Memphis offense explodes in seventh for third win of 2022 

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – For the third time during Opening Week, the Memphis Redbirds used a seventh inning home run to defeat the Gwinnett Stripers, 8-7, on Saturday afternoon at AutoZone Park.

The Redbirds offense struggled early, with the first 10 batters going down in order. With one out in the bottom of the fourth, second baseman Kramer Robertson flipped the switch with his first home run of the season, the team's first baserunner of the game.

Memphis would then score seven unanswered runs between the sixth and seventh innings. Third baseman Juan Yepez hit his first home run of the year, a three-run shot to tie the game at 4-4 in the sixth. An inning later, a two-run double by first baseman Brendan Donovan and a two-run homer by left fielder Alec Burleson put the Redbirds up 8-4.

Memphis used a total of seven pitchers in the win. James Naile (1-0) recorded final out of the seventh inning to earn the win while Jake Walsh (1) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save.

Catcher Ivan Herrera ended the game by throwing Gwinnett’s Pat Valaika attempting to steal second base to complete a strike-’em-out, throw-’em-out double play.

Memphis (3-2) returns to AutoZone Park on Sunday afternoon (2:05 first pitch) for series finale with Gwinnett (2-3).

For more information, visit memphisredbirds.com or call 901-721-6000.

About Memphis Redbirds 

The Memphis Redbirds are the proud Triple-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Memphis owns four League Championships and one Triple-A National Championship since the team’s affiliation with St. Louis began in 1998. For the latest team news, follow the Redbirds on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and Instagram. 

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