Memphis, Colorado Springs split opening series

Memphis, Colorado Springs split opening series

Redbirds fall short in finale, 6- 4

Memphis Redbirds MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds answered all four Colorado Springs scoring innings, but a three-run Sky Sox first proved to be difference in the game in a 6-4 Redbird defeat Sunday afternoon at AutoZone Park.

The Redbirds made four errors, struck out 14 times and left 20 on base in the loss. Dean Anna went 3-5 with a run and an RBI, and Carlos Peguero was 2-5 with a run and an RBI as well. The Redbird bullpen did not allow an earned run for the third-straight game after starter Thomas Lee went 5.0 and gave up 12 hits and five runs, four earned.

As opposed to Friday’s and Saturday’s wins, Memphis had to play from behind on Sunday. The Sky Sox scored three runs in the first inning on four hits and an error, and that deficit remained the rest of the game. Memphis answered with a run in the home-half of the first with Anna scoring on a basesloaded walk to Charlie Tilson, and the Redbirds also scored in the third and fourth innings after Colorado Springs plated a run in the top-half each time.

The middle innings were quiet, and the Sky Sox scored in the top of the ninth to make it 6-3 after Memphis errors on a failed pick-off attempt and an attempt to throw out a runner stealing. The Redbirds again answered, however, in the bottom of the ninth when Peguero doubled off the left-field wall to score Jacob Wilson, who singled to start the inning for his fourth-straight game with a hit to start the season. But Jonathan Rodriguez grounded out to end the ballgame.

Memphis turns its attention to a four-game series with Oklahoma City (Triple-A Dodgers) starting tomorrow night at 6:35 (CT). Arturo Reyes will make his first start of the season for the Redbirds.

The series also runs Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. and Thursday morning at 11:05 in the season’s first Education Day.

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.

By Michael Schroeder