RedHawks Manage One Hit In Loss To Memphis

The Oklahoma City RedHawks offense cooled off against the Memphis Redbirds Sunday as four Memphis pitchers combined to one-hit the RedHawks in a 2-1 loss in front of 6,653 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The lone hit of the night for the RedHawks (31-27) came on an infield single by Gregorio Petit in the fifth inning and only three players reached base. Oklahoma City was held to one hit for the first time since a 1-0 loss Aug. 31, 2011 at New Orleans.

Memphis starting pitcher Nick Greenwood (3-2) allowed one run and one hit over five innings in the Redbirds (28-29) win. He walked one and struck out five as he retired the first 12 batters he faced.

Relievers Dean Kiekhefer and Eric Fornataro combined for three perfect innings before David Aardsma threw a scoreless ninth for his ninth save of the season.

The quartet of Memphis hurlers retired 27 of 30 batters and faced three over the minimum. The RedHawks were retired in order in seven of nine innings.

The RedHawks entered the game hitting .353 (65x184) and having scored 36 runs in their last five games against Memphis.

The Redbirds took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. Stephen Piscotty hit a leadoff double and Tommy Pham followed with a single. Piscotty scored on a sac fly by Jermaine Curtis, and Pham eventually scored on a passed ball by Carlos Perez for a 2-0 Memphis edge.

Domingo Santana became the RedHawks first baserunner of the night in the fifth inning when he drew a leadoff walk. Two batters later, Petit sent a chopper of the plate toward Memphis second baseman Pete Kozma. Kozma charged and bare-handed the ball on the infield grass. He quickly threw to first from below his waist, but his throw was low and got past first baseman Scott Moore. The play was ruled an infield single, plus a throwing error by Kozma to put runners at second and third with one out.

Matt Duffy followed with a RBI groundout to cut the Memphis lead to 2-1. With a runner at third and two down, Ronny Torreyes sent a sharp ground ball down the third base line, but Curtis made a diving stop to end the inning and keep the Redbirds ahead.

The RedHawks didn't have another baserunner until Adron Chambers drew a walk with two outs in the ninth inning. Austin Wates then grounded out to end the game.

RedHawks starting pitcher Bobby Doran (1-3) allowed two runs and eight hits over 5.2 innings. He walked three and struck out three in the loss.

The RedHawks continue their four-game series with Memphis at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.