Hawksworth limits O-Royals

Blake Hawksworth threw seven strong innings and visiting Memphis scored four runs in the first inning to edge Omaha, 4-2, on Tuesday.

Hawksworth (1-4) surrendered a run on eight hits while fanning three without a walk. The 24-year-old right-hander earned his first victory in five starts after going 11-4 with a 2.92 ERA in 163 1/3 innings between Class A Advanced Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield last season.

Redbirds reliever Andy Cavazos surrendered a run on two hits while striking out one without a walk in one inning. Brian Falkenborg set down the side in order in the ninth for his eighth save.

With two outs in the first, John Rodriguez and Ryan Ludwick walked, setting up run-scoring singles by Tagg Bozied, Rick Ankiel, Nick Stavinoha and Travis Hanson. Hitting streaks by Ludwick (14 games) and Edgar Gonzalez (13) both ended in the win, the fifth straight and ninth of 10 for Memphis (15-11).

Shane Costa went 3-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, tying Wladimir Balentien's mark for the best in the Pacific Coast League. Mike Aviles laced an RBI single and Justin Huber lifted a sacrifice fly for the Royals (11-15).

Omaha starter Scott Elarton (1-2) yielded four runs on six hits while striking out four and walking four in seven innings. --Ryan McConnell/MLB.com