RedHawks Offense Erupts Against Memphis

Home runs by Kiké Hernandez and Gregorio Petit in the first inning kick-started the Oklahoma City RedHawks offense in an 8-1 win Monday against the Memphis Redbirds in front of 3,453 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The homers gave the RedHawks (32-27) a quick 4-0 lead in the third meeting of the four-game series between the teams.

The RedHawks had been held to two runs or less in four of the first six games of their current homestand, and after being one-hit by the Redbirds Sunday, tallied 14 hits in the win.

RedHawks starting pitcher Nick Tropeano (3-4) tossed a season-high 8.0 scoreless innings, with five hits, two walks and five strikeouts. He entered the game ranked in the PCL top six in ERA, WHIP and opponent average. Tropeano held the Redbirds to just one hit through five innings.

A solo homer by infielder Hernandez, his fourth of the season, and a three-run shot by Gregorio Petit, his fifth homer of the season, put the RedHawks in front, 4-0, in the first inning. Both home runs came on the first pitch to each batter.

Outfielder Adron Chambers connected on a two-run double to left field in the third inning to push the RedHawks ahead, 6-0. He advanced to third on the throw. Catcher Carlos Perez followed with a RBI single to bring home Chambers for a 7-0 lead.

L.J. Hoes came up to the plate with runners at first and second with two outs in the eighth inning and hit a RBI single for an 8-0 RedHawks lead.

Reliever Alex White replaced Tropeano in the ninth inning and a RBI single by Redbird Jermaine Curtis broke the shutout for Memphis (28-30) and cut the score to 8-1.

Petit went 3-for-3 for the RedHawks with three RBI and scored a run. Chambers finished the night 2-for-4 with two RBI and scored twice. Hernandez, Hoes, and Erik Castro also had two hits each for Oklahoma City.

Redbirds starting pitcher Angel Castro (5-4) was charged with the loss, allowing seven runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out three over 6.0 innings.

The RedHawks conclude their current four-game series, as well as their season series, with Memphis at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.