Redhawks Shut Out Round Rock To Win Series' Rubber Match

Five Oklahoma City RedHawks pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout, and the RedHawks offense blasted three home runs in a 7-0 win over the Round Rock Express before 7,103 at Dell Diamond Wednesday night.

Two nights after Asher Wojciechowski pitched a one-hit shutout, five RedHawks pitchers combined to a two-hitter. The Express (52-42) did not have a hit past the second inning, and only one Round Rock runner reached scoring position.

The Oklahoma City pitching staff retired 23 of the final 24 Express batters and completed its fifth shutout of the season.

RedHawks starting pitcher Brad Peacock led the way and turned in a sixth-straight quality start, tossing six scoreless innings. Peacock (5-2) allowed just two hits and one walk. He struck out four and retired the final 14 Express hitters he faced.

Peacock is now 4-0 over his past six starts, and the RedHawks have won each time he's taken the mound during that time.

The RedHawks (50-42) broke a scoreless tie in the third inning in very familiar fashion. George Springer hit a two-run homer to center field to give Oklahoma City a 2-0 lead. Springer is now up to seven home runs in 14 games with the RedHawks and has gone deep five times in his last four games.

Jason Stoffel followed Peacock and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Kevin Chapman then retired the first two hitters of the eighth before allowing a walk, ending a stretch of 19 consecutive batters retired by the RedHawks pitching staff.

Josh Zeid the entered the game to face Eli Whiteside, representing the tying run. Whiteside gave the ball a ride to deep left field, but Robbie Grossman made a catch at the wall to keep it 2-0.

The RedHawks broke the game open in the ninth, scoring five times with two outs. With two men on, Grossman connected on his first homer of the year. His opposite-field shot to left field pushed the lead to 5-0.

Two batters later, Brandon Laird added a two-run homer over the batter's eye in center field for good measure, salting the game away.

Alex Sogard came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth, and he retired the side in order to preserve the shutout.

As he typically does against the RedHawks, Round Rock starting pitcher Scott Richmond had a nice outing, but took a tough loss. Richmond (2-3) tied a season high with seven innings, allowing two runs. He gave up three hits, and walked and struck out five each.

After taking two of three in Round Rock and going 4-2 on their road trip, the RedHawks return to Oklahoma City to play a five-game series over four days against the New Orleans Zephyrs beginning Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.