PCL1 Memphis Redbirds

Homer-Happy Redbirds Take Road Finale in Salt Lake, 9-7

May 23, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Memphis Redbirds blasted three home runs in a 9-7 victory over the Salt Lake Bees in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday night at Spring Mobile Ballpark.

The win evened the series with the Bees and gave the Redbirds (24-21) a split over their eight-game road trip through Tacoma and Salt Lake.

All nine members of the Redbirds starting lineup produced a hit for the second consecutive night, which has also included seven homers over that two-game span.

Outfielder Adron Chambers went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs from the leadoff spot, while third baseman Jermaine Curtis had a season-high three hits. Designated hitter Kolten Wong extended his hitting streak to 12 games, the longest by a Redbird this season.

The Redbirds jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after the first two innings, beginning with Wong's 4th homer of the season over the right field wall in the first.

In the second frame, Memphis quickly loaded the bases with no outs before catcher Rob Johnson blooped a single over the first baseman's head and into right field. Second baseman Vance Albitz then hit a sacrifice fly, followed by Chambers hitting an RBI groundout.

Salt Lake bounced back in the bottom of the third, touching Nick Additon (3-1) for three runs to trim the Redbirds' lead at 4-3. A pair of singles and a sacrifice fly accounted for the first run, followed by a two-run blast to right field by Brad Hawpe.

Trent Oeltjen knotted the game at 4-4 in the next frame with his sixth homer of the season, a solo shot over the center field wall.

The Redbirds rebounded with a pair of deep flies over the next two innings to move back ahead at 7-4. After Albitz reached on a leadoff single in the fifth, Chambers blasted his first home run of the season over the center field wall.

Both clubs traded solo home runs in the sixth as Johnson led off by crushing his third homer of the season to right. Oeltjen went yard again in the bottom of the frame for his seventh tater of the season.

Justin Christian's two-run triple in the ninth gave Memphis two insurance runs and proved to be the difference for a 9-6 lead. The three-bagger was Christian's second in consecutive games.

Salt Lake rallied in the ninth against Victor Marte with three consecutive two-out singles, but came up short as Luis Jimenez flew out to center to end the game.

Both starting pitchers yielded all seven home runs and took decisions. Additon scattered nine hits for six runs in 6 1 /3 innings, all season highs. Five of his runs surrendered came from a career high four home runs. The left-hander came into tonight's start with three home runs allowed through his first eight outings.

Salt Lake starter Matt Shoemaker (3-7) was touched for runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 of an inning for the loss.

Reliever Sam Freeman fanned two over 1 2/3 scoreless frames before Marte notched his team-leading ninth save.

The Redbirds return home to the Bluff City for an eight-game homestand against the Round Rock Express (Triple-A Rangers) and Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A Dodgers), beginning with a 7:05 pm CT opener on Friday night at AutoZone Park.

Right-hander Maikel Cleto (1-2, 7.90) will toe the rubber for Memphis against Express left-hander Ryan Feierabend (1-0, 4.24 ERA).

Relive the glory of the Cardinals' 2006 World Series Championship with this replica ring giveaway for the first 3,000 fans. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. for a Coors Light Block party with live music and $2 Coors Lights until 7:00 p.m.

Check out the Memphis Redbirds Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 23, 2013


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