Leon Comes Up Big in Stripers’ Narrow 4-3 Win Over Redbirds

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Sandy Leon belted a three-run home run to give the Gwinnett Stripers (23-25) an early lead and made a clutch tag at the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning to preserve a 4-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds (24-25) on Friday night at AutoZone Park. Luke Waddell tallied the game-winning hit with a two-out RBI single in the eighth as Gwinnett improved to 3-1 in the series.

Decisive Plays: Leon made it 3-0 Stripers with a towering homer (9) to right field in the second. Memphis scratched out three runs against Jhancarlos Lara over the second and fourth innings to tie the game at 3-3. That score held until the eighth, when Cody Milligan drew a leadoff walk and scored on Waddell’s first-pitch single into left field off John King (L, 0-1). In the bottom of the eighth, JJ Wetherholt singled and advanced to third with one out, then tried to score on a roller to the drawn-in infield. The throw home from shortstop Jonathan Ornelas was low, but Leon dug it out and made a diving tag on Wetherholt to hold the lead. Wander Suero (W, 2-3) and Daysbel Hernandez (S, 1) then retired the final four batters in order.

Key Contributors: Leon (1-for-4, homer, 3 RBIs) and Waddell (2-for-4, RBI) combined to drive in Gwinnett’s four runs. Hayden Harris (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO), Suero (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO), and Hernandez finished the game with 5.0 two-hit frames. Memphis starter Aaron Wilkerson pitched 7.0 innings (6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) for a quality start in a no-decision.

Noteworthy: Leon’s home run was Gwinnett’s eighth through four games in the series. Jesus Bastidas went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Harris (10 games, 13.2 innings) and Suero (8 games, 9.0 innings) both extended scoreless streaks. Jarred Kelenic went 0-for-4 to snap a nine-game hitting streak.

Next Game (**Satur**day, August 23**):* Gwinnett Stripers vs. Memphis Redbirds, 7:35 p.m. ET at AutoZone Park. Atlanta Braves’ LHP and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner *Chris Sale* (0-1, 3.00 ERA) will make his third rehab start for the Stripers opposite RHP Curtis Taylor (8-4, 3.56 ERA) of the Redbirds. *Radio Broadcast:** 7:20 p.m. ET on MyCountry993.com.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, August 26): Gwinnett Stripers vs. Norfolk Tides, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. The first 500 fans to the ballpark will receive a Xolos de Gwinnett Tie Dye T-Shirt presented by Coolray Heating & Cooling (size XL only). The Stripers will transform into the Xolos de Gwinnett as part of MiLB's Copa de la Diversion. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. Live Video Stream: Bally Sports Live.