‘Birds Storm Back Late to Win in Extras

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – The Memphis Redbirds (40-27) staged a late comeback, scoring three runs between the ninth and 10^th innings to top the Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies) 7-6 in 10 innings, Thursday night at Isotopes Park.

Trailing by two runs entering the ninth inning, the ‘Birds went to work. Carson Kelly singled to lead off, moved to third on Adolis Garcia’s double, and both scored on a game-tying single from Randy Arozarena. In the 10^th, pitcher Andrew Morales began the inning on second base due to the new extra innings rules. Morales moved to third on a single from Rangel Ravelo before scoring on Patrick Wisdom’s single to give Memphis the lead.

After the ‘Birds jumped out to a quick, 2-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double from Wisdom, and an RBI groundout from Kelly, the Isotopes scored five runs between the second and fifth innings to control the lead until the ninth.

After its productive first inning, Memphis scored just single runs in the fourth and seventh innings before its late comeback. Offensively, all but one of the top eight spots in the Memphis batting order recorded a hit, with Ravelo, Wisdom, Kelly, and Arozarena all recording multi-hit games. Wisdom and Arozarena both drove in two runs on the night, while Kelly, Garcia, and Wilfredo Tovar all drove in one run apiece.

Memphis starter Kevin Herget pitched 6.0 innings, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and a walk, while striking out just three batters. Herget allowed two home runs to the Isotopes. Sean Gilmartin andArturo Reyes pitched the seventh and eighth innings, allowing one run on a hit and a walk, before Morales and Edward Mujica came in to finish the job. Morales earned the win, while Mujica earned his third save of the year.

Memphis and Albuquerque will battle in the series finale tomorrow at 7:35 p.m. The ‘Birds will be on the road until June 21 when they return to AutoZone Park for a four-game set against New Orleans. For more information on single-game tickets and ticket mini-memberships, visit www.memphisredbirds.com/tickets.