New Orleans Gains Memorial Day Win over RedHawks

Originally Published: May 31, 2010 4:14 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

METAIRIE, Louisiana -- The Oklahoma City RedHawks were touched up for 11 hits and five runs as the New Orleans Zephyrs stole the final game of a four-game set, 5-3.

The RedHawks grabbed a first inning lead with help from New Orleans, as Esteban German scored on a throwing error by shortstop Javier Guzman.

New Orleans (23-26) evened the score on a Hector Luna sacrifice fly in the bottom of the frame.

That would not be all the damage done to Oklahoma City (28-22) as Tommy Hunter went five innings, giving up 10 hits, three walks and five runs.

After grabbing a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth, the Zephyrs went to work in the fifth.

Bryan Petersen and Jason Lane reached base and catcher Brad Davis drove them in with his second home run of the season.

Texas Rangers' top prospect Tanner Scheppers entered in relief to shut the door on the New Orleans offense, allowing just one hit over three innings to improve his earned run average to 1.13.

But the RedHawks bats couldn’t close the gap.

A wild pitch plated Gregorio Petit in the seventh and the RedHawks scored another run in the ninth to threaten the New Orleans lead. But right-hander Scott Strickland held on for his fourth save of the season, giving reliever Adalberto Mendez the win.