven different RedHawks have made their debuts above Double-A already this season: Neftali Feliz, John Bannister, Julio Borbon, Thomas Diamond, Derek Holland, Pedro Strop and Jose Vallejo. Another player, Greg Golson, made his Triple-A debut this year after seeing time with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. All of last season, 18 RedHawks made their Triple-A debuts.
THREE GAMES DOWN: Last night's loss dipped the RedHawks to 3 games below .500 for the first time this year. OKC has not been above .500, but as led the division or been within a half-game of first every day since April 17.
NEW PARENT FOR THE ZEPHYRS: After 2 seasons in the New York Mets' organization, the New Orleans Zephyrs signed with the Florida Marlins in the off-season. Florida was previously affiliated with the Albuquerque Isotopes. New Orleans has been affiliated in its history with Milwaukee (1993-96), Houston (1997-2004), Washington (2005-06), the Mets (2007-08) and Florida.
DOT...DOT...DOT: Reliever Beau Vaughan extended his season-long scoreless streak to 14.1 innings with a pair of scoreless innings Friday...Vaughan has allowed 5 hits with 16 strikeouts...The RedHawks have committed the second-most errors this season, 27, ahead of only Las Vegas' league-leading total of 29. OKC has made at least one error in 18 of 21 games.
ON THE AIR: KTOK AM 1000 is the RedHawks' new flagship radio station, airing nearly 100 games. Day games will primarily air on sister station Fox Sports Radio 1340 AM. Between the two outlets all 144 games will be broadcast live. Affiliates around Oklahoma will again offer fans outside the OKC metro area the chance to listen to the RedHawks.
UPCOMING PROBBALES:
Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio
Monday May 4 Albuquerque RH Elizardo Ramirez 0-3, 3.98 RH Giancarlo Alvarado 1-2, 3.44 FOX AM 1340
Tuesday May 5 Albuquerque LH Michael Ballard 1-1, 3.78 RH Charlie Haeger 2-2, 5.76 KTOK AM 1000
Wed. May 6 Albuquerque RH Tommy Hunter NR LH Eric Milton 2-2, 3.67 FOX AM 1340
Thursday May 7 Albuquerque RH Doug Mathis 1-2, 2.90 RH Miguel Pinango 1-3, 7.33 KTOK AM 1000
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 3, 2009
- RedHawks fall in extras - Oklahoma City Comets
- Z's win 3rd in row - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Express hold off Isotopes 6-4 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Reno edged by Portland in finale - Reno Aces
- Fresno Tops Rainiers - Tacoma Rainiers
- River Cats Sweep Sox in Doubleheader - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Redbirds, Cubs rained out again - Memphis Redbirds
- Sounds-Royals Finale Postponed - Nashville Sounds
- OKC RedHawks Game Notes 5-3-09 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Royals Fans Asked to Work a Miracle - Omaha Storm Chasers
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