New Orleans Cruises Past RedHawks In Bricktown

The New Orleans Zephyrs scored six times on six hits in the eighth inning to break open the game in an 11-0 win Thursday in front of a crowd of 5,996 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Zephyrs (46-48) held the RedHawks (50-43) to three hits as the teams opened a five-game series.

The RedHawks suffered their second shutout in six games to the Zephyrs, who also held Oklahoma City scoreless in their July 5 meeting at New Orleans.

New Orleans' Gorkys Hernandez and Jordan Brown each went a game-high 3-for-5. Kyle Jensen batted in three runs for the Zephyrs.

Robbie Grossman, Marwin Gonzalez and George Springer each recorded a single for Oklahoma City.

Thursday's loss was the second-largest shutout loss in RedHawks team history behind a 12-0 loss July 22, 2003 against Nashville. Thursday also was the sixth shutout loss of the season for Oklahoma City.

A RBI single by Brown and two-run homer by Jensen put New Orleans ahead, 3-0, in the top of the fourth inning.

The game remained in reach for the RedHawks until late.

A sac fly by Bryan Petersen scored Hernandez for a 4-0 New Orleans lead. A double by Brown and single by Green put New Orleans ahead by six runs. A fielding error by RedHawks left fielder Ruben Sosa allowed two more runs to score before the end of the inning.

In the top of the ninth inning, a RBI single by Jake Smolinski and a sac fly by Jensen put the Zephyrs in front by11 runs.

RedHawks starting pitcher Jake Buchanan (1-2) fell one short of his career high, by striking out eight Zephyrs hitters in the loss. He allowed five runs on eight hits in seven innings and walked one.

New Orleans starter Brian Flynn (3-9) allowed three hits, walked three and struck out five in seven scoreless innings.

Oklahoma City's five-game series against New Orleans continues with a doubleheader, starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday. The second game of the night will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Fireworks, presented by Verizon, will follow the conclusion of the second game.