MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The Memphis Redbirds franchise-record winning streak came to an end on Tuesday night, as the Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A affiliate, Atlanta Braves) scrapped out a 1-0 win at AutoZone Park. The ‘Birds had won 15 games in a row, equaling the longest winning streak in all of Minor League Baseball this season.
Jack Flaherty grabbed the early headlines for Memphis (36-37), looking very sharp in his rehab outing. The Cardinals’ Opening Day starter went two scoreless innings for the Redbirds, striking out three batters while throwing 31 pitches. Flaherty had to work out of a little bit of trouble in the top of the second. Johan Camargo doubled leading off the inning, but Flaherty retired the next three batters in order to complete a scoreless outing.
From there, the pitching remained solid the rest of the night. Five relievers (Tyler Webb, Junior Fernández, Jesús Cruz, Garrett Williams and Connor Jones) combined to work seven innings of one-run ball, allowing just six hits while striking out nine batters in the process. However, Travis Demeritte hit a 450-foot home run in the top of the 4th, giving Gwinnett (38-35) all the scoring punch they would need.
Kyle Wright was absolutely excellent for the Stripers – their starter hurled eight scoreless innings, allowing just four this while walking two and striking out five. He had to dance out of trouble in his final two innings, stranding two Redbirds runners on base in the seventh and eighth innings. A.J. Minter locked down the win in the ninth, picking up his third save with Gwinnett in as many appearances this season.
