Martinez's Blast Wins it for RedHawks, 11-10

Oklahoma City, Okla. - In a game that promised postgame fireworks, fireworks were offered all over the field throughout a 10-inning game that ended with a Fernando Martinez walk-off home run.

The Oklahoma City RedHawks (49-36) beat the Memphis Redbirds (31-55) by a score of 11-10 in 10 innings in front of a season-high crowd of 10,294 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Redbirds didn't waste any time getting the scoring started. Leftfielder Cedric Hunter hit an RBI-double to right field to score Adron Chambers. After a walk to Eugenio Velez, third baseman Zach Cox hit a single that brought in Hunter. Velez scored on a sacrifice fly by Mark Hamilton to give Memphis a 3-0 lead.

Oklahoma City returned the favor, and then some, in the bottom of the first with four runs of their own. Brandon Barnes scored on a groundout by Mike Hessman. After the groundout, Memphis starter Scott Gorgen walked three straight RedHawks, the last of which walked in a run. The next batter, catcher Carlos Corporan, hit a two-run single that scored Brett Wallace and Angel Sanchez and gave the RedHawks a 4-3 lead after one.

Oklahoma City added to their lead in the third inning on leftfielder J.B. Shuck's two-run double. An inning later, Brett Wallace increased the lead to 7-3 on a RBI-single to right field that scored Fernando Martinez.

Oklahoma City starter Aneury Rodriguez settled down after the three-run first inning to pitch scoreless innings the next three innings. The fifth inning brought more trouble for Rodriguez. Rodriguez gave up three straight singles to start the inning before striking out Cox for the first out. Next up, first baseman Mark Hamilton hit a three-run home run, his 12th of the year, to tie the game at 7 and led to Rodriguez's exit. Rodriguez finished the night going 4.1 innings, giving up 7 runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out two.

Sergio Perez replaced Rodriguez and issued four walks, which walked in a run and gave Memphis an 8-7 lead. Adalberto Flores came in for Perez and was able to get out of the inning without any more damage. All in all, Memphis sent 11 batters to the plate in the fifth inning while scoring five runs.

Gorgen did not start the bottom of the fifth for the Redbirds, giving way to Jess Todd. Gorgen's final line was 4 innings, 7 runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out five.

Todd pitched a clean fifth inning, but Jimmy Paredes' triple to left center gave the RedHawks a chance to even up the game. But Mike Hessman had other plans.

Hessman hit a towering shot into the Oklahoma City bullpen to give the lead back to the RedHawks, 9-8. His league-leading 26th home run of the year knocked Todd out of the game.

After scoreless innings in the seventh and the eighth, Xavier Cedeno had a chance for a save in the ninth, but a one-out double by Ryan Jackson led to a game-tying single by Adron Chambers.

The RedHawks had a chance to end the game with two on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Jordan Kreke's line drive to right center was caught on a diving play by Lou Montanez.

In the top of the 10th, the Redbirds got the bases loaded on Mickey Storey (6-2) thanks to two walks and a single. With two outs, Chambers hit a chopper over the head of the third baseman Brett Wallace, which allowed Cox to score. Hamilton tried to score from second, but was thrown out at the plate by the shortstop Jordan Kreke.

Oklahoma City started the bottom of the 10th with the top of their lineup facing Eduardo Sanchez. Sanchez (0-3) walked Brandon Barnes to start the inning. And after a Paredes' strikeout, it was Fernando Martinez's turn to be the hero.

The RedHawks hit the road for a five-game series against the New Orleans Zephyrs starting Wednesday at 6 p.m. The RedHawks return to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on July 12th to begin a four-game series with New Orleans. For tickets, visit the box office on Mickey Mantle Drive, call (405) 218-1000, or order through okcredhawks.com.

Live coverage of Wednesday's game starts at 5:30 p.m. on AM 1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, or through the IHeartRadio mobile app.