Bats Lift RedHawks To Win Over Round Rock

A big third inning lifted the Oklahoma City RedHawks to an 11-5 win over the Round Rock Express Thursday in the opening game of a four-game home series.

Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the third inning, back-to-back walks and a single loaded the bases with no runs on the board and Fernando Martinez up to bad. The left fielder knocked a ground ball to short stop to bring Landon Powell home from third and keep the bases loaded.

Scott Moore hit a two-run single in the next at-bat and Justin Ruggiano followed with a double to bring Fernando Martinez home to take a four-run advantage.

Three at-bats later with the bases still loaded, Mike Hessman sent a home run over the left field wall for a grand slam, his second dinger of the season, to push the lead to 9-1. The homer ended the day for Round Rock starter Michael Kirkman (0-1), giving up seven earned runs on seven hits in just 2.1 innings pitched.

Henry Sosa (2-0) received his second win of the season for the outing, giving up five earned runs on eight hits in his 6.2 innings of service.

Oklahoma City will try to make it three consecutive wins at 7:05 p.m. Friday in the second game of the series against the Express.