Redbirds Downed 5-4 in Extras
Published on September 1, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Memphis Redbirds were defeated by the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 5-4, on an 11th-inning walk-off hit by Jose Martinez with the bases loaded on Sunday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Omaha defeated Round Rock, 6-1, so the Storm Chasers and Redbirds are tied once again atop the American Northern Division. Both teams play their regular-season finale on Monday. Either a Memphis win or an Omaha loss will clinch the division title for the Redbirds, who own the tie-breaker over Omaha.
The Redbirds were a strike away from winning, with two outs and the bases empty in the bottom of the ninth when the RedHawks staged their four-run, game-tying comeback.
Mike O'Neill was 1-for-4 with a sacrifice and scored twice while Jamie Romak had two hits and two RBIs. Jermaine Curtis, Justin Christian and Travis Tartamella each contributed two hits.
Memphis starter Boone Whiting went six scoreless innings, scattering six hits with a walk and three strikeouts. The right-hander tossed 94 pitches, 59 for strikes in his 21st start of the season for the Redbirds.
The Redbirds jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third. O'Neill drew a one-out walk and advanced to second base on a Ryan Jackson infield hit to the third baseman. Romak knocked both runners in with a two-out double down the left-field line.
Oklahoma City starter Blair Walters made his Triple-A debut and lasted four 1/3 innings. The left-hander gave up two runs on four hits with three walk and four strikeouts.
Jackson was removed for a pinch-runner in the fifth after being hit by a pitch from RedHawk reliever Pat Urckfitz. James Ramsey remained in the game as the right-fielder after pinch running in his Redbirds' debut.
Lee Stoppelman threw a clean seventh, with a walk and a strikeout for Memphis.
The Redbirds extended their lead to 4-0 in the ninth inning off RedHawk reliever Hector Ambriz (1-2). Curtis led off with a double and was plated by a Travis Tartamella single. O'Neill followed with a double and Brock Peterson knocked him home with a two-out base hit to left.
The RedHawks were down to their final batter with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the ninth when they rallied against Jorge Rondon. Che-Hsuan Lin doubled and Carlos Perez hit a soft ground ball to third base, bringing in Keith Butler to try to record the final out.
With two outs and runners on first and third, Jimmy Paredes flied a double to center to make it 4-1. Next up, Jose Martinez tied the contest at 4-4 with a three-run homer to left. Redbirds players and manager Ron Warner argued that the ball had been foul, but after an umpire conference the ruling was upheld.
With Nick Greenwood (2-8) pitching in the 11th, a pair of singles and an intentional walk loaded the bases with one out. Kevin Thomas was brought in to face Martinez, who hit the game winner to the left-field warning track.
The Redbirds and RedHawks will meet at 11:05 a.m. CT in Oklahoma City for the last game of the regular season on Monday. Memphis sends right-hander Eric Fornataro (1-4, 6.61 ERA) against Oklahoma City righty Ross Seaton (3-7, 8.16 ERA).
Pacific Coast League Stories from September 1, 2013
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