Tyler Lyons Dominates In 13-3 Rout Of Nashville

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Left-hander Tyler Lyons tossed eight solid innings to lead the Memphis Redbirds to a 13-3 rout of the cross-state rival Nashville Sounds on Sunday night at AutoZone Park.

The Memphis offense exploded for 13 hits and three home runs in the series finale, including a grand slam that sparked an eight-run eighth inning against a trio of Nashville relievers.

Lyons (4-1) yielded three runs on two hits and a walk over eight frames, while matching a season-high with nine strikeouts for the third time this season. His eight innings pitched marked the longest outing by Lyons in his career and by a Redbirds starter this season. Since being optioned by St. Louis in late June, Lyons has allowed just three runs in 21.0 innings of work with 22 strikeouts against three walks.

Win the win, the Redbirds took three of four from the Sounds over the four-game set and evened the I-40 cup season series at 6-6 with four remaining in Nashville later this week.

First baseman Jamie Romak went yard for the third consecutive game, the longest home run stretch by a Redbird this season. Second baseman Kolten Wong added his second home run in consecutive games.

Catcher Rob Johnson went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Outfielder Adron Chambers drove in a career high five runs with a grand slam.

Memphis jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Wong lined a one-out single to center, stole second base, advanced to third on a Romak base hit, and scored on an Chambers sacrifice fly.

Home runs from Wong and Romak off Nashville starter Hiram Burgos extended the Redbirds' lead to 4-0 in the third. It was Wong's seventh big fly of the season and second in consecutive games. Two batters later, Romak blasted his 19th home run over the left field wall.

Lyons' only hiccup was a Hunter Morris home run, which brought the Sounds within one run at 4-3 in the top of the fourth. With two runners aboard thanks to a single and a walk, Morris crushed his team-leading 18th big fly over the right field wall and onto 4th street.

The Redbirds batted around and erupted for eight runs in the eighth, which matched the team's highest output in an inning this season. Chambers struck out to begin the rally, and later blasted the club's third grand slam of the season over the right field foul pole.

Victor Marte finished the contest with one hit over a scoreless ninth. Burgos (1-4) gave up four runs on five hits and a pair of homers in three innings for the loss.

The Redbirds continue their homestand by welcoming the division-rival Omaha Storm Chasers (Triple-A Royals) to AutoZone Park for the ?rst time in 2013 for a three-game series. Right-hander Boone Whiting (4-3, 5.07) will start for Memphis in the 7:05 pm CT series opener against Omaha southpaw Justin Marks (2-9, 6.57).