RedHawks, Express Split Double-Header Thursday

Oklahoma City - The Oklahoma City RedHawks (7-7) and Round Rock Express (9-6) split the first double-header at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in more than two years Thursday, with the RedHawks winning the first game, 5-3, and the Express winning the second game, 8-4.

The Express took a 2-1 lead in the four-game series between the Pacific Coast League American Southern Division teams in front of a crowd of 2,809. The RedHawks fell to 2-5 at home after the two seven-inning games that started with temperatures in the mid-40s.

Thursday marked the first double-header at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark since Sept. 2, 2010 against Nashville.

The RedHawks won the first game of the double-header, 5-3, outhitting the visiting Express, 10-5.

Jonathan Villar finished a game-high 3-for-3 and stole two bases for Oklahoma City. Che-Hsuan Lin added one hit and two RBI for the RedHawks.

Lin's two-run double in the second inning gave the RedHawks a 2-0 lead, scoring Marc Krauss and Villar. Round Rock answered back to tie the game with two runs in the top of the third inning.

A Krauss double to right field in the bottom of the third inning scored Trevor Crowe and Villar's single to center scored Krauss to regain Oklahoma City's lead, 4-2.

Round Rock added a run in the top of the sixth to cut into Oklahoma City's lead, but a double from RedHawks catcher Cody Clark to left field in the bottom of the sixth inning scored Villar for the 5-3 edge.

Oklahoma City starting pitcher Travis Blackley, on rehab assignment from the Astros, threw 31 pitches, struck out one and gave up one run. He pitched two hitless innings and faced one additional batter in the third inning.

Pitcher Jose Cisnero (1-1) picked up the win for the RedHawks. He replaced Blackley in the third inning, allowing four hits and two runs in 3.0 innings pitched.

Randy Wells (0-3) took the loss on the mound for Round Rock. He allowed four runs and eight hits in 5.0 innings.

The Express ended a late RedHawks rally and used a five-run seventh inning to win the second game, 8-4.

Oklahoma City threatened with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jake Elmore was hit by a pitch from Round Rock's Evan Meek with the bases loaded. Meek later walked both Krauss and Paredes with the bases loaded to bring home two more RedHawks runs.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Villar struck out for the fourth time in the second game to end the game.

Oklahoma City took the first lead of the second game, however, when Krauss' single scored Crowe.

Round Rock's Mike Olt scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Jose Felix and a RBI single from Engel Beltre scored Chris McGuiness for the 2-1 Express lead. Olt later singled to score Joey Butler for a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning.

A bases-loaded walk from RedHawks pitcher Eric Berger in the top of the seventh inning boosted the Express to a 4-1 edge. The Express later opened up an 8-1 edge in the seventh inning with five runs scored.

RedHawks pitcher Rudy Owens (0-2) took the loss, allowing seven hits, two runs, walking three and striking out one in 4.0 innings pitched. Round Rock reliever Neal Cotts improved to 1-1 on the season.

Paredes, Andy Simunic and Jason Jaramillo led Oklahoma City with two hits each in the second game.

Krauss added three RBI in the two games combined, and now has 13 for the RedHawks during the current homestand.

The eight-game homestand concludes for the RedHawks with a 7:05 p.m. game Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

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.