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PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks vs. Storm Chasers - Game Notes - July 22, 2013

July 22, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Today's Game: The RedHawks continue their road trip in Omaha starting at 7:05 p.m. at Werner Park. The RedHawks and Storm Chasers will play five games over the next four days and the series will include the completion of a suspended game from June 8 tomorrow afternoon.

Last Game: Oklahoma City came back from an early deficit and took advantage of three Memphis errors in a 3-2 win at AutoZone Park Sunday. Memphis took the first lead of the game in the second inning and went ahead, 2-0, in the fourth. The RedHawks got their first hit of the night with two outs in the fifth inning when Jose Martinez hit a home run to left field that cut Memphis' lead to one. Oklahoma City tied the game in the sixth inning when Memphis second baseman Greg Garcia mishandled a ground ball, allowing Che-Hsuan Lin to score. The RedHawks took their first lead of the night in the eighth inning. Robbie Grossman laid down a sac bunt and Memphis pitcher Keith Butler's throw to first base went into right field allowing Lin to score the eventual winning run from first base. In the bottom of the ninth, the Redbirds put the tying run on base with one out and loaded the bases with two outs before Josh Zeid (SV, 12) struck out Adron Chambers to end the game. RedHawks starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc (1-1) got the win, allowing two runs and six singles over seven innings. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk for a third consecutive start.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Brett Oberholtzer returns to the mound for the RedHawks after being recalled to Houston on July 2. He made two relief appearances for the Astros and was optioned to Oklahoma City during the All-Star Break and joined the team on July 18...This will be his first game action since July 5, when he worked 3.1 innings of relief against the Texas Rangers (3 H, ER, 2 K)...Tonight marks Oberholtzer's first start with Oklahoma City since June 28. He pitched in game one of a doubleheader in Nashville and allowed one run and five hits with one walk and five strikeouts over 6.1 IP. He left the game in a 1-1 tie and did not figure in the decision...The lefty has pitched six-plus innings in four of his last five starts, and each of his last two starts have been quality starts. His current 4.60 ERA is the lowest it's been all season...Oberholtzer has notched victories in each of his two previous starts against the Storm Chasers this season, allowing a combined three runs (two ER) and 10 hits over 13.2 IP. All three of his starts against Omaha in his career have been quality starts and he owns a 1.83 ERA.

Against the Storm Chasers: 2013: 6-5 2012: 6-10 All-time: 116-103 In OMA: 56-51

During the team's previous series at Werner Park June 6-9, Omaha won two of three games and the June 8 meeting was suspended in the first inning due to rain. The RedHawks were held to just six runs in the three games combined...The teams split six games during their most recent series in Bricktown, June 22-25. The series was played in four days and featured two doubleheaders...Brandon Laird leads the RedHawks with six RBI and four doubles against Omaha this season...Oklahoma City has outscored the Storm Chasers, 46-34...During the 2012 season series, Omaha averaged 6.9 runs per game, but so far in 2013 they have scored a total of 34 runs (3.1 RPG) and are batting .228...The RedHawks lead the all-time series, 116-103, but Omaha entered 2013 having won four of the last five season series against Oklahoma City.

Au Revoir, Villar: The Astros recalled RedHawks shortstop Jonathan Villar, who will get the chance to be the everyday shortstop with Houston. Villar was batting .278 with eight homers and 41 RBI. He led the team and was second in the PCL with 31 stolen bases. Pitcher Bobby Doran has been added to the RedHawks roster from Double-A Corpus Christi and will start tomorrow's second game.

Low-Hit Win: The RedHawks won Sunday despite tying a season low for a nine-inning game with just three hits. Their previous lowest hit total in a win this season was four, when they defeated Tacoma 1-0 at home on May 10.

Close Calls: With yesterday's 3-2 win, the RedHawks have won five of their last six one-run games. They're now 15-13 in one-run affairs this season, and their .536 winning percentage is tied with Fresno for fourth-best in the league. The win also moved the team to 6-1 in games when tied after seven innings. Every other team in the PCL has at least three losses when tied after seven.

Road Warriors: The RedHawks won their fourth-straight road series Sunday, and for the first time in team history, Oklahoma City finished its season slate in Memphis with a winning record, going 6-2 at AutoZone Park in 2013. They have won 10 of their last 14 contests away from OKC and their 28 road wins are tied for the most among American Conference teams along with Albuquerque.

Yes Way, Jose: Jose Martinez belted his second home run in four games yesterday. Martinez has hit safely in his last five games and in seven of the last eight, collecting one hit in each contest. He has 38 hits in 38 total games with Oklahoma City this season.

Springer Uncoiled: George Springer cooled down a bit during the Memphis series, going 3-for-13. Since June 28, he leads the PCL in all three major offensive categories, batting .394 (26x66) with eight home runs and 21 RBI. He is also second overall in the Minors with 27 homers this season, trailing only Ryan Rua of Low-A Hickory, who has 28. Springer has also swiped 29 bases and is in striking distance of becoming the first player in the Minors to go 30/30 since Grant Desme in 2009.

Inside the Park: The RedHawks pitching staff has not allowed a homer in a season-best four-straight games. The 80 dingers they've surrendered this season are second-least in the PCL.

Stoffel The Stopper: PCL All-Star Jason Stoffel made his first appearance since the break yesterday and fired a 1-2-3 eighth inning, notching two strikeouts. He owns the league's lowest opponent batting average among relievers (.176) and he also is tied for the league lead among relievers for fewest baserunners per nine innings (9.00).

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHER OPP. PITCHER

Tuesday, July 22 4:05 p.m.* @ Omaha RHP Asher Wojciechowski (5-4, 2.95) LHP Danny Duffy (2-0, 5.06)

Game 2 @ Omaha RHP Bobby Doran (0-0, 5.79) RHP Brian Sanches (6-2, 3.68)

Wednesday, July 2312:05 p.m. @ Omaha RHP Brad Peacock (6-2, 2.59) LHP Justin Marks (4-10, 5.72)

Thursday, July 24 7:05 p.m. @ Omaha RHP Jake Buchanan (2-2, 3.75) RHP Yordano Ventura (3-3, 4.54)

*Completion of game suspended on June 8. OKC trails 1-0 in the 1st inning.

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