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PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Redhawks vs. Express - Game Notes - July 8, 2013

July 8, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Today's Game: The RedHawks open a three-game series with division-leading Round Rock at 7:05 p.m. at Dell Diamond. This marks the RedHawks' first trip to Round Rock this season, and the Express lead the season series, 5-3.

Last Game: Sunday's series finale at New Orleans was rained out. Since there are no remaining games between the RedHawks and Zephyrs scheduled in New Orleans this season, the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when the Zephyrs visit Oklahoma City later this week, July 11-14.

On Saturday, Carlos Perez capped a late comeback with a game-winning home run, and George Springer went deep twice as the RedHawks defeated New Orleans, 6-5, Saturday night. Trailing 5-3 in the eighth, the RedHawks tied the game with RBIs by Jonathan Villar and Brandon Laird. Perez then led off the ninth inning with a home run to left field to give Oklahoma City the lead. New Orleans led most of the night, but the RedHawks took the first lead of the game on a two-run homer from George Springer in the first inning. Springer also hit a solo shot in the fourth. Jason Stoffel earned the win for Oklahoma City to improve to 3-0, and Josh Zeid earned his 10th save of the season.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Asher Wojciechowski looks to capture wins in back-to-back starts for the first time this season...He is just 1.0 IP shy of qualifying for the league leaders, but his 3.45 ERA would rank fifth, and his 1.21 WHIP and .215 opponent average would each rank third in the PCL...Wojciechowski settled into his last start Tuesday against Albuquerque after a rough first inning during which he issued three straight walks and then surrendered a two-out bases-clearing double. Over his final five innings held the Isotopes scoreless with just two hits. Although he walked a career-high six batters, he went on to grab the win after the RedHawks overcame the 3-0 deficit and won 4-3...Coming into tonight, Wojciechowksi has turned in quality start in five of his last seven outings...In his only previous start against the Express on June 16, he allowed just one run over six innings with a season-high eight strikeouts. He had to settle for a no decision after the Express mounted an eight-run rally in the ninth inning and won 9-4.

Against the Express: 2013: 3-5 2012: 10-6 All-time: 71-64 In RR: 34-29

Today marks the start of the first series between the teams at Dell Diamond since Aug. 18-21, 2012 -- a series the teams split, 2-2...The first eight games of the season between the teams were played at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Round Rock took five of eight and more than doubled its win total in OKC from 2012 (2)...During the previous series, June 14-17, the Express unloaded for 36 runs, scoring at least nine runs three times. They also bashed nine homers...The OKC pitching staff has an ERA close to seven (6.88)...The RedHawks won 10 of 16 meetings with the Express in 2012...The RedHawks have not lost the season series in five of the last six years...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.

Rain, Rain Go Away: Last night marked the eighth time this season a RedHawks game was postponed. In addition, one game was suspended, two had delayed starts, and another was completed early.

Close Calls: The RedHawks have won four of their last five games, with each victory coming by one run. They've won each of their last five one-run affairs, and their record now stands at 14-12 in one-run games. The RedHawks are now also 5-0 when tied after eight innings and are the only undefeated team in the PCL in that scenario. (Every team has at least two losses.)

Comeback Kids: Saturday's comeback was the team's fourth win this season when trailing after seven innings -- tied for second-most in the PCL. Three of those wins have actually occurred on the road.

By George: On Saturday George Springer became the third RedHawk this season with a multi-homer game (B. Wallace, 5/5 @ Iowa; J. Villar, 6/16 vs. Round Rock). It was also the third multi-homer game he's had after doing it twice with Double-A Corpus Christi prior to his promotion (4/23 @ Midland; 5/27 vs. Arkansas). After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his Triple-A debut June 27 in Nashville, Springer has hit safely in each of his last 10 games, hitting .424 (14x33) with four home runs and 10 RBI. He is the only player in all of professional baseball this season go 20/20 (23 HR, 27 SB).

Lord Laird: Brandon Laird has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, posting a .391 average (18x46) with seven multi-hit games, including seven extra-base hits and six RBI. His game-tying RBI double in the eighth inning Saturday was his team leading 21st two-bagger of the season.

Hip Hip, Jose: Jose Martinez is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games. During the streak he is batting .357 (10x28) with three multi-hit games.

Out of the Park: The RedHawks hit three home runs in Saturday's win to end a stretch of four-straight games without going deep. It's the fifth time this season they've hit at least three dingers in a game, but only the third time outside of hitter-friendly Albuquerque. They also have only allowed four home runs over their past 10 games, all of which have been solo shots. Their 74 homers allowed this season are fourth-least in the PCL.

Over the Hump: With a win tonight, OKC would be above .500 on the road for the first time since they were 12-11 entering May 25.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER OPP. PITCHER

Tuesday, July 9 7:05 p.m. @ Round Rock LHP Wade LeBlanc (0-0, 1.93) RHP Evan Meek (2-4, 4.04)

Wednesday July 10 7:05 p.m. @ Round Rock RHP Brad Peacock (4-2, 2.89) RHP Scott Richmond (2-2, 6.58)

Thursday, July 11 7:05 p.m. vs. New Orleans RHP Jake Buchanan (1-1, 4.09) TBA

Friday, July 12 7:05 p.m. vs. New Orleans RHP Jarred Cosart (7-4, 3.29) TBA

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