RedHawks Shut Out in Series Opener
Oklahoma City - The Oklahoma City RedHawks opened their final home series of the regular season Friday with a 4-0 loss to the Memphis Redbirds in front of 10,135 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Memphis (68-73) entered the game in a tie with Omaha for the PCL American Northern Division lead.
The winner of the American Northern Division will play the American Southern Division champion RedHawks (80-61) in the first round of the PCL playoffs starting Sept. 4.
The RedHawks were shut out Friday for the first time since a 9-0 loss in the first game of a doubleheader against New Orleans July 12 in Bricktown.
Memphis took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a RBI single by Jamie Romak and the score remained until Memphis broke through with three runs in the top of the seventh inning.
All three Redbirds runs in the seventh inning scored with two outs. Travis Tartamella doubled on a fly ball to right field to score Greg Garcia for a 2-0 Memphis lead with two outs. A RBI single by Brock Peterson put the Redbirds in front, 3-0. Memphis' Romak walked with the bases loaded for a four-run advantage.
The road team improved to 10-3 in the season series between the teams.
Marc Krauss led the RedHawks with two hits, including his 15th double of the season with Oklahoma City.
Starting pitcher Richard Castillo (1-2) recorded his first win of the season with Memphis. He allowed four hits in five shutout innings. Keith Butler recorded his second save for the Redbirds.
RedHawks starter Jake Buchanan (5-5) allowed three runs and eight hits over 6.2 innings. He did not issue a walk and struck out six in the loss. Pitcher Reymin Guduan, who joined the RedHawks Friday from GCL Astros, entered the game to replace Buchanan with two outs in the seventh inning. He walked three of the first four batters he faced, then settled in, allowing one run and one hit over 2.1 innings. He struck out four.
The RedHawks continue their four-game series against Memphis at 7:05 p.m. Saturday 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.