The Memphis Redbirds survived a late Oklahoma City Dodgers rally for a 7-6 win in the opener a four-game series on Tuesday night at AutoZone Park.
The Redbirds trailed early before scoring six unanswered against Dodgers Eric Surkamp (4-3). Oklahoma City threatened with three runs in the top of the ninth inning, but closer Sam Tuivailala struck out Dodgers prospect Corey Seager to end the game, stranding the tying run at second base.
Five different Redbirds recorded multiple-hit effort as Memphis banged out 12 hits. The club also stole a season-best four bags in the victory, including two from outfielder Tommy Pham (2-for-3, 2 R, BB).
Oklahoma City went ahead at 3-0 after the third inning on a pair of home runs. Andy Wilkins got things started his team-leading 13th blast of the season in the second inning, a solo shot to dead center. In the next frame with a runner aboard, Seager hit his ninth long ball of the year.
Catcher Ed Easley (2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, BB) scored Memphis’ first two runs in the game. The backstop doubled and scored on Dean Anna’s (2-for-4, RBI, R) RBI single up the middle in the second. In the fourth, Easley walked, moved to second on an infield groundout, and came around to score on an RBI single from Nick Martini (2-for-4, RBI).
Memphis broke through in the fifth for a three-run rally with two outs. Alex Mejia (2-for-4, R) scored the tying run on Greg Garcia’s RBI single, followed Pham stealing third and scoring on an Oklahoma City throwing error. Xavier Scruggs then hammered an RBI single to score Garcia from second.
Memphis concluded its scoring with sacrifice flies by Cody Stanley and Scruggs.
Redbirds starter Zach Petrick (6-5) allowed three runs on a pair of homers in six innings for the win. The right-hander also struck out six and walked none in his 10th quality start.
The Redbirds and Dodgers continue their series with an 11:35am Wednesday matinee at AutoZone Park. Redbirds southpaw Tyler Lyons (6-5, 3.33) will take the mound in the morning against Oklahoma City lefty Eric Stults (1-0, 2.89).
