New Orleans Wins 15-Inning Game, 10-8
Oklahoma City - A triple by New Orleans Zephyrs (10-9) outfielder Kevin Mattison in the 15th inning drove in the eventual winning runs for a 10-8 win against the Oklahoma City RedHawks (10-10) Thursday in front of a crowd of 3,886 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
The RedHawks rallied to score five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to force extra innings and extended the game again in the 13th inning with two more runs. The game was the longest the RedHawks have played since a 16-inning game May 21, 2011 at Sacramento.
Mattison led the Zephyrs with three hits, while Jimmy Paredes and Andy Simunic each collected three hits for Oklahoma City. New Orleans' Matt Diaz and Oklahoma City's Jonathan Villar had three RBI each.
A total of 14 pitchers made an appearance in Thursday's game, which lasted 4:54. Zephyrs pitcher Dan Jennings (1-1) threw 2.1 innings and got the win, while Oklahoma City's Lance Day (0-1) took the loss after throwing 2.0 innings.
The Zephyrs scored five runs in the first inning, including a three-run home run from Diaz. New Orleans later extended to a 6-0 lead before the RedHawks offense ignited late in the game.
Marc Krauss singled to score Raoul Torrez in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Simunic singled to score Brett Wallace and Krauss. Cody Clark later singled on a ground ball to left field to score Che-Hsuan Lin and Villar singled to left field to score Clark and tie the game, 6-6.
Matt Downs hit a two-run home run to left field to give the Zephyrs an 8-6 lead in the top of the 13th inning. Villar answered with a two-run single with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 13th inning to tie the game, 8-8.
The Zephyrs have now won three games in a row, while the RedHawks lost a third-straight game and fell to 3-6 at home. Oklahoma City outhit New Orleans, 18-14.
The series with New Orleans continues for the RedHawks with a 7:05 p.m. game Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, with post-game fireworks presented by Verizon.
Tickets are available through the box office on S. Mickey Mantle Drive, by calling (405) 218-1000, or ordering through okcredhawks.com. Live coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free IHeartRadio mobile app.