ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Memphis Redbirds provided their own fireworks with a massive fifth inning that set the tone for a 10-1 triumph over the Round Rock Express (Rangers) on Tuesday night at Dell Diamond.
Memphis (52-32) reached a new season-high 20 games over .500, the highest water mark since September 6, 2010. The Redbirds have won six of their last seven games overall to reach the new plateau.
The game was tied 1-1 entering the fifth inning before Memphis exploded for a seven-run rally on the back of 10 hits and a walk. The first seven hitters recorded a base hit in the frame, which ultimately ended with an 8-1 Redbird lead. The 10 hits in the inning tied a franchise record, equaling the mark from a game on July 24, 2000 at Oklahoma.
All nine starters for the Redbirds recorded at least one hit and scored at least one run. Five of the nine players recorded multiple RBI’s. Harrison Bader provided more cushion with a two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning, his 15th blast of the year. Bader was 3-for-5 on the day with the home run. Breyvic Valera added three hits of his own whileAdolis Garcia was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.
Overall, Memphis set a new season-high with 19 base hits, 17 of which were singles.
Meanwhile, Jack Flaherty, who was on a restricted pitch count, started and lasted 3.2 innings, allowing a run on four hits with four strikeouts. Josh Zeid came on in relief and dominated Round Rock (39-46) with 4.1 scoreless frames to improve to 5-2 on the season. The righthander struck out five and scattered four hits in the process.
The two teams meet again on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. in the middle game of a three-game series.
