Redbirds' Kelly busts out of slump in big way

Mired in a 4-for-25 slump over his last seven games, Carson Kelly was waiting for his first big game of the season.
It happened Thursday.
The second-ranked St. Louis prospect homered, doubled twice and had three RBIs as Triple-A Memphis extended its winning streak to seven games with a 12-9 victory in 10 innings over Omaha.

Box score
In the second inning, Kelly jumped on a 2-1 offering from No. 3 Royals prospect Eric Skoglund for a two-run shot to left-center field.

Following a walk by Cardinals No. 5 prospect Harrison Bader in the third, Kelly drove in another run with a two-out double to center. In the fifth, Kelly went to right for another two-bagger and his first three-hit game of the season. 

After hitting six homers in 106 games with Double-A Springfield, Memphis and St. Louis last year, MLB.com's No. 35 overall prospect has gone deep five times and has driven in 10 runs in 18 games. 

Kelly sports a slash line of .254/.347/.556 this season.
The catcher also showed off his defensive prowess in the first by nailing Billy Burns trying to steal second base. The 2012 second-round pick has caught four of nine would-be base stealers this season.
Royals No. 7 prospect Ryan O'Hearn tied the game with a pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth off Josh Lucas (2-0). 

The Redbirds regained the lead in the 10th on a two-run single by Todd Cunningham off  Al Alburquerque (2-1). Cunningham and Chad Huffman finished with three hits apiece.
Tommy Pham was removed from the game in the fourth. According to MLB.com, the Cardinals are expected to call up the 29-year-old center fielder for Friday's game against Atlanta. 
Burns led the way for the Storm Chasers with three singles and two RBIs. Garin Cecchini doubled, singled and drove in three.