PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks Sweep Doubleheader in Nashville

Published on June 29, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Nashville, Tenn. - The Oklahoma City RedHawks used some timely hitting and two strong starting pitching performances to sweep a doubleheader over the Nashville Sounds before 5,250 at Greer Stadium Friday night.

The RedHawks outlasted the Sounds in the first game, winning 5-1 in nine innings. They used just the scheduled seven innings in game two, winning 6-3.

Playing their seventh doubleheader of the season, the RedHawks earned their first sweep. They had not swept a doubleheader since taking two at Greer Stadium against the Sounds on April 19, 2012.

In the first game, the Sounds opened a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Hainley Statia led off with a double, and two batters later, Blake Davis slapped a double down the third base line to score Statia.

After stranding runners in scoring position three times through the first five innings, the RedHawks broke through in the sixth. With two outs and a runner at third base, George Springer sent a double off the wall in left field for his first Triple-A hit and RBI to tie the game 1-1.

The game was still tied in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hunter Morris hit a one-out double, putting the winning run in scoring position.

The RedHawks then brought in reliever Jason Stoffel to face Khris Davis. On a 3-2 pitch, Davis sent a line drive to shallow center field, caught by Springer. With Morris standing near third base, Springer threw to second base to complete the inning-ending double play.

Still knotted 1-1 in the ninth, the RedHawks loaded the bases with one out. Carlos Perez then sent a sharp ground ball off the glove of a diving Statia at third base to score two runs.

An error on the play by Khris Davis in left field put runners at second and third. Jose Martinez stepped up next and laid down a perfect bunt on a squeeze play to score Marwin Gonzalez to make it 4-1. An error by Morris on the play after that brought home the fourth and final run of the inning.

Making his team debut, Wade LeBlanc retired the Sounds in order in the bottom of the inning to preserve the win. Stoffel (2-0) earned the win after throwing 1.2 scoreless innings, retiring all four batters he faced.

Sounds reliever Travis Webb (1-3) took the loss, giving up four runs (two earned) during the ninth. He threw 39 pitches in the inning.

Even though he didn't figure in the decision, Brett Oberholtzer turned in another strong start for the RedHawks, allowing one run over 6.1 innings. He allowed five hits, with three of them occurring in the third inning. Oberholtzer walked one and struck out five, throwing an efficient 75 pitches.

In the second game, it took the RedHawks all of four pitches to score. Jonathan Villar sent a home run to right-center field, marking the third time this year he's gone deep to start a game.

The Sounds would also score in their first at bat, plating a pair. After Nashville had none on and two out, the Sounds strung three straight hits together to take a 2-l lead. Hunter Morris knocked an RBI triple, and Khris Davis immediately followed an RBI double.

The lead, however, would not even last one pitch into the second inning. Springer connected on his first Triple-A home run when he sent a ball off the guitar-shaped scoreboard in left field to make it 2-2.

The game stayed tied until the fourth. With two outs, Ruben Sosa got his first RBI with Oklahoma City on a base hit to left field to score Brandon Laird. Villar came up next and hit a two-run double to deep left field to extend the lead to 5-2.

In the sixth, Statia brought home a run with a fielder's choice, and the Sounds put the tying runs on base with two outs, but Rhiner Cruz struck out Cole Garner to end the inning.

The RedHawks got the run back in the seventh. Sosa reached on an error to start the inning and stole second base. Two batters later, Gonzalez collected an RBI single to stretch the lead back to three runs at 6-3.

RedHawks closer Josh Zeid pitched a scoreless bottom of the seventh to earn his seventh save of season.

Making his first start for Oklahoma City, Jake Buchanan earned his first Triple-A win. After giving up two runs and three hits in the first inning, Buchanan (1-0) allowed no runs and one hit over his final four frames. He retired 13 of the last 14 hitters he faced, including the final nine straight.

Nashville starter Zach Kroenke wound up going the distance, but became the first pitcher in the PCL this year with 10 losses. Kroenke (4-10) allowed six runs (five earned) and eight hits, tying a season high with seven innings. He walked two and set a career high with nine strikeouts.

The RedHawks and Sounds will be back to a normal schedule Saturday night with the game slated to start at 6:35 p.m. Live coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free IHeartRadio mobile app.

Check out the Oklahoma City Comets Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 29, 2013


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.

OurSports Central