MEMPHIS, Tennessee – A trio of home runs by the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A Athletics) made the difference in an 8-2 win over the Memphis Redbirds Tuesday night at AutoZone Park.
Matt Williams had two hits on the night for the Redbirds (40-44), and six other players had a hit apiece. Michael McKenry and Alberto Rosario both doubled in the fifth inning to extend their hitting streaks to eight and five games, respectively, and Williams’ knocks lengthened his streak to seven games.
The Redbirds fell victim to the long ball early and often, with the Sounds (48-38) taking Deck McGuire deep in the third, fifth and sixth innings to lead 6-2 after the top of the sixth. Memphis scored first with a run in the second, which came whenBreyvic Valera singled and scored from first on a Dean Anna double.
Chad Pinder hit a two-run home run in the third to put Nashville on top 2-1, and Ryon Healy added a three-run shot in the fifth to make it 5-1. Memphis scored again in the bottom of the fifth when Rosario doubled and scored on a McKenry two-bagger, but the Sounds answered right back with a solo blast by Bruce Maxwell.
Nashville added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh, and the Sounds’ bullpen put down 12-straight Redbirds after the McKenry double through one out in the ninth inning, when Williams singled for the only Memphis hit after the fifth.
Pedro Echemendia made his first appearance for Memphis after being transferred from Double-A Springfield Monday, and he pitched 1.2 innings to finish the game and struck out three.
The Redbirds did not commit an error in the game to mark their season-best fifth-straight game without a miscue, and Memphis’ errorless streak now stands at 44.0 innings.
The Redbirds and the Sounds play the finale of their three-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 (CT), and the Round Rock Express (Triple-A Rangers) come to AutoZone Park Thursday–Sunday. Tickets for the all-inclusive Redbird Club are $40tomorrow–Friday, and tickets to the brand new, all-inclusive Owner’s Seats are $60 tomorrow–Friday.
Thursday’s game is another All-You-Can-Eat Thursday, featuring ribs this week, and Saturday is Christmas In July with a Redbirds holiday scarf giveaway to the first 1,500 and a Redbirds nutcracker for fans who purchase a Theme Ticket. Saturday’sgame also features postgame fireworks. Sunday is Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday, with 2,500 kids 12 and under getting a free ice cream treat upon entering, and the first 2,000 kids also get an ice cream bowl, courtesy of Prairie Farms.
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.
