RedHawks Use Five-Run Inning To Take Down Aces

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City RedHawks used one big inning to clinch a 6-3 victory over the Reno Aces Thursday and extend their winning streak to three games.

The RedHawks (58-68) trailed 1-0 for most of the night after the Aces (67-58) got on the board in the top of the second. Oklahoma City remained scoreless until the sixth, when Anderson Hernandez tied the game with an RBI triple. But that was just a prelude to the night's big inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, five consecutive RedHawks reached base. They scored three runs in that span, and Oswaldo Navarro added a two-run single later in the frame that gave the RedHawks five runs in the inning and helped them bat around.

OKC carried its 6-1 lead into the ninth, when the Aces tried to put together a rally of their own. Mark Hallberg launched a two-run home run – the only long ball of the night – to cut the lead to three, but Reno could draw no closer.

The two starting pitchers ended with nearly identical stat lines. Oklahoma City's Andy Hekken gave up one run on six hits in five innings, while Reno's Wes Roemer allowed the same number of runs and hits in 5.1 innings. Neither pitcher received a decision.

The Aces' troubles began when reliever Brian Stokes (0-1) took over. He only retired four batters, but managed to give up five runs on four hits and two walks. Reno's final two relievers combined to give up just one hit for the rest of the night, but the damage had been done.

Meanwhile, Wesley Wright (3-1) only allowed one hit in his two innings of relief work and struck out four of the six batters he retired. He earned a win, while Stokes was credited with a loss.

The RedHawks now have won the first three games of their series against Reno and will go for a sweep in the finale at 7:05 p.m. Friday.