The Memphis Redbirds clinched the series victory, winning game five of a six game series at the Charlotte Knights at Truist Field in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday night, taking the win with a final score of 4-3.
With the game tied at three and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, designated hitter Tyler O’Neill blasted the ball a mile into the Charlotte night sky to put Memphis on top, O’Neill’s first home run of his MLB Rehab Assignment.
Left fielder Conner Capel got the scoring started in the top of the first inning with his seventh home run of the season and his third blast of the series. Capel continued to stay hot in the top of the seventh, giving Memphis an insurance on a two-out RBI triple to score O’Neill to make the score 3-1.
With the game tied at one in the top of the fourth and catcher Ali Sanchez at second base, first baseman Luken Baker lined a single into left-center field to put Memphis back on top. The RBI brought Baker’s season total to 25 this season, the fourth Redbird to reach that mark this season.
Redbirds starter Angel Rondon was tremendous in his fourth start of the season, allowing just one run in 5.1 innings of work and tallied eight strikeouts to earn a no-decision. Reliever Kyle Ryan (3-0) earned the win in relief.
Reliever Jacob Bosiokovic pitched the bottom of the eighth inning for Memphis in his first appearance since April 10 after a stint on the Injured List.
The Memphis Redbirds (31-22) will head to Charlotte, North Carolina for the final game of a six-game series against the Charlotte Knights (18-35) on Sunday, June 5 for a 12:05 p.m. CDT first pitch.
Mick Lite served for 12 years in the military and is now an entrepreneur and photographer. Has worked as the official scorer and social media manager for the River City Rascals, Statistician for the Missouri Monsters and St. Louis Attack arena football teams, and as the Team Photographer and social media consultant for the St. Charles Chill, SLU Hockey, St. Louis Slam, and Gateway Grizzlies.
