A six-run second inning set the tone for an 11-5 Memphis Redbirds win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Triple-A Brewers) in the series opener Tuesday night in Colorado Springs.
Memphis (33-36) has now won five of its last six games and 10-of-13 overall. The 11 runs are the most for the Redbirds in a win this season, topping a 10-9 win at Colorado Springs on April 15 and a 10-3 win over Sacramento on May 14, and just shy of a season-high 14 runs, which came in a 17-14 loss at Las Vegas on May 28.
Michael McKenry was 2-for-4 with two runs, a home run and four RBI, and Jacob Wilson had three hits for the first time since May 6. Wilson was 2-for-22 in his last six games entering tonight. Jeremy Hazelbaker, Carlos Peguero and Dean Anna also had two hits for the Redbirds.
Jerome Williams picked up his third win in four starts with 5.2 innings of work. Ryan Sherriff pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, and Josh Lucas made his Triple-A debut after being transferred from Double-A Springfield earlier in the day and allowed one unearned run in the ninth.
Hazelbaker singled, stole second and scored on a Peguero base hit in the first, before the Redbirds exploded for six runs in the second. The big blows were a two-run single by McKenry, a two-run double by Hazelbaker and an RBI double by Peguero, and the Redbirds led 7-0 after their first two at bats.
The Sky Sox (31-36) chipped away with runs in the second-through-fourth innings to make the score 7-4 after four played, but Memphis scored two in the sixth and one in both the eighth and ninth to solidify the win.
McKenry bombed a homer to left field in the sixth, and he has now hit a home run in his last two games played.
Charlie Tilson scored twice and had an RBI in the win. Matt Williams walked twice and scored twice as well.
McKenry matched a season high with his four runs driven in, which was set May 3 also in Colorado Springs as a member of the Round Rock Express.
The Redbirds and Sky Sox play doubleheaders each of the next two days before the series finale on Friday, and Memphis returns to AutoZone Park Saturday through next Tuesday.
The upcoming homestand features a replica Cardinals 2006 World Series Trophy giveaway and a Princess & Pirates Theme Ticket on Saturday, Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday and College Night on Tuesday for the finale.
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.
