Memphis Thunders Its Way To Victory at Indy

Box Score

*INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – * The Memphis Redbirds stopped the three-game losing skid on Friday night, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back en route to a 10-1 win at the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate, Pittsburgh Pirates) on a stormy night at Victory Field. Severe weather in the area delayed the start of the game by more than an hour.

Once the weather passed and the game began, Memphis (16-24) got to work. In the first, Lars Nootbaar lined a no-doubt, two-run home run over the right field fence. The former USC Trojan finished the night 3-5 at the plate and is 5-12 since returning from the IL on Tuesday night.

In the second inning, Kramer Robertson added to the fun by smoking a three-run double off the bottom of the center field wall, making it 5-0 Redbirds after just two innings. Robertson by no means was done. He added an RBI triple in the sixth, finishing the night 3-5 with two doubles, a triple and four RBIs.

The ‘Birds put the game away with four powerful runs in the top of the 7th. Memphis hit two separate two-run moonshot home runs in the frame, the first from Ali Sánchez *and the second from *Juan Yepez. Each man had two hits in Friday night’s ballgame.

Not to be overlooked – Memphis also had stellar pitching on Friday night. Matthew Liberatore **shined in his start, tossing five innings of one-run ball with just four hits allowed and three strikeouts. From there, three bullpen arms (Tyler Webb, Brandon Dickson, Evan Kruczynski**) held Indianapolis (21-18) scoreless and hitless in the game’s final four innings.

Dickson is an incredible story. The right-hander last pitched for the Redbirds during the 2012 season and had spent 2013 until now pitching in the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan. He signed with St. Louis within the last week and worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning, highlighted by his first strikeout in America in 3,211 days.

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 Bernardo Flores, Jr.

• Indians Probable Starter: RHP James Marvel

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