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OKC RedHawks: Mike Hessman gets 32nd homer, helps OKC remain in playoff hunt

Oklahoma City is 41/2 games behind South division-leading Albuquerque heading into Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. game at the Brick.

From Staff Reports | Published: August 27, 2012 Comment on this article

No matter how slim the chances might be, the Oklahoma City RedHawks kept alive their playoff hopes Monday night with a 6-1 Pacific Coast League baseball win over Albuquerque. A crowd of 3,591 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark watched the RedHawks draw within 41/2 games of the South division-leading Isotopes.

Former University of Oklahoma pitcher Will Savage blanked OKC on seven hits through six innings. He left the ballgame with a 1-0 lead, but the Isotopes' bullpen collapsed as the RedHawks scored four runs in the seventh inning and two more in the eighth.

Mike Hessman sparked the seventh-inning rally with his PCL-leading 32^nd homer of the season. Hessman joined Lee Stevens for the fifth-most homers in a single season for an Oklahoma City Triple-A player. Stevens had 32 homers in 1996 for the Oklahoma City 89ers.

Brad Snyder added two hits and three RBIs, and Carlos Corporan scored twice for the Hawks.

Oklahoma City starting pitcher Jarred Cosart was solid. He gave up five hits and struck out five in five innings. Cosart did walk five, though, and Albuquerque scored its lone run when the Hawks' pitcher was called for a balk. Scott Van Slyke scored from third.

The RedHawks (72-64) and Albuquerque (77-60) continue the series at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at the Brick.