RedHawks at Isotopes Tonight
July 31, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
TONIGHT: The Oklahoma City RedHawks look to rebound from a 23-6 loss last night in the final game of this short trip and the last of the season series with the Albuquerque Isotopes. Albuquerque leads this series 2-1 and the season series 8-7. The RedHawks are second, 2.5 games back of the Isotopes in the American South. Elizardo Ramirez, OKC's leader in starts (17), innings (106) and wins (7), gets the start for OKC. Ramirez is 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in 3 games, 2 starts, against Albuquerque. Giancarlo Alvarado, fifth in the league in ERA (3.42) ERA and second in strikeouts (107), makes his third start against OKC. He's 1-0, 2.45 vs. OKC.
FRANCHISE RECORDS TOPPLED: Albuquerque set its franchise record for runs in a game while raising the RedHawks' record for runs allowed in the Isotopes' 23-6 win on Thursday at Isotopes Park. Albuquerque scored 8 runs in the first inning against Josh Rupe (3-7), but the RedHawks closed the gap to 8-4 with a pair of runs in both the second and third innings. The Isotopes countered with a 6-run third, followed by 4-run fourth and sixth innings before tacking on an unearned run in the eighth. Their 23 runs surpass the previous RedHawks' record of 18 allowed, set in a loss at Salt Lake in 2000 and matched by the Isotopes on April 13, 2003. The 17-run margin of defeat is OKC's largest in franchise history (since becoming known as the RedHawks in 1998), eclipsing the previous mark of 15 in a 17-2 loss at New Orleans May 27, 2006. The 23 run total is the largest in the PCL this season. Albuquerque matched its hit total from the first 2 games of the series with 19 last night. The Isotopes went 13-for-20 with runners in scoring position.
DIVISION RACE UPDATE: Last night's loss dropped OKC 2.5 games back of the Isotopes in the division race. A win tonight would allow OKC to leave town with the same deficit it had when the series began on Tuesday (1.5 games). The RedHawks are 10-5 since the All-Star Break, while Albuquerque sports an 12-3 mark in that time.
ALONG CAME JONES, AGAIN: Albuquerque's Mitch Jones hit his eighth home run of the year against the RedHawks last night with a solo shot in the fourth inning to make the score 18-4. Jones has half of the Isotopes' 16 homers in the season series with OKC. Jones has played in 11 of the 15 games between these teams. OKC has allowed a league-low 67 home runs, 11.9% by Jones alone. Jones has collected 17 RBIs against OKC. While the RedHawks allowed two big flies last night, they've still held the opposition homerless in 5 of the last 7 games.
ERROR STREAK CONTINUES: The RedHawks have made at least one error in 7 straight games dating to the start of the previous series with Nashville, totaling 10 bobbles in that span. The RedHawks have made 26 errors in 27 games in July after committing just 13 in 28 June contests. OKC is 22-35 when committing an error and 32-15 in error-free games.
GERMAN AMONG LEADERS: Esteban German is among the PCL leaders in various categories. He is seventh in batting average (.325), second in on-base percentage at .426, third in walks with 61 and fourth in stolen bases with 32. He leads the RedHawks with 57 RBIs.
STREAKING: Royce Huffman has hit safely in 8 straight, going 13-for-30 (.433) in that span. Huffman's on-base streak has reached 23 games dating to July 3. Huffman has more doubles (22) than any other RedHawk has extra-base hits. He also has a 7-game hitting streak, during which he's 11-for-26 (.423). Julio Borbon has hit safely in 7 straight (13-for-33, .394). Justin Smoak brings a 6-game hitting streak into tonight, a Triple-A best for Smoak. During the streak, Smoak is 10-for-24 (.417). Smoak has played in all 24 RedHawks games since being promoted from Double-A Frisco July 4.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 31, 2009
- 'Topes Take Series From 'Hawks - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sounds Come From Behind To Beat Zephyrs, 7-6 - Nashville Sounds
- Z's Fall in Nashville - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- âBirds Sweep Double Dip - Memphis Redbirds
- Angels Recall Rodriguez and Wilson - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks at Isotopes Tonight - Oklahoma City Comets
- E-Train News Update - Round Rock Express
- Duchscherer's Tentatively Scheduled Rehab Appearance Today Cancelled - Sacramento River Cats
- Padres Name Randy Ready Major League Hitting Coach - Portland Beavers
- Aces Fall To Tacoma, 9-1 - Reno Aces
- 'Topes Crush 'Hawks with Record-Setting Offense 23-6 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Ruiz, Purcey Help 51s Take Down Beavers, 6-1 - Portland Beavers
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