Redbirds Take Opener from Nashville, 7-5

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - The Memphis Redbirds (19-17) scored the first seven runs of the game and finished off a 7-5 win over the Nashville Sounds (Rangers) in the series opener Saturday night at AutoZone Park.
Each Redbird reached base at least once, and five different players had two of the club's 12 hits in the game.
Daniel Ponce de Leon moved to 3-1 on the season with 5.0 innings of work, allowing just two hits and two runs, one earned. He struck out three and walked five.
The Redbirds did not play their crispest game of the season, walking nine and committing three errors, but they did enough to pick up the victory. After Ponce de Leon, Ryan Meisinger came in and gave up three runs in 2.0 innings, but a pair of errors behind him made all three of his runs unearned.
Hunter Cervenka and Chris Beck hurled the final two frames and polished off the win. Beck stranded the bases loaded to end the contest.
Three different Redbirds had an RBI in the second inning, with John Nogowski, Ramón Urías, and Drew Robinson plating runs to open the scoring.
Tyler O'Neill and Andrew Knizner homered in the third and fourth innings, respectively, with both bombs being their fourth of the year. O'Neill scored three runs and stole a base, adding a walk and a single to his home run.
Former Redbird All-Star Patrick Wisdom played his first game back at AutoZone Park since being traded to the Texas Rangers, and he was presented his Triple-A National Championship ring before the game.
Memphis and Nashville continue their series tomorrow afternoon at 2:05. The Redbirds and Sounds do battle through Tuesday.
Upcoming Games of Note at AutoZone Park
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]