RedHawks Split Doubleheader With Omaha

The Oklahoma City RedHawks and Omaha Storm Chasers split a doubleheader Sunday in front of a crowd of 5,770 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The RedHawks (40-35) won the first game, 6-5, in 10 innings and Omaha (33-43) came back to win the second game, 4-3, as the RedHawks took a 2-1 lead in the series.

Oklahoma City won the first game of the double-header in extra innings on a walk-off RBI double from Brandon Laird in the bottom of the 10th inning. Robbie Grossman's RBI double in the bottom of the seventh had tied the game, 5-5, and forced extra frames in the scheduled seven-inning game.

An RBI single by Johnny Giavotella in the top of the first inning and a solo home run from Paulo Orlando in the second put Omaha in front, 2-0, early in the first game.

Jonathan Singleton scored on a RBI single by Jose Martinez for the first run of the day for the RedHawks in the bottom of the second inning.

Omaha opened up the game in the fourth inning by scoring three runs with two outs on a double by Christian Colon and two-RBI single by Xavier Nady for a 5-1 lead.

The RedHawks then scored four unanswered runs to tie the game. Carlos Perez grounded into a force out in the fourth inning and Elmore, who got on base with a double, scored to cut Omaha's lead to three runs.

A two-run homer from Laird in the bottom of the sixth brought the RedHawks within one run with no outs before Grossman's RBI double tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Laird's walk-off double to center field scored Jimmy Paredes for the win with two outs in the 10th.

RedHawks reliever Josh Zeid (4-0) recorded the win, allowing one hit in one inning pitched. Omaha's Francisley Bueno (1-2) took the loss, allowing one run and three hits in 2.2 innings.

Laird, who recorded a double and home run, and Jose Martinez led the RedHawks with two hits each. Laird also added a game-high three RBI. The RedHawks turned four double plays in the first game.

In the second game, a wild pitch by Brian Sanches allowed Singleton to score in the second inning for an early RedHawks lead. Grossman later hit a RBI single to right field for a 2-0 edge.

A RBI double by Omaha's Willy Taveras in the fourth cut the RedHawks lead in half and Omaha later went ahead, 3-2, in the top of the sixth on a two-out two-RBI double by Chase Lambin.

A single from Grossman tied the game, 3-3, in the bottom of the sixth.

Max Ramirez singled on a line drive to center field and scored Willy Taveras to put Omaha in front, 4-3, in the top of the seventh inning for the win.

Pitcher Brady Rodgers made his Triple-A debut for the RedHawks Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and striking out four in five innings. Rhiner Cruz (0-1) ended up with the loss, allowing one run on two hits in the final 1.1 innings.

Donnie Joseph (3-3) was credited with the blown save and recorded the win, allowing one run on two hits in 1.2 innings pitched for Omaha.

Grossman led the RedHawks with two hits and two RBI in the second game.

Oklahoma City's six-game homestand against Omaha continues with a 7:05 p.m. game Monday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.