Memphis Miscues Lead to Loss

Published on May 29, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release

MEMPHIS, TN - The Memphis Redbirds committed three errors in the top of the ninth that led to five Iowa runs in a 5-0 Cubs victory Friday night at AutoZone Park.

Memphis and Iowa were locked in a scoreless pitcher's duel through eight innings until Nate Spears led off the top of the ninth with a double down the right field line. Three Redbirds errors and two walks later Iowa held a 5-0 lead headed into the bottom of the ninth. Tyler Greene's throwing error allowed the first two runs to score and his fielding error two batters later allowed one more run to score. The Cubs final two runs scored on Jarrett Hoffpauir's fielding error. The three Memphis errors tied a season-high for the club.

Former Redbird Mark Johnson led all hitters with two hits on the night. The Redbirds offense struggled collecting six singles and failing to advance a runner past second base in the team's third shutout loss of the year.

Iowa starter J.R. Mathes earned the win with eight scoreless innings scattering five hits and striking out two. In two starts against Memphis this season the lefty has turned in 16 shutout innings. Memphis starter P.J. Walters was the tough-luck loser pitching 8.1 innings and allowing five runs, one earned, on six hits.

Memphis plays their first doubleheader of the season tomorrow with the first game scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m. The Redbirds send Evan MacLane to the mound to face former Notre Dame star Jeff Samardzija in the first game. In the night cap Adam Ottavino will twirl for the home team with the I-Cubs yet to name a starter. The Redbirds third fireworks show of the year is scheduled to follow the second game.

Pacific Coast League Stories from May 29, 2009

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• Express Rally Past Zephyrs 6-3 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Memphis Miscues Lead to Loss - Memphis Redbirds
• Colorado Springs Manager Tom Runnels Named Bench Coach - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• NAIFA Fireworks, Bucket Boys on June 5th - Omaha Storm Chasers
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• New Sky Sox Skipper Will Be Announced in the Coming Days - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
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• Sandoval Placed on DL, Seanez and Segura Recalled - Salt Lake Bees
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• Redbirds Earn Series Split Behind Pagnozzi, Mortensen - Portland Beavers

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.

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