Oklahoma City - The Oklahoma City RedHawks dropped an 8-3 decision to the Tacoma Rainiers Saturday night at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in front of a season-high crowd of 9,741.  The Rainiers plated seven runs over the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to secure the win.
            Tacoma took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jeff Clement doubled home Michael Saunders.  Oklahoma City answered with a run in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Brandon Boggs.
The Rainiers got to RedHawks starter Josh Rupe for a run in the fifth inning, and broke the game open with three in the sixth.  Rupe allowed three hits in the sixth, including two doubles, before giving way to the bullpen.  
ADVERTISEMENT
Tacoma added two runs against John Bannister in the seventh inning to build an 8-1 advantage.  Oklahoma City closed out the scoring in the bottom of the seventh with a pair of runs.  Max Ramirez drove in two runs with a single, scoring Joaquin Arias and Esteban German.
            Gaby Hernandez (3-2) earned the win for the Rainiers after limiting the RedHawks to one run on four hits over six innings.  Rupe (0-1) took the loss in his first Triple-A game since 2007.  Jerry Owens had four hits to pace Tacoma, while four other players had two hits apiece in the Rainiers 15 hit attack.  Arias had the two-hit game for Oklahoma City, which saw its four game winning streak snapped.
            This series continues Sunday at 4:05 pm at the Brick.  Tommy Hunter will start for the RedHawks against the Rainiers' Doug Fister.

If you like the daily news of the Raw Feed, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to the nation's only alternative professional sports magazine, SZ, with original features and great action photography in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. Just $11.99 per year for an e-zine like you’ve never seen!