RedHawks Drop Second Straight Game to Memphis

Oklahoma City was in it most of the way, but the Redbirds blew the game open with three runs in the eighth.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:19 pm

By: News On 6

RedHawks Drop Second Straight Game to Memphis

Originally Published: Apr 9, 2011 10:6 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Oklahoma City RedHawks lost their second straight game Saturday 6-2 to the Memphis Redbirds.

The RedHawks (1-2) started the scoring in the top of the fourth with an RBI double by Tommy Manzela, but that was the only time all night they held the lead.

The Redbirds (2-1) immediately tied the score in the bottom of the frame thanks to an RBI groundout by Tony Cruz, which began a string of three consecutive innings in which they scored.

Andrew Brown drove home a run in the bottom of the fifth to give Memphis the lead, and Adron Chambers added an RBI groundout in the sixth for a 3-1 lead.

Oklahoma City cut the lead back to one with a sacrifice fly by Brian Bogusevic, but the Redbirds blew the game open in the eighth. After loading the bases with one out, the next three batters – Ramon Vazquez, Pete Kozma and Matt Carpenter – each drove home a run to stretch the lead to 6-2.

The RedHawks got two runners on base with back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the ninth, but that potential threat went by the wayside. J.B. Shuck flew out to left field, and Anderson Hernandez grounded into a double play in the next at-bat to end the game.

Raul Valdez (1-0) earned his first win of the season after holding OKC to one run on six hits in 5.1 innings. Douglas Arguello (0-1) was credited with a loss despite allowing just two runs on two hits in 4.2 innings.

After losing two of their first three games, the RedHawks will try to earn a series split in the finale at 1:35 p.m. Sunday.