PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

OKC RedHawks Game Notes

Published on April 22, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


TONIGHT: The Oklahoma City RedHawks look to snap a two-game losing streak as they again host the Omaha Royals at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The Royals took game one of the series last night 15-9. The teams will play a four-game set here and immediately roll into another four-gamer starting Saturday in Omaha. OKC righthander Elizardo Ramirez makes his third start of the year, taking on against Omaha's Brandon Duckworth. Ramirez had OKC's longest start of the year, 7 innings, on April 11, and matched its shortest start of the year, 3 innings, on April 17 (not counted is a 2-inning bullpen start prior to a rain delay by Thomas Diamond on Saturday). This is OKC's second 2-game losing streak of the year. The RedHawks entered today second in the American South Division, a half-game back of Albuquerque.

OFFENSE THE ORDER OF THE DAY: Omaha had a pair of 4-run innings, drew 10 walks and chased the RedHawks' Neftali Feliz after 3 innings in last night's 15-9 win. The Royals jumped out to a 4-0, first-inning lead against Feliz, who threw 75 pitches in 3 innings in a no decision. OKC got Feliz off the hook by tying the score 5-5 in the third. Omaha responded by scoring four in the fourth off lefty Kason Gabbard (0-1) who was charged with 6 runs on 3 hits in one inning-plus for the loss. With Omaha leading 9-6 and two RedHawks on base in the bottom of the fourth, reliever Greg Atencio (1-0) entered the game and fanned German Duran and Kevin Richardson to quell the threat. Atencio worked 3 innings for the win. Cory Aldridge paced an 18-hit Omaha offense by going 4-for-6 with 5 RBIs.

HIGHS/LOWS: Omaha's 15 runs and 18 hits were the most allowed by the RedHawks this season. The previous highs allowed were 7 runs and 10 hits April 15 at Nashville. OKC's staff walked a season-high 10 Royals, the second-most allowed in the PCL in a single game this season. Sacramento issued 12 free passes to Portland on April 15 in an 11-1 Beavers win. The 3:41 time of game was the longest for the RedHawks this season, obliterating the previous high of 3:13.

ERA TROUBLES: The RedHawks' team ERA went from 2.52 to 3.59 with the 15 earned runs last night, dropping them from first to third in the PCL. The starters' ERA lifted from 2.53 to 3.20 and the bullpen's rose from 2.51 to 4.04.

NINE RUNS FOR NAUGHT: Last night's 9 runs were by far the most scored by OKC in a loss this season. The previous high was 3 in a pair of 4-3 defeats. The RedHawks have amassed 47 runs in their 5 wins this season, and average of 9.4 runs per win, skewed by 12- and 17-run outputs in Nashville. Even with last night, OKC has compiled just 19 runs in its 7 losses, an average of 2.71 scored per loss.

RICHARDSON ON A TEAR: OKC catcher Kevin Richardson arrived from extended spring on Friday and in 3 games has become the RedHawks' leading home run hitter with 2. Richardson is tied for second on the team in runs scored with 7. Richardson went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and 3 runs scored last night.

KA'AIHUE PASSES BOGGS FOR WALK LEAD: Omaha's Kila Ka'aihue drew three walks yesterday to take a 15-12 lead over RedHawks outfielder Brandon Boggs atop all PCL hitters. Boggs singled and drove in 2 runs to keep his 12-game on-base streak alive.

BORBON SETTING THE TABLE: Center fielder Julio Borbon leads the team with 6 multi-hit games. The 2007 supplemental first-round pick has 6 two-hit contests and three multi-RBI games (tied for the team lead with Brandon Boggs). Borbon has hit safely in 10 of 12 games this year and has served as the team's only leadoff hitter.

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 PROBABLES:

Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio

Thursday April 23 Omaha LH Michael Ballard 0-0, 3.86 LH Bruce Chen 0-0, 3.60 FOX AM 1340

Friday April 24 Omaha RH Luis Mendoza 2-0, 0.00 LH Lenny DiNardo 0-0, 4.50 KTOK AM 1000

Saturday April 25 @ Omaha RH Doug Mathis 0-1, 2.50 RH Luke Hochevar 3-0, 1.89 KTOK AM 1000 Sunday April 26 @ Omaha RH Neftali Feliz 1-0, 5.25 LH Heath Phillips 1-1, 6.75 FOX AM 1340

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 22, 2009


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