Redbirds Clinch Best Start in Franchise History with Walk-Off HBP
IL Memphis Redbirds

Redbirds Clinch Best Start in Franchise History with Walk-Off HBP

Published on April 1, 2026 under International League (IL)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis Redbirds set a franchise record for an unblemished start with a 4-3 walk-off win over the Norfolk Tides (Triple-A, Baltimore Orioles) on Wednesday afternoon at AutoZone Park.

Memphis improved to 5-0 when third baseman Blaze Jordan was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 10th inning, the best-ever start for the franchise. The bruiser proved to be the Southaven, Miss. native's first walk-off RBI as a Redbird.

Designated hitter Jimmy Crooks was all over the action offensively. The left-handed hitter reached base all five times, including a game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the eighth. Crooks went 4-for-4 with the home run, two RBIs, two runs scored, a double and a walk. The No. 8 prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals system, according to MLB Pipeline, has reached safely in six straight plate appearances with two home runs and five RBIs in that span.

Shortstop Cesar Prieto tallied a three-hit game in the win. The infielder's fly out in the eighth inning snapped his seven-plate-appearance on-base streak to start the homestand. Prieto went 2-for-2 with a home run, double and two walks in the series-opening win on Tuesday night.

Starting pitcher Quinn Mathews allowed an unearned run on three hits, walked four batters and struck out five in 3.2 innings pitched. The left-handed pitcher was able to wiggle out of a four-walk first inning unscathed. Max Rajcic struck out five batters in 2.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Nick Raquet (1-0) held Norfolk scoreless in the ninth and tenth to earn the win.

The Memphis Redbirds return to AutoZone Park on Thursday, April 2 to continue a six-game series against the Norfolk Tides (Triple-A, Baltimore Orioles) with first pitch scheduled for 6:45 p.m. CDT.

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International League Stories from April 1, 2026


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