RedHawks Lose Lead Late Against Omaha

Matt Fields hit two home runs for the Omaha Storm Chasers over the seventh and eighth innings, plating all six runs in a 6-2 win against the Oklahoma City RedHawks Friday night at Werner Park.

The RedHawks (32-30) have matched a season-high three-game losing streak and have dropped four of their last five games. It's also the first time this season they have lost the first two games of a road series.

With the RedHawks leading 1-0 in the seventh, the Storm Chasers (33-28) had none on with two outs. Brian Bocock singled to keep the inning alive for Fields, who sent a line drive out of the park to left field for his first homer, giving Omaha its first lead.

The RedHawks would not trail for long. With one out in the top of the eighth inning, Carlos Perez hit a solo homer to pull even with the Storm Chasers. It was Perez's first home run since April 12 and his third of the season.

In the bottom of the inning the Storm Chasers loaded the bases with one out for Fields. He hammered the first pitch from Jason Stoffel (0-1) past the left field concourse for a grand slam.

Fields became the second RedHawks opponent to hit a grand slam this season, and the first since opening night when Bryan Petersen hit one for Round Rock. His six RBI set a new career high.

Entering the current series, the RedHawks had not allowed a home run in 11 consecutive games. They've now allowed five over the first two games in Omaha, with three hit of them hit by Fields.

The RedHawks could not muster a rally in the ninth, going down in order against Louis Coleman. After allowing the game-tying homer in the eighth, Coleman (1-0) retired the final five batters he faced.

Neither team had much going at the plate through the game's first few innings. Kiké Hernandez changed that in the top of fourth when he crushed a hanging breaking ball to left-center field for a solo home run.

For awhile, it looked like the one run might hold up. RedHawks starting pitcher David Martinez fired six scoreless innings, allowing three singles with a walk and four strikeouts. Martinez retired 14 of the last 15 hitters he faced, including a run of 10 straight at one point.

Unfortunately Martinez walked away with a no decision, as a normally rock solid bullpen allowed six runs and eight hits over two innings. The RedHawks pitching staff has allowed six runs in three consecutive games for the first time since April 14-16.

The RedHawks will look to avoid a fourth-straight defeat when they face the Storm Chasers Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.