RedHawks Outslug Sky Sox in Opener
Colorado Springs, Colo. - After jumping out to an early eight-run lead, the Oklahoma City RedHawks withstood a strong charge by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox before eventually winning, 11-9, at Security Service Field Tuesday night.
With the win, the RedHawks improved to 9-4 to start the season and have won six straight road games for the first time since May 29-June 12, 2006.
Playing their first ever games as division rivals, the RedHawks and Sky Sox combined for 20 runs and 28 hits, with the Sky Sox outhitting the RedHawks, 16-12. In the hitter-friendly confines of Security Service Field, Colorado Springs (5-7) hit four home runs as part of their eight extra-base hits on the night.
The RedHawks took advantage of a pair of Sky Sox errors in the first inning to plate three runs. With runners at the corners and two out, Max Stassi sent a ground ball to third base. Ryan Wheeler's throw to first was in the dirt, allowing a run to score and the inning to continue.
Domingo Santana and Carlos Perez both followed with RBI singles, extending Oklahoma City's lead to 3-0.
The RedHawks put up four more runs on one swing in the second inning. With the bases loaded and none out, George Springer hit a towering grand slam out to left field to put the RedHawks ahead, 7-0.
It was Springer's third career grand slam and his second home run in as many games. Springer finished the game 3-for-4, scoring four times.
Santana collected his second RBI of the night in the fifth inning, as his fielder's choice brought home Jon Singleton to make it 8-0.
The Sky Sox got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Tim Wheeler hit a two-out RBI single, cutting the deficit to seven.
It was one of the few blemishes for starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, who turned in five strong innings. Foltynewicz (1-1) allowed one run and four hits, striking out six with one walk to earn his first Triple-A win.
Colorado Springs added two more in the sixth inning. Kyle Parker hit an RBI triple, and Michael McKenry stepped up next and delivered an RBI single to make it 8-3.
The RedHawks got one run back in the next inning, as Springer scored his third run of the night on a double play.
However, the Sky Sox shot back with five more, coming on three home runs. Tim Wheeler was first, sending a two-run homer out to right field, trimming the lead to 9-5.
After a dropped pop up by catcher Carlos Perez, Matt McBride hit a double. Ben Paulsen then followed with a fly ball to deep center field. Springer leapt at the wall, but the ball was just out of his reach, resulting in a two-run homer.
Just a few pitches later, Parker shot a home run to right-center field, and the back-to-back home run shrunk the RedHawks lead down to just one at 9-8.
The Sky Sox put the tying run in scoring position with two outs in the eighth inning, but Jason Stoffel got McBride to fly out to left field to end the inning.
With two on and two out in the top of the ninth, Stassi delivered a huge double to score the pair and make it 11-8.
Paulsen led off the bottom of the ninth with his second home run of the game, but Josh Zeid finished off the Sky Sox to collect his first save of the season.
Christian Friedrich (0-2) picked up the loss after allowing eight runs (five earned) and eight hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked one.
The RedHawks and Sky Sox will not wait long to play their encore, meeting at 12:05 p.m. central time Wednesday. Live coverage begins at 11:35 a.m. on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.