DES MOINES, Iowa – The Memphis Redbirds (23-33) and Iowa Cubs (29-27) each had 10 total hits Tuesday afternoon but Iowa was able to prevail in the series finale to win three out of four games.
Alex Reyes, in his shortest outing of the season, tossed 1.2 innings giving up four runs on six hits while fanning four and issued two walks. Although he only recorded five outs, Reyes threw a high pitch count of 62 total pitches. In his previous three starts combined, Reyes had only allowed seven hits and three runs through 15.0 innings of work.
Former Pacific Coast League batting title winner, Jose Martinez, recorded his first multi-hit game after going 5-for-38 in his first 11 games with Memphis. He went 2-for-5 at the dish this afternoon and hit his first home run with the Redbirds and had his second-straight game picking up an RBI.
Michael McKenry and Patrick Wisdom also had a pair of hits against Iowa. After going 2-for-4 today, McKenry is now hitting .318 in his first seven games with the Redbirds. McKenry also stole his first base and threw out his first baserunner with Memphis.
Tommy Pham went 1-for-5 at the plate and drove in the fifth run for Memphis in the top of the sixth to put them in front of Iowa 5-4. Reyes also had a key at-bat in the game, hitting a two-run double to put the Redbirds up 2-1 in the top of the second inning.
The relief effort by Kurt Heyer, Corey Littrell, Ryan Sherriff, John Church and Juan Gonzalez allowed Memphis to make a comeback after the slow start by Reyes. They combined to throw 6.1 innings and gave up just two runs on four hits and struck out six.
After an off day on Wednesday, the Redbirds return to AutoZone Park to host Colorado Springs (Triple-A Brewers) Thursday–Sunday.
The upcoming homestand features a Yadier Molina Garden Gnome Theme Ticket and replica Redbirds jersey gate giveaway, as well as postgame fireworks, on Saturday, plus College Night and an all-you-can-eat crawfish buffet on Thursday. On Friday, the Redbirds will be giving away a cooler backpack at the gate, and the homestand closes with Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday and a chance for kids to run the bases on Sunday.
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.
Mick Lite served for 12 years in the military and is now an entrepreneur and photographer. Has worked as the official scorer and social media manager for the River City Rascals, Statistician for the Missouri Monsters and St. Louis Attack arena football teams, and as the Team Photographer and social media consultant for the St. Charles Chill, SLU Hockey, St. Louis Slam, and Gateway Grizzlies.
