RedHawks Game Notes
Published on April 8, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Oklahoma City RedHawks (3-1) vs. Nashville Sounds (2-2)
Houston Astros vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Game #5 of 144/Road #5 of 72 (3-1)
Pitching Probables: OKC-LHP Rudy Owens/RHP Jose Cisnero vs. NAS-RHP Frankie De La Cruz
Monday, April 8, 2013 | Greer Stadium | Nashville, Tenn.| 7:05 p.m. CT
Radio: KGHM AM-1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, IHeartRadio - Alex Freedman
Today's Game: The RedHawks continue their road trip down Interstate 40 as they begin a four-game series against the Nashville Sounds at Greer Stadium tonight at 7:05 p.m. Last season the RedHawks won 13 of 16 games against Nashville.
Last Game: The RedHawks overcame a five-run deficit and outlasted the Memphis Redbirds in a wild, back-and-forth affair at AutoZone Park, 14-10 in 11 innings. Down 7-2 after five innings, the RedHawks scored three times in the sixth. After having none and two out in the eighth, the RedHawks rallied and tied the game on a Brandon Laird two-run single. Jimmy Paredes then followed with an RBI single to make it 8-7. Memphis' Kolten Wong responded in the bottom of the inning with a clutch two-run, two-out hit to give the Redbirds the lead. The RedHawks, though, caught some breaks in the ninth and tied the game without recording a hit. Still tied in the 11th, the RedHawks exploded for five runs, highlighted by a three-run homer by Trevor Crowe.
Today's Probable Pitchers: After coming over in a trade with Pittsburgh last July, Rudy Owens embarks into his first full season as a member of the Astros organization...Between the RedHawks and the Indianapolis Indians, Owens went 10-8 with a 3.48 ERA over 27 Triple-A starts in 2012...He got off to a bit of a rough start after joining the RedHawks, but finished strong by posting a 2.93 ERA over his final five outings, including four quality starts...Owens was an International League Mid-Sesaon All-Star with Indianapolis and threw a scoreless inning in last year's Triple-A All-Star Game...He was named Pittsburgh's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in both 2009 and 2010...The Astros acquired Owens along with current teammate Robbie Grossman and LHP Colton Cain in exchange for Wandy Rodriguez last July 24.
Jose Cisnero will follow Owens and make his season debut as well...Cisnero spent most of last season with Double-A Corpus Christi, going 9-6 with a 3.40 ERA...At the time of his promotion, Cisnero led the Texas League in strikeouts and ranked second in wins...he also threw two complete games, including a nine-inning, two-hit shutout against the Frisco RoughRiders on June 16...Cisnero joined the RedHawks on July 28 and went 4-1 with a 4.54 ERA over eight starts...In each of his first two PCL starts, Cisnero pitched seven innings and allowed just one run...He set career highs in starts (28), wins (13), and innings (148.1), and his 148 strikeouts were second-best among Astros farmhands.
Against the Sounds: 2013: 0-0 2012: 13-3 All-time: 127-113 In Nashville: 59-61
The RedHawks dominated last year's season series, taking 13 of 16 games, including a 10-game win streak at one point...Nashville actually had a better team batting average (.257 to .252), but the RedHawks outscored the Sounds 75-45...The RedHawks pitching staff was outstanding, posting a 2.67 ERA...Nashville won consecutive games just once, June 20-21 at Greer Stadium...The RedHawks have won the season series in four of the last five years...These teams tied for the PCL lead in one-run wins in 2012 (28).
None On, Two Out? No Problem: Yesterday the RedHawks scored 10 of their 15 runs in innings in which the bases were empty with two outs. Down 7-5 in the 8th, they loaded the bases and then scored three times. After a poor bunt and a pickoff seemed to squash a promising 11th inning, the RedHawks then busted the game open with five runs.
Long Time Coming: Yesterday reliever Jose Valdez recorded his first win in nearly two years. The club's career saves leader had not earned a victory since April 12, 2011 during an 8-7 win in Nashville. Valdez made 98 appearances with the RedHawks, Astros, and GCL Astros in between wins.
Keeping it in the Park: Until Brock Peterson's solo home run in the bottom of the 11th yesterday, the RedHawks pitching staff had not given up a home run in 113 consecutive innings. The last player to go yard against the RedHawks was Diory Hernandez of the Iowa Cubs in the 8th inning on August 26, 2012. Going back to last season, the RedHawks have allowed just seven dingers over the last 27 contests, spanning 239 IP.
Unlikely Source of Power: Two of the RedHawks three home runs yesterday came from Trevor Crowe and Jake Elmore, who combined to hit four home runs in 797 at-bats in 2012. Elmore hit just one home run with Reno last year, going deep on April 23 against Sacramento. Crowe's previous home run was last June 23 against Lehigh Valley.
Jake Takes the Cake: Yesterday Jake Elmore recorded his first career five-hit game. He went 5-for-6 and reached base in six of his seven plate appearances. The last RedHawk with a five-hit game was Carlos Corporan on July 6, 2012 at New Orleans.
Hit King: Jimmy Paredes is off to a hot start, going 8-for-15. In 2012 Paredes set a new single-season team record with 161 hits, and what's more remarkable is he did it in 124 games. He notched 52 multi-hit games and also led the team in doubles (28), triples (7), runs (92), and stolen bases (37). Paredes has recorded multi-hit games in each of the last three contests.
Running Into Trouble: Through the first four games, the RedHawks have had five baserunners picked off and three others caught stealing.
Recent Transactions: Earlier today, Paul Clemens was recalled to Houston to make his Major League debut. Ross Seaton will join the RedHawks from Double-A Corpus Christi.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER(S) OPP. PITCHER
Tuesday, April 9 7:05 p.m. @ Nashville TBA/RHP Jordan Lyles (0-1, 8.31) RHP Tyler Thornburg (0-0, 1.80)
Wed., April 10 7:05 p.m. @ Nashville RHP John Ely (0-0, 0.00)/RHP Jarred Cosart (0-0, 2.25) RHP Hiram Burgos (0-0, 0.00)
Thursday, April 11 7:05 p.m. @ Nashville TBA/LHP Brett Oberholtzer RHP Johnny Hellweg (1-0, 0.00)
Friday, April 12 7:05 p.m. Memphis RHP Jose Cisnero/LHP Rudy Owens TBA
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 8, 2013
- Express Rocks Iowa in Series Opener 13-5 - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Outduel RedHawks, 1-0 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Redbirds Roll Zephyrs 18-2 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sounds Blank RedHawks in Series Opener, 1-0 - Nashville Sounds
- LHP Ted Lilly Scheduled for Rehab Start with Topes Wednesday - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Tonight's Bees Game Postponed - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- LHP Beliveau Designated for Assignment; C Robinson Chirinos Assigned to Round Rock - Round Rock Express
- Round Rock Express Start Four-Game Series against Iowa Cubs On - Round Rock Express
- Whitney Myer to Sing National Anthem on Opening Night - Reno Aces
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.
