RedHawks' Bats Finally Come Alive in Victory

Originally Published: Jun 26, 2010 10:28 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City RedHawks busted out of their offensive funk with an 8-2 victory over the Omaha Royals Saturday.

The RedHawks (41-34) came into the night suffering through a 25-inning scoreless streak and added three more innings to start the game. But once the streak ended in the fourth inning, the floodgates opened.

The Royals (40-34) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on a lead-off home run by Scott Thorman, but that was the last time they held the lead. OKC responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning, capped off by a two-run double by Chad Tracy to take a 3-1 lead.

The RedHawks kept the offense rolling in the fifth with another three runs. Brandon Boggs drove in a run with a double, and Mitch Moreland followed with a two-run double of his own to extend the lead to 6-1.

Oklahoma City added to its lead again in the next inning, when Gregorio Petit launched a two-run home run. Omaha added one more run in the seventh inning on a double-play ball to finish the scoring at 8-2.

Doug Mathis (3-3) earned the win for OKC after pitching seven strong innings and giving up just two runs. Zachary Phillips and Elizardo Ramirez combined to hold Omaha to just two hits the final two frames. Luis Mendoza (5-6) was credited with the loss after giving up 12 hits and all eight runs in only 5.1 innings of work.

The victory stops a three-game skid for the RedHawks, who will back in action against Omaha at 4:05 p.m. Sunday.