Redbirds Derail Express In Homestand Opener, 7-0

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis Redbirds opened an eight-game homestand with a 7-0 shutout victory over the visiting Round Rock Express on Friday night at AutoZone Park. The shutout win was Memphis' (25-21) PCL-leading sixth of the season.

Second baseman Kolten Wong went 3-for-5 with a stolen base to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest active streak in the PCL and longest by a Redbird this season. Catcher Rob Johnson recorded a season-best three hits while homering for his second consecutive game.

Outfielder Jamie Romak also added a hit to extend his hit streak to a season-high eight games. Vance Albitz reached base twice on two hit by pitches.

Memphis batted around and plated four runs in the bottom of the first against Round Rock starter Ryan Feierabend, who used 28 pitches in the frame. Justin Christian and Wong opened the rally with consecutive singles before Ryan Jackson belted a sacrifice fly to right for the first run. Jermaine Curtis and Johnson followed with RBI hits before Adron Chambers brought home the final run on an infield groundout.

The Redbirds tacked on another run in the fourth inning on another a sacrifice fly. Jackson reached on a single, moved to third on a Brock Peterson double, and came on home on Romak's deep fly ball to left.

Memphis concluded its scoring with a two-run blast over the left field wall by Johnson, his fourth of the season.

Maikel Cleto (2-2) walked the first two batters of the game on 10 pitches, but settled down to scatter five base hits while fanning a pair over the next six scoreless frames for the win. Cleto has now hurled a 3.75 ERA (9er/24.0ip) in five starts since transitioning from the bullpen.

Left-hander Kevin Siegrist struck out two over two scoreless frames in his Triple-A debut. Eric Fornataro worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless ninth.

Ryan Feierabend (1-1) gave up five runs on nine hits in six innings for the defeat.

The Redbirds are paying tribute to the 25th flight of the WWII bomber "The Memphis Belle" on Veteran's Appreciation Night, giving away 2,000 Memphis Belle t-shirt. A special fireworks extravaganza will follow the action on the field.

Right-hander Boone Whiting (1-0, 3.60) will toe the rubber for the Redbirds against Texas Rangers rehabbing right-hander Colby Lewis (0-0, 13.50).