PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes

Published on July 20, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Memphis Redbirds (55-45) at Oklahoma RedHawks (57-44)

Game 102 | July 20, 2008 | AT&T Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, OK

Radio: Fox Sports Radio AM 1340, RedHawks Radio Network | Jim Byers & Adam Marco

TODAY'S MATCHUP

RH Anthony Reyes 2-2, 2.83) vs. LH Michael Ballard (No Record)

Reyes: Allowed 1 R on 5 H over 6.0 IP with 7 K & 1 BB in 7/12 win vs. OMA (3-2 MEM)

Ballard: Making his Triple-A debut after 17 appearances for Frisco in Double-A (8-3, 4.02)

LAST GAME: Oklahoma had ten extra base hits, including three home runs by Nelson Cruz, in their 9-5 win over Memphis Saturday night. The RedHawks added a season-high seven doubles to back Brian Gordon to his third straight win as a starting pitcher. Cruz drove in five runs to lead Oklahoma, while Joaquin Arias brought home three. Travis Metcalf, Kevin Richardson, and Chris Shelton had two hits each as the RedHawks evened the four-game series with the Redbirds at one win apiece.

BRICKTOWN BEHEMOTH: Nelson Cruz had the RedHawks first three home run game of the season last night and the third ever in club history. Adrian Gonzalez hit three home runs at Albuquerque on April 4, 2005, and Victor Diaz matched the feat at Isotopes Park on September 1, 2007. It was the sixth three-homer game in the PCL this season, matching Nashville's Russell Branyan (May 16), Las Vegas' John Lindsey (May 17), Albuquerque's Dallas McPherson (May 19), Tucson's Jamie D'Antona (July 4), and Iowa's Jason Dubois (July 9). It also marked the first time in Redbirds history that any player hit three home runs against Memphis.

REDHAWK HOME RUN KING: With his final home run last night, Nelson Cruz became the RedHawks all-time, single season home run leader. Scott Sheldon hit 29 home runs in 1998 and held the top spot until last night. Cruz's 30 home runs matches the fifth-most tally in Oklahoma City Triple-A history, tying Roger Freed (1973) Steve Balboni (1990). Dave Roberts is the all-time Triple-A leader after hitting 38 in 1968.

BALLARD TAKES THE BALL: Left-hander Michael Ballard will make his Triple-A debut tonight. Texas promoted the 24 year-old on Friday. Ballard was drafted out of the University of Virginia in 2006 and had pitched for Spokane, Clinton, and Bakersfield prior to the 2008 season. The southpaw began this season with Frisco, going 8-3 for the RoughRiders. Ballard held a 4.02 ERA, including one start when he allowed ten earned runs. He also made one relief appearance for Frisco.

PUFFER OUT: Reliever Brandon Puffer was transferred back to the Frisco roster yesterday to make room for Kameron Loe. Puffer was promoted to Oklahoma on June 28, going 0-0 with and ERA of 8.00 after seven appearances for the RedHawks.

MEMPHIS AT A GLANCE:

Every Redbirds had at least one hits in Saturday's loss... Josh Phelps and Rico Washington each extended their hitting streaks last night, now at six and eight games, respectively... Nick Stavinoha hit his 14th home run of the year last night, surpassing his 2007 season total with Memphis... Iowa lost last night as well, so the Redbirds remained five games back in the American North.

DOT-DOT-DOT:

Oklahoma tagged Memphis for seven doubles last night, setting a new singe-game season-high. The RedHawks previous best two-bag outing was June 11 against Nashville when the team knocked six doubles... The RedHawks are now 13-5 on Saturdays this season, by far their winningest day of the week. Conversely, Oklahoma has a 6-10 record on Sundays, matching Friday for the worst record by day... 21,262 fans have entered the gates during the first two games of this series, the second best two-day total of the year. 23,229 fans were in attendance earlier this month on July 4 and July 5.

ON THE AIR:

Every game this season can be heard on the RedHawks Radio Network, led by broadcaster Jim Byers for the ninth season, and joined by Adam Marco during each homestand. Fox Sports Radio AM 1340 in Oklahoma City will serve as the flagship station in 2008. The network affiliates this season are KSIW 1450 AM in Woodward, KXCA 1380 AM in Lawton, KPNS 1350 AM in Duncan, KTJS 1420 AM in Hobart, KGFF 1450 AM in Shawnee, and KWSH 1260 AM in Wewoka. Each game will also be broadcast on the internet through the audio link at www.oklahomaredhawks.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 20, 2008


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