The Memphis Redbirds (71-70) opened their final series of the 2015 season with an 11-6 win over the Oklahoma City Dodgers on Friday night.
Shortstop Aledmys Diaz homered and outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker collected three hits en route to the Memphis victory.
Second baseman Dean Anna drew three walks, overtaking Fresno’s Nolan Fontana for the league league in free passes with 76.
The Dodgers opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, crossing the plate twice in the frame. The Redbirds would answer with a three-run third inning, highlighted by a bases loaded walk from Jeremy Hazelbaker and a two-run single off the bat of Ed Easley.
Memphis kept the pressure on Oklahoma City pitching, plating four runs in the fourth inning. Aledmys Diaz connected on his third home run of the season to open up the inning, followed by Dan Johnon’s bases loaded hit by pitch and a two-run single from Hazelbaker.
The Redbirds would go on to add a run in the top of the sixth, on of Ed Easley’s three RBI in the contest.
Memphis added more insurance with a three run seventh inning. Dan Johnson earned his second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly, followed by an RBI double from Xavier Scruggs. Ed Easley capped off the scoring in the frame with a base hit, scoring Scruggs.
After his brief promotion to the Cardinals, starting pitcher Nick Greenwood earned his 13th win of the season, matching Larry Luebbers (1999) and Lance Lynn (2010) for the second-most wins in a single season for the Redbirds. Tim Cooney holds the single-season record for his 14 wins last season.
Greenwood exited the contest after 5.1 innings on the hill, allowing five runs on six hits, walking three and striking out one.
Relievers Ryan Sherriff, Justin Wright, and Sam Tuivailala would close out the game for the Redbirds, sealing the victory and bumping the club to one game over the .500 mark.
The Redbirds and Dodgers continue their four-game set Saturday when right-hander Arturo Reyes (0-3, 10.24) toes the rubber for Memphis. Reyes will be opposed by Oklahoma City’s Julio Urias (0-0, 27.00). First pitch from Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is slated for 7:05pm CT.
