PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks Game Notes: April 11, 2013

Published on April 11, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Oklahoma City RedHawks (5-2) vs. Nashville Sounds (3-4)

Houston Astros vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Game #8 of 144/Road #8 of 72 (5-2)

Pitching Probables: OKC-LHP Brett Oberholtzer (0-0, 6.23) vs. NAS-RHP Johnny Hellweg (1-0, 0.00)

Thursday, April 11, 2013 | Greer Stadium | Nashville, Tenn.| 7:05 p.m. CT

Radio: KGHM AM-1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio - Alex Freedman

Today's Game: After clinching a winning road trip with last night's victory, the RedHawks will aim to take the series from the Sounds during the final contest of their eight-game road trip at 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Three RedHawks pitchers formed a formidable trio on the mound, and Jimmy Paredes provided the power in a 3-1 win over the Sounds. OKC pitchers Jarred Cosart, Wes Musick, and Jose Valdez limited Nashville to just one run and two hits on the night. Cosart (W, 1-0), threw five scoreless, allowing just one hit while striking out seven. Musick followed with three solid frames, and Valdez retired the side in order in the ninth (SV, 2). At one point, Cosart and Musick combined to retire 16 consecutive Nashville hitters and only two runners reached base past the second inning. The RedHawks were limited a bit at the plate as well with just five hits, but one of those was a two-run homer by Paredes, his first of the season. Sounds catcher Dayton Buller gave his team its only run with a solo homer in the eighth.

Today's Probable Pitchers: Brett Oberholtzer looks to regroup after an up-and-down debut in Memphis on Sunday...The lefty reached his pitch limit after just 4.1 innings...He surrendered seven hits and seven runs, but only three were earned...Oberholtzer worked a pair of 1-2-3 innings, but he also committed two errors...Oberholtzer joined the RedHawks permanently in late June last season, going 5-7 with a 4.52 ERA in 15 starts...During each of his last five starts, Oberholtzer pitched at least 6.2 innings and allowed two runs or less (2.02 ERA), leading him to be named the team's pitcher of the month for August...He does a good job throwing strikes, walking one batter or less in 11 of his 16 Triple-A starts and as well as in 18 of his last 29 starts overall...Oberholtzer will try and get over the hump on the road in the PCL, where he is now 1-6 with a 7.04 ERA.

There is no designated "second starter" following Oberholtzer tonight.

Against the Sounds: 2013: 2-1 2012: 13-3 All-time: 129-114 In Nashville: 61-62

The RedHawks dominated last year's season series, taking 13 of 16 games, including a 10-game win streak at one point...Nashville actually had a better team batting average (.257 to .252), but the RedHawks outscored the Sounds 75-45...The RedHawks pitching staff was outstanding, posting a 2.67 ERA...Nashville won consecutive games just once, June 20-21 at Greer Stadium...The RedHawks have won the season series in four of the last five years...After failing to win a series opener last season, the Sounds won Monday night to reverse that trend.

What Else Did You Expect?: Eleven of 16 games between the RedHawks and the Sounds in 2012 were decided by two runs or less, so it's only appropriate all three games of this series have also been decided by two runs or less. Both teams tied for the PCL lead in one-run wins in 2012 (28), and each of Nashville's last four wins over the RedHawks has been by a single tally.

Winning Trip: Regardless of tonight's result, the RedHawks will finish the road trip with a winning record. It marks their first winning season-opening road trip since 2004 (6-2 vs. Iowa & Omaha).

Rockin' Robbie: Robbie Grossman is the only RedHawk to hit safely in each of the team's first seven games and is just one of 10 players in the PCL to do so as well. He is tied for the league lead with eight walks, shares the team lead with six runs, and he currently has a .516 on-base percentage.

Jake Takes the Cake: Jake Elmore has recorded 10 hits over the last four games, including his first career five-hit game on Sunday against Memphis. The last RedHawk with a five-hit game prior to that was Carlos Corporan on July 6, 2012 at New Orleans. Elmore has hit safely in each of the last six games (.480, 12x25), and his .444 average currently ranks fifth in the league.

Promising Pitching: After struggling on the mound a bit in Memphis, the RedHawks pitching staff has turned it around in Nashville. They have allowed just three earned runs (1.04 ERA) and are holding the Sounds to a .189 average during the current series.

Keeping it in the Park: The RedHawks have allowed home runs in back-to-back games for the first time since Aug. 24-25, 2012. All three home runs allowed this year have been solo shots, and the last player to hit a home run with a runner on base was Diory Hernandez of Iowa on Aug. 25. Going back to last season, the RedHawks have allowed just nine dingers over the last 30 contests, spanning 265 IP.

Running Into Trouble: Through the first seven games, the RedHawks have had six baserunners picked off and six others caught stealing. They are 5-for-12 in stolen base attempts.

Forecasting the Series: With rain expected today, it should be noted there has been at least one rainout during the first series in Nashville between these two team in each of the last two years.

A Little Continuity: Trades, promotions, and injuries have led to an unusually high amount of roster turnover during the season's first week. For the first time this season, the RedHawks active roster will remain the same for two straight games.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER(S) OPP. PITCHER

Friday, April 12 7:05 p.m. Memphis RHP Jose Cisnero (0-0, 0.00)/LHP Rudy Owens (0-1, 0.00) RHP Michael Wacha (0-0, 4.50)

Saturday, April 13 7:05 p.m. Memphis RHP Jordan Lyles (1-1, 5.63)/RHP Ross Seaton (0-0, 1.80) LHP Tyler Lyons (1-0, 2.57)

Sunday, April 14 2:05 p.m. Memphis LHP Wes Musick (0-0, 9.64)/RHP Jarred Cosart (1-0, 1.00) LHP Nick Additon (0-0, 3.60)

Monday, April 15 7:05 p.m. Memphis LHP Brett Oberholtzer (0-0, 6.23) LHP John Gast (1-0, 0.00)

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