RedHawks Losing Streak Stretches to Five Games

The last three three losses came at the hands of the team that used to call Oklahoma City home.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:21 pm

By: News On 6

RedHawks Losing Streak Stretches to Five Games

Originally Published: Apr 21, 2011 10:44 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City RedHawks dropped their fifth consecutive game Thursday in a 6-3 loss to the Round Rock Express.

Oklahoma City (4-10) starter Fernando Nieve had issues almost immediately. He allowed five of the first six batters he faced to get on base, resulting in two quick runs and a bases loaded situation with only one out in the top of the first.

Joey Butler lined into an unassisted double play to end the threat with Round Rock (11-4) up 2-0. Carlos Corporan cut the lead in half with a solo home run in the second inning, and the RedHawks tied the game in the third with an RBI groundout from Tommy Manzella.

The tie did not last long. The Express scored two more runs in the fourth inning, both with two outs. Kevin Cash drove home the first run with a double, and then scored on a single by Esteban German in the next at-bat. That put Round Rock back up 4-2, and it never trailed again.

Oklahoma City drew within one run again thanks to an Anderson Hernandez RBI single in the fifth, but could not score again for the rest of the night. The Express added insurance runs in both the sixth and eighth innings to finish the scoring.

Nieve (1-2) finished with a loss after allowing five runs on 12 hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. Derek Hankins (3-0) remained undefeated for Round Rock, and held the RedHawks to three runs on seven hits in seven innings.

The RedHawks’ five straight losses all have come at home, but they will get a chance to break that streak in the series finale against the Express at 7:05 p.m. Friday. After that, the RedHawks will not return to Oklahoma City until May.