PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks vs. Express - Game Notes - July 9, 2013

July 9, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Today's Game: Oklahoma City and Round Rock continue a three-game series at 7:05 p.m. at Dell Diamond with the RedHawks searching for a third-straight win. The RedHawks are now within one game of first place in the American Southern Division.

Last Game: RedHawks starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski threw a one-hit, complete game shutout and faced the minimum in a 5-0 win against the Express Monday at Dell Diamond. He retired the first 15 batters he faced before giving up a leadoff single to Mike Olt in the bottom of the sixth inning. Wojciechowski (5-4) threw 97 pitches, including 66 for strikes. He registered five strikeouts and retired the side with nine pitches or less five times. (See below for more details.) The RedHawks grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third inning with RBIs from Robbie Grossman and Marwin Gonzalez. The duo extended Oklahoma City's lead in the fourth inning. With two outs, Grossman hit a RBI single and Gonzalez followed with a two-run double to center field for a 5-0 lead. For the first time in five career starts against the RedHawks, Brad Mills took the loss, allowing five runs (two earned), seven hits, four walks and six strikeouts.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Wade LeBlanc takes the mound for his second start of the season with the RedHawks...In his first start since joining OKC, LeBlanc allowed one run on three hits over 3.1 innings against Albuquerque July 3. He tied a career high with five walks and recorded two strikeouts...Although the sample size is small, the lefty is off to a good start with his new team, allowing one run over his first 4.1 innings. Opponents are batting .188 and LeBlanc has allowed just one hit with a runner on base, and none with runners in scoring position...LeBlanc began the season in the Miami Marlins' starting rotation and made 13 overall appearances with the Marlins, going 1-5 with a 5.18 ERA...He was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by Houston June 8. After making three relief appearances for the Astros, he was designated for assignment again. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the RedHawks on June 28...LeBlanc last pitched against Round Rock in an April 23, 2012 loss while with New Orleans, allowing five runs on seven hits over 3.0 innings. He has made three career starts against the Express, going 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA.

Against the Express: 2013: 4-5 2012: 10-6 All-time: 72-64 In RR: 35-29

The Express and RedHawks continue their first series 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 a bit above six (6.08)...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.

Wojo's Mojo: Monday's one-hit, complete game shutout by Asher Wojciechowski was the first shutout of Wojciechowski's career and first complete game, nine-inning shutout by a RedHawk since Luis Mendoza's no-hitter against Salt Lake Aug. 14, 2009. It's also the first non rain-shortened shutout of any length tossed by a RedHawk since the Astros affiliation began in 2011. Most impressively, Wojciechowski is believed to be the first pitcher in RedHawks history to face the minimum over nine innings. He moved into third place in the PCL with a 3.06 ERA and now paces the league with a .199 opponent batting average and 1.10 WHIP.

One-Hit Wonder: Wojciechowski also became the first PCL pitcher this season to throw a one-hitter and the first since Luis Mendoza did so July 18, 2011 against Memphis when he was with Omaha. Prior to Monday, the last time Oklahoma City turned in a one-hit shutout was June 25, 2004 when Nick Regilio and Brad Clontz beat Albuquerque, 6-0. Wojciechowski is the first RedHawk to toss a one-hitter by himself since Ryan Glynn did so April 28, 1999 against New Orleans.

Raising the Ceiling...or Lowering the Floor?: Last night was team's fourth shutout of the year, but the first since a 1-0 blanking of the Tacoma Rainiers on May 10. The previous low-hit mark by an opponent was set by Nashville with two on April 10. Finally, last night was the first time since May 19 the RedHawks did not allow an extra-base hit (Sacramento).

To the Max: Yesterday Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell joined the RedHawks to begin a rehab assignment and went 0-for-3. Maxwell is recovering from a concussion he sustained while attempting to make a diving catch against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 25. In an injury-plagued season, Maxwell is batting .235 with one home run and six RBI over just 28 games with Houston.

By George: After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his Triple-A debut June 27 in Nashville, George Springer has hit safely in each of his last 11 games, hitting .417 (15x36) with four home runs and 10 RBI. Last night he stole his fifth base since joining the Redhawks and his 28th overall this year. He is the only player in all of professional baseball this season go 20/20 (23 HR, 28 SB).

Hip Hip, Jose: Jose Martinez is currently on an eight-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games. During the streak he is batting .344 (11x32) with three multi-hit games.

Sosa's More Than So-So: Utility man Ruben Sosa has been a nice addition when plugged into the lineup. He's hit safely in each of his last four games, going 6-for-13 with three RBI, three runs scored, and three stolen bases.

Over the Hump: With last night's win, the RedHawks are above .500 on the road for the first time since they were 12-11 entering May 25. They have won six of their last eight road games.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER OPP. PITCHER

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 4:30 p.m. vs. New Orleans RHP Jarred Cosart (7-4, 3.29) TBA

Game 2 vs. New Orleans TBA TBA

Saturday, July 13 7:05 p.m. vs. New Orleans RHP Asher Wojciechowski (5-4, 3.06) TBA

Check out the Oklahoma City Comets Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 9, 2013


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