RedHawks Game Notes
April 11, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks at Memphis Redbirds
Game 3 | April 11, 2009, 6:05 pm | AutoZone Park | Memphis, TN
KTOK AM 1000, RedHawks Radio Network | Play-by-Play: Jim Byers
Tonight's scheduled starting pitchers:
RH Elizardo Ramirez vs. RH P.J. Walters
TONIGHT: The first series of the 2009 season continues with game three of a four-game set in Memphis. Oklahoma City's 4-2 win last night, coupled with losses by division rivals Albuquerque, Round Rock and New Orleans, puts all four teams at 1-1. The RedHawks' busiest pitcher in 2008, Elizardo Ramirez, will make his seasonal bow after leading last year's club in starts (23) wins (10) losses (7), innings (160) and strikeouts (85).
MORE WALKING IN MEMPHIS: OKC pitching issued 7 walks for the second straight game last night, but leveled the series with a 4-2 win. Right-handed phenom Neftali Feliz allowed four Memphis singles in four scoreless innings while walking six and striking out four. In his Triple-A debut, Feliz left with a 1-0 lead but did not go the requisite 5 innings to be eligible for the win after throwing 85 pitches. Thomas Diamond, the Rangers' top pick in the 2004 draft (10th overall) also made his Triple-A debut and earned the win by pitching 2.2 innings, allowing just a solo homer by Tyler Greene after retiring the first 8 batters he faced. After a two-batter appearance by Kason Gabbard, Brian Gordon finished up with a save in 2.1 innings, allowing a solo shot to Bryan Anderson in the ninth. RedHawks pitching has walked 14 batters in two games while striking out 19 in 18.1 IP.
RAMIREZ VS. WALTERS: While they didn't face each other last year, Oklahoma City's Elizardo Ramirez and Memphis' P.J. Walters are familiar with their opponents from 2008. Ramirez made 3 appearances against Memphis and Walters started 3 games against the RedHawks. Ramirez had 2 quality starts and a relief outing against the Redbirds, but sported an 0-2 record and 3.94 ERA. Ramirez faced four current Redbirds last year: Nick Stavinoha (0-for-8); Joe Mather (0-for-5, BB, HBP); Jarrett Hoffpauir (3-for-7, double, 2 BB); and Bryan Anderson (0-for-2, BB). Walters went 0-1 with a 10.54 ERA vs. the RedHawks, allowing 16 ER on 19 hits in 13.2 IP. Nelson Cruz belted 2 HR off of him July 19 at The Brick. Walters' head to head numbers from 2008 vs. current RedHawks: Joaquin Arias (1-for-2); German Duran (2-for-2, BB); Casey Benjamin (0-for-3), Max Ramirez (0-for-2, 2 Ks); and Ben Harrison (0-for-2).
TOP PROSPECT TALK: Neftali Feliz and Thomas Diamond have both been No. 1 Texas prospects in Baseball America's annual rankings. In an 11-season span from 1999-2009, seven No. 1 Ranger prospects have played for the RedHawks, with only Diamond (top prospect in 2005) not appearing during the year they were actually No. 1. The other top prospects to play with the RedHawks: Ruben Mateo (1999), Carlos Pena (2001), Hank Blalock (2002), Adrian Gonzalez (2004), Edinson Volquez (2006), Eric Hurley (2007) and Feliz. The only No. 1s not to play for the RedHawks were Mark Teixeira (2003) and Elvis Andrus (2008), neither of whom played Triple-A. Mateo repeated as top prospect in 2000, but did not return to OKC until 2001. John Danks, a 2006 RedHawk, was rated No. 1 in 2007 prior to being traded, leaving Hurley as the top remaining prospect that year.
SAME FRANCHISE, DIFFERENT LOOK: In recognition of taxpayers who funded the construction of AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in 1990s, the RedHawks added "City" to the franchise name in the off season after 11 seasons as the Oklahoma RedHawks. The former brick red and black color scheme has been replaced by navy blue and red. Previous local professional clubs also carried the "Oklahoma City" banner, including the Triple-A 89ers from their inception in 1962 until 1997.
FAMILIAR FACES: Six RedHawks on this year's opening-night roster started 2008 with the team (Boggs, Duran, Arias, Benjamin, E. Ramirez and Mathis) while 7 more saw time at some point with the 2008 club (Harrison, M. Ramirez, Frostad, Gordon, Gabbard, Ballard and Mendoza).
ON THE AIR: KTOK AM 1000 is the RedHawks' new flagship radio station in 2009, airing nearly 100 games. Day games will primarily air on sister station Fox Sports Radio 1340 AM. Between the two outlets all 144 games will be broadcast live. Affiliates from around Oklahoma will once again offer fans outside the OKC metro area the chance to listen to the RedHawks.
UPCOMING PITCHING PROBABLES:
Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio
Sunday April 12 @ Memphis LH Derek Holland RH Blake Hawksworth FOX AM 1340
Monday April 13 @ Nashville RH Luis Mendoza RH Tim Dillard FOX AM 1340
Tuesday April 14 @ Nashville RH Doug Mathis 0-0, 3.00 LH Sam Narron 0-0, 5.40 FOX AM 1340
Wed. April 15 @ Nashville RH Neftali Feliz 0-0, 0.00 RH Mike Burns 0-0, 9.00 FOX AM 1340
Thursday April 16 @ Nashville RH Elizardo Ramirez LH Chase Wright KTOK AM 1000
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 11, 2009
- Isotopes two-hit by Royals in 9-0 loss - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Blanks, Brown homer as Portland off to best start since return to PCL in 2001 - Portland Beavers
- Round Rock drops second straight to I-Cubs - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Take 6-2 Loss - Nashville Sounds
- Walters leads 'Birds by RedHawks - Memphis Redbirds
- Z's win in nashville - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Aces Pick-Up First Win, 7-2, Over Bees - Reno Aces
- Sky Sox Win Third Straight, Top 51s 6-4 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Grizzlies, Fresno State Team Up For Sports Career Forum - Fresno Grizzlies
- Beavers Place Josh Alley On Disabled List - Portland Beavers
- Angels Recall Willits - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sacramento's bullpen fends off Tacoma - Sacramento River Cats
- Brown Leads Late Charge, Beavers Win In 10 - Portland Beavers
- Isotopes Bow To Royals - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Aces Fall To Bees On Opening Day, 6-2 - Reno Aces
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
