MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Every Memphis Redbird hitter drove in or scored a run in a 13-7 win over the Round Rock Express (Triple-A Rangers) Thursday night at AutoZone Park.
The Redbirds (42-44) had a five-run second inning and a six-run fourth to help secure their eighth-straight series-opening win. Memphis was 6-for-7 with runners in scoring position on the night.
David Washington broke out of an 0-for-27 slump with a 3-for-4 showing against the Express (46-42), and he hit his 19th home run of the season between Memphis and Double-A Springfield. He also scored three times on the night. Jacob Wilson was 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, and Mike Ohlman also homered in his first game back from Springfield.
The three Redbird homers on the night tied a season single-game high.
Kurt Heyer pitched 3.2 perfect innings in relief of Corey Baker to pick up the win, retiring all 11 Express he faced. Corey Littrell fanned four in 1.2 innings after Heyer, and John Brebbia finished the game with two strikeouts in the ninth.
Memphis plated five runs in the second on Wilson’s homer, a Washington double and an Ohlman long ball, and the Redbirds led 5-1 after the second inning. That was key, as the Express scored four in the top of the third to knot the game at five.
But the Redbirds blew it open with six runs in the fourth, with all six crossing the plate before the first out was recorded. Breyvic Valera, Charlie Tilson, Harrison Bader, Nick Martini and Jose Martinez drove in the Memphis runs in the fourth inning after Wilson and Ohlman drove in the runs in the second.
With his fourth-inning double, Tilson has now reached base safely in 19 of the last 20 games.
The Redbirds and Express play game two of their four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 (CT). Tickets for the all-inclusive Redbird Club are $40 tomorrow, and tickets to the brand new, all-inclusive Owner’s Seats are $60 tomorrow as well.
Saturday is Christmas In July with a Redbirds holiday scarf giveaway to the first 1,500 fans and a Redbirds nutcracker ornament for fans who purchase a Theme Ticket. Saturday’s game also features postgame fireworks. Sunday is Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday, with 2,500 kids 12 and under getting a free ice cream treat upon entering, and the first 2,000 kids also get an ice cream bowl, courtesy of Prairie Farms.
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.
