PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

OKC RedHawks Game Notes

April 24, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


TONIGHT:

The Oklahoma City RedHawks will try for a winning record in this series and homestand as they wrap up a four-game set with Omaha. The RedHawks held on for a 5-4 win last night to take a 2-1 series lead. OKC is 4-3 on its first 2009 homestand, having split with Memphis previously. The teams switch venues tomorrow and begin a four-game series at Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium before the first league-wide off day of the season on Wednesday and the next homestand opener on Thursday. Righthander Jared Hyatt will make his 2009 RedHawks debut tonight, as he assumes the rotation spot formerly belonging to Luis Mendoza. Omaha lefty Lenny DiNardo, replacing the recalled Brian Bannister, gets the start for the Royals. OKC is trying to get over. 500 for the first time this year and build its first three-game winning streak. The RedHawks own a half-game lead over New Orleans in the American South. Omaha is fourth, 2 games back of Iowa in the American North.

LAST NIGHT:

German Duran hit OKC's first 3-run homer of the year in the fifth inning to give the RedHawks a 3-2 lead and spur a 5-4 win at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Michael Ballard (1-1) made his first start of the year a winner by tossing 6 innings and allowing 2 runs on 7 hits. Omaha starter Bruce Chen (0-1) allowed all 5 runs in the fifth and sixth innings for the loss. Pedro Strop retired Omaha's final 4 batters for his first Triple-A save. Omaha out-hit OKC 10-9, marking the second straight RedHawks' win when they were out-hit. The RedHawks began the season 0-6 when out-hit. It was also the second straight OKC win when allowing the first run, after not having a come-from-behind win prior to Wednesday.

HOME BY 11:

After back-to-back grueling games that offered game times of 3:41 and 3:55 (in 11 innings), the teams finished in a relatively rapid 2:31 last night. The first 2 games combined lasted 7 hours, 36 minutes with a combined 782 pitches, 401 on Tuesday and 381 Wednesday.

MORE MOVES:

OKC activated outfielder Ben Harrison today from the DL and placed outfielder Brandon Boggs on the Bereavement List. Harrison had been sidelined since April 16 with a spasm in his right hamstring sustained in Nashville while running the bases. Yesterday, Luis Mendoza was recalled by Texas to fortify their bullpen; Texas traded OKC lefthander Kason Gabbard to Boston for cash considerations (Gabbard was assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket); reliever Bryan Corey was transferred to OKC from extended spring and RHP Jared Hyatt was promoted from Double-A Frisco.

HUFFMAN LENGTHENS STREAK:

RedHawks infielder Royce Huffman has hit safely in 6 straight, all during this homestand. During the streak, Huffman is 9-for-23 with 1 home run, 3 doubles, 7 RBIs and 4 walks. He shares the team's longest hitting streak of the year with Greg Golson. Huffman has reached base in 8 straight.

GOLSON STAYS HOT:

Outfielder Greg Golson has hit safely in 6 straight, matching Royce Huffman for the team's longest hitting streak of the year. During his current stretch, Golson is 8-for-21 with 1 home run, 5 RBIs and 2 walks. Golson leads the club with 9 RBIs.

LONG START REAPS REWARD:

So far this season, the RedHawks haven't benefitted from long or quality starts. Until Ballard's 6-inning, quality start win last night, they were 0-4 when a starter went 6 innings or more, losing all 3 of Doug Mathis' 6-inning starts and Elizardo Ramirez's 7-inning effort. All were quality starts, by definition 6 innings or more pitched and 3 runs or fewer allowed.

DOT...DOT...DOT:

Last night's 2 homers by Omaha were the first against OKC this homestand...OKC's staff is second in ERA (3.52) behind Portland (2.81). The RedHawks have allowed the third-fewest runs (61) and home runs (6) and second-fewest earned runs (49) in the PCL.

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

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, 7.43 FOX AM 1340

Monday April 27 @ Omaha RH Elizardo Ramirez 0-2, 4.11 RH Brandon Duckworth 0-1, 9.53 FOX AM 1340

Tuesday April 28 @ Omaha LH Michael Ballard 1-1, 3.09 LH Bruce Chen 0-1, 5.06 FOX AM 1340

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 24, 2009


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