PCL1 Memphis Redbirds

Big Inning Dooms Memphis in 8-5 Defeat

Published on July 2, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Memphis dropped its sixth straight game on Tuesday night after Nashville scored seven runs in the sixth inning to grab the 8-5 win at Herschel Greer Stadium.

With the defeat, the Redbirds have lost a season-high six consecutive games. The team has had a lead in five of the six losses but has been unable to secure a win since June 22.

Memphis saw a good start by Joe Kelly go to waste in the loss. Kelly was making his second rehab start for the 'Birds and turned in a much more impressive outing than his first. The right-hander managed four innings of scoreless work on 49 pitches (31 strikes). He allowed just three hits and two walks, doing well to avoid trouble in the bottom of the third after the Sounds loaded the bases.

Kolten Wong, who is in the midst of a rehab assignment with Memphis as well, made his impact on the game almost immediately. The second basemen joined the Redbirds in Nashville today and took the fourth pitch of the game to left field for a double. He was later stranded at third, but the infielder had just gotten started. Wong came up again in the fifth and with two runners on, broke the scoreless tie by launching a ball that landed over the right field wall. It was his third home run in a Redbirds uniform this season and his second extra-base hit of the game. In the end, the University of Hawaii product was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a walk.

The Sounds erased an early 3-1 deficit in the game on Monday and they repeated their success on Tuesday. After snagging a run in the fifth, Nashville exploded for seven runs in the sixth. The inning included four extra-base hits and eight consecutive players reaching base. Jeremy Hermida hit his ninth home run in the frame, while Pete Orr recorded his fourth triple. The big inning gave the home team the 8-3 advantage, a cushion that proved too large for the 'Birds to overcome.

All eight runs were charged to Zach Petrick (L, 4-4, 5.45) who took his fourth loss of the season. The right-hander had not appeared out of the bullpen in over a year and it showed as he surrendered eight hits over 1.1 innings. He gave way to Dean Kiekhefer (2.79) and Angel Castro (3.18), who finished the game with scoreless outings.

The Redbirds offense was fairly quiet on the night, getting outhit 15-9. Randal Grichuk (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, R, K) belted his thirteenth home run of the season in the ninth, while Audry Perez (1-for-4, 2B, BB), Jermaine Curtis (0-for-0, BB) and Tommy Pham (1-for-1, R) all scored runs in the losing effort.

The cross-state series continues tomorrow at 7:05 pm CT. Left-hander Tyler Lyons (2-0, 5.22) will be opposed by Nashville's Jimmy Nelson.

Check out the Memphis Redbirds Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 2, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central