Redbirds Power Past Rainiers, 8-2

TACOMA, Wash. - The Redbirds offense came out swinging on Tuesday night in Tacoma, scoring eight runs in the first three innings to lead Memphis to an 8-2 win over the Rainiers.

Every Memphis starter recorded a hit in the contest, with six Redbirds coming away with two-hit efforts in the club's 15-hit performance.

The Memphis victory, coupled with a loss from Round Rock earlier in the evening, move the Redbirds back to within five games of the Express with 14 games remaining in the season.

Memphis kicked off the scoring in the top of the first inning when Dan Johnson connected on a two-run home run, giving the Redbirds the early advantage. Later in the frame, Jacob Wilson would drive home Xavier Scruggs, earning the Redbirds a 3-0 lead after the first half inning.

The scoring continued for the Redbirds in the second when Dean Anna drove home fellow infielder Aldemys Diaz for the fourth run of the contest for Memphis. With Anna and Rafael Ortega aboard, veteran first baseman Dan Johnson blasted his second home run in as many innings, extending the Memphis lead to seven runs.

Johnson's dual home run effort marks the third time this season the 36-year-old has homered twice in the same ballgame and the sixth time a Redbird has accomplished the feat, joining Xavier Scruggs, Cody Stanley, and Tommy Pham.

Johnson's five RBI also match Pham for the most runs driven in during a single game this season for the Redbirds, with Pham driving home five on June 9 in Iowa.

Memphis would add another insurance run in the third inning on Dean Anna's sacrifice fly, giving the Redbirds their eighth run in three innings.

That would prove to be plenty for Memphis starter Tyler Lyons, making his return to the Redbirds after three outings in St. Louis, his third stint with the Cardinals in 2015. The southpaw tossed 5.0 innings on Tuesday, allowing just one run on three hits, striking out six and walking two to earn his ninth win on the year.  

Relievers Justin Wright, Miguel Socolovich, and Sam Tuivailala would finish off the Rainiers over the contest's final four innings, with the Memphis bullpen allowing just one run.

The Redbirds and Rainiers conclude their four-game set Wednesday evening from Cheney Stadium when Memphis starter Arturo Reyes (0-1, 7.71) gets takes the hill. The young right-hander will be opposed by the Rainiers' Tyler Olson (2-4, 5.09) with first pitch from Tacoma set for 9:05pm CT.