Round Two to El Duque: Hernandez K's two again
In his second relief appearance in Oklahoma City, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez pitched his second scoreless inning in three days against Round Rock.
Friday night, El Duque faced four batters in his inning of work. He struck out the first two, Tommy Manzella and Reggie Abercrombie, on seven pitches. Mark Saccomanno then walked on a full count before Hernandez, on a 2-2 pitch, retired Lou Santangelo on a flyout to shallow right-center.
Round Rock batters made contact on only three of El Duque's 18 pitches: two foul balls plus the flyout. Hernandez continued to confound the Express with his multiple arm angles and pitching speeds, again topping out at 89 mph.
The former World Series star had made his RedHawks debut on Wednesday night, retiring all three batters he faced, two by strikeout. In that game he threw 11 pitches, eight for strikes.
In Hernandez's two games for Oklahoma City he has pitched two hitless innings, striking out four and walking one. He's thrown 29 pitches, 19 for strikes.