OKC RedHawks Game Notes
Published on May 5, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
TONIGHT:
Game 2 of this 4-game series at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark features OKC lefthander Michael Ballard making his third start and seventh appearance of the year against knuckleballing righthander Charlie Haeger as the RedHawks face the Albuquerque Isotopes (L.A. Dodgers). The RedHawks have never faced Haeger, who until this year had spent the bulk of his career in the Chicago White Sox organization. Ballard made one start against Albuquerque last year when the Isotopes were the Florida Marlins' Triple-A affiliate and one start against Las Vegas, the Dodgers' 2008 PCL club. Ballard took a loss July 30 at The Brick against Las Vegas, allowing 5 runs on 12 hits in 6.2 innings. Five current Isotopes were in the lineup that night (see below for stats): Jason Repko, Chin-Lung Hu, Blake DeWitt, Mitch Jones and Luis Maza. OKC and Round Rock entered today's play tied atop the American South Division, a half-game ahead of Albuquerque and New Orleans.
5-RUN EIGHTH SENDS OKC TO VICTORY:
The RedHawks overcame a 1-0 deficit in yesterday's eighth inning to score 5 runs off Isotopes reliever Brian Mazone in a 5-1 win in the series opener. It marked the Isotopes' first loss in a series opener (6-1) and improved OKC's mark in such games to 2-5. Mazone (0-1) allowed a bloop single by Julio Borbon, a bunt single by Joaquin Arias, an Esteban German walk and a 2-run, broken-bat single by Royce Huffman to fall behind 2-1 and sustain a blown save, the second straight game OKC has pinned a blown save on an opposing reliever. Mazone walked Brandon Boggs before giving way to Henry Bonilla, who gave up a 2-run single to pinch hitter Max Ramirez in his first at bat since returning to the RedHawks from Texas to make it 4-1. Ben Harrison's fielder's choice grounder scored a run to conclude the scoring. Brian Gordon (1-0) tossed the final 1.2 innings for the win as the RedHawks snapped a 3-game skid
QUALITY START FOR ELIZARDO:
OKC righthander Elizardo Ramirez went 6.1 innings in a no decision yesterday, allowing just 1 run for a quality start. It was the RedHawks' 7th quality start in 23 games. Ramirez has 2, Michael Ballard one and Doug Mathis has 4.
BALLARD VS. âTOPES: Five Isotopes faced Michael Ballard last year.
Jason Repko: 2-for-4, triple, RBI; Chin-Lung Hu: 1-for-4;
Blake DeWitt: 1-for-3, HBP; Mitch Jones: 0-for-4;
Luis Maza: 1-for-3, K
29 AND COUNTING:
With Max Ramirez optioned to OKC by Texas yesterday and outfielder Greg Golson recalled, the RedHawks have had 29 roster moves in slightly less than a month of the season. The first four days of May saw 10 moves.
SETTLING IN:
OKC's average game time in 2009 is 2 hours, 56 minutes. Yesterday's clocking of 2:43 shaved one minute off the previous day's average. Home games have had a penchant for being leisurely, as the four longest games have been at The Brick: 3:55 on April 22 (11 innings), 3:53 on April 30 (10 innings), 3:47 on May 3 (10 innings) and 3:41 on April 21 (9 innings).
DOT...DOT...DOT:
OKC has gone 9 games without hitting a home run. The RedHawks' last homer was a 3-run shot by German Duran on April 23 against Omaha at The Brick...OKC's 10 homers are the fewest in the league...RedHawks pitching has allowed the second-fewest homers in the league (12)...only Memphis (7) has allowed fewer...Duran is currently day-to-day with a high ankle sprain sustained on Saturday....Brandon Boggs extended his hitting streak to 6 games yesterday, joining previous streaks by Greg Golson and Royce Huffman as the team's longest this season.
BACK TO THE DUKE CITY:
Like previous opponent New Orleans, Albuquerque changed parent clubs in the off season, switching from Florida to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Albuquerque/Calgary franchise had been affiliated with the Marlins since 1999. Albuquerque has a long history with the Dodgers, as the Albuquerque Dukes, which moved to Portland in 2001, were the Dodgers' PCL affiliate from 1972-2000.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 5, 2009
- Sounds Win Second Straight Against I-Cubs, 8-6 - Nashville Sounds
- Sounds top Cubs, 8-6 - Iowa Cubs
- E-Train News Update - Round Rock Express
- Home Loss Ties Zephyrs Record - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- OKC RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Orbit To Ride The Rails With New Mexico Rail Runner - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Orbit And 'Topes Host Toy Drive As Part Of Next Homestand - Albuquerque Isotopes
- River Cats Down Aces 5-3 In Opener - Reno Aces
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