Memphis eases by Las Vegas

JUPITER, FL - The Redbirds left Dodgertown for the final time with a 6-2 win Thursday afternoon.

Memphis jumped out to an early lead thanks to a three-run first inning. Cardinals top prospect Colby Rasmus led off the game with a single before scoring on a Rico Washington single. Washington was the hero of the day collecting three hits, three RBI and scoring two runs. Amaury Marti drove in a pair of runs with three hits while Josh Phelps picked up a couple of singles in the contest.

Blake Hawksworth started for the 'Birds and tossed four strong innings, allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts. The right-hander closed out his outing with two spotless innings. Nick Webber allowed one run on two hits in two innings of relief work. Lefty Zack Zuercher tossed a perfect inning before Jon Mikrut punched out two in the final two frames.

The Cardinals released two former Redbirds on Thursday with right-hander Dennis Dove and infielder Michael Ferris being let go. Dove appeared in 13 games for Memphis and three for St. Louis last season. A former second-round pick, Ferris hit .216 in 22 games for the 'Birds last year.

Memphis will take on Double-A Springfield in a camp day game tomorrow.