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SzczurPlays Hero on Mother's Day for Memphis

May 9, 2021 - International League (IL)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In a game threatened by menacing weather throughout, Matt Szczur brought the thunder late, plating Scott Hurst in the 10th with an RBI single to propel the Memphis Redbirds to a 7-6 win over the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays) on Mother's Day at AutoZone Park.

One night after the Terminix fireworks lit up the night sky at AutoZone Park, the Bulls (5-1) and Redbirds (1-5) brought some fireworks themselves in the first inning. Each team plated three runs in the frame via some powerful hitting. Josh Lowe capped off the Durham scoring with a two-run home run, but Memphis bounced right back. José Rondón's solo shot (his third homer of the series) slimmed the deficit to 3-1, and back-to-back doubles later in the inning from Lars Nootbaar and Szczur knotted the score up.

The 'Birds continued the show in the second, when Dennis Ortega hit a mammoth home run to give Memphis a 4-3 lead. His moonshot landed onto the top of the hill past the left-field fence at AutoZone Park, well over 400 feet away.

The lead was short-lived, however. Lowe's two-run double in the top of the third gave the Bulls the advantage right back. The former first-round pick had eight combined RBIs in his final two games in the series.

The rollercoaster ride continued in the bottom of the fourth inning when Max Moroff ripped a two-run double down the right field line to give the Redbirds the lead back at 6-5. Again, the lead did not last long as a Brendan McKay RBI single tied the game at 6-6.

Tommy Parsons gave the Redbirds excellent work out of the bullpen, yielding just one run over four innings of work to keep the game knotted. Junior Fernandez followed Parsons, retiring all four batters he faced and striking out two.

Austin Warner kept the Bulls at bay after that, working 2.0 scoreless innings. The Louisville native stranded two runners on base in the 10th, setting the stage for Szczur's game-winner. The Cape May, New Jersey drove in two runs total in the game.

The Memphis Redbirds are proud to welcome fans back to AutoZone Park this season. Ticket information can be found at memphisredbirds.com.

Next Game

Monday, May 11 at Nashville (6:35 p.m.)

- Redbirds Probable Starter: TBD

- Bulls Probable Starter: RHP Thomas Jankins (0-0, 13.50 ERA)

Watch: MiLB.TV

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