PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes

Published on July 29, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Oklahoma RedHawks (62-48) at Colorado Springs Sky Sox (52-57)

Game 111 | July 29, 2008 | Security Service Field | Colorado Springs, CO

Radio: Fox Sports Radio AM 1340, RedHawks Radio Network | Play-by-Play: Jim Byers

TODAY'S MATCHUP

RH Brian Gordon (3-2, 3.55) vs. RH Sean Smith (4-3, 5.80)

Gordon: Surrendered 6 R on 7 H over 5.0 IP with 5 K & 1 BB in 7/24 ND @ SLC (9-8 SLC)

Smith: Surrendered 5 R on 5 H over 7.0 IP with 1 K & 7 BB in 7/24 win vs. NOZ (9-6 CSP)

LAST GAME: Colorado Springs rallied for a 12-9 win over Oklahoma. The RedHawks plated five second inning runs to build a lead that lasted until the home half of the ninth. Nate Gold hit three home runs, and Elizardo Ramirez pitched seven innings to lead Oklahoma, but the Sky Sox hit two three-run home runs off Kiko Calero in the bottom of the ninth. The three run shot by Kenny Perez tied the game at nine, and three batters later, Adam Melhuse hit a walk-off three run blast of his own. Calero was charged with a blown save in his second straight outing and picked up the loss to drop to 2-2.

GONE TIMES THREE: Nate Gold became the fourth player in RedHawks history to hit three home runs in a single game. Gold hit a two-run shot in the second and solo home runs in the third and seventh to help Oklahoma build its lead. Gold joins Adrian Gonzalez (2005), Victor Diaz (2007), and teammate Nelson Cruz (July 19) in this exclusive club. It was also the first time in Sky Sox history that an individual player hit three against Colorado Springs.

RARE LATE LOSS:

The RedHawks suffered just their fifth loss this season when leading after six innings during scheduled nine-inning games. Oklahoma is now 44-5 when holding the lead after six innings, compared to a 6-28 mark when trailing after six in game slated to go nine innings.

STILL CLIMBING:

Nelson Cruz's 96 runs batted in match the fourth most single-season tally in RedHawks history, tying Scott Sheldon (1998) and Pete Zoccolillo (2004). Cruz trails Nate Gold's RedHawks record by seven (103 in 2007) and is also tied for the 11th best RBI season in Oklahoma's Triple-A history. Dan Walton is the all-time single season leader with 119 in 1969.

STREAKS:

John Mayberry singled once in five trips to the plate last night to extend his hitting streak to a current team-high eight games. Nelson Cruz added two more hits to his tallies and has hit safely in his last seven games, including six straight multi-hit games. Jason Ellison had a pair of hits and is now riding a six game hitting streak. Casey Benjamin entered the game as a pinch hitter and went hitless in four at bats, but did walk once and now has a six game on-base streak.

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 37 home runs passed Steve Balboni's total during the 1993 season for second-most in Oklahoma's Triple-A history. Dave Roberts holds first place with 38 home runs during the 1965 season.

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION:

Texas lost 7-5 to Seattle... Frisco rallied to beat San Antonio 3-2... Bakersfield did not play... Clinton upended Lansing 5-1... Spokane knocked off Everett 11-7.

DOT-DOT-DOT:

The RedHawks are 40-8 this season when they outhit their opponents, including last night's game when Oklahoma knocked 15 hits to Colorado Springs 13... The RedHawks have given up a double digit run total 14 times this season and are 1-13 in those games... Nelson Cruz is tied for the overall RBI lead in the minors with Kinston's Carlos Santana. He also leads the minor in runs scored (91) and total bases (255), and is third in slugging percentage (.729). Cruz also has the third-most extra base hits in the minors (56).

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 29, 2008


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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