PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks Game Notes: July 9, 2014

Published on July 9, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Oklahoma City RedHawks (48-45) vs. New Orleans Zephyrs (45-47)

Houston Astros vs. Miami Marlins

Game #94 of 144/Home #46 of 72 (23-22)

Pitching Probables: OKC-RHP Alex White (1-2, 6.98) vs. NEW-LHP Brian Flynn (7-6, 3.62)

Wednesday, July 9, 2014 | Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, Okla. | 7:05 p.m. CT

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

Today's Game: The RedHawks and New Orleans Zephyrs meet for the third time in their four-game series at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The series is tied, 1-1. The RedHawks enter tonight one game behind American Northern Division leader Iowa.

Last Game: The RedHawks built an early five-run lead, then hung on for a 6-5 win against New Orleans Tuesday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The RedHawks put together a 6-1 advantage through three innings before the Zephyrs eventually cut the lead to one run in the top of the ninth. New Orleans took the first lead of the night on a home run by Josh Rodriguez in the first. The RedHawks scored four runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead. Max Stassi tied the game with a RBI single, and Jio Mier followed with a two-run double to give the RedHawks the lead. A sac fly by Ronny Torreyes put the RedHawks in front, 4-1. In the bottom of the third, the RedHawks scored twice, including a RBI single by Joe Sclafani to make it 6-1. The Zephyrs scored three times over the fifth and sixth to make it a 6-4 game. In the top of the ninth, Mark Canha hit a RBI single to cut the OKC lead to one. The Zephyrs loaded the bases with two outs, but RedHawks pitcher Kevin Chapman got Juan Diaz to ground out and end the game, earning his fifth save of the season. RedHawks starting pitcher Jake Buchanan (7-5) picked up his team-leading seventh win, allowing four runs on nine hits over six innings. Zephyrs starter Adam Conley (2-4) only lasted 2.1 innings and was charged with the loss.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Alex White (1-2) makes his first start of the season, and his first start since September 2012, when he takes the mound against the Zephyrs tonight...White has made 15 appearances for the RedHawks this season, all in relief...In his last appearance Sunday against Iowa, White pitched 2.2 innings, marking his longest outing of 2014. He was charged with the loss after allowing a go-ahead RBI single to Manny Ramirez in the eighth inning...He is currently tied for third on the team with four holds and has retired the first batter he's faced in 13 of 15 appearances...White spent the entire 2013 season on the Disabled List. He suffered a right elbow strain during his last start of 2013 Spring Training and underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2013. Prior to the injury, the Astros announced he would open the season in the starting rotation...White came to the Astros from Colorado as part of a trade for reliever Wilton Lopez on Dec. 4, 2012...He was selected by Cleveland with the 15th overall pick of the 2009 draft from the University of North Carolina. He was traded from Cleveland to Colorado on July 31, 2011 as part of a package for Ubaldo Jimenez...His one career meeting with New Orleans was in his 2014 season debut on May 22. He retired all three batters he faced on nine pitches, preserving a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning.

Against the Zephyrs: 2014: 9-5 2013: 8-8 All-time: 141-126 In OKC: 76-58

With last night's victory, the RedHawks have clinched a win in the season series...Over the past three games in Oklahoma City alone, the Zephyrs have totaled 29 runs and 41 hits. In the eight games the teams played in New Orleans, the Zephyrs scored 19 runs with 60 hits...Gregorio Petit leads the RedHawks with 17 hits against New Orleans and is batting .378. He also has seven RBI and has scored six runs. Max Stassi has 16 hits and 13 RBI, with two home runs over 13 games...Rob Brantly has collected 11 RBI over 12 games for the Zephyrs, accounting for nearly half his season RBI total (24)...OKC played eight straight games against New Orleans in early April, winning six times. The series sweep by the RedHawks April 7-10 was their first at Zephyr Field since July 20-23, 2009...The RedHawks and Zephyrs split their previous two season series, going 8-8 against each other in 2013 and 2012.

Close Calls: Including last night, four of the five games during the current homestand have been decided by one run. With last night's win, the RedHawks evened their record in one-run games to 13-13 this season. Six of the first eight games this month have been decided by one or two runs, with the RedHawks going 3-3 in those contests.

Don't Call it a Comeback: The RedHawks have trailed at some point in each of their last six victories, and have trailed by at least two runs five times...In each of the five games of the current homestand, the team that scored first has lost.

Feeling Like Home Again: The RedHawks improved to 23-22 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark with Tuesday's win. Oklahoma City has now won four of its last six home games and five of the last eight.

Duff Man: Matt Duffy is on a five-game hitting streak -- his longest since joining the RedHawks in late May. During the streak Duffy is 6-for-17 with a home run and two RBI.

Bullish Bullpen: The bullpen has posted a 1.83 ERA (4 ER/19.2 IP) and has allowed 18 hits with 23 strikeouts over the past five games. No reliever has given up a lead, and the RedHawks have converted all three save chances.

Dinger Details: The RedHawks have only hit one home run over their last six games, and they have gone deep just twice this month to rank last in the league...The pitching staff has given up six homers over the past three games and eight homers over the five games of the current homestand. Their 67 homers allowed this season are second-fewest in the league (Nashville - 61).

Men of Steal: Although the RedHawks did not collect a stolen base last night, they still lead the league with 12 steals in July. They have 66 stolen bases this season to rank sixth in the PCL, and Austin Wates is third in the league with 22 swipes.

Hard Times on the Hill: Last night marked the 10th time in a 13-game span the RedHawks allowed at least five runs. Over the past 20 games, the pitching staff has a 5.31 ERA (105 ER/178.0 IP), allowing at least seven runs eight times, while allowing three or fewer runs just four times. During this stretch, the starting rotation has a 5.95 ERA (71 ER/107.1 IP) and has only produced four quality starts.

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