PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Oklahoma April 6 Game Notes

Published on April 6, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


April 6, 2005 - Memphis Redbirds at Oklahoma RedHawks - Pacific Coast League

HEADLINES: RedHawks open the season at home; Tim Ireland debuts at RedHawks manager; Rob Tejeda starts for Oklahoma

TODAY'S OPPONENT: The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They have been a member of the Pacific Coast League since 1998. Last year, Memphis finished third in the PCL's American North division with a 71-72 record.

TODAY'S GAME: The RedHawks begin the 2006 season at home against Memphis.

OPENERS: The RedHawks are 3-5 on Opening Day since joining the PCL in 1998. Last year the RedHawks were shut out by Memphis 1-0 at AutoZone Park. This is the first time Oklahoma has opened the season at home since 2003 when they lost to Colorado Springs 9-7. The RedHawks are 1-3 when Opening Day is at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The RedHawks are also 3-5 in home openers. Last season, Jason Botts' walk-off home run in the 11th inning gave them a 5-4 win over Memphis in the home opener.

VS. MEMPHIS: Last year the RedHawks were 11-5 against Memphis and 7-1 against them at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The RedHawks hit .285 against Redbird pitching in 2005 and hit 20 home runs that helped them outscore the Redbirds 93-54. RedHawks pitchers had a 3.14 ERA against Memphis.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Starting pitcher Rob Tejeda is new to the Texas organization. Tejeda was traded by Philadelphia along with outfielder Jake Blalock to Texas April 1 for outfielder David Dellucci. Tejeda pitched in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic before joining the Phillies for spring training. He was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA (1 ER/1.1 IP) in two outings for the Dominican, giving up one hit, striking out one and walking three. Anthony Reyes starts for Memphis . He was 0-3 with a 5.75 ERA (13 ER/20.1 IP) in four starts against the RedHawks in 2005. He gave up five home runs to RedHawks batters, more than any other Memphis pitcher. Reyes finished third in the PCL with 136 strikeouts in 2005.

LOCAL TIES: Two RedHawks have ties to Oklahoma . Infielder Jace Brewer played at Washington High School , southwest of Oklahoma City and lives in Norman. Pitcher Chris Baker played college baseball at Oklahoma City University.

TIM IRELAND: The RedHawks have a new manager for 2006. Tim Ireland joins Oklahoma after spending last season as the Rangers' minor league baseball baserunning and bunting coordinator. He last managed in 2004 with Texas' Double-A affiliate in Frisco. He led the Rangers' Texas League entry to the finals all three years he managed there, culminating in a league championship in 2004.

JASON BOTTS: Outfielder and first baseman Jason Botts returns to the RedHawks after a successful 2005. Botts hit 25 homers and drove in 102 RBIs to lead all Rangers minor leaguers in both categories. His 102 RBIs were good enough for third in the PCL. He set the RedHawks club record for RBIs and had the sixth most RBIs in Oklahoma City Triple-A history.

EDINSON VOLQUEZ: The Rangers' No. 1 prospect according to Baseball America, Edinson Volquez, is on the RedHawks' roster to start the 2006 season. Volquez is scheduled to make his first Triple-A start Saturday against Memphis. Volquez pitched in the Texas League All-Star Game and the MLB Futures Game before being called up by Texas on Aug. 30. He made six appearances, three starts, with Texas, going 0-4 with a 14.21 ERA (20 ER/12.2 IP).

ATTENDANCE: The RedHawks set Oklahoma City Triple-A records for total and average attendance in 2005. They drew 542,008 fans for 70 home openings, an average of 7,742. They averaged 6,678 fans in 2004 and 7,221 fans in 1998, the previous record set the first year of AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.

DOT-DOT-DOTS: Shortstop Joaquin Arias is the youngest player on Oklahoma 's opening-day roster at 21 (b. 9/21/84). Pitcher Ron Mahay is the oldest at 34 (b. 6/28/71) ... There are nine RedHawks on the opening-day roster that played for Oklahoma in 2005.

PITCHING PROBABLES

Date Opponent RedHawks pitcher vs. Opposing pitcher

TODAY Memphis RH Rob Tejeda (NR) vs. RH Anthony Reyes (NR)

Fri., April 7 Memphis LH John Rheinecker (NR) vs. RH John Webb (NR)

Sat., April 8 Memphis RH Edinson Volquez (NR) vs. LH Randy Leek (NR)

Sun., April 9 Memphis RH Rick Bauer (NR) vs. RH Dennis Tankersley (NR)

Mon., April 10 Nashville RH Jon Leicester (NR) vs. TBA

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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