RedHawks Game Notes
Published on July 10, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks (48-38) at Round Rock Express (37-52)
Game 87 | July 10, 2010, 7:05 pm CDT | The Dell Diamond | Round Rock, TX
News Radio 1000 KTOK, RedHawks Radio Network | Play-by-Play: Jim Byers
RH Omar Beltre (0-5, 2.39) vs. LH Andy Van Hekken (5-5, 4.21)
TONIGHT: The RedHawks continue a pre-All Star break series with the third of a 4-game set at Round Rock. OKC won last night 4-2 to take a 2-0 series lead. The RedHawks are 5-1 against the Express this year, winning their last 5 against Round Rock. Omar Beltre, optioned by Texas July 6 after making 2 starts for the Rangers, replaces Matt Harrison in the rotation today. Beltre has not started against Round Rock this season, but did make 2 relief appearances in April against the Express, going 0-1 while allowing 2 runs in 2.2 innings. Andy Van Hekken, who allowed 3 runs in 5.2 innings in losing to OKC April 15, gets the call for Round Rock.
ROAD STREAK AT 3: The RedHawks have won 3 straight road games dating to their previous trip to Albuquerque, matching their longest road winning streak of the season previously accomplished April 16-18 and May 21-23. The win streak immediately follows OKC's longest road losing skid of the season, 5 games, from June 23-July 2.
EPPLEY SMASHING IN DEBUT: Right-handed side-armer Cody Eppley made his RedHawks and Triple-A debut last night and retired all 6 batters he faced in the eighth and ninth, protecting a 4-2 lead for a save. Eppley leads all Ranger minor leaguers this season with 16 saves between Class A Bakersfield (6) and Double-A Frisco (9). In 42.2 innings between the 3 levels, the 43rd round pick in 2008 out of Virginia Commonwealth has recorded 55 strikeouts.
GOOD RETURNS: Craig Gentry and Matt Brown have recently returned from DL stints to positive offense results. Gentry, activated from the DL on Wednesday after sustaining sprained MCL in his left knee, is 8-for-17 in 3 starts and 4 total games since returning. Brown returned from the DL July 1 and is 12-for-35 (.343), hitting safely in 7 of 8 games.
ERA REMAINS NO. 1: The RedHawks lead the PCL in team ERA at 3.65. Tacoma is second at 3.89. OKC has allowed the fewest home runs in the league (48), 16 fewer than Tacoma. Louisville and Durham have surrendered the fewest home runs in the International League with 61 apiece. The RedHawks have allowed the fewest runs (363) and earned runs (310) while owning the best run differential in the league at +87.
MORE PLEASE: Right fielder Mitch Moreland leads the PCL with 11 outfield assists. He also has a 22-game on-base streak. During the streak, which began with the second game of a doubleheader June 16, Moreland is batting .325 (26-for-80) with 3 homers and 15 RBIs. Moreland has a separate, 22-game road on-base streak dating to May 27 at Tacoma. The road streak is the second best active on-base streak in the league behind Brock Bond of Fresno, who has reached in 25 straight road contests.
RALLYHAWKS: OKC has allowed the first run in 4 straight games, each time falling behind 1-0 before rallying to take the lead within 2 innings. The RedHawks have won the last 3 games despite the early 1-0 deficits. The RedHawks are 23-26 when allowing the first run and 25-12 when scoring first.
ODDS AND ENDS: OKC is 10 games over .500, matching its season high...the RedHawks were also 10 games over at 38-28 following a win June 17...the saves recorded by Clay Rapada and Cody Eppley the last 2 nights are the second set of back-to-back saves this season...Alexi Ogando and Tanner Scheppers saved consecutive games against Sacramento May 11-12.
DAVIS A BIG LEAGUER AGAIN: Chris Davis was recalled by Texas prior to last night's game, leaving the PCL with the best batting average in the PCL among those with enough plate appearances to qualify at .354. He also departed with an 8-game hitting streak, during which he went 17-for-36 (.472) with 2 homers and 11 RBIs and multiple hits in each of his last 5. His departure and the earlier call-up of Pedro Strop leaves the RedHawks with one All-Star, Michael Kirkman.
UPCOMING PROBABLES:
Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio
Sunday July 11 @ Round Rock TBA RH Shane Loux 2-6, 6.36 KTOK AM 1000
July 12-14 All-Star Break
Thursday July 15 Iowa TBA TBA KTOK AM 1000
Friday July 16 Iowa TBA TBA KTOK AM 1000
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 10, 2010
- Aces Drop Two to Sky Sox, 7-6 and 12-7 - Reno Aces
- Cubs Double Up Zephyrs, 4-2 - Iowa Cubs
- Van Hekken Leads Express Past Oklahoma City, 3-2 - Round Rock Express
- Narron Pitches Sounds by 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
- Narron, Sounds Shut Down Redbirds, 5-1 - Nashville Sounds
- Seddon Selected to Triple-A All-Star Team - Tacoma Rainiers
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds sweep doubleheader - Memphis Redbirds
- Fresno Rallies Past Rainiers - Tacoma Rainiers
- Sounds Complete Doubleheader Sweep Of Redbirds - Nashville Sounds
- River Cats hit four solo home runs in win - Portland Beavers
- Sky Sox Prevail in Nail Biter Over Reno, 9-7 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Aces lose series opener to Sky Sox - Reno Aces
- Express Drop Second Straight To Oklahoma City 4-2 - Round Rock Express
- Z's and Cubs split double dip - New Orleans Baby Cakes
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.
