Singleton Powers RedHawks Past Memphis

Jon Singleton belted his league-leading 11th home run of the season as the Oklahoma City RedHawks offense broke out in an 8-3 win Thursday against the Memphis Redbirds in front of a crowd of 4,449 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Singleton's home run on a fly ball past the visitor's bullpen in right field put the RedHawks ahead by five runs in the fourth inning. He finished with a game-high three hits and three RBI to re-take the Pacific Coast League lead in RBI with 31 total this season.

The eight runs scored by the RedHawks (19-16) Thursday were the most scored by the team since an 8-3 win at Memphis April 22 – a stretch of 15 games.

Memphis (16-18) took the first lead of the game.

Outfielder Oscar Taveras tripled on a fly ball to left field to score Shane Robinson, who got on base with a walk. With infielder Scott Moore batting, a wild pitch by RedHawks starting pitcher David Martinez allowed Taveras to score for a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

A wild pitch by Memphis starting pitcher Scott McGregor in the bottom of the inning, allowed Robbie Grossman to score Oklahoma City's first run of the night.

The RedHawks took the lead for good in the second inning. A double by designated hitter Erik Castro with one out in the second inning scored Carlos Perez to tie the game, 2-2. Castro later scored on a single by Singleton for a 3-2 edge with two outs. Outfielder Domingo Santana followed with a two-run double on a line drive to left field to put the RedHawks in front 5-2.

Singleton's home run put the RedHawks in front, 7-2, in the fourth inning.

Memphis cut into the Oklahoma City with a RBI single from Stephen Piscotty in the fifth inning.

Andy Simunic regained the five-run lead for the RedHawks with a RBI single in the seventh inning.

Martinez (4-2) allowed three runs on six hits, walked three and struck out two in his team-leading fourth win of the season.

The RedHawks turned a season-high four double plays in the game and went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

The teams conclude their four-game series at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Fireworks presented by FAA Credit Union will follow the game.