Redbirds Shutout Round Rock 5-0

ROUND ROCK, Tex. -  Memphis pitching was too much for Round Rock to overcome, as the Redbirds shutout the Express 5-0 at Dell Diamond. The victory is the first win for the Redbirds away from AutoZone Park in 2015.

Starting pitcher Tyler Lyons (1-1, 3.60) recorded the Redbirds second quality start of the season, going 6.0 strong innings, striking out nine Express batters in the process, while walking none. Lyons' nine punchouts finished just two shy of his career high 11 notched in 2012, also against Round Rock and is the most recorded by a Memphis pitcher this season.

The Redbirds jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-run single by catcher Ed Easley (2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI), scoring Stephen Piscotty (0-for-4, R, BB) who reached on a walk and Xavier Scruggs (1-for-4, 2 R, BB) who reached on a fielders choice.

In the fifth inning, Memphis added three more to extend the lead to 5-0. After a pair of singles by third baseman Scott Moore (2-for-5, R) and first baseman Xavier Scruggs, Ed Easley added his second RBI of the game on a line drive single to centerfield. Left fielder Ty Kelly (3-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI) added two more on a triple hit hard into the right field corner, scoring Scruggs and Easley. This was enough to chase Round Rock starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez from the contest.

After Lyons' exit in the sixth inning, the Redbird bullpen was able to pick up where the southpaw left off, blanking the Express in the game's final three innings. Miguel Socolovich (0-0, 0.00) hurled two scoreless inning in relief of Lyons while Sam Tuivailala (0-0, 0.00), who had his fastball touch 100 MPH during a rainy ninth inning, finished off the game for Memphis, retiring the side in order.

The Redbirds and Express will resume Friday's suspended, nine-inning game on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 pm CT as part of a doubleheader. Boone Whiting (0-0, 9.64) will take over for Zach Petrick and the Redbirds with one out in the bottom of the second inning. The resumption of the suspended game will be followed by a seven-inning contest which will see John Gast (0-1, 5.40) on the hill for Memphis.

# # #