MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds were handed an 8-1 defeat by the visiting El Paso Chihuahuas in the opener of a four-game series on Wednesday night at AutoZone Park.
Padres top prospect Hunter Renfroe finished a triple short of the cycle in his Triple-A debut to lead the charge for the Chihuahuas, going 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored.
Memphis (63-62) has dropped six of its last seven overall and move to 5.5 games behind first place Round Rock in the PCL American Southern Division with 15 games to play. The Redbirds have been held to two runs or less in five of their last six games, including one run for the third time in their last five.
El Paso quickly jumped out to an 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Nick Greenwood (11-5), beginning with an Alex Dickerson RBI double that scored Renfroe. Two batters later, Hector Gomez singled to left to plate Dickerson.
The Chihuahuas added a run in the fifth before sending seven to the dish for three runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Renfroe’s two-run double off the wall in left-center. Tim Federowicz and Renfroe’s late solo homers capped off El Paso’s evening.
Memphis plated its only run in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases and bringing home Dan Johnson (1-for-4) from third on a Cody Stanley infield groundout.
Greenwood was charged with the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings. The left-hander has received a decision in 12 of his last 13 starts.
The Redbirds and Chihuahuas continue their series at 7:05pm CT on Thursday night at AutoZone Park. Right-hander Arturo Reyes (0-1, 12.46) will make his second Triple-A start and will be opposed by El Paso righty Justin Hancock (1-0, 1.59).
