Redbirds Split a Nail-Biting Doubleheader in Louisville
Published on July 9, 2021 under International League (IL)
Memphis Redbirds News Release
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - The Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A affiliate, St. Louis Cardinals) and Louisville Bats (Triple-A affiliate, Cincinnati Reds) played two tight games in a doubleheader on Friday night in Kentucky. The Bats took the first game, 4-2, while the 'Birds grabbed revenge in the second game, 2-1.
Early on in game one of the doubleheader, each team played long ball. Lane Thomas hit a home run on the first pitch of the game, and Max Schrock answered with a solo shot of his own with one out in the bottom of the first. Each team scored again in the third inning - the Redbirds scratched across a run via two walks and a passed ball, while the Bats used the long ball again. Schrock smacked another homer (this one a two-shot shot) to put Louisville in front after three innings, 3-2.
After that, the game belonged to Riley O'Brien. The starter for the Bats was fantastic, allowing just two hits and two runs (one earned) in 5.0 innings of work with four strikeouts. O'Brien helped his cause with an RBI double in the fourth to make the game 4-2, and then Michael Lorenzen pitched scoreless sixth and seventh innings to clinch the victory for the home team.
The second game of the doubleheader was dominated by both starters. Bo Takahashi for Louisville (24-33) and Angel Rondón for Memphis (22-36) combined to toss 9.0 innings with just two runs allowed, one for each team. The dueling right-handers also fanned a combined 11 batters while walking just two and only allowing seven hits. Takahashi went five innings, while Rondón went four.
Conner Capel plated the lone run off of Takahashi via a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. The native Texan now has five home runs this season.
The game remained tied at one all the way until extra innings, when Scott Hurst produced a sacrifice fly for an RBI and a 2-1 lead for the Redbirds entering the bottom of the eighth. TJ McFarland slammed the door shut in the bottom of the eighth with a 1-2-3 inning to preserve the win and split the doubleheader.
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
Saturday, July 10 at Louisville (6:00 p.m. CT)
- Redbirds Probable Starter: LHP Zack Thompson
- Bats Probable Starter: RHP Ashton Goudeau
Watch: MiLB.TV
Listen: MiLB First Pitch App
International League Stories from July 9, 2021
- Iowa Defeats St. Paul with Offensive Explosion - Iowa Cubs
- Toledo Comeback Falls Short as Omaha Evens Series - Toledo Mud Hens
- Strong Relief Guides Chasers to One-Run Win over Mud Hens - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Saints on Other Side of Blowout, Lose 15-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Sanabia's Dominance, Mazeika's Power, and Jackson's Timely Hit Lead Syracuse to 2-1 Win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in Ten Innings - Syracuse Mets
- WooSox hitting the story in win over IronPigs - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- New Bats Lead Indy's Offense in Loss - Indianapolis Indians
- Tides Run Wild and Wilkerson Homers as Norfolk Rolls Past Bulls Friday - Norfolk Tides
- Bats, 'Birds Split DH as Louisville Improves to 8-4 in Last 12 Games - Louisville Bats
- WooSox Hang Ten as Bats Pace Worcester over Lehigh Valley - Worcester Red Sox
- Jacksonville Comeback Falls Short as Losing Streak Swells to Six - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- RailRiders Topped in 10 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Tides Top Bulls 9-4 - Durham Bulls
- Lindblom, Sounds Edge Gwinnett - Nashville Sounds
- Redbirds Split a Nail-Biting Doubleheader in Louisville - Memphis Redbirds
- Red-Hot Knights Beat the Jumbo Shrimp 11-6 on Friday - Charlotte Knights
- Red Wings, Bisons Suspended Friday - Rochester Red Wings
- July 9 Game Notes: Iowa vs. St. Paul - Iowa Cubs
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (28-28) at Columbus Clippers (26-30) - Indianapolis Indians
- Memphis Redbirds Game Notes: July 9, 2021 - Memphis Redbirds
- Saints Promotions Sparkle During Six-Game Homestand, July 13-18 - St. Paul Saints
- Victory Field in the Spotlight - Indianapolis Indians
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes - July 9, 2021 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Seven-Run Inning Sends Chasers to Thursday Loss to Mud Hens - Omaha Storm Chasers
- St. Paul Uses Big Third Inning to Defeat I-Cubs - Iowa Cubs
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.
