IL Memphis Redbirds

Memphis Redbirds Game Notes: July 23, 2021

Published on July 23, 2021 under International League (IL)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


Friday, July 23rd 6:00 p.m. CT Memphis Redbirds (33-36) at Louisville Bats (27-41) Game 5 of 7

Louisville Slugger Field / Louisville, KY Game #70 of 130 Away Game #34 of 65

LHP Zack Thompson (0-6, 8.67 ERA) vs. RHP Hunter Greene (2-3, 4.28 ERA)

MiLB.tv & First Pitch App: Evan Stockton & Justin Gallanty

Last Time Out: The Memphis Redbirds used a dominant pitching performance to take home a 3-0 win over the Louisville Bats on Thursday night. The win was the 12th in a row for the 'Birds, setting a new franchise record. Daniel Ponce de Leon made a rehab start for Memphis and tossed a scoreless inning. Angel Rondón followed and was phenomenal, allowing just one hit in 6.0 spotless frames. Tyler Webb and Seth Elledge each pitched scoreless innings to seal the win. The Redbirds runs came early in the game on a first inning solo home run from Juan Yepez and a two-run single in the second inning from Kramer Robertson. With the win, the 'Birds have now taken the first four games in Louisville this week, clinching a series victory.

Memphis Starter: Zack Thompson will make his 13th appearance and 11th start of the season for the Redbirds today. Thompson last started against the Norfolk Tides on July 18 and allowed six runs (five earned) in 4.1 innings. Prior to that, Thompson was very sharp in his start in Louisville on July 11, allowing just one run in 4.0 innings. The 23-year-old also started against the Bats on May 20 and struck out five in 4.2 innings, yielding four runs. Thompson was the 19th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by St. Louis out of the University of Kentucky. He is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Cardinals' organization by MLB Pipeline.

Louisville Starter: Hunter Greene makes his seventh start of the season for the Bats this evening. Greene was outstanding in his last start at Nashville on July 17, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings and striking out nine. Greene started against the Redbirds on July 11 and yielded just one run in 5.0 innings. The 21-year-old began the season with Double-A Chattanooga and was dominant, going 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in seven starts. He was promoted to Louisville on June 15. Greene is one of the most highly-touted prospects in baseball, ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Reds' organization and No. 54 prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline. Cincinnati selected Greene with the second overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA. Greene missed the end of 2018 and all of the 2019 season due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.

Making History: The Memphis Redbirds have now won 12 consecutive games, dating back to July 9, setting a new franchise record. The 'Birds won the final two games of a series in Louisville before sweeping six games from Norfolk at home and taking the first four games 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. The 12-game streak is the longest active streak in affiliated baseball.

Starting Strong: Redbirds starters have been absolutely outstanding during this series in Louisville. Counting Angel Rondón, who pitched Thursday after a one-inning rehab stint from Daniel Ponce de Leon, 'Birds starters have allowed just one run in 21 innings over the first four games of the series.

Dominant Bullpen: The Redbirds bullpen has been lights out over the last 15 games. Over that span, 'Birds relievers have posted a 2.05 ERA. During this series, the bullpen for Memphis has racked up 18 strikeouts in 17.0 innings.

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