Walters, Redbirds cruise by 'Topes

Albuquerque, NM - P.J. Walters remained unbeaten in six starts as the Redbirds won their series opener against the Albuquerque Isotopes 7-2 Saturday night.

The 23-year-old blanked the Isotopes on one hit through six innings before running into trouble in the seventh. John Baker's two-run triple chased Walters from the game. He gave up just three hits in 6.1 innings and struck out five in picking up the win (4-0).

The Redbirds jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning on Brian Barden's two-run homer to dead center field. The blast came off Gaby Hernandez (2-4) and was Barden's fourth of the season.

Memphis blew the game open in the seventh, scoring five runs and sending 10 men to the plate. Josh Phelps had the big hit in the inning as he delivered a two-run double. Colby Rasmus and D'Angelo Jimenez each had RBI-singles while Nick Stavinoha drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Phelps and Rasmus paced a 12-hit attack with three hits apiece. Rasmus extended his hitting streak to seven games.

Chris Duncan started in left field for the Redbirds and went 0-for-4 with a walk.

The game also featured two ejections. Albuquerque manager Dean Treanor was thrown out in the bottom of the second inning after Dallas McPherson was caught trying to steal second base. Isotopes catcher Paul Hoover was asked to leave in the sixth inning after debating the strike zone with plate umpire Jason Dunn. Hoover had struck out the previous inning and had argued with Dunn.

Notes: The Redbirds stranded 10 runners Saturday night upping the total on the road trip to 53 in five games.

Sunday Night's Probables:
Memphis - RHP Hugo Castellanos (2-0, 4.98)
Albuquerque - LHP Chris Seddon (4-3, 4.11)