RedHawks Use Strong First Inning To Top Memphis

The Oklahoma City RedHawks (2-1) rode a nice team pitching effort and some early offense to take a 3-1 victory over the Memphis Redbirds (1-2) before 9,060 at AutoZone Park Saturday night.

Like their previous game, the RedHawks got on the board in the first inning. They tallied four hits in the inning, including RBI singles by Jimmy Paredes and Marc Krauss for an early 2-0 lead.

Memphis responded with a Brock Peterson RBI double to deep center field to cut Oklahoma City's lead in half.

Both starting pitchers then settled in and began to limit each team's offense. RedHawks starting pitcher Jarred Cosart reached his pitch count after four innings, but did not allow a run after the first. He allowed four hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

Offense was hard to come by for the RedHawks as well against Memphis starter Seth Maness. They got back on the board in the sixth courtesy of a sac fly by Krauss.

Still trailing 3-1, Memphis loaded the bases with one out in the seventh. Kolten Wong swung at the first pitch and sent a grounder to second base, fielded by Jake Elmore. Elmore than tagged Adron Chambers running toward second and threw over to first base for an inning-ending double play.

Memphis never threatened after that, putting just one man on base over the final two innings.

Josh Zeid (1-0) earned his first Triple-A win after serving as a bridge between Cosart and Ely. Zeid struck out two in a scoreless fifth.

Maness (0-1) pitched well after the first, but was handed the loss in his Triple-A debut. He allowed three runs and eight hits over seven innings with six strikeouts and no walks.

The RedHawks will seek a series win Sunday afternoon against the Redbirds at 1:35 p.m. Live coverage begins at 1:05 p.m.