OKC Redhawks Game Notes August 26th
August 26, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
TONIGHT: The RedHawks open a 5-game series at Principal Park in Des Moines against the Iowa Cubs, beginning the back half of a 10-game trip. OKC is 2-3 on the trip, all vs. Omaha, having lost 1-0 to the Royals last night. The RedHawks remain in second place in the American South Division, 6.5 games back of Albuquerque. Iowa is third in the American North, 3.5 games back of Memphis. Righthander Guillermo Moscoso gets the start for the RedHawks, his second start and third appearance against the Cubs. Righthander Esmailin Caridad, just optioned from Chicago, will make his third start of the year against the RedHawks.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES: A night after a 5-homer game on Monday in a 10-4 win at Omaha, the RedHawks found themselves shut out by Lenny DiNardo and Carlos Rosa of Omaha on 4 singles yesterday in a 1-0 loss at Rosenblatt Stadium. It was the RedHawks' seventh offensive shutout and fourth 1-0 game, with wins May 30 and July 1 in addition to losses April 11 and last night. Omaha has a league-best 17 shutouts, six involving DiNardo, 3 over OKC and 2 against the RedHawks where the only pitchers were DiNardo and Rosa. They also blanked the RedHawks April 24. DiNardo went 8.1 innings, departing with one out and runners at first and third. Rosa popped up Max Ramirez and struck out Travis Metcalf to end the game. Luis Mendoza turned in OKC's sixth complete game, allowing a second-inning homer by J.R. House to produce the only run. Mendoza allowed 6 hits in becoming the second RedHawk to lose a complete game this year. Elizardo Ramirez was the other on July 2 at Iowa.
REGISTERING A 6.5: The RedHawks have had sole possession of second place in the American South since June 23. They're 6.5 games out of first for the second straight day. Albuquerque's magic number to clinch the division is 8.
NOT GETTING A JUMP: The RedHawks have allowed the first run in 3 straight games and 9 of the last 11. OKC is 46-19 when scoring first and 19-46 when allowing a game's first run.
LONG STARTS: Last night's 8-inning complete game by Luis Mendoza was OKC's second straight start lasting 8 innings. In Monday's win, Kris Benson tossed 8 innings before giving way to reliever Josh Rupe for the ninth. OKC's starting pitcher has received a decision in 26 of the past 31 games, with the starters going 12-14 and the relievers 2-3 in that span. For the season, OKC's rotation is 40-49 with a 4.45 ERA, while the bullpen is 25-16 with a 4.26. The team's 4.38 ERA is eighth in the PCL.
HOME RUN ODDITIES: The RedHawks have hit the fewest home runs (71) and allowed the fewest (85) in the PCL. They matched Omaha in homers, 5-5, in the just-concluded series, but all 5 of OKC's came on Monday in establishing a 2009 team best for homers in a game. Travis Metcalf, in his first game back with OKC after spending this year with Omaha, homered in his first 2 ABs, while Kevin Richardson, Royce Huffman and Adam Fox had solo shots. Metcalf and Richardson went back-to-back in the third inning, OKC's first set of consecutive homers since German Duran and Taylor Teagarden accomplished that June 3, 2008. Metcalf matched Richardson's 2-homer night July 16 at Round Rock as the only RedHawks with multi-homer games this season. The barrage surpassed OKC's home run total (4) from the 12 games prior to Monday and the 5 homers represent 7% of the team's total for the season.
HUFFMAN HEATS UP: Royce Huffman has hit safely in 5 straight, currently the team's best hitting streak. Huffman has more doubles (26) than any other RedHawk has extra-base hits, excluding Travis Metcalf's numbers while with Omaha.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 26, 2009
- Isotopes Down Redbirds 6-2 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Z's come from behind to win - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sky Sox Take Down Bees, 6-2 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Series Opener In Texas Suspended Due To Rain - Nashville Sounds
- Early Gate Openings for Sky Sox - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- RedHawks at Iowa postponed Wednesday - Oklahoma City Comets
- Iowa Cubs postponed by rain - Iowa Cubs
- OKC Redhawks Game Notes August 26th - Oklahoma City Comets
- Carson's pair of blasts lead home run barrage - Portland Beavers
- Sounds Take Finale From 'Topes, 4-1 - Nashville Sounds
- Sounds silence Isotopes - Albuquerque Isotopes
- 'Topes to hit 4-million fan milestone tomorrow - Albuquerque Isotopes
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