Redbirds Post First Shutout in 9-0 Rout

FRESNO, California - The Memphis Redbirds recorded their first whitewash of the 2017 season with a 9-0 victory over the Fresno Grizzlies (Astros) on Monday afternoon at Chukchansi Park.

Memphis (28-17) entered the game as the only PCL team yet to record a shutout this season, while Fresno (18-27) was the only team not to have been blanked all year prior to Monday. It was the first nine-inning shutout for Memphis since June 25, 2016.
John Gant led the charge on the mound for the Redbirds, silencing the Grizzlies over four innings in his second start of the campaign. Limited again by a pitch count, Gant threw 72 pitches (44 strikes), allowed three hits and two walks, and struck out two.
The bullpen combination of Josh Zeid, Mark Montgomery, John Brebbia, and Ryan Sherriff then authored five near-perfect innings in relief. The quartet combined to allow just one hit and one walk while striking out six. Zeid was credited with the victory due to a 1-2-3 fifth inning. Overall, Memphis tied a season-low by limiting Fresno to four hits in the contest.
The Redbirds' offense awoke from its recent slumber to pound out 14 base hits, 12 of which came after the fifth inning. Paul DeJong launched his team-leading 10^th homer of the year in the sixth inning to start the scoring for Memphis. An inning later, Alberto Rosario singled home Harrison Bader to double the advantage to 2-0.
The 'Birds then blew the game open in the ninth inning with a seven-run outburst. Nick Martini drove home Bader with an RBI single before Wilfredo Tovar scored on a fielder's choice to make it 4-0. With two away, Rangel Ravelo doubled home a pair and promptly scored on a DeJong single. Patrick Wisdom capped the eruption with a two-run, opposite field homer to give Memphis a 9-0 cushion.
Bader finished with his second four-hit game of the series, singling twice in the ninth inning alone. DeJong was 3-for-5 with a homer, two runs scored, and two RBI, while Martini added a two-hit game. Ravelo and Wisdom brought home two runs apiece.
After splitting the four games with Fresno, Memphis continues its California trip with the opener of a four-game series against the Sacramento River Cats (Giants) on Tuesday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. (CT).
Next Games at AutoZone Park
The upcoming homestand (May 27-June 4) features:
Saturday, May 27 (6:35 p.m.): postgame fireworks, Star Wars Night, Saturday Night Party in the Plaza with a band and $2 beers before the game
Sunday, May 28 (6:35 p.m.): special Memorial Day edition of postgame fireworks, appearance by the ZOOperstars!, Memorial Day buffet specialty ticket option, Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday with free ice cream to the first 2,500 kids ages 12 and under upon entering
Monday, May 29 (12:05 p.m.): appearance by the ZOOperstars!, Memorial Day buffet specialty ticket option
Tuesday, May 30 (12:05 p.m.): King Cotton $1 Hot Dog Day
Thursday, June 1 (7:05 p.m.): All-You-Can-Eat Thursday, featuring pasta, Thirsty Thursday with select $2 beers, College Night with $5 Left Field TruGreen Bluff tickets available for college students with a valid college ID
Friday, June 2 (7:05 p.m.): 60s Night, Friday Night Block Party with a band and $2 beers in the Plaza before the game
Saturday, June 3 (6:35 p.m.): postgame fireworks, Superhero Night with a specialty ticket option that includes a Redbirds Superhero Cape, Saturday Night Party in the Plaza with a band and $2 beers before the game
Sunday, June 4 (2:05 p.m.): Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday with free ice cream to the first 2,500 kids ages 12 and under upon entering, Kids Run the Bases
For information on upcoming promotions, visit www.memphisredbirds.com/promotions. For more information on single-game tickets and ticket mini-memberships, visit www.memphisredbirds.com/tickets.