MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The first-place Memphis Redbirds (76-48) and Round Rock Express (Rangers) scored early and often, with Memphis leading 3-1 after an inning and then 7-3 after two frames en route to a 7-4 win in the series opener Friday night at AutoZone Park.
Justin Williams, Alex Mejia, and Wilfredo Tovar had RBI singles in the bottom of the first inning after Round Rock got a run off Jake Woodford in the top of the first. In the second, Memphis’ runs came on two fielder’s choices, a sacrifice fly, and an RBI double by Tovar to cap the inning.
Woodford was solid after allowing three runs in the first two innings, as he retired 14-straight Express from the end of the second inning through the end of the sixth. Round Rock plated another run in the top of the seventh, but Giovanny Gallegos tossed 2.0 scoreless to end the game and record his first save as a Redbird.
Woodford allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits without a walk in 7.0 innings. He struck out three. A total of 68 of his 99 pitches went for strikes.
Tommy Edman was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, extending his hitting streak to five-straight games and six of the seven he has played with the Redbirds. Ramon Urias also has hits in six of the seven contests he has played with Memphis on his latest stint after going 1-for-4.
Lane Thomas and Randy Arozarena stole bases in the game, and Carson Kelly drew two walks.
Memphis has two more games against Round Rock, continuing tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. with postgame fireworks presented by 9-1-1 on FOX and finishing Sunday afternoon at 2:05. For more information on single-game tickets, visit www.memphisredbirds.com.
