RedHawks Fall to Astros in Exhibition Game

Oklahoma City saw a glimpse of the new RedHawks roster Tuesday night, as the team faced parent team, the Houston Astros.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:18 pm

By: News On 6

RedHawks Fall to Astros in Exhibition Game

Originally Published: Mar 29, 2011 10:55 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City RedHawks dropped its exhibition game Tuesday against the Houston Astros, 9-6. The fans got a glimpse of what the new roster may look like as this season.

Astros starting pitcher J.A. Happ left the after straining a muscle on his right side.

Happ, who allowed two runs and four hits in three innings, said he still hopes to start Sunday against Roy Oswalt and Philadelphia.

"I'm sort of delirious with frustration," said Happ, who was acquired from the Phillies in the Oswalt deal in July. "I'm trying to stay optimistic. Right now I'm taking the approach to see how it feels tomorrow."

Happ said he felt the strain while he was warming up before the third inning. He pitched through some tightness in the third, when he retired the RedHawks in order for the only time.

The left-hander finished the exhibition season with a 3-1 record and a 4.09 ERA.

"I wasn't pushing it too hard in the third," Happ said. "It's probably good that I came out."

Astros manager Brad Mills said he was hoping Happ could throw at least six innings.

"It wasn't so drastic that he couldn't throw," Mills said of the injury. "We'll see tomorrow and go from there. He was OK to throw and that gives you a little optimism."

The temperature was 49 degrees when the game started, but Happ said the weather was not a factor.

"Hopefully I'll wake up tomorrow and things are good," he said. "We'll see. I think I can go out there (Sunday) and throw 100 pitches if everything is feeling fine. That's the plan."