Memphis Slams, Then Walks Past Express 9-8
Memphis,Tenn. –Memphis’ Eugenio Velez hit a first-inning grand slam and Round Rock never recovered as the Redbirds defeated the Express 9-8 in Tuesday night’s Pacific Coast League action at AutoZone Park. Memphis (22-29) scored eight runs in the first two innings and plated the eventual game winner on a Zach Cox RBI walk with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. Round Rock’s (23-30) bullpen threw five and two-thirds innings one night after pitching the entire game in a 10-inning win at Nashville.
Memphis got things started in the first inning in grand fashion. Lou Montenez led off the game with a double followed by a single by Ryan Jackson. With Mark Hamilton at the plate, Montenez scampered home on a wild pitch. Ramirez (5-5) issued walks to Hamilton and two batters later, Bryan Anderson. With two outs, Velez came to the plate with the bases loaded and deposited the second pitch he saw into the left field stands to give the Redbirds a 5-0 lead.
It was more of the same for Memphis in the second. Pete Kozma got it started with a double to left. Montenez grounded out to advance the runner and Kozma scored on Ramirez’s second wild pitch. After a walk to Jackson, Hamilton took Ramirez deep for a one-out, two-run home run to give the Birds an 8-0 lead.
John Gast (1-0) earned the win for Memphis. He allowed five runs on seven hits and five walks in five innings and struck out two. Fernando Salas came on and slammed the door with a six-pitch ninth to earn his first save.
Ramirez suffered the loss for the Express after he lasted just two and one-third innings and allowed eight runs on six hits and four walks and struck out a pair. It was a career-worst night for Ramirez whose previous high was seven runs allowed. It was the fifth time this season he has allowed six or more runs in a start.
Round Rock would fight back in the fourth with four runs of their own, including a two-run shot by Brad Nelson, his fourth home run in four nights. They added another in the fifth when Nelson drove in Yangervis Solarte with a one-out RBI double.
Sean Green threw a season-high three and one-third innings in relief for Round Rock. He loaded the bases in the sixth but was removed in favor of Ben Snyder who walked Cox to force in a run.
Round Rock made one last ditch effort in the seventh as Joey Butler hit a three-run homer to right to draw within one, but the Redbirds bullpen shut it down from there.
Velez’s four RBI set the tone for Memphis. Montenez added a pair of hits and Hamilton had two RBI and two walks.
Nelson led the way for the Express with three hits and three RBI, including a home run for the fourth consecutive night. Ryan Spilborghs added a hit, two walks and two runs. Butler had three RBI, a pair of runs and a pair of walks.
Round Rock continues the four-game series Wednesday at Memphis. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CDT. Left-hander Martin Perez (3-4, 5.80 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Express opposite Redbirds’ right-hander Joe Kelly (1-5, 3.30 ERA).
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