RedHawks Game Notes
September 4, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks (73-67) vs. Omaha Royals (78-63)
Game 141 | Sept. 4, 2010, 11:05 am CDT | AT&T Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, OK
1340 Fox Sports, RedHawks Radio Network | Play-by-Play: Jim Byers & Judson Richards
RH Brandon McCarthy (4-1, 3.44) vs. RH Gaby Hernandez (9-6, 5.14)
TODAY: The RedHawks can clinch the American Conference South Division and a berth in the best-of-5 first round of the PCL playoffs with a win in Game 2 of this series with the Omaha Royals. The RedHawks prevailed 3-1 last night, taking a 9-4 season series lead. OKC is 3 games ahead of Albuquerque with 3 to play and has a magic number of 1. OKC is 3-3 on the current homestand. Right-handed rehabber Brandon McCarthy will make the start for the RedHawks. McCarthy is on the Rangers' 60-day DL with right shoulder inflammation. Righthander Gaby Hernandez gets the ball for Omaha.
STAGE IS SET: The RedHawks' 3-1 win last night coupled with Albuquerque's 3-0 loss at Round Rock reduced OKC's magic number to 1. A RedHawks win or an Albuquerque loss over the next 3 days will send OKC to the post-season for the second time in 3 seasons and the fifth time since 2002 under manager Bobby Jones.
FIGHT ON: Former Chicago Cub righthander Mark Prior has been signed by the Texas Rangers as a free agent and is due to make his OKC debut tomorrow in relief of a rehab start by Scott Feldman. Prior, the second overall pick of the Chicago Cubs in the 2001 draft, has not pitched in affiliated baseball since 2006 because of a pair of shoulder surgeries. Prior has pitched for the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League since August 3 and has allowed 1 unearned run over 9 relief appearances (11 IP), with 22 strikeouts and 5 walks.
TRANSACTION RECAP: Righthander Dustin Nippert was activated from his rehab by Texas yesterday. The Rangers purchased lefty Clay Rapada from the RedHawks and recalled catcher Taylor Teagarden. Right-handed starter Omar Beltre, who injured his right ankle backing up home plate on Wednesday, was recalled and placed on Texas' 60-day DL. Righthander Brennan Garr was promoted from Double-A Frisco. Garr did not pitch last night. When he does appear it will be his Triple-A debut.
OKC PLAYING GOOD CATCH: The RedHawks have gone 10 games without committing an error. Their last error came in the first inning of the series opener at Albuquerque Aug. 25, a throwing error by first baseman Ryan Garko.
ODDS AND ENDS: Chris Davis went 0-for-4 last night to stop his hitting streak at 9 games...Davis owns 4 of OKC's 9 longest hitting streaks this season, with a pair of 9-gamers plus streaks of 10 and 14 games...Michael Ballard's 7-inning start last night matched his longest of the year...he also tossed 7 innings in a 4-hit shutout of New Orleans in a doubleheader nightcap June 16...with Guillermo Moscoso's 7-inning complete game in a loss in Thursday second game, OKC has had consecutive 7-inning starts...the RedHawks are 21-5 when their starter goes 7 or more innings.
GAME TIME AND BROADCAST CHANGES: Because of their early start times, the remainder of this weekend's games will be broadcast on 1340 Fox Sports in the Oklahoma City area. Today's game is starting at 11:05 to allow fans to take in the state's major college football openers this evening. Sunday's game starts at the scheduled 4:05 time, but Monday's regular season finale has been switched to a 1:05 start (CDT).
KIRKMAN PITCHER OF YEAR: Michael Kirkman was named the PCL Pitcher of the Year. Kirkman, now a member of the Rangers' bullpen, went 13-3 with a 3.09 ERA for the RedHawks in 24 games (22 starts). Kirkman remains third in the league with 3.09 ERA, tied for second in strikeouts (130) and wins. Other PCL award winners were Las Vegas catcher J.P. Arencibia (MVP), Salt Lake center fielder Peter Bourjos (Rookie of the Year) and Iowa's Ryne Sandberg as Manager of the Year. The RedHawks' Ric Mabie is the PCL's Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year.
UPCOMING PROBABLES:
Date Opponent Oklahoma City Pitcher Opposing Pitcher Radio
Sunday Sept. 5 Omaha RH Scott Feldman 0-0, 4.50 RH Anthony Lerew 8-4, 2.60 1340 Fox Sports
Monday Sept. 6 Omaha TBA RH Matt Herges 8-4, 4.86 1340 Fox Sports
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Pacific Coast League Stories from September 4, 2010
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- Jeff Francis to Rehab with Sky Sox on Sunday, September 5 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Albuquerque Isotopes - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
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