PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks vs. Redbirds - Game Notes - July 18, 2013

Published on July 18, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Today's Game: The RedHawks return to action after the All-Star Break by opening an eight-day, nine-game road trip at 7:05 p.m. in Memphis. Oklahoma City lost four of five games at home against New Orleans leading into the break.

Last Game: New Orleans scored three runs with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to secure a 7-6 come-from-behind win Sunday against the RedHawks at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The RedHawks got down 2-0 quickly in the first, but then scored the game's next four runs, including solo homers by Robbie Grossman and Jon Singleton. New Orleans plated runs in each the sixth and seventh innings to knot the score, but a two-run, two-out triple to deep right-center field by Ruben Sosa in the eighth put the RedHawks back in front. With two down in the ninth, Nick Green hit a RBI single and Matt Downs followed with an RBI double to score the game-tying run. Two batters later Chris Gutierrez singled to bring home Downs for the lead. RedHawks pitcher Josh Zeid (4-1) was tagged with his first loss and blown save of the season.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Brad Peacock looks for a fourth win in as many starts as well as a seventh-straight quality start...His last action occurred Sunday in a spot relief appearance before the break. He had an off day, retiring only one of five batters he faced and allowing the game-tying run to score in the seventh inning...In his most recent start July 10 at Round Rock, Peacock threw six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk. He struck out four and retired the final 14 Express hitters he faced. Only one runner reached scoring position...In his regular starting role, Peacock has been on fire lately. Over his last six starts he's posted a 1.21 ERA and held opponents to a .194 average. All six outings have been quality starts and he's allowed more than one earned run just once. He's 4-0 during this stretch and the team has won all six games...The RedHawks are 9-2 in his starts overall this year...He's fared well away from OKC, going 5-1 with a 2.00 ERA in six road starts...Tonight will mark Peacock's first career meeting against Memphis.

Against the Redbirds: 2013: 4-4 2012: 8-8 All-time: 129-119 In OKC: 73-54

Tonight marks the first game between Memphis and Oklahoma City since April 15...In each of their two series, the road team has won three of four games...Oklahoma City won the most recent game between the teams, 11-0, April 15...Memphis has a slight 55-52 scoring advantage through eight meetings this season, but the RedHawks are batting .319 as a team against the Redbirds, while Memphis is hitting .294 against OKC...Brandon Laird has a team-leading 15 hits and 11 RBI against Memphis this season. He is hitting .429 with two homers...The winning team has scored at least 10 runs in four games between the teams this season.

Playing Catch-Up: Since the RedHawks adjourned Sunday there have been a few roster changes. Reliever Jose Valdez -- the club's all-time saves leader -- was released and reliever Hector Ambriz was recalled to Houston. Pitchers Jarred Cosart and Brett Oberholtzer were both recently optioned to Oklahoma City.

RedHawks Here, There, Everywhere: Three RedHawks recently played on a national stage. On Sunday, George Springer participated in the annual All-Star Futures Game. He went 1-for-3 and was hit by a pitch in the U.S. team's 4-2 win. Jarred Cosart made the start for the PCL All-Stars last night, but unfortunately took the loss after allowing four runs and three hits over 1.2 innings. He gave up a three-run homer to Tony Sanchez of the Indianapolis Indians that was ultimately the difference in the game. RedHawks reliever Jason Stoffel also pitched in the All-Star Game, tossing a scoreless inning with one walk and one strikeout.

Clean Sweep: RedHawks outfielder George Springer and pitcher Asher Wojciechowski were named PCL Player and Pitcher of the Week on Monday, becoming the second teammates of the season to sweep the awards. (Nick Franklin & Andrew Carraway of Tacoma; week of April 28.) Springer hit .450 with three homers and seven RBI over six games. He is now batting .404/7/17 over 17 games with the RedHawks since being promoted from Double-A. Wojciechowski allowed one run and six hits over 15 innings in two starts. The week included his July 8 outing against Round Rock, when he faced the minimum and tossed a complete game, one-hit shutout.

Late Inning Drama: Sunday marked the fourth time this season the RedHawks lost a game when leading after eight innings -- tied with Fresno for the most in the PCL. The RedHawks also tied for the league lead last season in losses when leading after eight innings (six). Each of the four losses this season has occurred since June 6 and they are just 13-4 when leading after eight over that time.

No L in Zeid: Josh Zeid picked up his first loss since Aug. 2, 2011 while pitching for Corpus Christi against San Antonio, a span of 96 appearances. It was also the first time he did not convert a save in 11 opportunities this season.

Sosa More Than So-So: Ruben Sosa went 1-for-3 with a two-run triple Sunday, and he is batting .393 (11x28) over his last 10 games. When used as the designated hitter, he has gone 4-for-8.

Engrossed in Power: After going 334 at bats in between home runs, Robbie Grossman has gone deep twice over his last 20 at bats. His leadoff home run Sunday was the fourth leadoff homer of the season by the RedHawks, with each of the previous three hit by Jonathan Villar. It was Grossman's fifth career leadoff homer and his first since June 17, 2012, when he was still in the Pirates system playing for Double-A Altoona (@ Binghamton).

Lot of Work Ahead: The RedHawks begin play following the break 4.5 games out of first place, the farthest they've been back in the standings this season. Unfortunately recent history is not on the RedHawks side, as they've only had a winning record after the break just once in the past six seasons.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER OPP. PITCHER

Friday, July 18 7:05 p.m. @ Memphis RHP Jake Buchanan (1-2, 5.00) LHP Tyler Lyons (4-1, 3.41)

Saturday, July 19 6:05 p.m. @ Memphis RHP Asher Wojciechowski (5-4, 2.95) RHP Boone Whiting (4-4, 4.77)

Sunday, July 20 6:05 p.m. @ Memphis LHP Wade LeBlanc (0-1, 8.36) RHP Scott McGregor (4-5, 5.13)

Monday, July 21 7:05 p.m. @ Omaha TBA TBA

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