O-Royals clobber Redbirds

Memphis, TN- Omaha pounded out 11 hits en route to an 11-3 win against Memphis Monday night at AutoZone Park.

The Redbirds jumped on the chance to score in the second inning after Joe Mather walked and reached third on Amaury Cazana's single to center. Mather ran home when Bryan Anderson grounded into a double play.

That Memphis 1-0 lead quickly faded after Ryan Kulik's two walks, wild pitch and a hit batter was followed by Jarrod Dyson grounding into a double play to plate Jordan Parraz, tying it up 1-1. The Royals' scoring continued in the fifth when Kulik gave up two homers, one to Ed Lucas and the other to Lucas May.

Bryan Anderson hit a single in the sixth to drive in Mark Hamilton. Memphis had many chances to score, having ten hits on the night, but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.

"We had a few hits, we just couldn't convert really." Mather explained, "Being able to come around and score is big, base running is a whole part of the game and I think guys who take advantage of that help the team out."

Kulik suffered the loss for the Redbirds, going 42/3 innings allowing three runs on three hits while walking seven and striking out only one.

The left-hander has had trouble with his command while pitching for Memphis. Over his last three outings he has issued 16 walks in nine innings while also setting a franchise record tonight walking seven batters. Manager Chris Maloney commented about the struggle.

"He's having trouble finding the strike zone. His (pitching) is pretty good, he's just got to find a way to get it over the plate."

Royals' starter Luis Mendoza gave up two runs on six hits while walking three and striking out three in six innings of work for the win.

Renyel Pinto took over for Kulik, giving up six runs on six hits walking one and fanning two batters.

"Rough night for the pitching" Maloney added.

Eduardo Sanchez and Rich Rundles combined to pitch two scoreless innings for the 'Birds while Mike Folli allowed two runs on one hit in the top of the ninth issuing a walk before Ed Lucas' second bomb of the night.

After the O-Royals' big seventh inning, scoring four consecutive runs off of Pinto and a home run off Folli in the ninth, the Redbirds made one last attempt to rally for the win.

Jim Rapoport hit a single, with Mark Hamilton receiving a walk two batters later to put Rapoport at second in the bottom of the frame. Mather up at bat with two outs and two on hit a single to drive in Rapoport, only to have Amaury Cazana ground out to the short stop to end the game.

Through a lengthy and tough game, Mather still had high hopes overall.

"We just get to come back tomorrow and battle it out."

Tomorrow's Probables
Memphis: Brandon Dickson (9-6, 3.06)
Omaha: Blaine Hardy (2-3, 2.36)