RedHawks Beat Isotopes in Home Opener

Oklahoma City has recovered from a three-game losing streak and is one game shy of the .500 mark.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:20 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Apr 15, 2011 10:27 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City RedHawks defeated the Albuquerque Isotopes 7-4 Friday in their home opener.

The Isotopes (5-4) jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the top of the first. Jerry Sands, Russ Mitchell and Joe Becker each delivered RBI singles, but the RedHawks (4-5) quickly responded.

Tommy Manzella drove home OKC’s first run with an RBI triple in the bottom of the first, and then Koby Clemens tied the game with a two-run home run. The score remained tied 3-3 until the bottom of the fifth.

Brian Bogusevic drove home the go ahead run with another RBI triple, and he scored on a double by Clemens later in the inning. The RedHawks added two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-3 lead.

Sands drove home his second run of the game for Albuquerque with his fifth homer of the season in the eighth, but that run was immaterial. The OKC pitching shut the door in the ninth to secure the win.

Starter Fernando Nieve (1-1) earned his first win of the season after holding the Isotopes to three runs on six hits in 5.1 innings. John Ely gave up seven runs – five of them earned – on 11 hits in six innings and was credited with a loss.

Oklahoma City has won its last two games and will continue its series with Albuquerque at 1 p.m. Saturday.