PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes

Published on July 31, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Las Vegas 51s (59-53) at Oklahoma RedHawks (63-49)

Game 113 | July 31, 2008 | AT&T Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, OK

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

TODAY'S MATCHUP

LH Eric Stults (5-6, 3.86) vs. LH Derek Lee (No Record)

Stults: Surrendered 5 R on 7 H over 6.0 IP with 5 K & 3 BB in 7/26 ND vs. IWA (13-8 LVG)

Lee: Making first Triple-A start of 2008 (1-3, 5.40 ERA for Frisco over five starts)

LAST GAME: Oklahoma fell 5-3 to Las Vegas. The 51s plated their four of their five runs over the first four inning off RedHawks starter Michael Ballard (1-2). Oklahoma managed to string hits together in the third and fifth innings, but managed only three runs off Las Vegas' Heath Totten. Drew Meyer and Travis Metcalf combined for seven of Oklahoma's 12 hits out of the bottom two spots in the order.

TWO STREAKS ADVANCED: Nelson Cruz fourth inning single extended his hitting streak to nine games, his second longest run of the season behind a 15 game streak in June. Jason Ellison doubled in a run in the fifth inning to take hit streak to eight straight games with at least one hit. Ellison now has three hitting streaks of eight games or more this season.

LEE VERSUS VEGAS:

Texas promoted Derek Lee from Frisco earlier today and he will start tonight against Las Vegas. Lee will fill the void in the rotation created by the loss of Tommy Hunter, who is listed as Friday's probable starter for Texas against Toronto. The southpaw rejoins the club he has pitched for in each of the last three seasons. Lee began this season in the Mexican League, making 16 appearances for Monterrey (8-3, 3.45) and two appearances for Minatitlan (0-1, 3.72) before signing with Texas earlier this month. The Rangers originally assigned Lee to Frisco, where he went 1-3 over five starts and held a 5.40 ERA.

LARGE LEAD:

The RedHawks ten game lead on the American South division is the largest lead in Triple-A ball at this point in time. Across all full-season affiliated ball, only the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim currently have a larger lead within their division, 11.5 games over Oklahoma's parent Texas Rangers.

RAMIREZ OUT:

Max Ramirez's Triple-A debut lasted two full innings yesterday. Ramirez caught the first two innings before injuring his hip while running to first bases in his first at bat which resulted in an inning-ending double play. Ramirez was placed on the disabled list earlier today. Nick Trzesniak, transferred to Frisco yesterday when Ramirez was promoted, was added back to the Oklahoma roster today.

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

LAS VEGAS AT A GLANCE:

Mitch Jones extended his on base streak to nine games, while Jason Repko has reached safely in eight straight... Last night's 51s victory was their first at the Brick since May 1, 2003 (Las Vegas swept a four game series).

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION:

Texas beat Seattle 4-3... Frisco fell 5-2 to Midland... Bakersfield got doubled up by Visalia 4-2... Clinton lost 11-1 to South Bend... Spokane had the day off.

DOT-DOT-DOT:

Wednesday night was the 12th game this season where Oklahoma did not walk a batter, and the third time this month. The RedHawks are 8-4 in games where they do not walk a batter... Nelson Cruz remains five runs batted in shy of tying Nate Gold's RedHawks record 103 RBI set last season. Cruz passed Scott Sheldon (97 in 1999) and Tom Quinlan (97 in 1998) last night and is tied for ninth all-time in Oklahoma City's Triple-A history, matching Keith Moreland's 1978 total.

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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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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