PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks vs. Storm Chasers - Game Notes - May 29, 2013

Published on May 29, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Today's Game: The RedHawks continue a four-game homestand against the Omaha Storm Chasers at 7:05 p.m., looking for a third-straight win.

Last Game: Oklahoma City scored all five runs in the first two innings in a 5-2 win over Omaha. The five runs by the RedHawks marked their highest offensive output in seven games. Fernando Martinez matched his season-high with three RBI, tallying two on a triple in the first inning. Brett Wallace and Marc Krauss each recorded two hits for OKC. Jarred Cosart (5-2) picked up his team-leading fifth win of the season on the mound for the RedHawks, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out four and issuing a season-high seven walks. Omaha pitcher Chris Dwyer (4-3) allowed five runs on four hits, walked four and struck out one in two innings for the loss.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Eric Berger will make a spot start tonight. It's Berger's first start of the season and first start since Sept. 2, 2012 with Triple-A Columbus. He has started 78 times in his 150 career appearances...Berger has made 15 appearances out of the bullpen for OKC, going 1-1 with one save and a 4.43 ERA...The lefty was acquired in a trade with Cleveland on April 15 in exchange for former RedHawks catcher Chris Wallace...After a rough April in which he allowed eight runs and 14 hits over 8.2 innings, Berger has significant improved in May, posting a 1.98 ERA and holding opponents to a .204 batting average...He last pitched in game two of Sunday's doubleheader in Iowa, taking the loss after allowing a go-ahead home run to Donnie Murphy. It was the only hit Berger allowed in 1.2 innings.

Against the Storm Chasers: 2013: 1-0 2012: 6-10 All-time: 111-98 In OKC: 56-49

The RedHawks lead the all-time series with the Storm Chasers, 110-98, but Omaha has won four of the last five season series against Oklahoma City...Last season Omaha won three of four series, although the RedHawks did notch a sweep in Omaha, July 16-19...The Storm Chasers have had considerable success at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark of late, winning 12 of their last 15 games. The RedHawks have not won a home series against Omaha since June 26-29, 2010...During the 2012 season series, Omaha averaged 6.9 runs per game...Brett Wallace hit .396 with three home runs and 13 RBI while Fernando Martinez hit .338.

Bats Starting to Break Out: The RedHawks appear to be coming out of their recent slump, scoring nine runs the last two games after totaling just 12 runs over the five games prior. Since a 22-run, 23-hit outburst May 21-22 in Fresno, the RedHawks have hit .204 over the last six games. Yesterday was the first time in five games they recorded more than one extra-base hit.

Wally World: Brett Wallace has collected 16 RBI over his last 14 games. Although he did not join the team until April 21, Wallace is now tied for the team lead with eight home runs and ranks second with 29 RBI, just one behind team-leader Marc Krauss. Since he began PCL play, he has the third-most homers and is tied for the fourth-most RBI in the league.

Walk This Way: The RedHawks have drawn at least five walks in six of their last nine games. They've recorded a total of 49 walks during the nine-game stretch and currently rank second in the league with 214 walks this season. Marc Krauss leads the team with 33 walks, which is fourth in the PCL. Krauss (33 BB/33 K), Jake Elmore (23 BB/22 K), and Che-Hsuan Lin (27 BB/22 K) have each walked at least as much as they've struck out this season.

May on the Mound: This month, the RedHawks have posted a 3.69 ERA, second-best in the PCL (Sacramento--3.55). Their .223 opponent batting average is the best in the league by a wide margin, as the next lowest is Memphis at .240.

Hold the Hits: The RedHawks pitching staff has allowed five or less hits in five of their last six games, including only three in each of the last two games. Over the last four games, opponents are hitting a scant .153.

At Your Own RISP: Omaha went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position yesterday, and the RedHawks have held their opponent to a 2-for-21 mark over the last four games. Opponents have hit .183 (30-for-164) with runners in scoring position over the last 20 games. On offense, the RedHawks have started to stabilize during their scoring opportunities following a big drought. After an 0 for 22 stretch at one point in Iowa, the RedHawks are 5-for-15 with runners in scoring position the last two games.

Runnin' RedHawks of OKC: The RedHawks stole two bases yesterday to bring their league-leading season total to 68 -- 12 more than the next-closest teams. Reno and Albuquerque are tied for second-most in the league with 56 each.

Better Under Pressure: RedHawks closer Jose Valdez has wrapped-up wins each of the last two days. Valdez now has a 1.26 ERA during save situations (2 ER/14.1 IP), but a 4.00 ERA (4 ER/9.0 IP) in non-save situations.

Starts with a W: The RedHawks are 4-0 on Wednesdays this season (2-0 at home).

A Helping Hand: Earlier today, the following RedHawks players, and some of their significant others, assisted with tornado cleanup in Moore: Cody Clark, Jake Elmore, C.J. Fick, Marc Krauss, Brett Oberholtzer, Ross Seaton, Andy Simunic, Alex Sogard, Jose Valdez, Brett Wallace, Austin Wates, Asher Wojciechowski, and Josh Zeid, as well as manager Tony DeFrancesco. A strong contingent from the Storm Chasers also volunteered this morning.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 29, 2013


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