Redbirds Short in 6-5 Loss to Iowa

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - After leading 4-0, the Memphis Redbirds (17-15) fell behind by two, then rallied to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth but could not finish the comeback in a 6-5 defeat to the Iowa Cubs (Cubs) in the series opener Tuesday night at AutoZone Park.
The win is Iowa's (22-10) eighth-straight.
The Redbirds took a 4-0 lead after three innings on the strength of an Adolis Garcia grand slam, his ninth home run of the season, while Anthony Shew was dealing on the mound. Through 6.0 innings, Shew allowed just one Iowa hit and struck out eight.
In 11.2 innings in two starts to start his Triple-A career, Shew has not allowed a run and has surrendered just four hits.
As the Redbirds bullpen entered, Iowa began to chip away. The Cubs scored twice off Chasen Shreve in the top of the seventh, then four times against Jesus Cruz in the top of the eighth to make the score 6-4.
Joe Hudson launched a homer leading off the bottom of the eighth to make the score 6-5, and Ryan Meisinger entered and struck out the Iowa side in the top of the ninth.
The home-half started off well for Memphis, with John Nogowski and Tyler O'Neill leading off the frame with back-to-back singles. After a Garcia flyout, Max Schrock added a single of his own to load the bases with one out.
But Ramón Urías grounded into a fielder's choice to third that erased Nogowski at the plate, and Hudson flew out to end the game.
O'Neill finished 3-for-4, and every other Redbirds starting position player had one hit.
The Redbirds left 12 men on base in the game, including multiple runners in four innings.
The Redbirds and Cubs continue their series tomorrow at 11:05 a.m. The Redbirds are home through next Tuesday.
Upcoming Games of Note at AutoZone Park
Thursday, May 9 at 7:05: Throwback Thursday presented by Polk's Meat Products, featuring the Memphis Chicks and throwback concession pricing of $2 beers and $1 Polk's hot dogs
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]