PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks defeat Redbirds 9-5

Published on July 19, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


The Oklahoma RedHawks beat the Memphis Redbirds 9-5 Saturday night at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Nelson Cruz hit three home runs and drove in five to lead the RedHawks, who knocked a total of ten extra base hits in the victory.

Cruz hit a solo home run in the first inning for the second straight night to give Oklahoma starter Brian Gordon an early lead. Memphis tied the score in the second, but the RedHawks would regain the lead when Joaquin Arias doubled in Jason Ellison from first. Travis Metcalf doubled to lead off the fifth inning and scored on an Arias single. Cruz launched his second home run of the game off Memphis starter P.J. Walters with two on in the inning to build Oklahoma's lead to 6-1, more than enough support for Gordon. The reigning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week would allow one unearned run over six innings, lowering his earned run average to 1.57 as a starting pitcher this season.

Memphis would add a run in the seventh inning, but Cruz and the RedHawks answered that tally in the home half. Cruz hit his third home run of the game, a solo shot off Matt Clement. The Redbirds plated two runs in the eighth to bring the Oklahoma lead down to 7-4, but the RedHawks countered with a pair of their own in the inning. Metcalf, Kevin Richardson, and Joaquin Arias all doubled in the eighth to provide the final Oklahoma two offensive tallies. The Redbirds tacked on a run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly to round out the scoring.

Gordon (3-2) earned a win in his third straight appearance, while P.J. Walters (7-2) took the loss. Gordon has not allowed an earned run since July 3, spanning 17.2 innings pitched. Walters saw his ERA against Oklahoma rise to 12.00 over nine innings after two starts. Cruz finished 3-5 with three home runs and five runs batted in. Arias had three hits as well and drove three runs for the RedHawks, which finished with seven doubles, setting a new season high. Chris Shelton, Metcalf, and Richardson had two hits apiece.

The RedHawks and Redbirds will play the third game of this four-game series Sunday night at 7:05 pm. Michael Ballard will make his Triple-A debut for Oklahoma against Memphis' Anthony Reyes.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 19, 2008


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