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Memphis Redbirds

Memphis Shatters Losing Streak with 7-5 Win

July 3, 2014 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Redbirds snapped their season-high seven-game losing streak on Thursday night with an early offensive attack that held for the 7-5 victory over Nashville at Herschel Greer Stadium.

Memphis got its first win since June 22 and avoided the four-game series sweep at the hands of Nashville. The Redbirds improved to 5-7 against the Sounds this season and upped their season record to 39-46.

Memphis got off on a good note against the home team in the series finale, plating six runs in the first three innings. The Redbirds started the scoring in the first by working three walks to load the bases. The free passes gave way to Pete Kozma (2-3, 3 RBI, R), who snapped his 0-for-9 slump at the plate with a two-run single up the middle.

The visitors then grabbed four more runs in the third, all coming with two outs. Randal Grichuk (1-4, 2 R, BB) led off the inning with a single and scored three batters later on a Tommy Pham (2-3, 3B, RBI, R, BB) triple. Kozma and catcher Audry Perez (1-4, R) followed with singles and both added to the run total when Jermaine Curtis (1-3, RBI, BB) hit a tricky groundball up the first base line. The hit was followed by an error that allowed both runners to score. The 'Birds were clinging tightly to a 6-4 lead after three innings of play.

Nashville got four of its runs off starting pitcher John Gast (W, 2-2, 9.43). The left-hander had a career 3-0 record coming into the night against the Sounds and with help from his offense, stayed perfect against Nashville. Gast managed five innings of work and was charged with four runs on four hits. He walked two, struck out three and surrendered his fourth home run of the season to Jeremy Hermida in the third.

Both teams fell silent until the seventh inning when Stephen Piscotty (1-5, HR, RBI, R), who was named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team earlier in the day, unloaded a laser beam into center that bounced over the wall and caromed back into play for a home run. It was only the outfielder's second hit of the series, but it was his second longball in the last five games and it gave Memphis a 7-4 advantage.

The Redbirds bullpen had started July off on a rocky foot, but they logged four crucial frames on Thursday. Angel Castro worked two of them, surrendering his first run in three relief outings. Eric Fornataro did well with the eighth inning, leaving a runner stranded after a one-out walk. Finally, Jorge Rondon picked up his first save of the season by working his way around two hits.

In addition to the win, Pham and Perez both extended their hitting streaks. Pham has hit in a season-high six games, batting .444 (8-for-18) during the stretch, while Perez matched a season-high seven-game streak (.290, 9-for-31).

Memphis heads back to the Bluff City on Friday as the Redbirds celebrate Independence Day with their annual Red, White, and BOOM Fireworks display, presented by FedEx. They will open a three-game series against the New Orleans Zephyrs (Triple-A Marlins). It will be lefty against lefty as Tim Cooney (7-5, 4.09) will do battle against Brian Flynn (7-5, 3.56).

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