RedHawks Crush Zephyrs In Shutout Win

Jake Buchanan pitched a complete game shutout and the Oklahoma City RedHawks tied season highs in runs and hits in a 12-0 romp over the New Orleans Zephyrs at Zephyr Field Tuesday night.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the RedHawks (25-21) and tied for the third-largest shutout victory in team history. It was the largest shutout win for the RedHawks since a 13-0 blanking of Edmonton on Aug. 7, 2001 and marked the team's largest margin of victory this season.

Buchanan (4-3) pitched his second career shutout after throwing 97 pitches, with 77 for strikes. He scattered six hits while setting a career high with 10 strikeouts, and he did not allow walk.

Dating back to his start against Round Rock on April 30, Buchanan now has 26 consecutive scoreless innings pitched. Each of his past three starts has resulted in RedHawks shutouts.

Buchanan's lone career shutout prior to Monday was a four-hitter May 1, 2011 while pitching for High-A Lancaster in a 3-0 win at Inland Empire.

It was the RedHawks' fourth shutout of the season, and the first complete game shutout tossed by an Oklahoma City pitcher since Asher Wojciechowski faced the minimum in a 5-0, one-hit shutout July 8, 2013 at Round Rock.

Although Buchanan didn't need all the run support he received, the RedHawks tied season highs with both 12 runs and 17 hits. Five players finished with multi-hit games, led by Max Stassi and Domingo Santana, who each set personal season highs with four apiece.

The RedHawks got some early breathing room after putting up a five-spot in the second inning. After the RedHawks loaded the bases with none out, Robbie Grossman opened the scoring with a RBI single. Kiké Hernandez followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.

Santana sent a RBI double to deep center field, and two batters later, Stassi roped a two-run, two-out double to finish the rally.

The five-run frame was the RedHawks' single-highest scoring inning since plating seven runs against New Orleans in the eighth inning April 12 in Oklahoma City.

Carlos Perez added another run with a RBI single in the sixth.

The RedHawks were just getting started, as they scored five more times in the fifth inning after having none on and two out. They loaded the bases for Stassi, who lined a two-run single into center field. Stassi finished with a season high four RBI, all with two outs.

Gregorio Petit came up next and sent the first pitch over the left field fence for a three-run homer, giving the RedHawks a commanding 11-0 lead. The RedHawks had been in the midst of season-high drought of four straight games without a home run until Petit's blast.

The final RedHawks run scored in the ninth on a RBI single by Andy Simunic.

In addition to his two hits, Simunic walked three times. Jon Singleton drew four walks, as the RedHawks set a season high with 10 walks in the game.

The Zephyrs (20-25) finished with just one extra-base hit and only put four runners in scoring position, with just one runner reaching third base. Buchanan held New Orleans 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

For the second time in two meetings in New Orleans, the RedHawks roughed up Zephyrs starting pitcher Brian Flynn. Flynn (4-3) was bounced after three innings, allowing six runs (two earned) and eight hits. He walked three and did not record a strikeout.

The RedHawks and Zephyrs won't wait long to meet again, as they play at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning.