Memphis Loses an Extra-Inning Heartbreaker
Box Score INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – For the third straight night, the Memphis Redbirds lost at the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate, Pittsburgh Pirates), this time falling 3-2 in 11 innings on a warm night at Victory Field. Memphis 15-24 opened the evening with a bang when Kramer Robertson lined a home
*INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – * For the third straight night, the Memphis Redbirds lost at the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate, Pittsburgh Pirates), this time falling 3-2 in 11 innings on a warm night at Victory Field.
Memphis 15-24 opened the evening with a bang when Kramer Robertson lined a home run over the left-field fence leading off the top of the first. It turned out to be a great night for the Redbirds’ starting shortstop – he finished 2-5 at the plate.
After that, stellar pitching took over. Cody Ponce was sensational for Indianapolis 21-17, working seven innings of one-run ball with just six hits allowed and nine strikeouts. The nine strikeouts tied a season-high for an opposing starter against the ‘Birds this season.
Angel Rondón was electric in a shortened start for the Redbirds, working 2.2 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and just three hits allowed. Connor Thomas “piggybacked” the start for Rondón and was no slouch himself, going 3.1 innings and allowing just two runs in the process while striking out four batters. However, one of the hits he allowed was a two-out RBI single to Anthony Alford in the fifth, which knotted the game up at one.
The game remained all the way until the 10th, when the action picked up. First, Memphis put itself in position to win via a two-out RBI single from *Evan Mendoza *in the top half of the frame. However, the Redbirds couldn’t close the deal in the bottom half of the 10th. Indy tied the game back up at two without recording a hit in its hitting half of the inning. They coaxed two walks in the 10th, while Memphis made two critical errors.
The Indians finished off their dramatic win in the bottom of the 11th, as* Hunter Owen *scored the game-winning run via a* Wilmer Difo *walk-off single.
The Memphis Redbirds are the proud Triple-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Memphis has claimed four League Championships and one Triple-A National Championship since their affiliation with St. Louis began in 1998. For the latest team news, follow the Redbirds on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ticket information can be found at memphisredbirds.com/tickets.
Next Game
Friday, June 18 at Indianapolis (6:05 p.m. CT)
Redbirds Probable Starter: LHP Matthew Liberatore
Indians Probable Starter: RHP Max Kranick
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