MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The Memphis Redbirds battled back from a 2-0 deficit with two runs in the bottom of the eighth, but the Oklahoma City Dodgers (Triple-A Dodgers) scored the eventual winning run with two outs in the top of the ninth and won game one of the series, 3-2, Tuesday night at AutoZone Park.
Rob Segedin hit a two-run home run in the second inning off Memphis’ (49-53) Alex Reyes, but Reyes, John Brebbia and Corey Littrell shut down the Dodgers until that ninth inning. Oklahoma City (59-43) had three hits in the third-through-eighth innings, and Brebbia and Littrell combined for 5.0 shutout innings of relief.
In a short start, Reyes struck out seven of the nine he retired in 3.0 innings of work. He issued one walk and gave up the two runs on two hits.
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth, Anthony Garcia singled to lead things off and went to third on a Dean Anna double. Carson Kelly hit a sacrifice fly to center field that required a diving play by the centerfielder, and that made the score 2-1 with two outs in the inning.
Harrison Bader stepped to the dish pinch-hitting for Littrell, and he knocked a base hit to score Anna from second and tie the game at two.
Miguel Socolovich entered the game in the top of the ninth, and he got a quick flyout before giving up a double to Corey Brown. After a strikeout for the second out, Shawn Zarraga placed a ball just in front of right fielder Jose Martinez to score the eventual winning run.
The Redbirds went down in order in the bottom of the ninth to finish the game.
Charlie Tilson ended the game 2-for-5, and eight other Redbirds had a hit after only two players accounted for the team’s hits in last night’s loss to the Iowa Cubs.
The Redbirds and the Dodgers will play three more times this series, continuing tomorrow night at 7:05 (CT). It is another All-You-Can-Eat Thursday this week, which features hot dogs with a special ticket purchase. On Friday, the first 1,500 fans will receive a replica of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1926 World Series ring, and fans may also purchase a Theme Ticket that includes a camouflage Redbirds hat.
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.
