RedHawks Game Notes
April 17, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Baseball Club News Release
Memphis Redbirds (5-2) at Oklahoma City RedHawks (3-4)
Game 8 | April 17, 2009, 7:05 pm | AT&T Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, OK
News Radio 1000 KTOK, RedHawks Radio Network | Play-by-Play: Jim Byers & Adam Marco
Tonight's scheduled starting pitchers:
RH Elizardo Ramirez (0-1, 1.29) vs. TBA
TONIGHT: The Oklahoma City RedHawks host their 12th home opener in AT&T Bricktown Ballpark's history as they begin a four-game series against Memphis and an eight-game homestand that runs through April 24. The Redbirds are the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. OKC and Memphis met last week in a season-opening three-game series, shortened by one game because of rain, with Memphis taking two out of three. RedHawks righthander Elizardo Ramirez makes his second start of the year, coming off a 7-inning effort in Memphis April 11 in a 1-0 loss. Ramirez's start is the RedHawks' longest of the year. The Memphis starting pitcher was not officially determined as of early this afternoon.
REDHAWKS DEPART NASHVILLE SWINGING: The RedHawks exploded for 12 fifth-inning runs last night, 11 after two were out, in a 17-3 rout of the Nashville Sounds in the series finale at Greer Stadium. Oklahoma City, which had hit one home run all year entering the game, belted three in the fifth inning alone, getting a leadoff blast from Scott Thorman and two-run shots from Casey Benjamin and Esteban German. German, Thorman and Greg Golson each had 3-RBI nights. Neftali Feliz (1-0) went 5 innings for his first Triple-A win, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits. Nashville starter Chase Wright (0-1) took the loss. The 12-run inning is believed to have matched the RedHawks' record for runs in a frame, set Aug. 18, 2005 against Memphis at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.
MORE BIG NUMBERS: The 17-run output is the most by a PCL team in a game this season. The 16 hits are the fourth-highest this year in the league, behind a 20-hit game by Iowa, a 19-hitter by Omaha and the RedHawks' 17 hits on Tuesday. Oklahoma City split the four-game set in Nashville by winning games by 10- and 14-run margins. OKC scored 29 runs in its Nashville wins and 4 runs in its losses.
BOGGS STAYS ON BASE: RedHawks outfielder Brandon Boggs went 1-for-5 with a walk last night to maintain his season-long, 7-game on-base streak. Ten PCL players have reached base in 8 games.
MOVES: Catcher Kevin Richardson and reliever Warner Madrigal are expected to join the RedHawks today. A roster move will have to be made to make room for Madrigal, who was optioned by Texas Wednesday but was inactive yesterday. Richardson underwent arthroscopic surgery on the meniscus of this left knee early in spring training.
HOME OPENERS: Oklahoma City is 6-5 all-time in home openers. The RedHawks have beaten Memphis 4 years in a row in the OKC home opener, with, 2005, 2006 and 2008 in walkoff fashion. Last year, Ryan Roberts singled home Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the 10th inning to give OKC a 4-3 win.
BOBBY MURCER HONORED TONIGHT: The Oklahoma City RedHawks will retire the No. 1 in honor of the late Bobby Murcer in a special ceremony with his widow, Kay, before tonight's game. Murcer, a former Yankees center fielder and broadcaster, wore No. 1 during his best years as a Yankee player. Murcer was an Oklahoma City native and life-long resident of the area.
DOT...DOT...DOT: Ben Harrison left last night's game after the first inning with a spasm in his right hamstring...his replacement as DH, Scott Thorman, went 3-for-4 with a HR, double and 3 RBIs...The RedHawks are 2-0 when facing left-handed starters this year, pinning losses on Nashville's Sam Narron and Chase Wright...OKC has won all 3 games in which it out-hit the opposition...the Hawks are winless when they are out-hit or the hits are even...last night's 3:13 game time was the OKC's longest of the year...a win tonight would give OKC its first set of back-to-back wins on the young season.
ON THE AIR: KTOK AM 1000 is the RedHawks' new flagship radio station, airing nearly 100 games including tonight's. 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 around Oklahoma will 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
Saturday April 18 Memphis LH Derek Holland 0-1, 9.00 TBA KTOK AM 1000
Sunday April 19 Memphis RH Luis Mendoza 1-0, 0.00 TBA FOX AM 1340
Monday April 20 Memphis RH Doug Mathis 0-1, 2.25 TBA FOX AM 1340
Tuesday April 21 Omaha RH Neftali Feliz 1-0, 2.00 TBA KTOK AM 1000
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