Redbirds win 2012 season opener

Oklahoma City, OK - The Redbirds survived a near implosion in the ninth inning as they opened the season with a 4-3 win over the Oklahoma City RedHawks at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Memphis took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning and called on right-hander Eduardo Sanchez to close it out. Sanchez, who did not allow a run in eight games for St. Louis this spring, showed why he didn't make the club out of Spring Training.

Despite the 0.00 ERA, Sanchez walked five, hit four and uncorked three wild pitches in just eight innings. He demonstrated that lack of command Thursday night.

He walked Jimmy Paredes and Justin Ruggiano to begin his adventure. Sanchez followed that up by hitting pinch-hitter Scott Moore to load the bases. Angel Sanchez made it a one run game with a two-run double down the left field line. With runners at second and third and still no outs, new manager "Pop" Warner ordered Sanchez to walk Fernando Martinez intentionally to re-load the bases.

The gutsy move with a pitcher battling the strike zone paid of. The right-hander struck out Mike Hessman who had homered and singled earlier in the game.

That brought the former Cardinals first round pick Brett Wallace to the plate. Sanchez coaxed Wallace into a game-ending double play to preserve a 4-3 victory and notch a wild save. The win went to starter Brandon Dickson (1-0) who allowed just the Hessman homer in 5.1 innings of work. Paul Clemens (0-1) allowed two solo homers in six innings to take the loss.

Pete Kozma and Matt Adams went deep for Memphis. Kozma hit just three homers in 2011, but knocked one out of the park in his first at-bat of the season. He would later add a pair of singles. Adams, the 2011 Texas League Player of the Year, while banging out 32 long balls, took Clemens deep to right-center field in the fourth inning to give the 'Birds a 2-1 lead.

The Redbirds staff came up big every time they got into a jam. The RedHawks managed just one hit in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position, including leaving the bases loaded twice.

Notes: The Redbirds issued six walks over the final 3.2 innings after walking just one prior to that...the Redbirds are carrying thirteen pitchers on the current roster.

Tonight's probables:
Memphis - RHP Brian Broderick
OKC - RHP Aneury Rodriguez