RedHawks Take Down Isotopes Late Monday Night

The Oklahoma City RedHawks pounded out 14 hits and received a strong performance by the bullpen to capture an 8-4 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes before 7,971 at Isotopes Park Monday night.

The RedHawks were all over the bases all night, putting at least two runners on base in seven of nine innings. Thirteen of their 14 hits were singles, and the team also drew seven walks.

For the second-straight game, the RedHawks scored a pair of runs in the first inning. Brandon Laird knocked an RBI single to center field, and Fernando Martinez brought home another run on a fielder's choice.

Albuquerque cut into the lead in the bottom of the inning. With the bases loaded and two out, RedHawks pitcher Jarred Cosart sent a wild pitch to the backstop, allowing a run to score.

The Isotopes loaded the bases again in the third inning, but Cosart struck out the next three batters to keep the RedHawks in front.

The RedHawks added to their lead with two runs in the fourth. Jonathan Villar had an RBI bunt single, and a Robbie Grossman's fielder's choice scored another to extend the lead to 4-1.

Albuquerque would take advantage of their chance with the bases loaded in the fifth, scoring three times without collecting a hit to tie the game. During the rally the Isotopes drew four walks and another batter was hit by a pitch. Nick Buss collected an RBI, groundout, Jeremy Moore drew a bases-loaded walk, and Rusty Ryal hit a sac fly to make it 4-4.

Cosart would exit in the middle of the inning. He tossed 4.1 innings and was charged with four runs. Cosart walked five struck out six, and threw 99 pitches, only 49 of which were strikes.

In the top of the sixth, the RedHawks jumped back in front when Martinez delivered a two-run, two-out single to make it 6-4.

The Isotopes drew three more walks in the bottom of the inning to load the bases with two outs, but Justin Sellers grounded out to end the inning.

The RedHawks packed the sacks in the seventh and were able to score once on a sac fly by Jake Elmore to go ahead 7-4.

Grossman extended the lead in the ninth with a sac fly to finish the scoring.

The RedHawks pitching staff issued a season-high 11 walks, but was able to get outs when it needed to most, stranding 14 runners on base.

The bullpen pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Eric Berger (2-1) claimed the win, going 1.1 scoreless frames with two strikeouts and two walks.

Albuquerque had to lean on its bullpen after starting pitcher Angel Castro left two pitches into the second inning with an injury. The Isotopes relief corps allowed six runs and 11 hits over eight innings.

Kelvin De La Cruz (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs and three hits over two-plus innings.

Two days after playing a game that lasted 4 hours, 7 minutes, Monday's game was completed in 3 hours, 59 minutes.