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IL Memphis Redbirds

Redbirds Fall Short in Wacky Series Finale

August 22, 2021 - International League (IL)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


MEMPHIS, Tennessee - The Memphis Redbirds rallied back valiantly but ultimately fell short against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A affiliate, Milwaukee Brewers), 13-12, in a wild series finale at AutoZone Park. The game featured 25 combined runs, 35 combined hits, and 11 combined pitchers in a game that lasted 3:54. The Redbirds still won the weeklong series, taking four of the six games against the Sounds.

Early on, it looked like Nashville (52-44) would cruise to victory, as they plated eight runs on seven hits (plus an error) in the top of the first to roar out to an early lead. The Sounds chased Connor Thomas in the process, as the Redbirds starter was pulled with two outs in the inning. The lefthander from Georgia entered the afternoon with an ERA of 3.39 on the season, the best among Memphis (45-51) starting pitchers.

After the inauspicious start, the rally began in earnest for the Redbirds. They scored single runs in the first, second and third innings to crawl closer, highlighted by an RBI double from Juan Yepez in the first and a solo home run from Brendan Donovan in the second. It was Donovan's first career home run in Triple-A.

After Nashville got a run back in the top of the fourth inning, the 'Birds nearly came all the way back with a massive five-run fourth inning. Evan Mendoza (RBI double), Kramer Robertson (RBI single), Yepez (RBI double) and Alec Burleson (two-run single) brought home the runs in the six-hit fourth inning. Yepez finished the game 4-for-4 at the plate with an incredible four doubles. Unfortunately, he left the game in the sixth while running out another two-bagger.

Memphis completed the rally with a game-tying run in the sixth. Nolan Gorman came on to pinch-run for the injured Yepez and wasn't on second base for long. Clint Coulter doubled him home to knot the game at nine, lacing a sharp line-drive into the left-field corner to punctuate the tremendous Redbirds rally.

Not to be lost amidst all the offense, Memphis received stellar relief pitching from T.J. Zeuch. He pitched four solid frames for the Redbirds (the third through sixth innings), allowing just one run on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts. It was the fourth relief outing of the season for Zeuch since being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays organization in late July.

The game remained tied at nine until the ninth, when Nashville had the final flurry, scoring four times in the top half of the inning to put the game out of reach. Zach Green provided the knockout punch, launching a three-run home run over the left-field wall to clinch the win for the Sounds in the series finale.

True to form, Memphis would take one last swing in the bottom of the ninth, rallying back to make it 13-12 when Alec Burleson pummeled a three-run homer over the right-field wall, his first home run in Triple-A. However, the door officially slammed shut for the 'Birds one batter later, when Coulter struck out and ended truly one of the craziest baseball games you will ever see.

The Memphis Redbirds are the proud Triple-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Memphis has claimed four League Championships and one Triple-A National Championship since their affiliation with St. Louis began in 1998. For the latest team news, follow the Redbirds on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ticket information can be found at memphisredbirds.com/tickets.

Next Game

Tuesday, August 24 vs. Columbus (7:10 p.m. CT)

- Redbirds Probable Starter: TBD

- Clippers Probable Starter: TBD

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