Wojciechowski's One-Hitter Leads 'Hawks Past Manny Ramirez, Express

Oklahoma City RedHawks pitcher Asher Wojciechowski authored a one-hit, complete game shutout and faced the minimum in a dominant 5-0 win over the Round Rock Express before 7,593 at Dell Diamond Monday night.

It was the first shutout of Wojciechowski's career and the first complete game, nine-inning shutout by a RedHawk since Luis Mendoza's no-hitter against Salt Lake on Aug. 14, 2009.

Prior to Monday, the last time the RedHawks turned in a one-hitter was June 25, 2004 when Nick Regilio and Brad Clontz shutout Albuquerque. Wojciechowski became the first RedHawk to toss a one-hitter by himself since Ryan Glynn did it on April 28, 1999 against New Orleans.

However, Wojciechowski is believed to be the first pitcher in RedHawks history to face the minimum over nine innings. He retired the first 15 batters he faced before surrendering a leadoff single to Mike Olt to begin the bottom of the sixth inning. After Chris McGuiness struck out, Jose Felix hit into a double play to end the frame.

Wojciechowksi (5-4) walked Joey Butler with one out in the eighth, but followed that up by getting Aaron Cunningham to hit into a double play. He retired the side in order in the ninth, capped with a Felix groundout back to Wojciechowski to finish things off.

Wojciechowski threw 97 pitches, 66 for strikes. He registered five strikeouts and retired the side with nine pitches or less five times. The right-hander did not throw more than 16 pitches in one inning.

At the plate, the RedHawks (49-41) broke a scoreless tie in the third inning. Robbie Grossman collected an RBI single to open the scoring, and Marwin Gonzalez followed with another RBI to make it 2-0.

With two outs, Oklahoma City loaded the bases and rehabbing Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell was at the plate. Maxwell smoked the ball to deep left field, but Cunningham made a jumping grab near the warning track to end the inning.

Grossman and Gonzalez were at it again the fourth inning. With two outs, Grossman hit an RBI single, and Gonzalez followed with a two-run double to deep center field to make it 5-0.

It was more than enough offense for the RedHawks, as the team collected its fourth shutout of the season.

Round Rock starter Brad Mills took the loss opposite of Wojciechowski. Mills (7-4) allowed five runs (two earned) and seven hits with four walks and six strikeouts. It's the first time he's lost to the RedHawks in five career starts.

Now within one game of the Express for the first place, the RedHawks continue their series in Round Rock Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m.