Redbirds Lose 2-1, Finish Second In Division

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Jonathan Singleton knocked a ninth-inning, walk-off, RBI-double for the RedHawks to defeat Memphis 2-1 on Labor Day at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. With the Omaha win over Round Rock, the Redbirds were eliminated from playoff contention on the last day of the season. 

Entering today, Memphis needed a win or an Omaha loss to clinch the division. The Redbirds finished 1.0 game behind Omaha in the PCL American Northern Division. Memphis (69-75) ended with a 12-win improvement over their 2012 campaign.

The RedHawks got on the board first right out of the gate, going up 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Jimmy Paredes led off with a double and was brought home by a one out Jose Martinez RBI-hit through the right side.

The Redbirds knotted the contest at 1-1 in the fourth with back-to-back hits to lead off the inning. Jermaine Curtis knocked a single up the middle and Brock Peterson sent a grounder down the third-base line for a double. With one out, Greg Garcia grounded out, scoring Curtis for the tying run.

Eric Fornataro's fourth start of the season was also his longest, lasting six 1/3 innings. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits, walking one and striking out three. His 85 pitches (58 strikes) were also a season high.

Deryk Hooker pitched an inning and 2/3 of scoreless, hitless relief for the 'Birds. The righty walked one and struck out one.

RedHawks starter Ross Seaton's eight innings pitched was his longest outing of the season. The right-hander gave up a run on eight hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Jason Stoffel (8-1) tossed a scoreless ninth with a hit and a walk.

Lee Stoppelman (1-1) came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth for the Redbirds and gave up a lead-off hit to Japhet Amador. The next batter, Singleton, hit the game winner off the right-field wall to score pinch runner Ruben Sosa.

The Omaha Storm Chasers will face the RedHawks (82-62) for the American Conference Championship in a best-of-five series starting on Wednesday night in Oklahoma City. The Storm Chasers won their third American Northern Division title in a row.

The Las Vegas 51s and Salt Lake Bees square off in Salt Lake City for the Pacific Conference title.