RedHawks Game Notes
Published on April 30, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
New Orleans Zephyrs (7-12) at Oklahoma City RedHawks (8-10)
Game 19 | April 30, 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:
LH Michael Ballard (1-1, 3.09) vs. RH Brett Sinkbeil (1-3, 10.70)
TONIGHT: The Oklahoma City RedHawks return to action after a scheduled day off on Wednesday with the opener of a four-game series against the New Orleans Zephyrs at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. This is also the first of an eight-game homestand that runs through May 7. The RedHawks enter tonight's game off a 3-1 loss on Tuesday in a series finale at Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium. OKC dropped 2 out of 3 in a rain-shortened series at Omaha and went 3-4 in a stretch of 7 straight against the Royals. New Orleans has dropped 4 straight, including all 3 in a just-concluded series at home against Albuquerque. OKC is second in the American South Division, a half-game back of Albuquerque. The Zephyrs are third, 2 games out of first place. Lefty Michael Ballard will make his second start of the year for OKC after moving from the bullpen. Righthander Brett Sinkbeil will face OKC for the first time.
OUT OF THE NORTH: Tonight's game begins the sixth series of the year, but it's the RedHawks' first against a team outside the American North Division. OKC is 8-10, with all its games so far against Memphis, Nashville and Omaha. Since April 18, the RedHawks have been first or second in the American South Division, and no more than a half-game back. So far, American Conference teams have only faced one another. The 4 South clubs have losing records and the division is a combined 14 games under .500, while all North teams have winning records and are an aggregate 14 games over.
NEW AFFILIATE FOR ZEPHYRS: After 2 seasons in the New York Mets' organization, the New Orleans Zephyrs signed with the Florida Marlins in the off-season. Florida was previously affiliated with the Albuquerque Isotopes. New Orleans has been affiliated in its history with Milwaukee (1993-96), Houston (1997-2004), Washington (2005-06), the Mets (2007-08) and Florida.
PITCHING AMONG LEADERS: The RedHawks enter today's action with the league's lowest ERA at 3.36, ahead of Portland's 3.39. OKC pitching is tied for the fewest home runs allowed (6). The RedHawks have allowed the fewest hits (146) and earned runs (58) and are tied for the second fewest total runs (76). OKC pitching has issued 80 walks, split evenly between starters and relievers, ranking third behind Round Rock (100) and Sacramento (99).
MORE HOME RUN DETAILS: While sharing the lead in fewest home runs allowed, the OKC staff has given up just 2 HR in the last 12 games, both of those on April 23 vs. Omaha. OKC pitching has surrendered 4 solo homers and a pair of 2-run shots. RedHawks hitters are tied with New Orleans and Memphis for second fewest home runs hit (10) ahead of Reno's 9.
SCORING EARLY: The RedHawks have scored 4 runs in their last 4 games, but have not scored after the third inning in that span while dropping 3 of 4. In its last 2 games, OKC has scored only in the first, in a 3-1 loss on Tuesday and a 2-1 win in Monday's doubleheader nightcap.
BOGGS ON BASE: Outfielder Brandon Boggs has played fewer games than the other leaders in walks, but his 14 bases on balls tie him for second in the league with three others behind Kila Ka'aihue's 20. Boggs has reached base in 15 of 16 games played.
DOT...DOT...DOT: Tuesday's defeat was the RedHawks' first when out-hitting the oppsition, as they collected 6 hits to Omaha's 5...OKC reliever Pedro Strop has retired 13 consecutive batters over his last 3+ outings...Beau Vaughan has not allowed a run all season a run in 12.1 innings pitched. Vaughan has allowed 5 hits with 13 strikouts. The RedHawks have allowed the second-most unearned runs in the league (18; Nashville, 23)...all of OKC's unearned runs have come in the last 13 games after they allowing only earned runs in the first 5 games.
ON THE AIR: KTOK AM 1000 is the RedHawks' new flagship radio station, 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 around Oklahoma will again offer fans outside the OKC metro area the chance to listen to the RedHawks.
UPCOMING PROBABLES:
Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio
Friday May 1 New Orleans RH Jared Hyatt 0-1, 1.59 LH John Koronka 0-1, 4.76 KTOK AM 1000
Saturday May 2 New Orleans RH Doug Mathis 1-1, 2.16 RH Dallas Trahern 1-1, 4.32 KTOK AM 1000
Sunday May 3 New Orleans RH Neftali Feliz 1-1, 4.30 RH Daniel Barone 1-2, 5.17 FOX AM 1340
Monday May 4 Albuquerque RH Elizardo Ramirez 0-3, 3.98 FOX AM 1340
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 30, 2009
- Barnette and trio of relievers limit Beaver bats to six singles - Portland Beavers
- Z's lose in extras - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sky Sox Route the River Cats 14-4 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Haeger leads 'Topes to 6-2 win over Express - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Memphis holds off Iowa - Memphis Redbirds
- Sounds Drop Series Opener To Royals, 8-2 - Nashville Sounds
- Jepsen to Make Rehab Appearance with Bees - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Figueroa Placed on DL, Patchett Returns to Salt Lake - Salt Lake Bees
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