After having a total of eight hits in the first two games of the series, all singles, Memphis had 12 in a 6-2 win over the Iowa Cubs (Triple-A Cubs) Monday night to snap a four-game losing streak.
The Memphis (23-32) win ended Iowa’s (28-27) nine-game winning streak. Eleven of Memphis’ 12 hits were singles, and the Redbirds scored runs on two groundouts, an infield single and a passed ball, in addition to two singles, in the game to manufacture their six runs.
Deck McGuire picked up his third-straight win with 5.0 innings of work, giving up two runs on two hits with six strikeouts. Ryan Sherriff, Miguel Socolovich and Sam Tuivailala closed the game with 4.0 shutout innings.
Breyvic Valera, who was transferred from Double-A Springfield earlier in the day, was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a stolen base after entering in the seventh inning. Matt Williams also had two hits and walked three times, and the first six hitters in the Memphis lineup each had a hit in the game.
Memphis started the scoring in the first without the benefit of a hit, with Charlie Tilson walking, stealing second, moving to third on a throwing error and scoring when Jose Martinez grounded out to second.
McGuire gave up a two-run home run in the fourth, but the Redbirds plated two in the sixth and seventh innings to take a 5-2 lead. Memphis equaled its hit production from each of the first two games of the series with four hits in the sixth, all singles, to regain a 3-2 lead.
Sherriff relieved McGuire in the sixth and gave up a single, but he got an inning-ending double play to take care of the Cubs.
The Redbirds loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, and Memphis scored two more without a hit on a Dean Anna RBI groundout and a passed ball.
The Redbirds added an insurance run in the ninth, with Valera singling home pinch-hitter, pitcher, Mike Mayers. Valera then stole second base.
The Redbirds and the Cubs conclude their four-game series tomorrow at 12:08 p.m. (CT), and after an off day on Wednesday the Redbirds return to AutoZone Park to host Colorado Springs (Triple-A Brewers) Thursday–Sunday.
The upcoming homestand features a Yadier Molina Garden Gnome Theme Ticket and replica Redbirds jersey gate giveaway, as well as postgame fireworks, on Saturday, plus College Night and an all-you-can-eat crawfish buffet on Thursday. On Friday, the Redbirds will be giving away a cooler backpack at the gate, and the homestand closes with Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday and a chance for kids to run the bases on Sunday.
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.
