RedHawks Lose First of Four-Game Series

Originally Published: Apr 12, 2010 11:36 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A late-game run by the Round Rock Express handed the Oklahoma City RedHawks its third loss of the season.

The RedHawks (2-3) jumped ahead, putting up their first run in the bottom of the second inning. Chad Tracy hit a double against Red Rock’s Wesley Wright.

Tracy followed by stealing third before scoring off a throwing error by catcher Jason Castro.

The Express (2-3) responded in the top of the fourth by putting up four of their own runs.

Castro singled off pitcher Michael Ballard to start the inning. Matt Kata followed with another single, sending Castro to second. Yordany Ramirez hit a three-run home run to put the Express ahead 3-1. Ballard walked Jason Bourgeois before being replaced at the mound by Clay Rapada. With Edwin Maysonet batting, Bourgeois was able to steal both second and third base. Maysonet hit a sacrifice bunt as Bourgeois earned the fourth run of the inning.

Wright began to struggle in the bottom of the fifth, walking Esteban German. Wright attempted to pickoff German, but ended up committing the error, as German advanced to third. Matthew Brown hit a single line drive to send German home, putting the score at 4-2 in favor of the Express.

The RedHawks tried to come back, putting up one run in the bottom of the seventh, but Express answered right back in the top of the ninth, ending the top of the ninth inning with the 5-3 lead.

Oklahoma City battled back in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Justin Smoak reached first base on a line drive, followed by a two-run homer by Mitch Mooreland.

The Express ended the game with a strong 10th-inning finish, putting up one last run to seal the RedHawks loss.

The two teams face each other April 13 at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of a four-game series.