PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes

July 23, 2008 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


LAST GAME: Oklahoma overcame an early 4-0 deficit to beat Salt Lake 7-4. Rehab starter Brandon McCarthy allowed all four runs in the first inning, but the RedHawks answered with four runs of their own in the third, including home runs from Nelson Cruz and Nate Gold. Steve Rowe and Kameron Loe combined to pitch the final five and a third innings without allowing a run on just two hits. Salt Lake did not advance a runner past second base after the third inning.

SHORT BUT LONG STREAK: Oklahoma has won a season-high four games in a row away from AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The RedHawks won the final three games at Round Rock prior to the All-Star Break and captured the first game of the series with Salt Lake. Oklahoma had won three straight road games three other times prior to this current streak.

ROWE IN RELIEF:

Steve Rowe's relief outing was his first since June 7. Rowe made six consecutive starts between relief outings. The right-hander has made 21 appearances including ten starts. As a reliever this season, Rowe has a 2-1 record with a 4.08 earned run average. While a spot starter or in the rotation, Rowe holds a 4.98 ERA and a 2-4 mark.

ON THE MEND:

Oklahoma's lineup last night featured two rehabbing Major Leaguers. Brandon McCarthy pitched three and two thirds, allowing four runs while striking out four and walking one. The right-hander threw 63 pitches in his first substantial start of the season after a pair of games with the AZL Rangers. Gerald Laird went 0-2 with a walk and a run batted in on a sacrifice fly. Laird, recovering from a right hamstring strain, also caught five innings.

RAMIREZ RUN:

Elizardo Ramirez looks for his tenth win of the season tonight when he takes the hill for Oklahoma. Ramirez has won ten or more games twice during his minor league career, going 10-1 in 2001 for the DSL Phillies and 13-9 for Clearwater in 2003. The right-hander had won four straight starts prior to his loss last week against Memphis. Ramirez has made 15 starts for Oklahoma this season, ten of which have been quality.

CHASING 60:

The RedHawks did not win their 60th game until August 15 last season, needing 122 games to reach that plateau. With a win tonight, the RedHawks will reach the 60-win mark in 17 fewer games. It took until August 8 in 2006 to reach 60 wins (118 games), and August 9, 2005 to hit the same mark (116 games).

REDHAWK HOME RUN KING:

Nelson Cruz became the RedHawks all-time, single season home run leader on July 19 with a three home run game. Cruz's 32 home runs are the fourth-most single season tally in Oklahoma City Triple-A history, matching Lee Stevens 1996 output. Dave Roberts is the all-time Triple-A leader after hitting 38 in 1968.

SALT LAKE AT A GLANCE:

Brandon Wood is hitless in his last two games, but has walked each night to extend his on-base streak to 14 games... Freddy Sandoval has a 13 game on-base streak entering play tonight.

DOT-DOT-DOT:

Oklahoma's 25-24 road record marks the first time since May 17 that the club has a winning record on the road. The RedHawks entered play on May 18 with a 10-9 road record... German Duran left Tuesday's game after the third inning. Duran was shaken up on a slide into second base after singling in John Mayberry and attempting to take second on a throw to the plate... Oklahoma will return to conference play on August 8 at Albuquerque.

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 23, 2008


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