Memphis Redbirds Game Notes: June 23, 2021
June 23, 2021 - International League (IL)
Memphis Redbirds News Release
Wednesday, June 23rd 6:05 p.m CT Memphis Redbirds (16-27) at Toledo Mud Hens (22-20) Game 2 of 6
Fifth Third Field / Toledo, OH Game #44 of 120 / Away Game #20 of 60
LHP Connor Thomas (1-0, 4.82 ERA) vs. RHP Pedro Payano (0-1, 8.53 ERA)
MiLB First Pitch App: Evan Stockton & Justin Gallanty
Last Time Out: The Redbirds took a tough loss in the series-opener at the hands of the Toledo Mud Hens on Tuesday night. The 'Birds got off to a good start, scoring the first run of the game in the top of the third inning on an RBI single from Evan Mendoza. Toledo responded with four runs in the bottom half of that inning to take the lead. Memphis rallied in the fifth to tie the game on home runs from Juan Yepez and Lane Thomas. The Mud Hens took control of the game from that point on, scoring twice in the fifth and twice in the sixth to take an 8-4 win.
Memphis Starter: Connor Thomas will make his fifth appearance and third start of the season for the Redbirds today. Thomas threw the ball well in his last outing against Indianapolis, allowing just one run on two hits in 3.1 innings of work. This will be the 23-year-old's second outing of the season against Toledo. On June 4, Thomas went 6.2 strong innings against the Mud Hens, allowing four runs in a Redbirds' win. Thomas began the season with Double-A Springfield where he posted a 4.87 ERA in four appearances. The left-hander was the Cardinals' fifth round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Georgia Tech, where he was a two-time All-ACC selection.
Toledo Starter: Pedro Payano makes his third appearance and second start of the season for Toledo today. Payano started at Columbus last Thursday and allowed six earned runs in 4.1 innings. His only other outing with Toledo this season came on May 16 against Indianapolis when he pitched two scoreless innings. The 26-year-old has made six starts with Double-A Erie this season and posted a 3.10 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 29 innings. His last two starts with Erie were on June 6 and June 12 when he tossed six scoreless innings in each outing. Payano has MLB experience to his name, pitching 22.0 innings with the Texas Rangers in 2019. He signed with Detroit on a Minor League contract on February 8, 2021.
All Aboard the Lane Train: Lane Thomas made his return to Memphis yesterday and hit a game-tying home run in the fifth inning. Thomas played two games with the 'Birds in the opening week of the season but has spent the rest of the year in the major leagues with St. Louis. The home run on Tuesday was the 17th of Thomas' career in a Redbirds uniform across 110 games between 2018, 2019 and 2021.
So Long, Lars: Lars Nootbaar had his contract selected by St. Louis early on Tuesday, his first promotion to the Major Leagues. The outfielder was in the midst of a scintillating start for the Redbirds, slashing .329/.430/.557 with five home runs and 17 runs driven in. Last week in Indianapolis, Nootbaar batted .333 (7-21) with another home run and three runs driven in. Nootbaar is the first player from the Cardinals' 2018 draft class to appear in the major leagues.
Hey, It's Me Again: The Redbirds and Mud Hens are meeting this week in Toledo for their second and final scheduled series against one another this season. The two teams met earlier this month at AutoZone Park, splitting a six-game series from June 2-6. Memphis won twice in that series on walk-off plate appearances. Rayder Ascanio launched a game-winning home run in the second game of a doubleheader on June 3rd, while Justin Toerner coaxed a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 10th to clinch a win the following day.
A Battle In the Minors and Majors: On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the Cardinals and Tigers organizations will get to know each other very well. While the Triple-A affiliates square off in Toledo, the Major League teams play each other up the road at Comerica Park in Detroit. The two franchises have plenty of shared history, meeting three times in the World Series. Detroit won seven-game thrillers in in 1934 and 1968, while St. Louis enacted revenge in a five-game victory in 2006.
International League Stories from June 23, 2021
- Knights Beat the Sounds 13-6 on Wednesday - Charlotte Knights
- Sounds Hit Four Home Runs in Loss to Knights - Nashville Sounds
- Chasers and I-Cubs Split Twin Bill to Open Series - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Iowa Splits Twin Bill against Omaha - Iowa Cubs
- Bisons Hang In, Rally Late for 4-3 Victory over Mets - Buffalo Bisons
- Tilson walk-off single wins it in 12th - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Jumbo Shrimp Edge Bulls to Even Series - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Bats Shut out Indians, 5-0 - Indianapolis Indians
- IronPigs Edge RailRiders in Extras - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Saints Fall Just Short in Epic Comeback, 7-6 to Clippers - St. Paul Saints
- Shrimp Edge Durham 3-1 - Durham Bulls
- Mud Hens' Home Winning Streak Halted by Redbirds - Toledo Mud Hens
- Redbirds Pitching Dominates Toledo in Shutout Win - Memphis Redbirds
- Syracuse's Late Lead Evaporates in Series-Opening Loss to Buffalo, 4-3 - Syracuse Mets
- Kieboom's Blast, Cody's Catch Send Wings to Win - Rochester Red Wings
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes - June 23, 2021 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (23-19) at Louisville Bats (15-27) - Indianapolis Indians
- Duran Goes Deep Again in 5-3 Loss to Rochester - Worcester Red Sox
- Marlins' Cooper to Rehab with Jacksonville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Mud Hens Fireworks Show Postponed - Toledo Mud Hens
- Tuesday's Postponed Syracuse Mets Game against the Buffalo Bisons Rescheduled as Part of a Doubleheader on Thursday - Syracuse Mets
- Memphis Redbirds Game Notes: June 23, 2021 - Memphis Redbirds
- Top Prospect Hunter Greene Slated for Home Debut Tonight at Louisville Slugger Field - Louisville Bats
- Nick Vincent Joins Saints; Adds 405 Games of MLB Experience to Roster - St. Paul Saints
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.
