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PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks vs. Express - Game Notes - August 23, 2013

August 23, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Today's Game: The RedHawks and Express meet for the third time in their five-game series at 7:05 p.m. at Dell Diamond. First place Oklahoma City has a six-game edge on second-place Round Rock in the American Southern Division standings with 11 games left. Last night marked the first time in 10 days the RedHawks lost ground in the standings.

Last Game: Round Rock erupted for 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning in a 12-3 win against Oklahoma City Thursday at Dell Diamond. The RedHawks had just taken the lead in the top of the sixth inning, breaking a 1-1 tie with a two-run homer by Brandon Laird. Multiple RedHawks miscues and a grand slam by Chris McGuiness gave the Express a 6-3 lead, but the Express wasn't finished. Round Rock went on to add five more runs in the inning with RBI singles by Brendan Harris and Jim Adduci and a three-run homer by Engel Beltre. RedHawks starter Paul Clemens was charged with the loss, throwing five-plus innings. He allowed eight runs (seven earned) and six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Marc Krauss also homered for the RedHawks, notching his 10th round-tripper of the season.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Asher Wojciechowski will try to add to his team-leading win total when he starts tonight against Round Rock...In his most recent start Aug. 18 against Albuquerque, Wojciechowski tied his season best with eight strikeouts. He allowed three runs, seven hits and walked one through 7.1 innings...Wojciechowski's .224 opponent batting average leads the league, while his 1.17 WHIP is second and his 3.52 ERA ranks sixth...He leads the team with eight wins, 19 starts, and 122.1 innings pitched...Although Wojciechowski has literally been unbeatable at home (7-0), he is 1-6 with a 4.89 ERA on the road...Tonight is Wojciechowski's third career start against Round Rock. He pitched one of the best games in RedHawks history July 8 in Round Rock when he fired a one-hit shutout and faced the minimum in a 5-0 victory, becoming the first RedHawks pitcher ever to face the minimum in a complete game. Over 15 total innings against the Express, he has allowed just one run and five hits, walked three and struck out 13.

Against the Express: 2013: 6-7 2012: 10-6 All-time: 74-66 In RR: 37-31

Thursday marked the fourth time this season Round Rock has scored at least 11 runs against the RedHawks...In their most recent series, the RedHawks won two of three games at Dell Diamond July 8-10. OKC pitched shutouts in the first and last games, but the Express exploded for 11 in the middle contest. During that series, George Springer went 6-for-11 with three homers, a triple, and seven RBI...The road team is 8-5 this year, and Round Rock more than doubled its win total in OKC from 2012 (2), going 5-3...The Express have outscored the RedHawks, 82-61, although the RedHawks have hit for a slightly better average (.277 to .275)...Round Rock is once again led by Bobby Jones, the legendary RedHawks skipper who compiled 595 wins and five division titles over eight seasons. He also managed the team when they were the 89ers in 1993-1994.

Tales From the Trail: Thursday's loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for the RedHawks, and Oklahoma City is now 3-8 in their last 11 road games. The team is 33-35 on the road this season, and the RedHawks are trying to win at least 34 road games for the first time since 2008 (36). They have allowed at least 12 runs three times over their last nine road contests.

Chasing the Crown: George Springer stole two bases Thursday to bring his season total to 41. In doing so, he joined Ruben Rivera and Darryl Strawberry as the only minor leaguers over the past 40 years with at least 30 homers and 40 stolen bases in the same season. He leads all of Minor League Baseball with 36 home runs and holds a three homer lead for the MiLB Joe Baumann Home Run Award. Springer is trying to become the first Minor League player with a 40/40 season since Len Tucker of the unaffiliated Class B Pampa Oilers in 1956 (51 HR/47 SB). He has seven homers in the last 14 games and has collected 102 RBI (fourth in the Minors) and scored 100 runs (fifth in the Minors) overall this season, making him the only player currently in affiliated baseball (Majors or Minors) to have 100 of each.

The Laird Up There: Brandon Laird hit his 16th home run of the season Thursday and is tied for the PCL lead with 21 RBI in August. He has 28 hits this month to rank second on the team (Trevor Crowe - 29) and leads the RedHawks with 125 hits this season. His 76 RBI and 72 runs scored also pace Oklahoma City.

Familiar Act: Marc Krauss has drawn three walks and hit a homer over his first eight plate appearances since rejoining the RedHawks. Before being promoted to Houston in late June, Krauss led the RedHawks in free passes while ranking second on the team in homers. During his time in the PCL in 2013, Krauss has walked (46) more than he's struck out (45).

The Big One: Although historical records are incomplete, it is definitive the RedHawks had not allowed 10 runs in an inning since at least 2003. The RedHawks had allowed a total of 18 runs over their seven-game winning streak before the Express scored 12 times last night. Round Rock went deep twice in one inning, matching the total number of homers allowed by the RedHawks over their previous 11 games combined.

Above Average: Although the RedHawks have allowed just 97 homers this season to rank third in the PCL, the Express have connected on 17 dingers in their 13 meetings with OKC (1.3 per game). The RedHawks on average allow 0.67 homers per game against all other PCL opponents...On the other hand, the RedHawks have hit 13 homers in their 13 games with the Express and average 0.73 homers per game against everyone else.

Men of Steal: George Springer's two stolen bases last night boosted the RedHawks' total to 161 this season. Oklahoma City paces the league in steals and continues to add to their single-season club record (previously 143, set in 2011).

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER OPP. PITCHER

Saturday, August 24 7:05 p.m. @ Round Rock RHP Bobby Doran (2-0, 3.86) RHP Evan Meek (6-7, 3.74)

Sunday, August 25 6:05 p.m. @ Round Rock RHP Jake Buchanan (5-3, 3.25) LHP Michael Kirkman (1-2, 7.85)

Monday, August 26 7:05 p.m. Nashville RHP Ross Seaton (3-6, 8.15) RHP Jimmy Nelson (3-6, 4.09)

Tuesday, August 27 7:05 p.m. Nashville RHP Paul Clemens (3-2, 4.50) LHP Zach Kroenke (5-15, 4.67)

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