MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The first-place Memphis Redbirds split a Thursday night doubleheader with the Iowa Cubs (Cubs), winning Game 1, 4-1, before dropping the finale, 3-0.
Memphis won 12-straight games against the Cubs before Game 2 of the doubleheader. The Redbirds still finished the season 14-2 against the Cubs.
The Redbirds have won nine of their last 11 games overall.
Game 1: Memphis 4, Iowa 1
Dakota Hudson moved to 13-2 and lowered his season ERA to 2.36 with 6.1 innings of one-run work in the opener of the doubleheader. He struck out eight and issued one walk, and he scattered five hits. The right-hander has now posted 11 quality starts in his 18 outings with Memphis, and he extends his Pacific Coast League wins lead.
He threw 66 of his 97 pitches for strikes. Edward Mujica came on and finished off the Cubs to pick up his 11th save.
Tyler O’Neill clubbed his 20th home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth, which extended Memphis’ lead to 4-1. The Redbirds scored twice in the second, with Patrick Wisdom singling, stealing second, and scoring on an error. Adolis Garcia doubled home Carson Kelly for the second run of the inning.
Oscar Mercado stole his 25th base of the year in the ballgame. Seven Redbirds had at least one of the team’s eight hits.
Game 2: Iowa 3, Memphis 0
Kevin Herget struck out a season-high 11 without a walk in a 7.0-inning complete game, but he gave up two solo home runs and the Redbirds lost the nightcap, 3-0.
Wisdom was 2-for-3 with a double. Steven Baron extended his hitting streak to seven games.
Memphis was 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base.
The Redbirds finish their seven-game homestand with three games against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Brewers) tomorrow-Sunday. For more information on single-game tickets and ticket mini-memberships, visit www.memphisredbirds.com.
