MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jonathan Rodriguez, a fifth-inning replacement as part of a double switch, singled home two with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give Memphis a 4-3 walk-off win against Oklahoma City Thursday afternoon at AutoZone Park.
The last three Redbird hitters of the game were all down in the count 0-2 and all reached base to spur the rally.
Memphis (4-4) scored two in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at two, with Matt Williams leading off with a single, reaching second safely on a dropped throw on a double play turn, and coming around to score on a Rodriguez double.Luis Cruz, making his Triple-A debut, reached first because of that dropped turn and scored two batters later on a Jacob Wilson sacrifice fly.
The Redbirds gave up a run in the top of the ninth and trailed 3-2 going into their last at-bat and were quickly down to their final out after two groundouts to start the inning.
But Dean Anna walked and Williams followed with a two-strike single to put runners on first and second, and pinch-hitter Mike Ohlman drew a walk despite falling behind 0-2.
With the bases loaded, Rodriguez found the gap in right-center to score Anna and Williams and give Memphis a split against the Dodgers (5-3) after losing the first two games of the series.
Heath Wyatt earned the win, and Chin-Hui Tsao took the loss. Jeremy Hefner started for Memphis and worked 4.2 innings allowing five hits and two runs to go along with five strikeouts.
Williams was 3-4 at the plate with the two crucial runs scored, and Rodriguez ended the day 2-3 with three RBI.
With a season-opening eight-game homestand in the books, the Redbirds hit the road to face Colorado Springs Friday–Monday and Oklahoma City Tuesday–Friday. All road games will be broadcast on MiLB.tv and on the radio on Sports 56 and 87.7 FM with Steve Selby on the call. The radio broadcast is also available on MemphisRedbirds.com. Thomas Lee is slated to make his second start for Memphis on Friday.
For tickets or for more information on the 2016 Redbirds season, contact the Redbirds front office at (901) 721-6000 or visit www.memphisredbirds.com.
