Big First Inning Leads to 6-2 Victory

Oklahoma City, Okla. - The Oklahoma City RedHawks (47-36) used a hot start to jump ahead of the Memphis Redbirds (31-53) and they never looked back in a 6-2 win before 4,098 on Sunday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Oklahoma City got started early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. Fernando Martinez's triple down the right field line scored two to begin the scoring.

After Mike Hessman lined out to the shortstop, Brett Wallace hit a sacrifice fly to score Martinez. Marwin Gonzalez followed and hit his first home run with the RedHawks to make it 4-0 Oklahoma City.

The Redbirds responded quickly with two runs in the top of the second. Eugenio Velez hit a two-run home run to left field on the first pitch of his at-bat to cut the Oklahoma City lead in half.

Both starters settled down after their early struggles. RedHawks' starter Armando Galarraga (2-1) pitched out of jams in the fifth and sixth innings to give Oklahoma City a quality start. Galarraga threw six innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five.

Memphis starter Tyler Lyons (0-3) threw four scoreless innings after giving up four runs in the first. He retired 13 of the last 14 hitters he faced, including the last nine straight. Lyons went five innings, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk. Lyons struck out nine RedHawks, giving him a new season-high.

Memphis relief pitcher Sam Freeman started off the bottom of the sixth with two quick outs, but then ran into trouble. The RedHawks hit three straight singles, including an RBI knock by Brad Snyder to increase the lead to 5-2.

The RedHawks scored another run off Freeman in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Brandon Barnes.

Xavier Cedeno pitched two scoreless innings for the RedHawks before giving way to Hector Ambriz. Ambriz gave up a walk and single to begin the ninth before getting a double play and a groundout to end the game.

Oklahoma City and Memphis continue their four-game series on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, visit the box office on Mickey Mantle Drive, call (405) 218-1000, or order through okcredhawks.com.

Live coverage of Monday's game starts at 6:35 p.m. on AM 1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, or through the IHeartRadio mobile app.