The Memphis Redbirds snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in game three of a six game series at the Charlotte Knights at Truist Field in Charlotte, N.C. on Thursday night, taking the win with a final score of 9-7.
Redbirds batters stranded the tying run in scoring position in the seventh, eighth, but were able to come through in the team’s final chance. Left fielder Alec Burleson tied the game in the top of the ninth inning on a two-out RBI single into center field.
Shortstop Evan Mendoza came up clutch with two outs and two runners in scoring position in the top of the tenth. The right-handed hitter broke the 6-6 tie with a two-RBI double. Center fielder Ben DeLuzio added an RBI single to make it 9-6 after the top of the 10th.
The Redbirds weren’t able to push across much outside of the top of the fifth inning. In that inning, Memphis scored five runs on four hits, including a pair of home runs. Third baseman Cory Spangenberg blasted his fifth homer of the season to left field while Burleson drilled his 12th of the year to dead center, giving the Redbirds a 5-4 lead. On the day, Burleson collected four hits and increased his RBI total to 42, the first Memphis batter to reach that total this season.
Starting pitcher Aaron Brooks took a no-decision in his fourth start with Memphis this season, lasting a season-high 5.1 innings and giving up six Charlotte runs. Reliever Zach McAllister earned his first win of the season and Kyle Ryan earned his first save of the year.
The Memphis Redbirds (29-22) will head to Charlotte, North Carolina for game three of a six-game series against the Charlotte Knights (18-33) on Friday, June 3 for a 6:04 p.m. CDT first pitch.
