RedHawks Slug Past Express, 9-6

Oklahoma City, Okla. - The Oklahoma City RedHawks (77-65) used a strong night at the plate and some great late-inning relief to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 9-6 win over the Round Rock Express (69-74) before 6,197 Sunday evening.

With the win, the RedHawks have edged within a game of Albuquerque Isotopes for first place in the American Southern Division. However, if the Isotopes win their game tonight against the Omaha Storm Chasers, they will clinch the division title.

Brad Snyder hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to give the RedHawks an early 2-1 lead. It was Snyder's 20th home run of the season.

The RedHawks extended the lead heading into the fifth, but the Express tied it with a two-run, two-out double by Joey Butler.

In the bottom of the inning, the RedHawks scored three runs to take the lead for good. J.B. Shuck broke the tie with an RBI single, and two batters later, Mike Hessman sent a line drive into the bleachers for his 35th home run of the season, giving the RedHawks a 6-3 lead.

The Express plated one more the in the sixth, but the RedHawks responded with three more runs again. Jose Martinez, Carlos Corporan, and Shuck each drove in runs to give the RedHawks their largest lead at 9-4.

The pesky Express scored twice in the seventh, but the combination of Enerio Del Rosario, Mark Hamburger, and Garrett Mock retired the final seven hitters of the game. Mock tossed a clean ninth and earned his first save with the RedHawks.

Jose Cisnero battled through six innings and earned the win. Ciserno (4-1) allowed four runs and eight hits over six innings. He tied a season high with four walks and struck out two.

Round Rock's Greg Reynolds had a rough ending to his season, surrendering a season-high nine runs and 12 hits over 5.2 innings. Reynolds (11-9) did not issue a walk and struck out one. Both pitching staffs combined for just four strikeouts.

Follow the RedHawks on Twitter (@okcredhawks) to get updates on the Albuquerque-Omaha game throughout the night.

The RedHawks will finish the regular season with a Labor Day matinee against the Express at 11:05 a.m. Tickets are available through the RedHawks box office on S. Mickey Mantle Drive, by calling (405) 218-1000, or by ordering online at okcrehawks.com.

Live coverage begins at 10:35 a.m. on AM 1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, or through the free IHeartRadio mobile app.