RedHawks Game Notes
Published on July 31, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks (57-48) vs. Iowa Cubs (59-47)
Game 106 | July 31, 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 Ballard (5-5, 4.79) vs. RH Jeff Samardzija (7-1, 2.64)
TONIGHT: Fresh off a sweep over the Round Rock Express, the RedHawks open a 4-game series against the Iowa Cubs at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The teams met 9 straight times after the All-Star break, splitting a 4-game set at The Brick before Iowa took 3 of 5 in Des Moines. Iowa leads the season series 7-5. The RedHawks completed their second victorious sweep of the year last night with a 4-1 win over Round Rock. Omar Beltre upped his record to 2-7 and lowered his ERA to 2.50 by turning in his second quality start of the season, going 6 innings while allowing 1 run. OKC leads the American South Division by 3.5 games. Lefty Michael Ballard gets the start against Jeff Samardzija, who is 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA against the RedHawks in 2010.
BROWN AT 14: Matt Brown has hit safely in 14 straight games, going 19-for-55 (.345) with 1 homer and 7 RBIs. Brown's streak is the second-best by a RedHawk this year. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has the longest OKC hitting streak, 16 games, from April 21-May 11. Since returning from the DL July 1, Brown is batting .343 with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs. Brown shares the longest active hitting streak in the league with Nashville's Eric Farris and Las Vegas' Jesus Merchan, who is on the DL and hasn't played since May 29.
VINTAGE GERMAN: Esteban German owns a 9-game hitting streak dating to July 9, prior to a stint on the DL. German has hits in all 4 games since returning from the DL on Tuesday. He missed 11 games with a strained left hamstring, with OKC going 3-8 in his absence. During the 9-game streak, German is 16-for-38 (.421) with 9 RBIs.
BOGGS UPDATE: Brandon Boggs raised his on-base streak to 29 games last night. The current streak began June 21 and is the longest active on-base streak in the PCL. He has reached base by hit or walk in each of his last 52 starts beginning May 24, the only break in the streak a strikeout as a pinch hitter June 19. Boggs is third in the league in walks with 65.
DAVIS OPTIONED: First and third baseman Chris Davis was optioned by Texas on Thursday night. Davis returns to the PCL second in batting (.354) behind John Lindsey of Albuquerque, (.381). Davis is 10th in on-base percentage (.403) and 11th in slugging (.555).
ERA LEAD: The RedHawks lead the PCL in team ERA at 3.70. Iowa is second at 4.00. The RedHawks have allowed the fewest home runs (65) in Triple-A, but have surrendered 13 in 12 games against Iowa. OKC has allowed the fewest runs (443) in the PCL and is second in strikeouts (781) behind Sacramento (802).
PITCHING TIDBITS: Each of OKC's last 5 saves has been against Round Rock. Pedro Strop picked up his ninth save last night, 3 of them have been against the Express. Clay Rapada has the lowest opponents' batting average in the PCL among ERA qualifiers at .172 and the best ratio of base runners per 9 innings among PCL relievers at 8.74. Rapada has allowed 9 hits, all singles, against left-handed hitters, limiting them to a .115 average. Michael Kirkman remains fourth in the PCL with a 3.07 ERA. Kirkman also leads the league with 109 strikeouts. Kirkman's .233 opponents' batting average is second in the league among starters behind Thomas Diamond of Iowa (.218).
TRENDY: Craig Gentry has hit safely in 18 of 22 starts since returning from the DL July 7 and is batting .344 (33-for-96) in those 22 games...Gentry has raised his average from .283 to .310 in that time...Gregorio Petit has hits in 5 straight (5-for-17, .294) and has hit safely in 14 of 16 games since the All-Star Break, going 18-for-56 (.321).
SEPT. 4 TIME CHANGE: The RedHawks' game on Saturday, Sept. 4 against Omaha has been changed to an 11:05 am start time at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Originally a night game, it was changed to avoid an expected evening start for the University of Oklahoma's football opener in Norman against Utah State.
UPCOMING PROBABLES:
Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio
Saturday July 31 Iowa LH Michael Ballard 5-5, 4.79 RH Jeff Samardzija 7-1 2.64 KTOK AM 1000
Sunday Aug. 1 Iowa RH Guillermo Moscoso 7-3, 4.47 RH Jay Jackson 7-6, 4.10 1340 Fox Sports
Monday Aug. 2 Iowa LH Derek Holland 5-1, 1.03 LH J.R. Mathes 8-7, 5.30 KTOK AM 1000
Tuesday Aug. 3 Iowa LH Michael Kirkman 10-3, 3.07 RH Thomas Diamond 5-4, 3.16 KTOK AM 1000
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 31, 2010
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- Craig Leads 'Birds by Royals - Memphis Redbirds
- Royals Sign Manager Ned Yost to Contract Through 2012 Season - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Royals Acquire Pitchers Collins and Chavez and Outfielder Blanco from Braves - Omaha Storm Chasers
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Astros Acquire Melancon, Paredes from Yankees for Berkman - Round Rock Express
- Big Inning Dooms Aces in 12-9 Loss to 51s - Reno Aces
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