Redbirds Erupt For 16 Hits In 6-3 Win Over Sky Sox

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Oscar Taveras recorded a season-high four hits to lead the Memphis Redbirds to a 6-3 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on Tuesday night at Security Service Field.

After being shut out over 10 innings the night before, the Memphis (22-23) offense banged out 16 hits, led by Taveras (4-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R), Shane Robinson (3-for-5, 2B, R) and Scott Moore (3-for-5, RBI, R).

The Redbirds jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the opening frame by three consecutive base hits by Randal Grichuk (2-for-5, 2 R), Taveras, and Xavier Scruggs (1-for-4, RBI, R, BB).

Memphis' lead didn't last for long as Colorado Springs plated two against starter Scott McGregor in the bottom of the frame. Josh Rutledge hit a one-out single and scored on the subsequent Kyle Parker triple off the center field wall. Ryan Wheeler followed it up with a line drive single to left.

The scored remain the same until Memphis was able to knot the contest at 2-2 in the sixth. Moore hit a one-out single, moved to second base on an infield groundout, and came around to score as Ed Easley lined a game-tying two-out single to center.

Colorado Springs quickly went back ahead at 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth. With Rutledge on third thanks to an inning-opening walk and single by Parker, Ryan Wheeler grounded into a double play that allowed Rutledge to score the go-ahead run.

Memphis sent eight to the dish and rode a four-run rally to take a 6-3 lead in the seventh, highlighted by a Taveras two-run double. Moore followed with an RBI single to score Taveras for the next run, and later came home on a sacrifice bunt by Pete Kozma.

Justin Wright moved to 2-0 in his second Triple-A appearance after firing two scoreless frames. David Aardsma stranded the tying run at the plate and converted his team-leading fifth save.

Both starting pitchers walked away with no-decisions. McGregor yielded three runs on six hits and a walk over five plus innings. Christian Friedrich scattered 10 hits for two runs in six innings in a quality start.

Memphis and Colorado Springs continue its series at 7:35 pm CT on Wednesday night at Security Service Field. Left-hander Nick Greenwood is scheduled to make the start against Sky Sox lefty Pedro Hernandez (3-0, 5.89).