(Photo Credit: Kevin Collins)
The Memphis Redbirds rode a six-run, first-inning outburst to top the Iowa Cubs by a 7-5 score on Christmas in July on Saturday night at AutoZone Park.
Outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker continued his hot-hitting, going 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs batted in. Second baseman Dean Anna also got in on the fun, doubling and plating three.
The six runs in the opening frame wad the highest-scoring first inning this season by the Redbirds, who batted around against Iowa starter Drake Britton (6-5).
Hazelbaker got things started with an RBI single with the bases loaded, followed by Anna crushing a three-run double off the center field wall. Two batters later after Alex Mejia singled to right, Travis Tartamella concluded the rally with a two-run double.
The Redbirds added an insurance run in the second frame on Hazelbaker’s triple.
Iowa scored a pair of runs in back-to-back innings for their first four runs, beginning with a second-inning Matt Szczur two-run single. Mike Olt followed by hitting a two-run home run into the Memphis bullpen in the third. The Cubs scored their final run on Olt’s sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Redbirds starter Nick Greenwood (9-3) collected his team-leading ninth win, scattering 11 hits for five runs in five innings of work.
Marcus Hatley picked up his fifth save of the season and second in as many days, working around a hit and walk over a scoreless ninth inning.
The Redbirds and Cubs continue their series at 6:05pm CT on Sunday night at AutoZone Park. Right-hander Thomas Lee (3-1, 1.69) looks to continue his success from the mound for Memphis against Iowa southpaw Jeffry Antigua (1-1, 3.06).
