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The Memphis Redbirds continued a six-game road trip with a 6-4 win over the Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A, Atlanta Braves) on Wednesday night at Coolray Field.
First baseman Luken Baker broke the Memphis Redbirds franchise home run record with two home runs in the comeback victory. With a runner on second in the sixth inning, Baker smacked his 74th career home run with Memphis to pull the score to 3-2 and tie the record.
Memphis Redbirds on X (formerly Twitter): “LUKEN BAKER TIES THE FRANCHISE RECORDHIS 74TH @HueysRestaurant HOME RUN TO BRING HIM EVEN WITH NICK STAVINOHAHere’s the hometown call: pic.twitter.com/ilKQnxsw2Y / X”
LUKEN BAKER TIES THE FRANCHISE RECORDHIS 74TH @HueysRestaurant HOME RUN TO BRING HIM EVEN WITH NICK STAVINOHAHere’s the hometown call: pic.twitter.com/ilKQnxsw2Y
For insurance in the ninth, the right-handed hitter rocketed the record breaker 425 feet down the left-field line. Baker passed Nick Stavinoha on the Memphis Redbirds home run list. Baker broke the record in 803 fewer plate appearances and in 202 fewer games played than Stavinoha.
The Redbirds grabbed the lead in the top of the ninth inning on a right fielder Matt Koperniak three-run homer that preceded Baker’s homer. Koperniak’s game-winning long ball was the left-handed hitter’s 10th of the season, the third Memphis batter to reach double-digits in home runs.
Memphis Redbirds on X (formerly Twitter): “BAKER BREAKS THE RECORD75 @HueysRestaurant HOME RUNSA NEWFRANCHISE RECORD pic.twitter.com/Kz2ME7aGPO / X”
BAKER BREAKS THE RECORD75 @HueysRestaurant HOME RUNSA NEWFRANCHISE RECORD pic.twitter.com/Kz2ME7aGPO
With a bullpen game, Victor Santos (2-4) earned the win with 2.0 scoreless innings in relief. Right-handed reliever Ryan Loutos (S, 7) converted the save to remain percect in save opportunities this season. In total, Memphis used five pitchers in the win.
Game three of the series is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT Thursday, June 27 at Coolray Field. Michael McGreevy is scheduled to start for Memphis. Tune in to memphisredbirds.com for audio coverage live at Coolray Field, with the pregame show scheduled for 5:50 p.m. CDT.
The Memphis Redbirds return to AutoZone Park to begin a three-game homestand against the Nashville Sounds on Tuesday, July 1 with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT.
Memphis Redbirds on X (formerly Twitter): “Tonight’s @flymemphis Player of the Game….ANNNNDDD NEEWWWWWWW FRANCHISE RECORD HOLDER, LUKEN BAKER pic.twitter.com/mLSwhn8hPc / X”
Tonight’s @flymemphis Player of the Game….ANNNNDDD NEEWWWWWWW FRANCHISE RECORD HOLDER, LUKEN BAKER pic.twitter.com/mLSwhn8hPc
