Then Memphis Redbirds used three home runs to defeat the Gwinnett Stripers on Sunday afternoon by a score of 4-3, earning a series split at Coolray Field.
Conner Capel got things going with a solo home run in the top of the second inning, his 10th blast of the season. Gwinnett tied the score in the bottom of that frame when Yolmer Sanchez homered, then took the lead in the fourth on a Jason Kipnis solo blast.
In the top of the fifth inning, Evan Mendoza drove a ball to deep right centerfield that appeared as if it would hit off the wall or be caught. Stripers’ centerfielder Cristian Pache jumped for the ball and ended up knocking it over the fence for a two-run home run. It was Mendoza’s first home run of the season.
One inning later, Kramer Robertson hit his ninth home run of the season, a solo blast to extend the Redbirds lead to 4-2. Gwinnett scratched across another run in the bottom of the sixth, but that was all against T.J. Zeuch, who pitched a solid six innings in his second start of the year with Memphis.
The ‘Birds bullpen took over from there, as Tommy Parsons tossed a scoreless seventh and Jesús Cruz retired all six batters he faced to earn the save. The Redbirds defense also played a big role in the win, turning four double plays in the game.
