OKC RedHawks: Iowa pitching handles RedHawks in series finale

Iowa (34-48) has struggled through the Pacific Coast League season, but the Cubs' Rodrigo Lopez, Esmailin Caridad and Alberto Cabrera combined for one of the team's best pitching performances of the season. They blanked one of the league's best batting orders on five hits, five walks and six strikeouts. Starter Lopez improved to 2-3 after throwing six innings.

For Oklahoma City, starter Paul Clemens' earned run average expanded to 6.33. He gave up five runs on eight hits in 51/3 innings.

Josh Vitters hit his 13^th homer of the season for Iowa, He finished with two hits and three RBIs.

Jimmy Paredes, selected for the PCL All-Star Team, had two of Oklahoma City's five hits. He had a two-out triple in the third inning but was stranded when Marwin Gonzalez flew to right. Gonzalez played in his first game since being sent to the RedHawks on a medical rehabilitation assignment by the Houston Astros.

The Hawks, who have scored in double digits in 15 games this season, were shut out for the fifth time.

Oklahoma City (46-35) returns to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, opening a four-game series against the Memphis Redbirds. Memphis is the farm team of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Brian Bass (1-2, 4.41) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the RedHawks. Memphis (30-52) will go with lefty John Gast (4-2, 5.67).

Tickets are available at The Brick box office.