PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

OKC RedHawks Game Notes

Published on April 23, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


TONIGHT:

Lefthanders Michael Ballard and Bruce Chen are the pitching matchup for the RedHawks and Royals, respectively, in the third game of this four-game series. The OKC portion of 8 straight games between the teams sits at 1-1 after the RedHawks' 7-6 win in 11 innings last night. Ballard makes his first start of the year after 4 relief outings. Chen, briefly a RedHawk in 2007, will make start No. 3 for the Royals. The RedHawks are 3-3 on the current homestand, which ends tomorrow. OKC leads the American South Division by a half-game over Albuquerque and New Orleans, both 6-8. Omaha is tied with Nashville for third in the American North, one game back of Iowa.

LAST NIGHT:

Royce Huffman belted 2 doubles, drove in 4 runs and brought home the winning run on a bases-loaded walk in the 11th inning to send Oklahoma City to a 7-6 win over Omaha in game 2 of the series. Huffman's 4 RBIs were a season high by a RedHawk. The teams traded leads throughout and each had a blown save, as Omaha tied the score 5-5 with a 3-run sixth inning and the RedHawks tied it 6-6 in the eighth. Roman Colon (1-1), who pitched the final 3.2 innings for Omaha, took the loss while Beau Vaughan (2-0) tossed the final 2 innings for the win.

SEVERAL FIRSTS:

Last night was OKC's first win of the season in a one-run game (1-3). It was also the RedHawks' first win when allowing the first run or when trailing at any point. They are now 1-6 when the opponent scores first. The RedHawks were out-hit 12-11, marking their first win when the opposition had more hits. It was also the RedHawks' first extra-inning and walkoff wins. OKC's only previous extra-inning game was the season opener, April 9 at Memphis, when a bases-loaded walk also ended the game, but in Memphis' favor.

A SPORT WITH NO CLOCK:

Omaha and Oklahoma City have taken advantage of baseball's untimed nature this series. Tuesday's contest, featuring a combined 15 walks and 24 runs, lasted 3:41, a RedHawks' high for a 9-inning game this year. Last night, boasting 13 walks and 11 innings, stretched 3:55. The teams have played 7 hours, 36 minutes of baseball in 2 games and the teams' pitchers have combined to throw 782 pitches, 401 on Tuesday and 381 last night.

MENDOZA UP, GABBARD TRADED, COREY AND HYATT HERE:

Thursday featured a number of RedHawks-related player moves. Luis Mendoza (2-0, 0.00) was recalled by Texas and is slated to join their bullpen. Texas traded OKC lefthander Kason Gabbard to Boston for cash considerations. Gabbard returns to his original organization and has been assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket. Reliever Bryan Corey has been transferred to OKC from extended spring and RHP Jared Hyatt has been promoted from Double-A Frisco and will start in Mendoza's spot tomorrow.

HUFFMAN'S HOT STREAK:

RedHawks infielder Royce Huffman has hit safely in 5 straight, all during this homestand. During the streak, Huffman is 8-for-19 with 1 home run, 2 doubles, 7 RBIs and 4 walks. He shares the team lead in RBIs (8) with Greg Golson, Julio Borbon and Brandon Boggs.

GOLSON AT 5:

Outfielder Greg Golson has hit safely in 5 straight, matching Royce Huffman and Julio Borbon for the team's longest hitting streak of the year. During his current stretch, Golson is 6-for-18 with 1 home run, 4 RBIs and 2 walks.

BORBON TOPS THE LINEUP: Center fielder Julio Borbon leads the team with 7 multi-hit games a

nd has hit safely in 11 of 13. The 2007 supplemental first-round pick has served as the team's only leadoff hitter so far this season.

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.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 23, 2009


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