RedHawks Game Notes: September 4, 2013
Published on September 4, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks vs. Omaha Storm Chasers
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals
American Conference Finals, Game 1
Pitching Probables: OKC-RHP Asher Wojciechowski vs. OMA-RHP Yordano Ventura
Wednesday, September 4, 2013 | 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 PCL American Southern Division champion RedHawks open postseason play against American Northern Division champion Omaha Storm Chasers in Game 1 of the American Conference Finals at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The RedHawks are making their first playoff appearance since 2010. This is Omaha's third consecutive postseason appearance, and they are the first team under the PCL's current four division format (since 1998) to make the playoffs with a losing record (70-74).
Last Game: Jon Singleton doubled off the right field wall to score Ruben Sosa for a 2-1 walk-off win for the RedHawks Monday against Memphis to close out the regular season at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Oklahoma City scored two batters into the bottom of the first inning when Jimmy Paredes led off with a double, then scored on a RBI single by Jose Martinez. A RBI groundout by Greg Garcia brought home Memphis' lone run of the game in the fourth inning. With the score tied, 1-1, Japhet Amador singled to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning. Ruben Sosa came in as a pinch runner and scored on Singleton's second hit of the day. RedHawks starting pitcher Ross Seaton tossed a season-high eight innings, holding Memphis to one run. He allowed eight hits, walked none and struck out two. Jason Stoffel (8-1) pitched a scoreless ninth and ended up with the win.
Today's Probable Pitcher: Asher Wojciechowski is slated to start the postseason opener...In his last start Aug. 28 against Nashville, Wojciechowski suffered his first loss of the season at home, allowing three runs and six hits in 4.2 innings...During the regular season, his .229 opponent batting was second in the league, while his 1.19 WHIP ranked third, and his ERA ranked seventh...Wojciechowski led the team with nine wins, 20 starts, and 129.1 IP...He was dominant against the Storm Chasers during the regular season. Over three outings he allowed just two runs over 20.1 IP and posted a 0.89 ERA while holding Omaha to a .189 average. Even with his large amount of success, his record versus the Storm Chasers was just 1-0. On two occasions the RedHawks led in the final inning, only to lose the game...Wojciechowski's only previous appearance in the postseason was on Sept. 8, 2011 with the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays. He tossed five scoreless innings a series-deciding game against the Daytona Cubs, but he did not figure in the decision as the Blue Jays fell, 4-3.
Against the Storm Chasers: 2013: 8-8 2012: 6-10 All-time: 118-106 In OKC: 60-52
This marks the first playoff series between the RedHawks and Omaha since 1999. The RedHawks won that series, 3-1, to advance to the PCL Finals...Oklahoma City and Omaha split the regular season series, 8-8, with the RedHawks going 5-3 in Bricktown and 3-5 in Omaha...Eight games between the two teams were decided by one run during the regular season. In four of the 16 meetings, the team trailing in the final inning ended up winning the game...During the regular season, the RedHawks hit .253 against the Storm Chasers and outscored Omaha, 69-48. Brandon Laird had 15 hits, including six doubles, against Omaha and 10 RBI. Jimmy Paredes hit .311 with 14 hits, including a team-leading three homers, and 11 RBI. The RedHawks pitching staff had a combined 2.64 ERA against Omaha and held the Storm Chasers to a .234 average...Each team hit eight home runs against the other.
Postseason Notebook: This marks the RedHawks' seventh PCL postseason appearance since joining the league in 1998.
* Oklahoma City last competed in the PCL playoffs in 2010, losing to Memphis, 3-0, in the first round.
* The RedHawks own a 12-21 overall record in postseason play, including a 6-10 record at home.
* The RedHawks are 2-5 in first round series, with an overall record of 10-15 in the first round. They won their first-round series and advanced to the PCL Finals in 1999 and 2008, but have never won a PCL title.
* Oklahoma City last won a baseball championship in 1996 when the 89ers won the American Association championship.
* The Oklahoma City 89ers won PCL titles in 1963 and 1965 as Houston affiliates.
The Skipper in September: Manager Tony DeFrancesco is in the PCL playoffs for the seventh time in 10 seasons. He has advanced to the championship series four times, and he led Sacramento to PCL titles in 2003, 2004 and 2007. DeFrancesco owns a 25-13 overall record in the PCL playoffs.
Standing On Top: The RedHawks closed out the regular season with a league-best 82-62 record. Oklahoma City last closed finished with the PCL's best mark in 2005 when they went 80-63. Their 82 overall wins are the second-most in team history (83 in 1999) and their 47 home wins are also the second-most ever by a RedHawks team (52 in 1999). Since the PCL expanded to 16 teams in 1998, the team with the best regular season record has won the championship just four times. The last time it happened was in 2006 when the Tucson Sidewinders captured the crown.
Slow Starts: Entering tonight, the RedHawks have dropped the first game of seven straight playoff series. The last time they won a playoff series opener was Sept. 8, 1999 when they defeated Omaha, 9-2. During the regular season, the RedHawks were just 17-19 in series openers, including 8-10 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. They won three of four series openers against the Storm Chasers.
Last-Minute Moves: Due to a rash of recent injuries at the big league level, the Astros recalled RedHawks outfielder Marc Krauss earlier today. He will be replaced on the roster by Chris Epps. Epps spent the entire season with High-A Lancaster, batting .275 with 16 homers, 75 RBI, and a team-leading 32 doubles. He hit .353 over nine games during Lancaster's California League title run in 2012.
The Other Side: The Las Vegas 51s and Salt Lake Bees will meet in the first game of the Pacific Conference Finals tonight in Salt Lake City. The 51s ended a considerable playoff drought, returning to the postseason for the first time since 2002. The Bees are in the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
2013 AMERICAN CONFERENCE FINALS (BEST OF FIVE; ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER OPP. PITCHER
Thursday, Sept. 5 7:05 p.m. Omaha RHP David Martinez RHP Clay Mortensen
Friday, Sept. 6 7:05 p.m. @ Omaha TBA LHP Justin Marks
Saturday, Sept. 7* 7:05 p.m @ Omaha TBA LHP Chris Dwyer
Sunday, Sept. 8* 2:05 p.m @ Omaha TBA TBA
*If necessary
Pacific Coast League Stories from September 4, 2013
- Storm Chasers Stall RedHawks in Game 1 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Omaha Holds Down RedHawks in Game One Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Playoff Preview: Bees vs. Las Vegas 51s - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks Game Notes: September 4, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- 51s Face Salt Lake in Conference Championship Series - Las Vegas Aviators
- Easley Tabbed D-Backs Organizational Player of the Month - Reno Aces
- Redbirds Announce 2014 Schedule - Memphis Redbirds
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