Randy Arozarena hit for the cycle in his first four at-bats over five innings, and the Memphis Redbirds cracked out 17 hits on their way to a 13-10 win over the Oklahoma City Dodgers (Dodgers) in the series opener Friday night in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Arozarena singled to open the game, doubled in the third inning, homered in the fourth, and tripled in the fifth to complete the third cycle in Redbirds history. He joins Luke Voit (June 30, 2018 at Iowa) and Mark Little (June 23, 2000 at Colorado Springs) as Memphis hitters to finish the feat.
The outfielder finished the game 4-for-6 with three runs scored and four RBI, and he has now reached base in 26-straight starts.
Each Memphis (44-61) starter, including the starting pitcher, had at least one hit and scored at least once in the game. Lane Thomas doubled, homered, and drove in four, andRamon Urias was 3-for-5 with a double. Max Schrock also had two hits.
Adolis Garcia had a hit in five at-bats, and he is now on a seven-game hitting streak.
Memphis’ 17 hits as a team are its fourth-most in a game this campaign.
All 23 of the games runs were scored in the first five-and-a-half innings, with the big inning being a seven-run Memphis fifth. The first eight Redbirds of the inning reached base with seven hits and a walk, and Memphis led 12-6 after that at-bat.
Oklahoma City (48-56) scored four times in their next at-bat, however, to make the game 13-10, but Dominic Leone and Hunter Cervenka retired the last 12 Dodgers of the game over four scoreless innings to finish the win.
The Redbirds have now won six of their last eight games.
Memphis and Oklahoma City continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05. The three-game set runs through Sunday before the Redbirds return to AutoZone Park on Tuesday to start a seven-game homestand.
Upcoming Games of Note at AutoZone Park
Wednesday, July 31 at 6:35: Woof Wednesday presented by Invisible Fence Brand of Memphis with dogs able to come to the stadium along with their parents
Thursday, August 1 at 7:05: Throwback Thursday presented by Polk’s Meat Products featuring the Redbirds suiting up as the Memphis Chicks and throwback concession pricing of $2 beers and $1 Polk’s hot dogs; College Night with $5 Bluff tickets for college students with a college ID
Friday, August 2 at 7:05: Elvis Night with a free Memphis t-shirt to the first 1,500 fans courtesy of Carvana; All-You-Can-Eat Night specialty ticket presented by Dave & Buster’s featuring an all-you-can-eat tacos buffet and a free $15 Dave & Buster’s Power Card available at www.memphisredbirds.com/allyoucaneat; Chick-fil-A Friday Family Pack specialty ticket option with free ballpark food and free Chick-fil-A at www.memphisredbirds.com/fridayfamilypack
Saturday, August 3 at 6:35: Terminix Saturday Fireworks Show after the game; Back to School Night presented by Walmart with a free fully-loaded backpack to the first 1,500 kids ages 12 and under; Mystery bobblehead specialty ticket with a random bobblehead; Aldo’s Pizza specialty ticket with free soda at the ballpark and free and discounted food and beverages at Aldo’s Pizza Pies available at www.memphisredbirds.com/aldos
Sunday, August 4 at 2:05: Redbirds Wiffle Bat giveaway to the first 2,000 fans presented by Prairie Farms Dairy; Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday (free ice cream for kids upon entering); pregame player autographs presented by Allegiant Air; kids run the bases after the game
Monday, August 5 at 6:35: the Redbirds take the field as the Memphis Música as part of Minor League Baseball’s “Copa de la Diversión” series with $3 tacos and $5 Dos Equis available at the stadium
For more information on the 2019 season, visit www.memphisredbirds.com.
