Memphis sweeps Iowa in Saturday showdown

Memphis sweeps Iowa in Saturday showdown

Redbirds have won sevenstraight at AutoZone Park

Memphis Redbirds MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The Memphis Redbirds swept the Iowa Cubs (Triple-A Cubs) in a Saturday doubleheader at AutoZone Park, 6-4 in nine innings and 5-2, and have now won seven-straight home games.

The Redbirds (48-51) went 1-7 on a road trip to Albuquerque and El Paso leading into the series with Iowa (43-58).

On the day, starting pitchers Deck McGuire and Kurt Heyer each went 5.0 innings and allowed just one run. Heyer gave up two hits in game two, and McGuire allowed five in the opener. Mike Ohlman, Efren Navarro, Jose Martinez and Harrison Bader all had three hits on the day, and Charlie Tilson drove in four runs across the two games.

Game 1

Tilson won game one for the Redbirds with a walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth of the seveninning contest, which was Memphis’ first walk-off home run in extra innings since Brock Peterson defeated Albuquerque with a two-run blast on June 27, 2013.

After Iowa took a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth, Ohlman singled, went to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a Bader single, and scored the tying run when Martinez popped into a fielder’s choice.

Tilson promptly deposited a 1-0 pitch into the right field picnic area to give Memphis the 6-4 victory.

The game was scoreless through four innings as McGuire and Brian Matusz dueled, and Iowa led 1-0 after both had exited after the fifth. McGuire ended up giving up one run on five hits in 5.0 innings, and he turned it over to Corey Littrell, Sam Tuivailala and Ryan Sherriff.

Memphis’ three-run sixth inning featured a triple and four doubles, but Iowa evened the game with a pair of runs off Tuivailala in the seventh. Tuivailala rebounded by striking out the side in the eighth, and Sherriff allowed the run in the ninth but picked up the win after Tilson’s walk-off and moved his record to 40.

Game 2

After trailing 1-0 after the top of the fourth in game two, the Redbirds plated three runs in the home-half of the fourth and did not look back. Dean Anna and Jacob Wilson singled to start things off and pulled a double steal, with Anna coming around to score on an overthrow at third. After an Ohlman base hit moving Wilson to third, Tilson singled and moved all the way to third on an error by the left fielder.

Iowa added a run in the top of the sixth, but Ohlman’s first triple since 2014 scored Breyvic Valera to make it 4-2.

Ohlman trotted home on a Tilson sacrifice fly for the fifth run of the night.

Each of Memphis’ 12 position players had at least one hit on the day.

Tomorrow’s game three will start at 6:05 p.m.

(CT), and the first 1,500 kids ages 12 and under will receive a kids lunchbox featuring Rockey The Redbird. It is also Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday, and the first 2,500 kids will receive an ice cream treat upon entering, courtesy of Prairie Farms. Kids can stick around after the game and run the bases as well. The series with Iowa concludes on Monday at 7:05 p.m., and the Redbirds will welcome Oklahoma City to AutoZone Park Tuesday-Friday.

It is another All-You-Can-Eat Thursday next week, which features hot dogs this week 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.

For tickets or for more information on the 2016 Redbirds season, contact the Redbirds front office at (901) 721-6000 or visit www.memphisredbirds.co m.

By Michael Schroeder