Redhawks report: Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Published: August 5, 2008

RedHawks 13, Tucson 7

•Story line: Oklahoma got back on the winning track, against Tucson, at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark on Monday afternoon. The Hawks used a seven-run eighth inning to finish off game that was more interesting than it should have been after the RedHawks blew a 6-2 .

•On the mound: Left-hander Michael Ballard started and went 5 1/3 innings. He allowed eight hits and two earned runs. He struck out two. Ballard had struggled entering Monday afternoon's game. In his last two starts, Ballard gave up 22 hits and 14 earned runs.

"We wanted to get him about six innings, and get him out of there,” Jones said. "He was solid. He did a good job.”

•Going...going...gone: Designated hitter Chris Shelton hit a solo homer in the first inning. Catcher Nick Trzesniak hit a two-run homer in the second.

•Cruz update: Right fielder Nelson Cruz flew to Texas to visit with Rangers team doctors Monday to further evaluate his injury. Cruz had an MRI on Saturday, but said he was feeling better a day after being injured on a slide at second base. Jones said if Cruz' quadriceps injury was worse than previously thought, he will likely go to the Rangers' spring training complex in Surprise, Ariz., for a rehab assignment.

•Up next: Tucson (Max Scherzer, 0-0, 3.03 ERA) at RedHawks (Derek Lee, 0-1, 6.75 ERA), 7:05 tonight.

By Matt Patterson

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