Redbirds Extend Winning Streak To Six With 6-4 Win

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - With their 6-4 victory Saturday night in Sacramento, the Redbirds have extended their season-high winning streak to six games.  

Memphis wasted no time getting on the board, when Greg Garcia knocked in his first of three runs in the contest, scoring Dean Anna on a single to right field. Scoring would cease for both teams until the fifth inning.

The Redbirds brought nine batters to the dish in the fifth, highlighted by a pair of RBI singles from Dean Anna and Dan Johnson. Greg Garcia would then bring home his second RBI of the game, drawing a bases loaded walk.

The River Cats would go on to tie the game at 4-4 during the bottom of the frame, chasing Redbirds starter John Gast from the contest. The left-hander earned his fourth no-decision of the season, surrendering four earned runs on four hits, while striking out four and walking three. Saturday's outing by Gast marked just the second time in eight starts that the southpaw would allow more than three earned runs in 2015.

The Redbirds would go on to regain the lead in the top of the seventh inning, once again led by clutch hitting from Greg Garcia. With Stephen Piscotty on first base and Dan Johnson aboard at third, Garcia would bring them both home on an RBI single to right field, with Johnson scoring on a fielding error from Sacramento's Juan Perez.

The Memphis bullpen would be responsible for the game's final 4 1/3 innings. Keith Butler would pick up the win, Dean Kiekhefer and Marcus Hatley earned holds, while Sam Tuivailala would save his fifth game of the year. The four relievers did not allow a River Cat run.

The Redbirds look to continue their winning streak Sunday afternoon, as manager Mike Shildt hands the ball to right-hander Zach Petrick (2-3, 4.54). Sacramento will counter with left-hander Ty Blach (4-3, 3.83). The series finale's first pitch is scheduled for 3:05pm CT from Raley Field.