The Memphis Redbirds opened their homestand with a 5-4 defeat to the division-rival New Orleans Zephyrs on Grit and Grind Night on Monday at AutoZone Park.
With the loss, the Redbirds (67-70) were eliminated from postseason contention with seven games to play. Due to a tie-breaker, the Round Rock Express were declared champions of the PCL American Southern Division.
In his second rehab appearance, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and a stolen base. The 30-year-old singled and scored in the first and third innings, followed by flying out to left in the fifth.
Jay began the first inning with an infield single to third, stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and plated the game’s first run as Xavier Scruggs grounded into a double play.
New Orleans’ Tomas Telis tied the game at 1-1 in the third on a Tomas Telis two-out single to right.
Memphis went back ahead at 2-1 in the third as Jay led of the frame with a single to center. The rehabbing outfielder moved to third on Dean Anna’s double and came home as Scruggs reach on a New Orleans fielding error.
The Zephyrs sent eight to the dish in the fifth, scoring four runs and taking a 5-2 lead. The rally was highlighted by Reid Brignac’s fifth home run of the tear, a three run shot over the Redbirds bullpen in left-center.
The Redbirds fought back late in the game, scoring a run in the sixth and seventh innings. Jacob Wilson drove home the first run by lining an RBI single to center to score Jeremy Hazelbaker. In the next inning, Rafael Ortega worked a one-out walk and came around to score on singles from Scruggs and Hazelbaker.
Redbirds starter Arturo Reyes (0-3) dropped his three straight decision, surrendering five runs on eight hits in six innings.
Memphis and New Orleans continue their series at 7:05pm CT on Tuesday night at AutoZone Park. Left-hander Kyle Hald (0-2, 5.73) will start the game for Memphis. New Orleans will counter with right-hander Jake Esch (1-1, 3.60).
