RedHawks Spilt Doubleheader With Iowa

After having games postponed each of the previous two days, the Oklahoma City RedHawks and Iowa Cubs returned to the field Sunday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader. The Cubs took the first game, 5-2, and the RedHawks outlasted Iowa in game two, winning 4-3 in 10 innings.

The RedHawks struck first in game one. With the bases loaded and one out in the second inning, Andy Simunic sent a sac fly to right field to make it 1-0.

Iowa responded in the bottom of the inning when J.C. Boscan delivered a two-out RBI single to knot the score at one run apiece.

In the top of the fourth, Carlos Perez connected on his first home run since getting promoted to the RedHawks, putting Oklahoma City back in the lead at 2-1.

However the I-Cubs would take the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. With a runner on, Josh Vitters planted a 3-0 pitch from Brett Oberholtzer over the left field fence to give Iowa a 3-2 lead. Alberto Gonzalez drew a bases loaded walk later in the inning to make it 4-2.

Iowa added another run in the fifth on a sac fly by Boscan.

The RedHawks brought the tying run to the plate with two outs in the seventh, but Blake Parker struck out Brett Wallace to end the game and earn his third save.

Iowa reliever Esmailin Cardiad (2-1) earned the win after throwing a scoreless fifth inning. Oberholtzer (1-3) picked up his third loss in five starts this season, allowing four runs (three earned) and six hits over 3.2 innings. He struck out three and walked two.

Although the first game was routine, the second game needed three extra innings before the RedHawks (18-11) finally walked away with a win.

The I-Cubs (10-17) took the lead two batters into the bottom of the first inning. Logan Watkins led off with a triple, and Gonzalez followed with a bloop single to right field to pen the scoring.

Wallace socked a home run to center field in the second inning to tie the game. Later in the inning, the RedHawks strung three straight hits together to take the lead, the final of which by Cody Clark to make it 2-1.

Iowa's offense had gone dormant until waking up late in the game. With none on and two outs in the sixth, three straight men reached base, including a game-tying single by Brian Bogusevic.

Oklahoma City regained the lead in the ninth when Wallace hit his second home run of the contest onto the porch in right field.

Once again the RedHawks could not hold on to a late lead, as closer Jose Valdez had a rare shaky outing. Iowa again had none on and two before Brad Nelson single to extend the game. Valdez then walked Luis Flores and Edwin Maysonet to load the bases. Watkins then drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch to tie the game.

Gonzalez stepped up next and sent a sharp ground ball to third base, but Simunic made a diving stop and strong throw to first base to end the inning and keep the game tied.

With a runner at second and two outs in the top of the 10th, Iowa elected to intentionally walk Jimmy Paredes to face Che-Hsuan Lin. In his first plate appearance of the game, Lin knocked an RBI single off Cory Wade (0-2) to put the RedHawks in front, 4-3.

Iowa got a leadoff single from Brent Lillibridge to start the bottom of the inning and he stood at second with two outs. There would be no comeback this time, as Eric Berger struck out Bogusevic to end the game and earn his first save. Valdez (2-0) came away with the win.

The RedHawks have now split each of their three doubleheaders this season and have won eight of their last nine games.