Redbirds Unable To Complete Sweep, Shut Out In Series Finale

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis Redbirds were handed a 4-0 shutout defeat by the visiting Colorado Springs Sky Sox in the finale of a four-game series on Sunday night at AutoZone Park.

The loss ended a season-high five-game home winning streak and prevented a four-game series sweep by the Redbirds. Memphis won the 16-game season series by a 9-7 margin over Colorado Springs.

First baseman Xavier Scruggs (2-for-3, 2B, BB) and outfielder Tommy Pham (2-for-4) accounted for four of the club's five hits.

Colorado Springs took a 2-0 lead in the eighth inning against reliever Jorge Rondon (3-3), ending a consecutive scoreless stretch of 28.1 innings by Redbirds pitchers dating back to the third inning of Friday's game.

With Tim Smalling on second, Cristhan Adames hit a single to left field that was booted by outfielder Randal Grichuk, allowing the first run to score. Two hitters later, reliever Pedro Feliciano yielded a two-out Matt McBride RBI base hit.

Jackson Williams later hit a two-run homer off Redbirds All-Star pitcher Angel Castro in the ninth to account for Colorado Springs' final two runs.

Redbird starter John Gast struck out five and walked one over six shutout innings for a no-decision. The left-hander has thrown a season-high six innings in his last two starts.

Christian Friedrich pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief for Colorado Springs for the win.

The Redbirds continue their homestand by welcoming the Omaha Storm Chasers (Triple-A Royals) to AutoZone Park for a four-game series. Left-hander Tim Cooney (9-5, 3.74) will start the 7:05 pm series opener on Monday. Omaha has yet to announce its starter.