OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

The Portland Beavers, re-established as a AAA franchise this year after moving from Albuquerque, were in town to visit the RedHawks and begin a 4-game set. Wascar Serrano, recently demoted from the Padres, started for the Beavers against R.A. Dickey. 

Serrano tosses one in...

Oklahoma took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when future star and Rangers' #1 prospect Carlos Pena doubled in a run and then scored when Marcus Jensen singled. The RedHawks added two more in the third when Marc Sagmoen doubled with the bases loaded and two out. 

Portland scored one in the fourth when Julius Matos singled, moved to second when Pena mishandled a pickoff attempt, and scored on a Mike Colangelo single. In the fifth, the Beavers closed within one on three singles, but Pena replied with a solo shot leading off the bottom of the inning to make it 5-3 Oklahoma. The RedHawks closed out the scoring with two runs in the 7th off Beaver reliever Sean Lawrence. 

Pena watches his homer sail over the center field fence

Dickey (5-4) worked six innings for the win and Kevin Foster pitched two innings of no-hit ball before Brandon Villafuerte came in to pitch the 9th.

It was good to see Pena (3-5, 2 2B and HR) and Padres' prospect Sean Burroughs (0-4) from up close. The game was a good one with Dickey pitching well and his relievers holding the line. I give this a 6/10.