RedHawks Walk Off Against Omaha With Squeeze Play

The Oklahoma City RedHawks scored twice in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure a 2-1, come-from-behind win against the Omaha Storm Chasers Friday in front of a crowd of 9,811 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The RedHawks (30-26) trailed, 1-0, entering the game's final frame.

Kiké Hernandez drew a walk to lead off the inning, and Gregorio Petit followed with a single to left field. Matt Duffy then sent a ground ball to Omaha shortstop Christian Colon, but Colon's throw to second base was errant, allowing Hernandez to score.

The error put runners the corners with none out. Carlos Perez came up next, and on the first pitch from Buddy Baumann, laid down a squeeze bunt. Baumann (1-1) fielded the ball and flipped it to home plate with his glove, but Petit evaded catcher Jesus Flores' tag with a head-first slide to score the game-winning run.

The win ended a three-game losing skid for the RedHawks and allowed them to avoid a series sweep against Omaha (27-27). The win was also the first of the season for RedHawks manager Tony DeFrancesco, who rejoined the team earlier this week after undergoing successful cancer treatments.

RedHawks pitcher Mike Foltynewicz turned in another strong start, holding the Storm Chasers to one run and six hits while recording 10 strikeouts over a season-high 7.2 innings. Josh Zeid and Alex White (1-0) held Omaha scoreless over the final 1.1 innings.

L.J. Hoes singled with one out in the first inning before Omaha starting pitcher John Lamb went on to retire the next 15 RedHawks batters. Although Lamb pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, he had to settle for a no decision.

Omaha took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Johnny Giavotella doubled on a ground ball to right field and Mike Moustakas followed with a RBI single to center field.

Perez connected on a double to left field in the sixth inning, giving the RedHawks their first hit since the opening frame.

The RedHawks left the bases loaded in the seventh and eighth innings before scoring their lone runs of the night in the ninth.

The RedHawks continue their eight-game homestand and open a four-game series with Memphis at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.