Redbirds Just Shy in Wild, 11-Inning Affair

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - The Memphis Redbirds and Iowa Cubs (Cubs) locked in a wild game Thursday night at AutoZone Park, with the Cubs prevailing in 11 innings, 9-8.
The Redbirds (18-16) came back from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game, matched the Cubs (23-11) in the 10th inning with a run, and then nearly erased a four-run 11th-inning hole before coming up shy.
Rangel Ravelo tied the game in the sixth with his second opposite-field home run in two games, a two-run shot. He also had a double and an RBI single in the contest.
Jake Woodford tossed 5.0 innings and gave up only three hits, but two of them were two-run home runs to account for Iowa's regulation scoring. Hunter Cervenka, Ryan Helsley, Ryan Meisinger, and Tommy Layne finished the final four innings before extras in scoreless fashion, giving up just two hits.
Iowa plated a run on a balk in the top of the 10th, before Memphis answered back on a Drew Robinson sacrifice fly that sent the game to another extra frame.
The Cubs then scored four times in the top of the 11th, but the Redbirds did not go down quietly.
Ravelo knocked in a run with one out in the bottom of the 11th, and Joe Hudson then launched a pinch-hit two-run homer, his fifth of the year, to make it 9-8. But the final two Redbirds went down to wrap up the game.
Kramer Robertson made his Triple-A debut with a pinch-hit walk in the fifth inning. Andrew Knizner was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored and has hits in 19-of-24 games this season.
Iowa has won nine of its last 10 games.
The Redbirds and Cubs wrap up their series tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. The Redbirds are home through Tuesday with the Nashville Sounds (Rangers) coming to town.
Upcoming Games of Note at AutoZone Park
Friday, May 10 at 7:05: All-You-Can-Eat Night specialty ticket option, featuring a two-hour all-you-can-eat tacos buffet, purchased at www.memphisredbirds.com/allyoucaneat, Papa John's Friday Family Pack specialty ticket option, with free ballpark food and Papa John's pizzas, at www.memphisredbirds.com/fridayfamilypack, Cardinals Adult Fleece Vest specialty ticket option at www.memphisredbirds.com/cardinals,
Saturday, May 11 at 6:35: Terminix Saturday Fireworks Show after the game, free "I Love Memphis Redbirds" t-shirt to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of Memphis Tourism and Memphis Sport Council
Sunday, May 12 at 2:05: Papa John's Mother's Day with a brunch and catch on the field specialty ticket available at www.memphisredbirds.com/mothersday, kids and moms run the bases after the game, Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday (free ice cream for kids upon entering), pregame autographs presented by Allegiant Air

[Empty Body]