Redbirds Double Down On New Orleans, Win 9-3

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Six strong innings from starter Carlos Martinez and seven doubles propelled the Memphis Redbirds to a 9-3 rout of the visiting New Orleans Zephyrs on Wednesday night at AutoZone Park.

The Redbirds offense banged out 17 hits and seven two-baggers, which matched a season-best set on May 6 at Omaha. All eight position player had at least one hit, while three Redbirds recorded three-hit efforts. Rob Johnson (3-for-4) drove in three, and Brock Peterson had two doubles to move the slugger into a tie for first in the league with 21 two-baggers.

Martinez (1-0) recorded his first career Triple-A victory with the quality start, scattering seven hits while striking out five and walking none. His six innings and 91 pitches (61 for strikes) were both season highs.

It was the third win in a row for Memphis (35-32), and clinched the club's third winning home series of the season.

Gorkys Hernandez singled, stole second base, and scored on a Bryan Petersen RBI single as New Orleans moved out to a brief 1-0 lead.

The Redbirds quickly answered in the bottom of the next inning with consecutive doubles from Justin Christian (3-for-4) and Johnson. Memphis moved ahead for good in the next inning as Oscar Taveras (2-for-5) got things started with a one-out base hit up the middle. After a Peterson double put Taveras on third, starter Brian Flynn (2-6) walked the next two batters to bring home the go-ahead run. Christian followed with an RBI groundout.

The Redbirds scored two runs in four different innings as the night progressed, beginning with RBI singles from Jamie Romak and Johnson in the fifth.

New Orleans plated its second run in the sixth as Nick Green was plunked by a two-out pitch from Martinez. Green would score two batters later on a pair of singles by the Zephyrs. Hernandez later hit his first home run of the season in the seventh to conclude New Orleans' scoring.

Kolten Wong (2-for-5) got in on the action with a two-bagger in the sixth, followed by a Peterson sacrifice fly. Johnson and Ryan Jackson doubles in the next inning ending Memphis scoring for the night.

Eric Fornataro gave up one run in one inning. Sam Freeman struck out four over two shutout innings, which was his six consecutive scoreless relief outing.

The Redbirds and Zephyrs wrap up their five-game series with an 11:05 a.m. matinee on Thursday morning at AutoZone Park. Right-hander Mitchell Boggs will make the start for the Redbirds against New Orleans lefty Duane Below (2-2, 2.81) in the series finale.