‘Birds take 8th straight

‘Birds take 8th straight

Memphis Redbirds MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Arturo Reyes retired the final 13 batters he faced in his first start back from missing 31 games due to injury, and Anthony Garcia and David Washington homered to power a 5-1 Memphis win over the Iowa Cubs (Triple-A Cubs) Sunday night at AutoZone Park.

The win was Memphis’ (49-51) eighth-straight at home. Reyes gave up one run on three hits in 5.0 innings, and he struck out four and did not issue a walk. Thomas Lee relieved Reyes and retired the first four he faced, meaning the Redbirds set down 17 Cubs in a row from the end of the first through the start of the seventh.

Iowa (43-59) scored its only run of the game in the top of the first, which came after a Mark Zagunis triple. The Redbirds answered right back in the bottom of the first on Garcia’s home run, which was his first in Triple-A since May 25.

Jacob Wilson walked with one out in the fourth, moved to third on a Matt Williams double and scored on a Reyes base knock through a drawn-in infield to make it 3-1.

In the seventh, Charlie Tilson singled to start the inning and scored on Washington’s 23rd home run between Memphis and Double-A Springfield, which leads the Cardinals organization. Josh Lucas walked the first batter he faced in the ninth but got a popout and a double play to end the game.

It is another All-You-Can-Eat Thursday this week, which features hot dogs with a special ticket purchase. On Friday, the first 1,500 fans will receive a replica of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1926 World Series ring, and fans may also purchase a Theme Ticket that includes a camouflage Redbirds hat.

By Michael Schroeder