Lightning strikes twice for Redbirds

Memphis, TN- Omaha took an early lead, but Memphis fired back to get the 5-4 win in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon at AutoZone Park.

'Birds starter Joe Kelly continues to register quality starts and today was no different, as he only allowed one run on seven hits with three strikeouts in six innings. Kelly got out of a bases-loaded jam before making his exit and was a pivotal reason as to why the Storm Chasers stranded 18 base runners on the day. Omaha starting pitcher Ryan Verdugo pitched seven strong innings allowing two earned runs with five strikeouts.

"The one thing you get out of Joe Kelly is that he is going to always compete," Redbirds manager Ron "Pop" Warner said. ""We didn't play a good baseball game today. We need to play better, but the walk-off was definitely a morale-booster for us."

The Redbirds took a 2-1 lead off of a Cedric Hunter two-run home run in the seventh, but gave it right back in the eighth when Chuckie Fick registered a balk, which scored a run, and allowed an RBI-single to Derrick Robinson.

Storm Chasers' reliever Francisley Bueno allowed a single to Amaury Cazana in the ninth inning and second baseman Johnny Giavotella's error allowed Cedric Hunter to reach base setting up the dramatic walk-off three-run home run by Pete Kozma.

"Being down by two runs, I think everyone was thinking that I had to hit a home run in that situation," Kozma said. "I was just trying to put a good swing on the ball and it was middle of the plate so I connected on it."

It is on to the next one as the Redbirds will welcome the Iowa Cubs to AZP on Monday, April 30, at 7:05 p.m. (CT).

Tomorrow's Probables:
Memphis: RHP Shelby Miller (2-2, 4.50)
Iowa: LHP Travis Wood (1-2, 4.24)