MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Starting pitcher Ryan Helsley retired the final 20 Oklahoma City Dodgers he faced Tuesday afternoon at AutoZone Park, but the Memphis Redbirds (27-19) fell 10-3 in extra innings after Oklahoma City put up an eight-spot in the top of the 10th.
Helsley allowed just two hits in his 7.0 innings of work, with both coming in the first inning and leading to a pair of Dodgers runs. He then was unblemished through the seventh, and at one point struck out eight-of-17 including four-in-a-row and the final two he faced. He also helped himself at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI single in the second that brought the Redbirds within a run at 2-1.
In 14.0 innings with Memphis this season over two starts, Helsley has given up just six hits and struck out 18 with two walks.
The Redbirds tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, with Oscar Mercado doubling home Ramon Urias. Andrew Morales came on to toss scoreless eighth and ninth innings, and the Redbirds had runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the ninth and the game still tied at 2. But the potential winning run was cut down at the plate on a groundout, and Mercado then flew out to end the threat.
In the top of the 10th, the Dodgers exploded for eight runs on seven hits with an error, facing Edward Mujica and Mike O’Reilly. The Dodgers hit two home runs in the inning. Memphis scored once in the bottom of the 10th, but a popout and a groundout ended the ballgame and with it Memphis’ four-game winning streak.
Two Redbirds hitting streaks were extended in the game, with Patrick Wisdom now on an eight-game streak after going 1-for-4. He is hitting .483 (14-29) during the stretch. Mercado was 2-for-5 and extended his streak to six-straight, where he has five multi-hit games and is hitting .538 (14-26).
Memphis was hampered by going 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine on base.
The Redbirds and Dodgers play game three of their four-game series tomorrow night at 6:35. The Redbirds’ nine-game homestand continues through Tuesday the 29th. For more information on single-game tickets and ticket mini-memberships, visit www.memphisredbirds.com.
