RedHawks Escape With Win Despite Wild Finish

Originally Published: Apr 24, 2010 10:4 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City RedHawks did not register a hit in the first six innings, but withstood a wild ending to beat the Memphis Redbirds 8-7 Saturday.

Lance Lynn pitched well for Memphis (8-9) and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning as his teammates built a 3-0 lead. But he walked Hernan Iribarren to lead off the seventh, and Esteban German followed with the RedHawks’ first hit of the game.

Chad Tracy drove Iribarren and German home with a double in the next at-bat, suddenly cutting the lead to 3-2. After Tracy advanced to third on a ground ball, Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove him home with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

Oklahoma City (11-6) came through again in the next inning, when German drove two home with a single to give the RedHawks their first lead of the game 5-3. Chris Davis, who was demoted from the Texas Rangers earlier in the week, followed with a three-run home run to give OKC an 8-3 lead.

The RedHawks’ sudden scoring surge seemed to guarantee victory, but Memphis did not go quietly. Geoff Geary quickly retired two Redbirds, but an infield single by Jon Jay loaded the bases. Tyler Greene then connected on a single and Daniel Descalso followed with a triple, both of which drove in two runs to cut the lead to one.

With Descalso still on third and posing the potential tying run, Pedro Strop struck out Tyler Henley to finish the game.

Geary (3-2) was credited with the win despite the shaky ninth inning, and Oneli Perez (0-1) came away with the loss in his first blown save of the season.

The two teams will finish their series at 4:05 p.m. Sunday.