RedHawks nipped Friday night
Published on July 18, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
HIGHLIGHTS: The Oklahoma RedHawks dropped a 5-4 final in the series opener against the Memphis Redbirds Friday night at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The Redbirds hit three home runs over a span of two innings off RedHawks starter Elizardo Ramirez, but it was a fifth inning bases loaded walk that scored the winning run.
PCL All-Star Nelson Cruz gave Oklahoma an early lead with a first inning, solo home run. The blast was his 27th of the season, leaving Cruz one shy of tying for tenth place all-time in Oklahoma's Triple-A history. Memphis gained it first lead when Josh Phelps delivered a two-run home run in the fourth inning. The RedHawks would quickly regain a 3-2 advantage. In the bottom of the fourth, Travis Metcalf doubled in a pair to give Oklahoma the lead. Rico Washington tied the score with a leadoff home run in the fifth, and David Freese followed with a solo shot to give Memphis a 4-3 lead. The Redbirds would load the bases in the fifth and score their final run when Joe Mather walked, scoring Jarrett Hoffpauir in the process. Oklahoma plated its final run in the bottom of the fifth when Cruz scored on a Nate Gold groundout.
The RedHawks had chances to regain the lead in each of the last three innings of the game, but three different Redbird pitchers shut down Oklahoma. The RedHawks has runners at second and third with no one out in the eighth before Jason Motte retired the next three batters, including two on strikes. Jason Ellison singled to lead off the ninth and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Joaquin Arias. After Memphis reliever Mark Worrell struck out Cruz and walked Gold, Drew Meyer laced a single to right field. Jason Ellison attempted to score from second base, but was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Joe Mather to end the game.
Ramirez (9-4) took the loss despite notching his tenth quality start of the year for Oklahoma. Mike Parisi (7-2) picked up the win and four Redbird relievers combined to shutout Oklahoma over the final four innings. Worrell earned his fourth save in five chances to close out the win for Memphis, which snapped Oklahoma's four-game winning streak. Oklahoma outhit Memphis 8-6, but could not overcome a 2-15 performance with runners in scoring position.
The RedHawks and Redbirds will play the second game of this brief homestand Saturday evening at the Brick. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
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