Memphis Powers Past Nashville in Series Opener, 8-4
April 15, 2014 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Memphis Redbirds homered three times en route to an 8-4 win over the cross-state rival Nashville Sounds in the opener of a four-game series on Tuesday night at Greer Stadium.
Redbirds starter Tim Cooney allowed three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings to improve to 3-0 on the young season, matching Las Vegas' Josh Edgin for most wins in the league. The left-hander also walked three and fanned five with his 93 pitches, 61 for strikes.
Red-hot outfielder Joey Butler (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB) improved his league-leading average to .500 with his second straight three-hit game and fourth in his past six starts. First baseman Xavier Scruggs also drove in three with a two hits and a double.
Memphis walked a season-high seven times, while its three home runs matched a season-high previously set on April 4 at Iowa.
The Redbirds jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the top of the first inning as Butler went yard over the wall in right center. The long ball was Butler's third of the season.
Nashville got a run back in the bottom of the frame as Elian Herrera doubled and scored on a Sean Halton single.
Memphis tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth with two-out rally, led by RBI base hits from Oscar Taveras (1-for-5, 2 R) and Butler.
Nashville trimmed the lead within one run in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run home run by Hunter Morris, his first of the season. The Sounds concluded their night with an Irving Falu sacrifice fly against Jorge Rondon in the ninth.
Center fielder Randal Grichuk (1-for-4) extended the Memphis lead to 5-3 with a solo home run just inside the left field foul pole in the seventh inning, his second of the season. The Memphis lead grew to 8-3 in the ninth with a two-run double by Scruggs.
Hellweg (1-2) gave up four runs on six hits and four walks in six innings for the loss.
The cross-state rivals continue their series at 11:05 a.m. on Wednesday morning at Greer Stadium. Memphis will send left-hander Tyler Lyons (1-1, 3.00) to the mound against Brewers top prospect and right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson (1-0, 4.50).
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