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Redbirds Fall In Extras In Homestand Finale, 3-2

Ed Easley, Pete Kozma Record Two Hits In Loss
July 24, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The visiting Omaha Storm Chasers edged the Memphis Redbirds by a 3-2 score in 10 innings in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday night at AutoZone Park.

With Omaha's Pedro Ciraco on second base and one out, third baseman Pete Kozma committed a throwing error during a fielder's choice attempt that allowed the winning run to score.

With the loss, Memphis dropped to 1-5 in extra-inning play this season. The Redbirds ended their homestand with a four-game series split with Omaha and by taking three of four from Colorado Springs.

Since falling below .500 on April 27 at 11-12, the Redbirds (51-52) have reached breakeven on seven occasions this season and lost the following game, including tonight.

Catcher Ed Easley (2-for-4, RBI) and Kozma (2-for-4) each recorded two-hit games in the defeat.

Scott Moore's 13th homer of the season gave the Redbirds a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, a solo shot to right field off Omaha starter Aaron Brooks. The club tacked on their other run in the second inning on an Easley RBI single.

Omaha cut the deficit in half in the third as Ciraco hit a leadoff single, stole second base, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a sacrifice fly. Carlos Peguero hit a leadoff homer in the next inning to knot the contest at 2-2, his 13th of the season. 

Memphis put the game-tying runner on base in the bottom of the 10th inning with an Easley single, but Shane Robinson grounded into a game-ending double play on the next pitch.

Redbird starter Zach Petrick yielded two runs on eight hits in five plus innings for a no-decision. The right-hander struck out three and walked two on 96 pitches (60 for strikes).

Eric Fornataro (2-3) surrendered an unearned run in the 10th for the defeat. Casey Coleman closed out the evening with three scoreless innings to move to 4-0.

The Redbirds embark on their longest road trip of the season tomorrow, beginning a 15-game, 12-day road trip through Iowa (Triple-A Cubs), Omaha (Triple-A Royals), and Round Rock (Triple-A Rangers). Baseball returns to AutoZone Park on Thursday, August 7 when the Redbirds open at five-game homestand with the division-rival New Orleans Zephyr (Triple-A Marlins).