The Memphis Redbirds (73-71) wrapped up the 2015 with a 7-3 win over the PLC’s best Oklahoma City Dodgers on Labor Day afternoon from Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
The victory for Memphis marks the 10th time the Redbirds have concluded a campaign with a record greater than .500 in 18 seasons since 1998.
The Redbirds commenced the afternoon’s scoring, plating their first run of the contest in the top of the second inning, courtesy of a run-scoring single off the bat of Jacob Wilson.
Memphis would put on an offensive display in the top of the fourth inning, sending five runs across the plate in the frame. Redbirds’ starter Kyle Hald helped his own cause, sending two runs home on a single through the hole on the right side.
With Hald and Travis Tartamella on the bases, Rafael Ortega connected on his twenty-second double of the season, scoring both teammates. Second baseman Dean Anna capped off the inning with an RBI single of his own, scoring Ortega and extending the Redbirds lead to 6-0.
The Redbirds would add another insurance run in the seventh inning on Travis Tartamella’s sacrifice fly, scoring Aledmys Diaz after the latter’s double.
Redbirds starter Kyle Hald earned his second win in a row in his fourth start of the season for Memphis. The 26-year-old southpaw allowed three runs on six hits, walking none and fanning two.
Memphis reliever Justin Wright would go on to toss scoreless frames in the sixth and seventh innings, with Dean Kiekhefer offering a scoreless eighth.
Though not a save situation, Redbirds closer Sam Tuivailala would enter the game in the ninth inning, shutting down the Dodgers and putting an end to the 2015 season with the Memphis victory. The 22-year-old flame-thrower was a perfect 17-for-17 in save situations this season for Memphis.
With the 2015 season in the books, the Redbirds now hold an all-time record of 1,275-1,302 (.495) in 18 seasons since 1998.
The Memphis Redbirds are back in action on Thursday, April 7 to open up the 2016 season at AutoZone Park.
