PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks vs. Cubs - Game Notes - June 12, 2013

June 12, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Today's Game: The RedHawks and Iowa Cubs meet for the third time in the current four-game series at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Oklahoma City is looking to defeat Iowa in consecutive games for the first time this season.

Last Game: Brett Wallace had three hits with a two-run homer, and Andy Simunic batted in three runs to lead the RedHawks to an 8-5 win over Iowa Tuesday afternoon. Iowa took the lead on a solo home run from Brett Jackson in the first inning, but the RedHawks responded quickly in the bottom of the frame. Wallace's two-run homer to right field put Oklahoma City ahead, 2-1, and OKC led the remainder of the game. A three-run bottom of the seventh inning helped seal the win. Oklahoma City took a 6-4 lead on a throwing error by I-Cubs shortstop Brent Lillibridge before a two-out two-RBI single by Simunic put the team in front, 8-4. Iowa's Ian Stewart hit a home run in the eighth to close out the scoring. RedHawks starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski (3-2) tied his season high and posted his highest Triple-A total with seven strikeouts. He allowed two runs on four hits in 5.2 innings. Closer Jose Valdez picked up his 13th save, striking out all three batters he faced in the ninth.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Coming off a strong start in Omaha, Brett Oberholtzer heads back to the mound...On Friday at Wener Park, Oberholtzer allowed one run and three hits over six innings for his fourth win of the season. He struck out seven and walked three and only had two runners reach scoring position...In five of his last six starts, Oberholtzer has allowed two or less runs and four or less hits each time. Over his last six starts overall he is 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA and the team has won five times...He ranks second on the team in several categories, including starts (11), wins (4), innings pitched (53.0) and strikeouts (47)...Oberholtzer earned monthly honors after going 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA over five starts in May. He held opponents to a .198 batting average and struck out 27 batters over 26 innings, with just nine walks...The I-Cubs have defeated Oberholtzer twice in two starts this season and he is 1-3 with a 5.13 ERA in five career starts against Iowa.

Against the I-Cubs: 2013: 3-7 2012: 12-4 All-time: 100-114 In OKC: 54-50

The RedHawks won for the 16th time in the last 19 meetings against Iowa in downtown Oklahoma City Tuesday...Iowa has won seven of the first 10 meetings of 2013 after winning just four games against the RedHawks in all of 2012...The RedHawks are hitting .318 against Iowa at home after hitting just .219 in their first eight meetings of the season in Des Moines. Brett Wallace is batting .353 with four home runs and has reached base in eight of 10 plate appearances this series...The I-Cubs have hit 13 home runs. Former RedHawk Brian Bogusevic is hitting .406 with a .525 on-base percentage...Six of 10 games have been decided by one run, including four of the last five...OKC went a combined 22-10 against Iowa in 2011 and 2012...After not winning any of its previous six series against the RedHawks, the I-Cubs have won both of the teams' series this year.

To the Max: Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell joined the RedHawks today on rehab assignment. Maxwell has been on the Disabled List with a fractured left hand since April 24 after being hit by a pitch. He began his rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi, going 1-for-21 over six games. Maxwell had a brief three-game stint with the RedHawks on a rehab assignment last season. He was also one of three players to visit OKC this past winter during the annual Houston Astros CAREavan.

Other Transactions: Pitcher Brad Peacock is back with the RedHawks after spending the past two weeks with the Astros. He is scheduled to start tomorrow's game. In a corresponding move, pitcher C.J. Fick has been released.

Runnin' RedHawks of OKC: The RedHawks stole five bases last night to bring their league-leading season total to 85 -- 20 more than Reno and Albuquerque, the next-closest teams. (It's also the highest total in all of Triple-A.) Jonathan Villar stole two bases and now leads the league with 21 swipes this season. Oklahoma City stole a season-high six bases in an April 29 home win against Nashville.

Plate Patience: The RedHawks walked seven times in Tuesday's win and rank fourth in the league in walks (261) this season. They also tied a season low yesterday with just two strikeouts. Marc Krauss leads the team with 42 walks, which ranks second in the PCL. Krauss (42 BB/41 K) and Che-Hsuan Lin (34 BB/27 K) have each walked more than they've struck out.

Booming Brett: After a 1-for-12 series in Omaha, Brett Wallace has gone 5-for-7 with a two-run homer to begin the homestand, including a two-run home run. Tuesday marked his fourth three-hit game of the season. He is now tied with Marc Krauss for the team lead in both home runs (9) and multi-RBI games (9).

End of Dinger Drought: Wallace's homer gave Oklahoma City its third home run in the last two games. Prior to the start of this current homestand, the RedHawks went a stretch of five games without a home run and also were homer-less in their previous five home games (since May 11). The team's 43 home runs this season rank 15th in the league.

Andy Answers: Andy Simunic has hit safely in each of his last five games, going 7-for-18 (.389). He tied a season-high with three RBI in Tuesday's win.

Halting Hits: Opponents are hitting just .186 in the RedHawks last five home games. Their .247 batting average against this season is the lowest in the PCL.

Starts with a W: The RedHawks are 4-0 in Wednesday games this season, including 2-0 at home.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER(S) OPP. PITCHER

Thursday, June 13 7:05 p.m. Iowa RHP Brad Peacock (1-2, 4.98) RHP Nick Struck (3-4, 6.24)

Friday, June 14 7:05 p.m. Round Rock RHP Ross Seaton (2-5, 7.60) TBA

Saturday, June 15 7:05 p.m. Round Rock RHP Jarred Cosart (5-3, 3.39) TBA

Sunday, June 16 6:05 p.m. Round Rock RHP Philip Humber (0-2, 7.02) TBA

Check out the Oklahoma City Comets Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 12, 2013


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