Memphis Rallies in Game Two to Split Doubleheader

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - The Memphis Redbirds scored six runs in their final three at bats of game two of the Thursday night doubleheader at AutoZone Park and picked up a 6-5 win after losing game one, 5-2.

The game two victory snapped a three-game home losing streak for the Redbirds (50-54), after winning eight-in-a-row at AutoZone Park prior to that. Jose Martinez, Dean Anna and Mike Ohlman all had two hits on the day.

Efren Navarro extended his hitting streak to 11 games in game one, but he was 0-for-3 in game two to see it snapped.

Game 1

Navarro homered in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, but the Redbirds could not solve Oklahoma City's (60-44) Brock Stewart after that and dropped the first game, 5-2.

Stewart allowed one other hit, a Martinez single in the fourth, and struck out three through his 6.0 innings of work. Oklahoma City scored twice in both the second and fourth innings against Jeremy Hefner, who was making his first start since May 29 after missing 54 games due to injury.

Memphis scored its second run in the bottom of the seventh when pinch-hitter David Washington drove a sacrifice fly that scored Martinez, who doubled to start the inning and moved to third when Carson Kelly singled.

Martinez stole his eighth base of the season between Memphis and Omaha in the fourth inning. Juan Gonzalez pitched a scoreless seventh inning to follow Thomas Lee, who did not give up a run of his own in 1.1 innings of relief.

Game 2

Memphis fell behind 2-0 after the top of the fourth and 5-2 after the top of the fifth in the nightcap, but the Redbirds plated a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pick up the split.

In the fourth inning, Anthony Garcia and Washington hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game at two. The only other instance of back-to-back home runs for the Redbirds this season also came against Oklahoma City on April 13, and also came against Dodgers starter Jharel Cotton.

After the Dodgers picked up three runs off Redbird starter Kurt Heyer in the top of the fifth, Matt Williams tripled home Ohlman in the bottom-half and scored on a Charlie Tilson single to cut it to 5-4.

Ryan Sherriff threw a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, and the Redbirds scored the go-ahead runs in the bottom-half spearheaded by an Ohlman two-run single up the middle.

Sam Tuivailala picked up his 14th save of the season after striking out the side in the seventh.

Sherriff earned his fifth win of the season with 1.2 scoreless innings of one-hit relief.

The Redbirds conclude their eight-game homestand tomorrow night at 7:05 (CT) with the finale of a four-game series with the Dodgers. The first 1,500 fans will receive a replica of the St. Louis Cardinals' 1926 World Series ring, and fans may also purchase a Theme Ticket that includes a camouflage Redbirds hat.

For tickets or for more information on the 2016 Redbirds season, contact the Redbirds front office at (901) 721-6000 or visit www.memphisredbirds.com.