Romak Ties Redbirds Home Run Record As Memphis Wins 18-2

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Outfielder Jamie Romak tied a Redbirds franchise record with three home runs as the Memphis Redbirds handed the visiting New Orleans Zephyrs a 18-2 defeat on Monday evening at AutoZone Park in the opener of a four-game series.

Romak became the fifth Redbird in club history to homer three times in a single game, a mark previously set by Chris Haas (1998), Billy Selby (2003), Rick Ankiel (2007), and Josh Phelps (2008).

Memphis's (2-3) five total homers were also the most hit by the club since August 1, 2010 against the Omaha Royals. That contest featured homers by Allen Craig, Daniel Descalso, Amaury Cazana, and two by Joe Mather.

Six players had multiple-hit efforts, led by three-hit performances by Romak, second baseman Kolten Wong, and shortstop Vance Albitz.

Wong extended his season-opening hitting streak to five games with two base hits, a triple, and three runs scored.

Lost in the shuffle was the great pitching performance by starting pitcher Tyler Lyons (1-0). The left-hander allowed two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts in seven innings for his first win of the season.

New Orleans quickly loaded the bases in top of the first, thanks to consecutive singles and a hit-by-pitch to open the game. Ben Lasater then grounded into a double play and brought home a run.

The Redbirds jumped ahead at 3-1 in the bottom of the second inning against New Orleans starter Elih Villanueva, as Romak and Rob Johnson both hit their first home runs in back-to-back action. Romak's landed in the Fogelman YMCA parking lot while Johnson's blast rolled up the TruGreen Bluff.

The back-to-back jacks were the Redbirds' first in 2013. Memphis hit consecutive homers on three occasions in 2012.

Later in the same inning after a Albitz single, Lyons helped his own cause with an RBI double to right-center.

Memphis dropped a five-spot with two outs in the fifth for an 8-1 lead. Wong tripled home Christian, and then scored as Brock Peterson singled to right and removing Villanueva from the game. Romak then crushed Doug Mathis' 2-0 offering down the left field line for a three-run homer.

The Zephyrs scored their second run in the top of the sixth inning, beginning with a Gorkys Hernandez leadoff triple. Lasater brought him home with a base hit two batters later.

Romak's third homer, a three run jack, extended Memphis' lead to 11-2 in the eighth.

Memphis batted around and scored seven more runs in the next frame, highlighted by a Chad Huffman three run bomb and two doubles in the same inning by shortstop Albitz.

Oscar Taveras made two at-bats as a pinch hitter in his Triple-A debut during the rally. The 20-year old prospect knocked an RBI single up the middle in his first at-bat and made the final out of the rally with a ground out to second base.

Eduardo Sanchez and Eric Fornataro each tossed scoreless frames in the win.

Villanueva (0-1) took the defeat with seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.

The Redbirds and Zephyrs continue their series at 7:02 pm CT on Tuesday night at AutoZone Park. Redbirds left-hander Nick Additon makes his season-debut for Memphis against New Orleans Tom Koehler (0-0, 1.80).

Tuesdays are now "TWO"-sdays" at AutoZone Park, featuring $2 hot dogs, $2 sodas, $2 popcorn, $2 off Bud draft products, 2-for-1 ticket specials at the Box Office, and special giveaways in-game.