DES MOINES, Iowa – The division-champion Memphis Redbirds earned a series split with the Iowa Cubs (Cubs) after a 4-3 win Sunday afternoon in Des Moines.
With the win, Memphis improves to 86-48 on the season and has won 42 road games, which is a new franchise record for road victories in a season.
Aledmys Diaz drove in three runs with a first-inning double, and Alex Mejia was 3-for-5. John Gant tossed 6.2 solid innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. He fanned a season-high eight batters, and he ended his outing retiring 12 of the final 13 Cubs he faced after allowing those three runs in the third.
Josh Zeid picked up his ninth win of the season by finishing the seventh inning, and the Redbirds re-took the lead in the top of the eighth after Gabriel Lino doubled home Diaz.Sean Gilmartin came on and retired all four Cubs he faced, and Josh Lucas earned his 16th save of the season eliminating a walk with a game-ending double play.
Breyvic Valera was 0-for-4, ending his nine-game hitting streak.
The Redbirds and Iowa move to Memphis for four more games starting tomorrow night at 6:35. After the Redbirds finish the regular season at Colorado Springs Friday–Monday, the playoffs begin at AutoZone Park Sept. 6 and Sept. 7.
