RedHawks Game Notes
Published on April 8, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks vs. Albuquerque Isotopes
Game 1 | April 8, 2010, 7:05 pm CDT | AT&T Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, OK
News Radio 1000 KTOK, RedHawks Radio Network | Play-by-Play: Jim Byers & Judson Richards
LH Derek Holland vs. RH James McDonald
TONIGHT: The Oklahoma City RedHawks open the season with the first of a 4-game series with the Albuquerque Isotopes (Los Angeles Dodgers). The is also the first of an 8-game homestand. The RedHawks and Albuquerque are most recent winners of the American South Division, with Albuquerque the defending titlists and OKC the 2008 winners. Albuquerque is in its second year of affiliation with the Dodgers. This is the 28th consecutive year the RedHawks have been associated with the Texas Rangers.
SEASON OPENERS: The RedHawks are 6-6 in season openers since moving to AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in 1998. OKC is also 6-6 in home openers. Last year, Memphis beat the RedHawks on opening day April 9 at AutoZone Park 4-3 in 10 innings. The Redbirds also took the OKC opener 6-1 on April 17 at The Brick. Three of the last four RedHawks season openers have been won in walk-off fashion, with the RedHawks winning in 2006 and 2008 and Memphis in 2009 on a bases-loaded walk in the 10th.
WHAT, NO MEMPHIS? Tonight's game marks OKC's first opener against a team other than Memphis since 2004, when OKC started at Omaha. Memphis had served as OKC's first opponent, both overall and at home, for five straight seasons. The RedHawks and Isotopes have not been previously matched on opening day, however, after starting at home in 2003 the RedHawks opened Isotopes Park when the franchise debuted in the Duke City after moving from Calgary.
FIELD STAFF FAMILIARITY: RedHawks skipper Bobby Jones is back for his 10th season in Oklahoma City, the fourth during his current stint. Jones, the winningest manager in Oklahoma City's Triple-A history, previously managed the RedHawks from 2002-05 and the 89ers in 1993-94. With 1,354 career managerial wins, Jones leads all minor league managers in Rangers franchise history. Pitching coach Terry Clark, coach Scott Coolbaugh and trainer Jason Roberts all return for the second seasons in Oklahoma City. Strength coach Ric Mabie is back for his fourth local season.
DIVISION TOPPERS: Albuquerque and OKC finished 1-2 in the American South Division in 2009, with the Isotopes drawing off to win by 11 games. OKC was as close as 1.5 games back on July 29. The Isotopes, 45-45 at the All-Star break, went 35-19 thereafter to claim their first division crown since 2003 and gain a playoff berth in their first season as a Dodgers affiliate. The Isotopes were swept in the American Conference Finals by eventual league champion Memphis.
ON THE AIR: RedHawks broadcasts return to flagship KTOK AM 1000 and RedHawks Radio Network affiliates in 2010. KTOK will air all games starting at 6 pm CDT or later (except for May 3, 4, 6, and 7). Those four games, and all action starting prior to 6 pm CDT, will air on 1340 AM Fox Sports.
PROSPECTING: OKC opens the season with two members of the Rangers' Top 10 prospects in the annual Baseball America rankings. Justin Smoak moves up from No. 3 last season to No. 2 this year. Rangers 2009 Minor League Player of the Year Mitch Moreland is pegged at No. 8 entering this season after not being among the top 30 in the 2009 listing.
UPCOMING PROBABLES:
Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio
Friday April 9 Albuquerque RH Brandon McCarthy LH Scott Elbert KTOK AM 1000
Saturday April 10 Albuquerque LH Michael Kirkman RH Josh Lindblom KTOK AM 1000
Sunday April 11 Albuquerque RH Guillermo Moscoso RH John Ely KEBC AM 1340
Monday April 12 Round Rock LH Michael Ballard TBA KTOK AM 1000
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 8, 2010
- Round Rock Express Edged by Zephyrs 2-1 in Opener - Round Rock Express
- Zephyrs Win Opener on Morrison's Walk-off Single - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Royals Win Last Season Opener at Rosenblatt - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Iowa Cubs Doubled up by Sounds 6-3 - Iowa Cubs
- Sounds Open Season With 6-3 Victory Over Iowa - Nashville Sounds
- 'Topes Start 2010 Home Schedule With Action-Packed Homestand - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Isotopes Extend Partnership With Citadel Broadcasting - Albuquerque Isotopes
- 'Topes To Honor Lobo Men's Hoops Team Before Home Opener - Albuquerque Isotopes
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- 2010 Hall Of Fame Inductees Named - PCL1
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