PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks Game Notes: July 6, 2014

Published on July 6, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Oklahoma City RedHawks (47-43) vs. Iowa Cubs (47-41)

Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs

Game #91 of 144/Home #43 of 72 (22-20)

Pitching Probables: OKC-LHP Rudy Owens (4-4, 5.45) vs. IOW-RHP Kyle Hendricks (10-5, 3.58)

Sunday, July 6, 2014 | Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, Okla. | 6:05 p.m. CT

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

Today's Game: The RedHawks close out their three-game series against the Iowa Cubs at 6:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, looking to tie the I-Cubs atop the American Northern Division. Oklahoma City leads the series, 2-0, and seeks a fourth straight home win. Select players will be available for autographs before the game, and kids can run the bases after the game

Last Game: The RedHawks overcame an early deficit and held Iowa scoreless over the final eight innings in a 3-2 win Saturday night. Iowa took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a RBI double by Javy Baez and a RBI single by Kris Bryant. Oklahoma City's pitching staff then held the I-Cubs to two hits for the remainder of the game. In the bottom of the inning the RedHawks used a double steal to get on the board. Jonathan Villar stole second base and Robbie Grossman stole home to cut the Iowa lead to 2-1. Matt Duffy tied the game in the second inning on a solo home run on a line drive to left-center field. In the third inning the RedHawks pulled off another double steal. Grossman stole third, then scored on an errant throw by Iowa catcher Rafael Lopez to put the RedHawks in front, 3-2. RedHawks starting pitcher Paul Clemens (4-0) allowed two runs on four hits over five innings in the win. He walked three and struck out six. Jorge De Leon, Jason Stoffel and Kevin Chapman pitched the final four innings for OKC, holding the I-Cubs hitless and scoreless. Chapman recorded the final three outs and earned his fourth save of the season. Iowa starting pitcher Carlos Pimentel (1-5) allowed three runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out five in the loss.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Rudy Owens (4-4) tries for back-to-back wins and a third win in four starts tonight...He last pitched Monday in Colorado Springs, throwing 5.1 innings. He allowed five runs (four earned) and six hits. He walked a career-high five and struck out two in the win. After allowing three runs through the first eight batters, he gave up just one earned run over the rest of his outing...Owens has been recalled to Houston twice this season. He was most recently with the Astros June 8-15, but did not make an appearance. He made his Major League debut May 23 in Seattle and returned to the RedHawks a few days later. In his next three starts with OKC, he allowed four runs over 18.2 IP (1.93 ERA) while holding opponents to a .214 average...The lefty has performed well at home this season, and although he has a 0-2 record, he has a 3.09 ERA with 24 strikeouts against two walks...He has 52 strikeouts compared to 15 walks with the RedHawks overall and has given up just four home runs over the past two seasons while with the RedHawks (86.1 IP)...Owens was named RedHawks Pitcher of the Month for April after going 2-0 with a 3.95 ERA over seven appearances (four starts)...He faced the I-Cubs twice during the 2012 season, going 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA.

Against the I-Cubs: 2014: 2-0 2013: 8-8 All-time: 108-115 In OKC: 60-52

Oklahoma City has won seven straight games against Iowa, with each of the last four decided by one run...The teams split their 2013 series, 8-8. OKC won the final five meetings between the teams and swept their last series in Bricktown July 26-29, 2013...Nine games between the teams were decided by one run last season (OKC went 5-4)...The RedHawks have won 22 of the last 26 meetings at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark...The RedHawks went a combined 22-10 against Iowa in 2011 and 2012 before splitting last season's series. Iowa last won a season series against Oklahoma City in 2010.

Over the Hump at Home: For the first time this season, the RedHawks have won three straight home games. As a result, they are now 22-20 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, marking their best record at home this season. They have won four of their last five home games, as well as six of their last eight. Oklahoma City is in the midst of a stretch of playing 15 of 19 games in Bricktown (2-0).

Robbie's Return: Deuces were wild for Robbie Grossman last night, who notched two doubles with two stolen bases and two runs scored. He's now hit safely in eight straight games since returning to the RedHawks on June 28, going 12-for-27 (.444). He's now on a 16-game hitting streak with Oklahoma City, giving him the longest hitting streak by a RedHawk since Brad Snyder hit safely in 18 straight, June 1-21, 2012. It's currently the longest active streak in the PCL, and tied for the second-longest in the league this season. Grossman is batting .394 (26x66) with seven multi-hit games, eight RBI and 14 runs during the streak. He has reached base in 13 of his last 19 plate appearances (eight hits, three walks, two HBP).

Heavy Wates: Although Austin Wates was held hitless for just the second time in eight games last night, he still drew two walks and now has a .529 on-base percentage over those eight games (reached base in 18 of 34 PA's). In seven games during this stretch, he's reached base at least twice. Wates also stole his team-leading 20th base last night and now ranks tied for fourth in the PCL.

Men of Steal: The RedHawks tied a season high by stealing five bases Saturday, converting two double steals during the game. Their nine stolen bases this month rank third in the PCL, but is just one off the league lead. (Iowa and Salt Lake have 10 each.)

Don't Call it a Comeback: The RedHawks have trailed by at least two runs in each of their past five victories. Opponents have scored first 10 of the last 11 games, including the last four straight. Also, opponents have scored in the first inning in eight of the last 11 games, including each of the past five at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Mound Turnaround?: For the first time since June 16-17, the RedHawks have held their opponent to three or fewer runs in consecutive games. Saturday was the fourth time in a 10-game span the RedHawks allowed less than five runs in a game. Over the past 17 games, the pitching staff has a 5.13 ERA (86 ER/151.0 IP), allowing at least seven runs seven times, while allowing three or fewer runs just four times. During this stretch, the starting rotation has a 5.48 (56 ER/92.0 IP) and has only produced four quality starts.

Bullish Bullpen: The RedHawks bullpen threw four scoreless and hitless innings last night and has held Iowa to no runs and two hits over eight innings during first two games of this series. They've racked up 13 strikeouts and just two walks.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER(S) OPP. PITCHER

Monday, July 7 7:05 p.m. New Orleans TBA TBA

Tuesday, July 8 7:05 p.m. New Orleans RHP Mike Foltynewicz (6-5, 4.20) TBA

Wednesday, July 9 7:05 p.m. New Orleans RHP Jake Buchanan (6-5, 3.72) TBA

Thursday, July 10 7:05 p.m. New Orleans RHP Asher Wojciechowski (0-1, 5.75) TBA

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