PCL1 Memphis Redbirds

Game Notes: Memphis Redbirds (25-18) at Colorado Springs Sky Sox (25-15)

Published on May 20, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


Memphis Redbirds (25-18) At Colorado Springs Sky Sox (25-15)

Sunday, May 20 - 2:00 p.m. (CT) - Security Service Field (8,500) - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Game #44 - Road Game #24 (14-9)

RHP Dakota Hudson (4-1, 2.88 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Wilkerson (0-0, 3.18 ERA)

THE GAME

TODAY'S GAME: The Memphis Redbirds and Colorado Springs Sky Sox will play the finale of their four-game series today at 2 p.m. Yesterday, the Redbirds swept the doubleheader, scoring 11 runs in both games, and collecting 25 total hits on the day. After the finale today, Memphis will return to AutoZone Park for a nine-game homestand. Today's game will be broadcast on memphisredbirds.com with Steve Selby on the call.

ON THE HILL: Right-hander Dakota Hudson will get the ball for the Redbirds in today's finale. The righty comes into today's contest with a season record of 4-1 with a 2.88 ERA. This will be Hudson's first-career appearance against the Sky Sox. Hudson has been solid all season for the 'Birds, making seven starts. He has been particularly dominant over his last two appearances. He has combined to go 1-1 in those two games, pitching 13.0 innings, allowing just eight hits and two runs, only one of which was earned, while striking out eight batters. He comes into today's game with the fourth-lowest ERA among qualified starters in the PCL, just a hair behind teammate Daniel Poncedeleon who sits in third with a 2.76 ERA.

The Sky Sox are scheduled to send right-hander Aaron Wilkerson to the mound to battle Hudson. Wilkerson has made two appearances for Colorado Springs, including one start. In that start, he pitched 5.2 innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs, while striking out six batters en route to the no-decision. This will be Wilkerson's first-career appearance against the Redbirds.

HISTORY WITH COLORADO SPRINGS: Memphis and Colorado Springs have played every year dating back to 1998 when the Redbirds joined the PCL. The Redbirds hold the advantage in the all-time series record at 95-83. Memphis holds the advantage at home, as well, going 54-33 against the Sky Sox, while Colorado Springs holds the advantage in Colorado with a 50-41 record. The two teams have split the season-series over the last two years, posting 8-8 records in both years.

BIRD BITES

AROZARENA: Was hitting .385 in 13 games with Springfield; is hitting .260 with Memphis; combined for .310 on year

GARCIA: Recorded his league-leading seventh outfield assist Thursday night, cutting down a runner trying to take third

KNIZNER: Has recorded a hit in both of his games with Memphis; was hitting .333 in 27 games with Double-A Springfield

MARTINEZ: Notched his first Triple-A RBI with a single in Memphis' 10-run first inning yesterday

MEJIA: Notched his first double since August 18, 2016 while with Memphis; current six-game hit streak is best this year

MERCADO: Was a combined 7-for-9 with two doubles, four runs scored and two RBI yesterday; hitting .750 in last 3 games

RAVELO: Recorded hits in both games yesterday, notching four RBI as well, after getting a hit in one of previous 4 games

SCHROCK: Hit a three-run home run in game one yesterday, his first since Opening Day; both his homers have been 3R

TOVAR: Is hitting .200 (4-for-20) over last six games; was hitting .438 (14-for-32) in previous nine games

URIAS: Belted first Triple-A homer yesterday, a three-run shot in first; was hitting .369 in 17 games with Springfield

VOIT: Nine of 21 total hits this season are doubles, and one is a home run, making 43 percent of his hits for extra bases

WISDOM: Went a combined 5-for-7 with four extra-base hits yesterday; Is hitting .381 (16-for-42) in last 11 games

BY THE NUMBERS

10 hits in 10-run first inning yesterday tied the franchise record for most hits in an inning. Also happened on April 26, 2000

THE SEASON

ABOUT THE LAST ONE: The Memphis Redbirds dropped the swept the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in yesterday's doubleheader, winning 11-3 and 11-4, respectively.

The doubleheader sweep marked the first time the Redbirds had won back-to-back games since May 7-9.

The Redbirds got the scoring started early in game one, scoring two in the first, four in the third, and four between the fourth and fifth innings to seal the win.

Patrick Wisdom led the charge on offense, falling a home run short of the cycle in a three-hit performance. Oscar Mercado also had a big day at the plate in game one, going 4-for-5 with a double, RBI, and two runs scored.

Daniel Poncedeleon took the win in game one, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out 10 batters. Mike O'Reilly and Hector Mendoza, in his Triple-A debut, both pitched an inning to close out the game.

In game two, the Redbirds essentially captured the win in the first inning, scoring 10 runs on 10 hits while sending 14 men to the plate. Mercado and Wisdom led the charge again in game two, going 3-for-4 and 2-for-3, respectively. Both men also recorded two hits in the first inning.

Wisdom and Ramon Urias, in his first game back from Double-A Springfield, both hit three-run home runs in the first inning.

Sean Gilmartin earned the win in game two for the 'Birds, throwing 5.0 innings, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits, while striking out five batters. Arturo Reyes pitched the final two innings to seal the win for Memphis.

WIZ GETS A CYCLE BETWEEN BOTH: Slugging infielder Patrick Wisdom had himself a day at the plate yesterday. In game one, Wisdom fell a home run short of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI to help lead Memphis to victory. In the second game, Wisdom went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, three RBI, and a walk. He also recorded two hits in the first inning, notching a double and a three-run home run, his first since May 1. Wisdom finished the day at the dish going 5-for-7 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, six RBI, three runs scored, and a walk. Since falling into a deep slump from April 16 to May 6, in which he hit just .220 (13-for-59) with four extra-base hits and eight RBI in 18 games, Wisdom has rebounded significantly. Over his last 11 games, he is hitting .381 (16-for-42) with six extra-base hits, eight RBI, and five runs scored. He has collected hits in nine of those 11 games, including five-straight. He also has multiple hits in five of those games.

HAVE A DAY, MERCADO: Oscar Mercado joined Patrick Wisdom yesterday, having a field day at the dish. In game one, Mercado went 4-for-5 at the plate, recording a double, an RBI, and scoring two runs. In game two, the speedy outfielder went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Mercado joined Wisdom in recording to hits in the first inning of game two. He notched a double and a single in the inning, scoring twice in the 10-run inning. Mercado finished the day at the plate going 7-for-9 with two doubles, two RBI, and four runs scored. Like Wisdom, Mercado got off to a hot start this season, hitting .341 (28-for-82) through his first 22 games before falling into a deep slump. Over his next 13 games, he hit just .167 (8-for-48), going hitless in five of those contests, and not recording a single multi-hit game. However, including the two games yesterday, Mercado is now hitting .750 (9-for-12) in his last three games, notching three doubles, and scoring six runs. All three of those games have been multi-hit performances.

SOME GOOD LUCK FOR PONCE: Despite being one of Memphis' most consistent starters this season, Daniel Poncedeleon did not have a lot to show for it. The righty has been dominant this season, making eight starts and going 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA. Coming into yesterday's game, Poncedeleon was 2-2 with a 2.41 ERA in seven starts. Despite is overall solid pitching, the offense was only scoring 1.9 runs per game in his first seven starts, by far the lowest for any regular Memphis starter. Yesterday, the bats finally backed him up, scoring 10 of their 11 runs while he was in the game. Despite the 10 runs yesterday, Memphis is still only averaging 2.9 runs per game while Poncedeleon is on the bump. After his performance yesterday, the righty now owns the third-best ERA in the league at 2.76. He also leads the league with 54 strikeouts, and has the second-highest strikeouts per nine innings pitched ratio at 11.76.

GILMARTIN SOLID AGAIN: Despite giving up four earned runs yesterday, Sean Gilmartin continued to be consistent when the Redbirds need him. Yesterday, Gilmartin earned his third win of the year, his second as a starter, throwing 5.0 innings, allowing 11 hits, but allowing just four earned runs, and striking out five batters. Gilmartin struggled early this season, allowing seven earned runs in his first four innings, which spanned only 4.0 innings, giving him a 15.75 ERA. Since making his first spot-start of the season at Omaha on April 19, Gilmartin has been strong, making eight appearances, five of them starts. In those eight appearances, he is 3-0 in 25.1 innings with a 2.84 ERA and 20 strikeouts. As a starter this season, he is 2-0 in 21.1 innings with a 3.38 ERA and 16 strikeouts. His 2.84 ERA since April 19 is the seventh-best mark in the PCL among qualified pitchers.

TEN-RUN FUN: In the first inning of game two yesterday, the Redbirds scored 10 runs on 10 hits, sending 14 men to the plate. Seven of the 10 hits were for extra-bases, with two being home runs, one being a triple, and the remaining four being doubles. Oscar Mercado and Patrick Wisdom both recorded multiple hits in the inning. Mercado led off the game with a double and later singled in the frame. Wisdom also doubled in his first at-bat before cranking his fifth home run of the season, a three-run shot, in the inning. Ramon Urias, in his first game back with Memphis after spending 17 games with Springfield, recorded two hits in game two, including his first Triple-A home run, a three-run shot in the first inning. Earlier this season, Memphis had a 12-run inning against Round Rock, which was the franchise record for most runs in an inning. After last night's 10-run frame, Memphis now has two innings with double-digit runs this season. The 10 runs in an inning is the third-best mark in franchise history.

YOU GET A HIT, AND YOU GET A HIT: The Redbirds notched 25 hits between yesterday's games. The 'Birds notched 13 runs in the first game, and 12 in the second game, including 10 in the first inning. The 10 hits in the first inning tied the franchise-record for most hits in an inning. The feat was also accomplished by the 2000 Redbirds who recorded 10 hits in the fifth inning on April 26 at Oklahoma. With the exception of Luke Voit and Daniel Poncedeleon, every Redbird that had an at-bat recorded at least one hit between the two games. Patrick Wisdom (3-for-4 and 2-for-3) and Oscar Mercado (4-for-5 and 3-for-4) were responsible for 12 of the 25 hits on the day. Fourteen of the 25 Memphis hits were for extra-bases, as well. The 'Birds recorded nine doubles, one triple, and three home runs between the two games. The 25 hits were also more than the Redbirds had had in their last three games combined (24). The 22 total runs also matched the number of runs the 'Birds had combined to score in their previous seven games.

SOLID SHOWING FROM 'PEN: After struggling through the previous 17 games, the Memphis bullpen finally settled down to seal both victories yesterday. In their previous 17 games, Memphis relievers were a combined 1-3 in 54.2 innings, allowing 63 hits, 42 runs, and 36 earned runs, good for a 5.98 ERA. In the previous seven games alone coming into yesterday's contests, the bullpen was 0-3 in 22.1 innings, surrendering 33 hits, 26 runs, and 21 earned runs, good for an 8.55 ERA. However, yesterday, three relievers combined to pitch 4.0 shutout innings. Mike O'Reilly, Hector Mendoza, and Arturo Reyes combined to allow three hits and two walks, while striking out three batters in their 4.0 innings. Mendoza, making his Triple-A debut, pitched one inning, allowing a hit and a walk, while striking out a batter.

BETTER SIDE OF THE STRIKEOUTS: Memphis is among the PCL leaders for strikeouts by the pitching staff, and is towards the bottom of the league in strikeouts by batters. The pitching staff has struck out 391 batters through the first 43 games (9.1/game), which is only behind Fresno (411) for the best mark in the PCL this season. 'Birds batters are also towards the bottom of the league in total strikeouts. Memphis batters have struck out just 296 times through the first 43 games, the lowest mark in the league, narrowly ahead of Omaha (297). Through the first 41 games of the season, three Memphis starters have also set their career-highs in strikeouts. Daniel Poncedeleon set a career-high with 12 strikeouts on April 14 against Iowa, Austin Gomber set his career-high and tied the franchise record on April 23 at Iowa with 16 strikeouts, and Jack Flaherty set his career-high with 13 strikeouts last Wednesday at Oklahoma City.

2017 PCL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

START THE SLOW CLAPP: In 2017, first-year skipper Stubby Clapp led the Redbirds to their best season in franchise history. The 'Birds soared to a 91-50 record in the 2017 regular season and added six more wins in the PCL playoffs to win 97 total games on the year. Clapp was named the 2017 PCL Manager of the Year for his efforts, and was also named the 2017 Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year. Clapp became the first minor league manager in the history of the St. Louis organization to win the Baseball America award. Clapp also earned the organization's prestigious George Kissell award.

FOR THE RECORD:

- Memphis' 91 wins in 2017 were the 10th-most in 119 seasons of professional baseball in Memphis dating back to 1877, and the season's .645 winning percentage was fourth-best

- Memphis was one of four teams in MiLB in 2017 with 90+ wins (Trenton Thunder [AA], 92-48; West Michigan Whitecaps [A], 91-45; Chattanooga Lookouts [AA], 91-49; Memphis Redbirds [AAA], 91-50)

- Memphis went 41 games over .500 during the regular season, the most by a PCL club since Albuquerque was 56 games over at 94-38 in 1981

- The Redbirds won the PCL American Southern Division by 22.0 games, and since divisions were established in the PCL in 1963, only two other teams won their division by 20 or more games (1970 Spokane Indians, 26.0 games; 1981 Albuquerque Dukes, 25.0 games)

- Memphis ended the season with its best ERA in franchise history (3.77) (3.89, 1998 and 2003), matched its best fielding percentage (.984) (.984, 2014), and had its third-best batting average (.278) (.284, 1999; .279, 2004)

Check out the Memphis Redbirds Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 20, 2018


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