Wacha Tames Cubs as Redbirds Cruise to 4-1 Win
April 23, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Starting pitcher Michael Wacha tossed seven dominating innings as the Memphis Redbirds beat the division-rival Iowa Cubs, 4-1, in the finale of a four-game series on Tuesday afternoon at AutoZone Park.
Including the Cubs, Memphis (11-7) has won three of four in their last three series and 10 of its last 14 games overall.
Wacha (3-0) had another excellent day from the mound in his third victory, yielding one run on three hits and a pair of walks in seven innings. The 21-year-old retired his first nine in a row and a string of 19 of 22 before surrendering a run in the seventh inning. That run was his first in his last 14 innings dating back three starts.
Victor Marte threw a perfect ninth inning to nail down his fourth save of the season. Eric Fornataro set up Marte and fanned one in one scoreless inning.
Oscar Taveras snapped out of an 0-for-9 skid with a single and stolen base while making a couple of great catches from center field.
RBI leader Jermaine Curtis' one-out double in the bottom of the second inning scored Greg Garcia for the first run of the game. Then in his first Triple-A at-bat, catcher Travis Tartamella ripped a single to right to bring home Curtis for the 2-0 advantage.
Bryan Bogusevic, who doubled and scored in the seventh, was the only Iowa baserunner to reach second base on the afternoon.
Memphis tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth on Yoanner Negrin for a final 4-1 score. Doubles by Ryan Jackson and Greg Garcia accounted of the first run. Curtis then blooped an RBI single over the first baseman to score Garcia.
Nick Struck (0-2) gave up two runs on five hits and a pair of walks in six innings for the loss.
The Redbirds embark on the first of two, 12-game road trips this season, traveling to the cross-state rival Nashville Sounds (Triple-A Brewers), Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A Dodgers), and Round Rock Express (Triple-A Rangers).
Baseball returns to AutoZone Park on Tuesday, May 7, when the Redbirds open an eight-game homestand against the Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A Athletics) and Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A Giants).
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