Castro Pitches Memphis To 9-4 Win In Series Finale

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Starting pitcher Angel Castro hurled seven shutout innings of three-hit ball during a 9-4 win over the cross-state rival Nashville Sounds in the final of a four-game series on Sunday afternoon at AutoZone Park.

With the win, Memphis (31-32) earned a four-game series split and moved to 2.5 games behind the division-leading Sounds.

Castro (6-4) walked one and struck out three in his fifth quality start in his last eight outings.

Three Redbirds recorded multi-hit efforts in the win, highlighted by Tommy Pham's third three-hit game (3-for-5, 2B, RBI, SB). Pete Kozma added two hits, scored two runs, and was hit by two pitches. Greg Garcia walked twice, scored three runs, and stole a base.

The Redbirds struck first in the bottom of the third on RBI hits from two-out hits from Kozma and Stephen Piscotty. Garcia previously worked a two-out walk before the consecutive base hits against Nashville start Taylor Jungmann that made it 2-0.

Memphis did more damage against Jungmann two innings later, pushing its lead to 6-0. Garcia began the four-run rally with a walk, moved to second on a Kozma hit, and came around to score on an Xavier Scruggs ground-rule double. Easely followed by lining a two-run double down left field line for the next two runs to remove Jungman from the game. O'Neill capped the rally with an RBI single up the middle.

Castro helped his own cause in the sixth as Memphis moved ahead at 9-0. The right-hander led off with a single and later came home to score as Piscotty grounded into a double play with the bases loaded. The other runs were highlighted by a Nashville throwing error and Pham ground-rule double.

The Sounds scored all four of their runs against reliever Pedro Feliciano in the eighth inning, highlighted by a two-run single by Hector Gomez.

Jungmann (2-2) scattered nine hits for six runs in the loss.

The Redbirds welcome the Tacoma Rainiers to AutoZone Park for a four-game series beginning on Monday night, their only series against the Seattle Mariners top affiliate. Memphis will send reigning PCL Pitcher of the Week and left-hander Tim Cooney to the mound in Monday's 7:05 pm CT series opener. Tacoma will counter with top prospect Taijuan Walker (0-1, 9.00).