PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks Game Notes

April 10, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Oklahoma City RedHawks (1-1) vs. Albuquerque Isotopes (1-1)

Game 3 | April 10, 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 Michael Kirkman vs. RH Josh Lindblom

TONIGHT: RedHawks lefthander Michael Kirkman makes his Triple-A debut in Game 3 of a season-opening, four-game series with the Albuquerque Isotopes (Los Angeles Dodgers) at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The series is even 1-1 after OKC's 4-3 win on a ninth-inning wild pitch last night. Kirkman saw time last year at Class A Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco, making 18 starts for Frisco while going 5-7 with a 4.19 ERA. Righthander Josh Lindblom starts for Albuquerque, his first career start against OKC and second appearance.

GERMAN SETS THE PACE: The RedHawks' Esteban German went 3-for-3 with 2 walks last night to pace the offense in a 4-3 win. The 2009 All-PCL third baseman also scored the winning run on a Luis Ayala wild pitch with one out in the ninth. German contributed a single, double and triple, including a leadoff two-base hit to key the ninth inning. Through two games, German sits atop the PCL with a .625 average (5-for-8).

TWO STRAIGHT QUALITY STARTS: OKC righthander Brandon McCarthy went 7 innings last night, allowing one run on 5 hits while not getting a decision. The RedHawks have received "quality starts" (6 or more innings pitched, 3 ER or fewer allowed) in both games this season.

BULLPEN GETS BROKEN IN: With opening-night's 13-inning game stretching both teams' pitching staffs, the bullpens have seen plenty of work. All members of OKC's relief corps have been in a game after Clay Rapada and Jailen Peguero took the hill last night.

BOGGS TO DL: The RedHawks have placed OF Brandon Boggs on the 7-day DL with right shoulder tendinitis. Catcher Chris Gradoville has been promoted from Double-A Frisco.

GENTRY RESTED AGAIN: Center fielder Craig Gentry will miss his second straight game as a precaution after being hit in the helmet with a pitch in Thursday's third inning.

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 athletic trainer Jason Roberts all return for the second seasons in Oklahoma City. Strength coach Ric Mabie is back for his fourth local season.

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.

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.

UPCOMING PITCHING PROBABLES:

Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio

Sunday April 11 Albuquerque RH Guillermo Moscoso RH John Ely 1340 Fox Sports

Monday April 12 Round Rock LH Michael Ballard LH Wesley Wright KTOK AM 1000

Tuesday April 13 Round Rock LH Derek Holland 0-0, 1.50 RH Josh Banks 0-0, 1.50 KTOK AM 1000

Wed. April 14 Round Rock RH Brandon McCarthy 0-0, 1.29 LH Polin Trinidad 0-0, 2.25 1340 Fox Sports

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 10, 2010


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