PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks Game Notes: July 24, 2012

Published on July 24, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Iowa Cubs (41-62) vs. Oklahoma City RedHawks (58-44)

Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros

Game #103 of 143/Home #48 of 71 (31-16)

Pitching Probables: IOW-RH Rodrigo Lopez (2-5, 4.83) vs. OKC-Armando Galarraga (3-2, 4.43)

Tuesday, July 24, 2012 | Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, Okla.| 7:05 p.m. CT

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

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

Wednesday, July 25 vs. Iowa (CHC): OKC-LH Brett Oberholtzer (3-2, 6.53) vs. IOW-LH Chris Rusin (7-6, 4.85) - 7:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio

Thursday, July 26 vs. Iowa (CHC): OKC-TBA vs. IOW-RH Casey Coleman (2-3, 3.43) - 7:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio

Friday, July 27 vs. Iowa (CHC): OKC-RH Paul Clemens (8-7, 6.73) vs. IOW-RH Chris Volstad (2-5, 5.83) - 7:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio

Saturday, July 28 vs. Omaha (KC): OKC-RH Brian Bass (1-4, 5.79) vs. OMA-TBA - 7:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio

Sunday, July 29 vs. Omaha (KC): OKC-RH Armando Galarraga (3-2, 4.43) vs. OMA-TBA - 7:05 p.m., KGHM-AM 1340, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio

Tonight's Game-- After being swept for just the second time this season and having to settle a for a 4-4 road trip, the RedHawks begin an eight-game homestand against the Iowa Cubs at 7:05 p.m.

Last Night-- Mark Hamilton delivered a game-winning single in the ninth inning as the Memphis Redbirds won 9-8 over the RedHawks at AutoZone Park. Tied 8-8 in the bottom of the ninth, Juan Abreu (2-3) walked both Shane Robinson and Eugenio Velez to start the inning. With one out, Memphis pulled off a double steal. Even with first base open, the RedHawks elected to pitch to Hamilton. He lined a 3-2 pitch into left field to give the Redbirds their fifth-straight victory. The RedHawks trailed by as many of five runs, but were able to pull even on pinch-hit, two-run homer by Fernando Martinez in the eighth. One day after going 5-for-5 with five RBIs, Steven Hill stayed hot for Memphis on Monday. He started the scoring with a two-run double in the first. In his next at-bat in the third, he hit a grand slam for the second straight day to make it 6-1. The RedHawks responded with four in the fourth, and stayed within striking distance until they eventually tied the game.

Today's Probable Pitchers-- Armando Galarraga looks to get the homestand started the right way as he heads to the mound...Galarraga is coming off a win in Omaha in which he pitched better than the line would indicate...He allowed three quick runs through one out in the first, but then proceeded to retire 15 of the next 16 batters...Galarraga was cruising until he gave up a two-run homer in the seventh...He finished with a season-high seven innings and tied a season high with six strikeouts...Through his first eight starts, opponents are hitting just .232 against him, including a .191 mark with runners in scoring position...Tonight will be his first career start against the Iowa Cubs...Galarraga's opponent will be fellow veteran Rodrigo Lopez...Lopez's previous outing was a 1.1-inning relief stint on Saturday...Each of his last two starts have been a bit rough, as he allowed 12 runs and 23 hits over 9.1 innings...He tossed six scoreless innings against the RedHawks on June 29 to lead Iowa to a 7-0 win...He also pitched once previously in OKC, giving up four runs and five hits over five innings on June 2.

A Tale of Two Trips-- The RedHawks began their eight-game road trip with a four-game sweep in Omaha, scoring 42 runs. They then got swept in Memphis, allowing 47 runs in the process.

Playing Catch-Up-- The RedHawks never led once during their entire four-game series in Memphis. The pitching staff allowed at least six runs in seven of eight games on the trip and posted a 7.92 ERA (61 ER/69.1 IP)

Close Calls-- Yesterday's loss snapped a streak of eight straight wins in one-run games. Their 33 one-run games are the second-most in the PCL (Iowa-43) and their 20 wins are the third-most. Seven of their last 10 wins have come by one run.

Paredes Named Player of the Week-- Yesterday Jimmy Paredes was named PCL Player of the Week. From July 16-22, Paredes hit .500 and was one of three players to lead the league with 17 hits. He also hit three homers and drove in nine runs. He has hit safely in all nine games since returning from paternity leave, going 21-for-41 (.512). He is the third RedHawk to earn Player/Pitcher of the Week honors (Mike Hessman, Dallas Keuchel).

Fabulous Fernando-- Fernando Martinez has hit safely in his last 11 games as well as in his last 12 starts. During the 11-game streak he is hitting .372 (16-for-43) with three homers and nine RBIs.

Pinch Power-- After hitting one pinch-hit home run all season, the RedHawks have hit pinch-hit home runs on back-to-back nights. Before two nights ago, the last pinch-hit home run was by Scott Moore on April 14. All three instances occurred at AutoZone Park.

The Barnyard-- Brandon Barnes saw his 10-game hitting streak end yesterday. During the streak he hit .467 (21-for-45) with seven multi-hit games. He notched eight extra-base hits, including two homers, and nine RBIs. He also had a 12-game hitting streak earlier this season with the RedHawks and he hit safely in 11 of his final 12 games with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Drought Beyond the Midwest-- Mike Hessman has not homered since July 5 in New Orleans. The 15-game streak without a homer is his longest of the season. He still comfortably leads the PCL with 27 dingers this season.

That Ain't So Grand-- The RedHawks have allowed four grand slams over the last three games. They had given up two grand slams all season prior to Saturday.

Leaving the Yard-- After allowing just one home run through the first three games of the trip, the RedHawks allowed 13 over the last five games. The 116 they've allowed for the season is now the second-most in the PCL.

Against the Cubs-- The RedHawks won the first six games of the season series before Iowa broke through with a 7-0 win on June 29 at Principal Park...The RedHawks have won eight straight as well as 12 of the last 13 over the I-Cubs at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark...Mike Hessman has belted seven homers over seven games, including five between June 3-4...Brandon Barnes is hitting .458 with six RBIs...Matt Tolbert has been a tough out for Iowa, hitting .476...These teams next meet August 22-26 in Des Moines.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 24, 2012


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