RedHawks Fall To Tacoma In Extras

For the second game in a row, the Tacoma Rainiers defeated the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 4-3, in extra innings Sunday afternoon at Cheney Stadium.

Nick Franklin hit a two-out grounder to right field in the bottom of the 10th inning, and the single brought home the winning run for Tacoma.

Tacoma (35-41) took a 2-0 lead in the series with Oklahoma City (42-36). On Saturday, the Rainiers defeated the RedHawks, 4-3, in 11 innings.

The RedHawks built a 3-0 lead Sunday, but would not score after the third inning as they fell to 3-4 in extra-inning games this season.

The RedHawks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a line drive, RBI double to left field by L.J. Hoes.

With two outs in the third inning, Ronny Torreyes doubled on a sharp fly ball to left field, then advanced to third on a balk. Hoes followed and drew a walk.

Marc Krauss then doubled on a line drive to right field, to bring home both Torreyes and Hoes for a 3-0 Oklahoma City advantage.

The Rainiers quickly answered in the bottom of the third inning.

Xavier Avery drew a lead-off walk against RedHawks starting pitcher Nick Tropeano.

Michael Saunders followed with a triple to center field to score Avery and cut the RedHawks lead to two runs.

With one out, Justin Smoak connected on a sacrifice fly to plate Saunders and cut Oklahoma City's lead to 3-2.

Tacoma tied the game, 3-3, in the bottom of the fourth inning on a RBI double to right field by Gabriel Noriega.

Tropeano entered the game ranked among the PCL's top three in ERA, WHIP and opponent average. He allowed three earned runs in a game for the first time since April 21 at Memphis.

Tropeano pitched 5.2 innings for his shortest outing since throwing five innings May 27. He allowed three runs on six hits, walked three and struck out seven before being replaced by Patrick Urckfitz.

Tied, 3-3, in the ninth, RedHawk Joe Sclafani drew a walk with two outs, but Austin Wates flied out to end the half inning. In the bottom of the frame, pitcher Kevin Chapman entered the game for the RedHawks and retired all three Rainiers batters he faced to force extra innings.

In the 10th inning, L.J. Hoes drew a two-out walk, but Marc Krauss popped out for the third out for the RedHawks.

Tacoma's Ty Kelly drew a lead-off walk in the bottom of the 10th inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Chapman.

Kelly moved to third on a groundout by Ji-Man Choi. Xavier Nady struck out swinging before several defensive switches for the RedHawks.

Franklin then singled on a ground ball to right field and Kelly scored the game-winning run for the second straight walk-off win for Tacoma.

Tacoma outhit Oklahoma City, 9-7. Erik Castro led the RedHawks with two hits, playing his first game since June 13.

Chapman (1-1) was charged with the loss, allowing the winning run and one hit over 1.2 innings. He walked one and struck out three.

Tacoma pitcher Lucas Luetge (3-0) pitched two scoreless innings in the win. He walked two and recorded one strikeout.

The RedHawks look to avoid a third consecutive loss when they continue their series at Tacoma with an 8:05 p.m. game Central time Monday.