Memphis Short in Opener against Fresno

Memphis Short in Opener against Fresno

Washington Extends Hit Streak to 10; Garcia, Martini 3- for- 4 in Loss

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After falling behind 3-0, the Memphis Redbirds rallied to come within one but could not complete the comeback and lost the series opener to the Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A Astros) Thursday night at AutoZone Park.

David Washington hit a two-run home run in the sixth to pull Memphis (1522) within one, extending his hitting streak to 10 games, and he now has a hit in 11 of the 12 games he has played as a Redbird. It is the second 10-game hitting streak by a Redbird this season, joining Charlie Tilson’s 10-gamer from April 20-May 4.

Greg Garcia was 3-for-4 with a run scored for his second three-hit game of the season, in addition to May 10 at Omaha. Nick Martini also was 3-for-4, and his two singles and a double were a season high.

Jeremy Hefner pitched well enough to win, working 5.2 innings and giving up three runs on six hits while fanning six and walking two. Fresno got a run off Hefner in the second and benefitted from a two-run homer by Danny Worth in the fifth to account for its runs through the first eight innings.

Joe Musgrove one-upped Hefner on the mound for the Grizzlies (16-23), scattering six hits over six innings and striking out seven with no walks. His only blemish was Washington’s shot to rightcenter field in the sixth.

Corey Littrell struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in 1.1 innings of relief, and the Grizzlies picked up an insurance run in the ninth off Miguel Socolovich when Tyler Heineman homered.

James Hoyt picked up his league-leading ninth save of the season after shutting the door when Memphis brought the tying run to the plate twice in the ninth inning.

Memphis and Fresno will play the second game of their four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 (CT) on Silky O’Sullivan’s Irish Heritage Night, where the first 2,000 fans will receive a green Redbirds hat. In addition, the first 3,000 kids under 48 inches tall will receive a free ticket to Six Flags St. Louis, courtesy of Six Flags St.

Louis.

On Saturday at 6:35 p.m., the Redbirds will have a replica Yadier Molina Cardinals jersey giveaway for the first 1,500 fans and a Cardinals full-zip hooded sweatshirt theme ticket, as well as postgame fireworks presented by Belhaven University. Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday concludes the series and the homestand at 2:05 p.m., and the first 2,500 kids ages 12 and under will receive an ice cream treat.

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 Micahel Schroeder