Redbirds Blast Their Way Past The Isotopes, 5-1

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis Redbirds belted three home runs off Anthony Ortega in the bottom of the seventh inning to come-from-behind and win 5-1 over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Wednesday night at AutoZone Park.

The victory ended a three-game losing streak and was the club's first come-from-behind win trailing in the seventh inning of later this season.

Trailing 1-0 with a runner aboard, Jamie Romak led off the homer rally with a two-run bomb onto the TruGreen Bluff for the go-ahead 2-1 lead. The long ball was his team-leading ninth of the season.

Two batters later after a Rob Johnson walk, Justin Christan extended his hitting-streak to 10 games with a two-run home run just beyond the field wall, his third of the year.

Adron Chambers followed by ripping a line drive home run down the right field line for his second of the season. His homer marked the fourth time that the Redbirds have hit back-to-back jacks this season.

Maikel Cleto surrendered singles to first two batters of the game, and then settled down to twirl his best pitching performance of the season. The right-hander allowed one run on three hits and five walks while striking out seven in a season-high 6 1/3 innings.

Albuquerque scored its lone run in the seventh after Cleto was removed from the game with a runner on second. Reliever Kevin Siegrist entered and tossed a wild pitch and allowed a Matt Angle single for Jeremy Moore to score.

Siegrist (1-0) came away with his first Triple-A win, pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings while recording four of his five outs via strikeout. Marc Rzepczynski finished the contest with a perfect frame.

Angel Castro allowed three hits while pitching six scoreless for Albuquerque, but recorded a no-decision. Ortega (2-3) was charged with the blown save and the loss.

The Redbirds and Isotopes continue their series at 7:05 pm CT on Thursday night at AutoZone Park. Right-hander Boone Whiting (2-0, 2.25) will face Isotopes righty Matt Magill (1-0, 2.16).