RedHawks Finish Trip With 4-3 Victory

Des Moines, Iowa - The Oklahoma City RedHawks (71-64) hit a pair of home runs and held off a late rally from the Iowa Cubs (53-83) to notch a 4-3 win before 10,007 Sunday afternoon at Principal Park.

With the win, the RedHawks took three of five in the series and went 12-4 against Iowa during the season. They won for the sixth time by one run over the Cubs as well.

Early the in game, the Cubs kept matching the Redhawks. Jimmy Paredes broke a scoreless tie in the third with an RBI double. Iowa's Jim Adduci answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-out, broken-bat RBI single.

In the top of the fourth, Mike Hessman belted his PCL-leading 31st home run to center field to put the RedHawks back in lead.

The Cubs would answer once again in the bottom of the inning. After a double by Blake Lalli and a single by Diory Hernandez, Brian Esposito tied the game with an RBI groundout.

Iowa threatened to break the tie in the sixth. With a runner at first and two outs, Brian Esposito lined a double to right-center field. Brad Snyder fired the ball to Matt Downs, who then relayed the throw to home to cut down Blake Lalli and keep the game tied.

The RedHawks jumped back in front in the seventh. J.D. Martinez lined a double, and two batters later, Jose Martinez sent a single to right field to make it 3-2.

Paredes added to the RedHawks lead with a solo homer in the eighth. It was the first time since August 14 the RedHawks hit more than one home run in a game.

The RedHawks would end up needing the extra run, as Iowa made things tight in the ninth. Adrian Cardenas hit a two-out, pinch-hit hit RBI single to cut the lead to one and put tying runner in scoring position.

Jose Valdez regrouped and struck out Tony Campana to end the game, earning his 19th save.

Starting pitcher Rudy Owens scored his first win in a RedHawks uniform. Owens (1-3) allowed two runs and seven hits over six innings, striking out three without a walk. Aneury Rodriguez and Chuckie Fick each retired the side in order in the seventh and eighth, respecitively.

Iowa pitcher Chris Rusin fell for the third time in four starts against the RedHawks this season. Rusin (8-9) pitched well, surrendering three runs and four hits over seven innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

After going 5-4 on the road trip, the RedHawks will begin an eight-game homestand to finish the 2012 season beginning Monday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Albuquerque Isotopes. To purchase tickets, visit the box office on S. Mickey Mantle, call (405) 218-1000, or order online at okcredhawks.com.

Live coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on AM 1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, or through the free IHeartRadio mobile app.