Relievers Strong in Bullpen Game Before 'Birds Walk off Bats
May 22, 2021 - International League (IL)
Louisville Bats News Release
Memphis, TN. - The Memphis Redbirds again rallied late, plating two runs in the bottom of the eighth to force extra innings and scoring the winning run on a one-out RBI single from Evan Mendoza to walk off the Louisville Bats 3-2 Saturday night at AutoZone Park.
Braden Shipley set the tone for the Bats with a dominant start as the opener in a bullpen game. The right-hander recorded three strikeouts, allowing only one hit and two walks across his 3.0 scoreless frames.
Louisville then struck first in Saturday's matchup, plating one run in the top of the third inning. Beau Taylor led off the frame with a single back up the middle before TJ Friedl advanced runners into scoring position with an extra-base hit to right field. With Taylor standing 90 feet away, Brantley Bell jumped on the first pitch to lift a sacrifice fly to give the Bats the 1-0 lead.
Taylor led the Bats offensively, recording a 3-for-4 night from the plate, including driving in the Bats' second run of the night on an RBI single to right field in the top of the seventh.
The Redbirds responded the very next inning, answering with two runs off Brandon Finnegan on three straight hits to even the score at two apiece. Art Warren entered in relief of Finnegan, striking out three batters over a hitless final 1.2 frames to force extra innings.
After Louisville failed to take advantage in the top of the 10th, Matt Szczur executed a sacrifice bunt to move the Redbirds runner to third before Evan Mendoza singled to complete the comeback.
The Bats will be back in action tomorrow afternoon for the series finale from AutoZone Park. Louisville RHP Tony Santillan (0-1, 0.64) is scheduled to take the mound at 3:05 p.m. ET, while Memphis has yet to announce their starter.
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