Redbirds End Road Slate with Victory in Jacksonville
Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The Memphis Redbirds won their road finale on Saturday night, taking down the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A affiliate, Miami Marlins) by a 6-5 final on a comfortable night for baseball at 121 Financial Ballpark. Jacksonville (73-52) jumped ahead early, plating three runs in the first
JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The Memphis Redbirds won their road finale on Saturday night, taking down the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A affiliate, Miami Marlins) by a 6-5 final on a comfortable night for baseball at 121 Financial Ballpark.
Jacksonville (73-52) jumped ahead early, plating three runs in the first inning on just one hit. All the runs were charged to the rehab pitcher Jordan Hicks, who struggled with his command. Hicks failed to record an out in the first inning, throwing just eight strikes on 17 pitches.
Matthew Liberatore “piggybacked” the rehabber Hicks and turned in a very impressive outing. The lefthander allowed just one run (unearned) in five innings for Memphis (58-67), striking out seven batters while walking just one and only surrendering three hits. Liberatore has surged down the stretch of the season. In nine outings since the start of August, the 21-year-old has an ERA of 2.83 in 54.0 innings with 53 strikeouts.
Home run power gave the Redbirds a comeback victory. First, Conner Capel lined a two-run home run over the right-field wall in the bottom of the fifth to slim the deficit to 4-2. Then, in the top of the seventh, Kramer Robertson launched a go-ahead, two-out grand slam to make it a 6-4 ballgame and give Memphis the lead for good. Robertson was making his first start of the week after not playing in the first four games of the series.
The Redbirds bullpen made sure the lead held up. Seth Elledge, Jesus Cruz and Austin Warner combined to allow just one run in the game’s final three innings to secure the 6-5 victory. Warner worked a 1-2-3 ninth to finish the game strong and secure his second save of the season.
The Memphis Redbirds are the proud Triple-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Memphis has claimed four League Championships and one Triple-A National Championship since their affiliation with St. Louis began in 1998. For the latest team news, follow the Redbirds on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ticket information can be found at memphisredbirds.com/tickets.
Next Game
Wednesday, September 29 vs. Charlotte Knights (12:15 p.m. CT)
Redbirds Probable Starter: TBD
Knights Probable Starter: TBD
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