RedHawks Salvage Split With New Orleans Behind Offensive Explosion

Mike Hessman had two, two-run home runs, and Jimmy Paredes went 4-5 with four runs scored, as the Oklahoma City RedHawks rode an offensive outburst to secure a split of a four game series, defeating the New Orleans Zephyrs, 12-9 Sunday night.

In Oklahoma City's last home game until June 23, the RedHawks put on a show for the 4,974 fans in attendance, scoring three runs in each of the first two innings, and hitting three home runs.

The RedHawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to Hessman's first home run, and an RBI single from Landon Powell. OKC tacked on three more runs in the second inning thanks to Scott Moore's three-run homer. Just like that, OKC had a 6-0 lead.

The Zephyrs did not go quietly, just one night after scoring six runs in the ninth inning. New Orleans scored nine runs from the fourth through eighth innings, OKC responded every time to keep the Zephyrs at bay.

New Orleans scored two in the fourth and three in the fifth, but the RedHawks scored the same number of runs in each of those innings to keep the lead at six runs.

The Zephyrs cut the lead to 11-8 after two more runs in the top of the seventh, but an Angel Sanchez RBI single gave the RedHawks some extra breathing room to complete the win.

Mickey Storey picked up the win for the RedHawks, while Wade LeBlanc took the loss for New Orleans. Fernando Abad pitched the ninth for his first save of the year.

The Zephyrs were paced offensively by Mike Cervenak, who went 3-5 with two RBIs. Scott Cousins also went 3-4 for New Orleans with an RBI.

The RedHawks will be on the road for the next 12 games, with four-game series scheduled against New Orleans again starting Monday, Round Rock, and Nashville.

OKC will face Omaha when they return to The Brick on June 23.