Zephyrs Rally To Sweep RedHawks

The New Orleans Zephyrs scored three runs with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to secure a 7-6 come-from-behind win Sunday against the Oklahoma City RedHawks in front of a crowd of 4,332 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

A two-out triple to deep right-center field by Ruben Sosa had scored two runs and put the RedHawks in front, 6-4, in the eighth before the Zephyrs comeback in the season series finale between the teams.

New Orleans (49-49) outhit the RedHawks, 17-8, in the win that tied the season series, 8-8.

Chris Gutierrez went a game-best 4-for-5 Sunday for the Zephyrs, who took the first lead of the game. Jake Smolinski put the Zephyrs ahead, 2-0, in the first with a two-run homer to left field.

The RedHawks (51-46) answered with two home runs of their own to tie the game. Robbie Grossman led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot to right field and Jon Singleton led off the bottom of the second inning with a solo homer to left field to tie the game, 2-2.

In the fourth inning, Carlos Perez hit a bunt single and a throwing error by New Orleans starting pitcher Doug Mathis allowed Singleton to score and take a 3-2 lead for Oklahoma City. Mathis intentionally walked Grossman to load the bases with two outs, then Mathis walked the next batter, Marwin Gonzalez, to bring home Jose Martinez for a 4-2 RedHawks edge.

A sac fly by Zephyr Matt Downs to right field scored Green to cut the RedHawks' lead to one run in the sixth.

RedHawks starter Wade LeBlanc pitched six innings, allowing three runs, nine hits and striking out five. Brad Peacock and Jason Stoffel followed on the mound for Oklahoma City.

A RBI single by New Orleans' Gil Velazquez tied the game, 4-4, in the top of the seventh inning.

Sosa's two-out triple put the RedHawks back in front, 6-4, in the eighth before the Zephyrs put together their late comeback.

Nick Green hit a RBI single to center field to cut OKC's lead to 6-5 with two outs in the top of the ninth. Downs followed with a double to score the game-tying run and Gutierrez later singled to right field to bring home Downs for the 7-6 New Orleans advantage.

RedHawks pitcher Josh Zeid (4-1) entered the game in the ninth and was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs and three hits, walking two and striking out two in one inning. Zeid was also charged with his first blown save of the season.

New Orleans' relief pitcher Adam Reifer (1-0) got the win, allowing two runs on three hits in two innings and pitcher Chris Hatcher got the save.

The RedHawks have the next three days off for the Pacific Coast League All-Star break before they start an eight-day, nine-game road trip with a 7:05 p.m. game Thursday in Memphis.