Redbirds Snap Four-Game Losing Streak With 5-3 Win

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Pinch-hitter Joey Butler delivered a two-run single in the seventh inning to propel the Memphis Redbirds to a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on Wednesday night at AutoZone Park, snapping a four-game losing streak.

In his longest outing this season, Memphis starter Angel Castro allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The right-hander scattered four hits, walked two, and struck out two in his first quality start this season.

Outfielder Oscar Taveras went to 1-for-4 with an RBI to extend his season-high hitting streak to 14 games. Shortstop Pete Kozma added two singles and scored two runs.

Memphis took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Outfielder Shane Robinson (1-for-3) worked a leadoff walk, stole second base, and came around to score as Taveras hit a chopper over the first baseman.

Sky Sox first baseman Ben Paulsen tied the game in the next frame with a solo homer onto the bluff, his fifth of the season. Paulsen (3-for-4) finished a single short of the cycle in a losing effort.

Memphis moved back ahead at 2-1 in the fifth with a Kolten Wong RBI single to right to score Kozma, who led off the inning with a single.

Paulsen once again tied the game in the seventh with a line-drive double off the left field wall to score Ryan Wheeler.

Memphis went ahead for good in the seventh on Butler's pinch-hit, and added its final run on a pair of throwing errors on one play to allow Xavier Scruggs to score from third on a fly out.

The Sky Sox concluded the evening's scoring on Paulsen's triple, a two-out, line drive that landed in front of the diving Taveras, who attempted to make a game-ending catch.

Keith Butler (1-0) stranded his only inherited runner and picked up his first win of the season with 2/3 of a scoreless frame. After Sam Freeman followed with a shutout inning, David Aardsma converted his second save on the year.

Tyler Matzek (1-1) came away with the loss for Colorado Springs with four runs in six innings of work.

Memphis and Colorado Springs conclude their four-game series at 11:05 a.m. CT on Thursday morning at AutoZone Park. Left-hander Tim Cooney (3-1, 2.35) will start against left-hander Pedro Hernandez (1-0, 8.66).