Memphis Redbirds Game Notes: July 21, 2021
July 21, 2021 - International League (IL)
Memphis Redbirds News Release
Wednesday, July 21st 4:30 p.m. CT Memphis Redbirds (30-36) at Louisville Bats (27-38) Game 2/3 of 7
Louisville Slugger Field / Louisville, KY Game #67/68 of 130 Away Game #31/32 of 65
G1: LHP Matthew Liberatore (4-5, 5.34 ERA) vs. RHP Riley O'Brien (4-4, 4.78 ERA)
G2: LHP Austin Warner (5-2, 4.31 ERA) vs. LHP Reiver Sanmartin (1-1, 4.08 ERA)
MiLB.tv & First Pitch App: Evan Stockton & Justin Gallanty
Last Time Out: The Memphis Redbirds won a well-pitched 2-1 game against the Louisville Bats on Tuesday, extending their win streak to nine games. Kramer Robertson drove in a run in the second inning to give the 'Birds the early lead. Louisville tied the game in the next inning, but did not score again against Connor Thomas who was excellent in his six-inning start. Nolan Gorman had the game-deciding RBI with a single in the fifth inning. The Redbirds bullpen shut the door late, as Seth Elledge and Connor Jones combined to retire all nine batters they faced to seal the victory.
Memphis Game One Starter: Matthew Liberatore gets the ball in game one to make his 11th start of the season. Liberatore allowed five runs in 6.0 innings in his last start against Norfolk. The left-hander has started three times this season against Louisville and yielded 12 earned runs in 14.0 innings. Prior to his start against Norfolk last week, Liberatore started the Futures Game in Colorado and pitched a 1-2-3 first inning with a strikeout. The 21-year-old is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Cardinals' organization by MLB Pipeline and the No. 27 prospect in all of baseball.
Louisville Game One Starter: Riley O'Brien will start game one for Louisville today. It will be his 13th start of the season. Last time out, O'Brien pitched 4.2 innings and allowed three runs in a start against the Nashville Sounds. O'Brien has made two starts against the Redbirds this season and has allowed just three earned runs in 10.1 innings. Like his starting pitching counterpart Matthew Liberatore, O'Brien began his professional career as a draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays. The 26-year-old was acquired by Cincinnati in a trade on August 28, 2020 that sent LHP Cody Reed to Tampa Bay.
Memphis Game Two Starter: Austin Warner starts game two of the doubleheader for the Redbirds. Warner has primarily been used as a reliever this season, but has started two games in 2021 and 63 in his professional career. In his previous two starts, Warner has allowed just three runs in 8.2 innings. The 27-year-old has appeared in four games against Louisville this season and has not allowed an earned run in 4.2 innings. Warner was born in Louisville and played his college baseball at Bellarmine University, which is also in Louisville.
Louisville Game Two Starter: Reiver Sanmartin will start the back end of the doubleheader for the Bats today. Sanmartin started the season with Double-A Chattanooga and posted a 0.50 ERA in 18.0 innings, earning him a promotion to Louisville on May 26. He has appeared in nine games and started four with the Bats. The 25-year-old made two relief appearances last week in Nashville and did not allow an earned run in 4.0 innings. His lone appearance against the Redbirds this season came on July 9 when he pitched a scoreless inning.
Let's Go Streaking: The Memphis Redbirds have now won nine consecutive games, dating back to July 9. The 'Birds won the final two games of a series in Louisville before sweeping six games from Norfolk at home and taking the opener of this week's series in Louisville. The Redbirds have jumped from seventh to fifth in the Triple-A East Southeast Division during the streak.
Gorman Getting Going: Nolan Gorman has been on fire over his last six games. During that stretch, Gorman is 11-24 (.458) with four home runs, 11 RBI, six runs and four walks. Gorman had the game-winning RBI in the fifth inning Tuesday against Louisville.
Dominant Bullpen: The Redbirds bullpen has been lights out over the last 12 games. Over that span, 'Birds relievers have posted a 1.87 ERA. The bullpen retired all nine batters it faced in Tuesday's win in Louisville.
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