Great Pitching and Timely Hitting Give Redbirds 10th Straight Win

The Redbirds scored six unanswered runs in the latter innings to emerge victorious once again.

The Memphis Redbirds’ winning streak hit double digits after defeating the Indianapolis Indians 6-1 in the third game of the series, giving them a 13-5 record.

Left-hander Connor Thomas was the starter for the Redbirds on Thursday night, and he had his best outing of the season so far.

The 24-year-old completed seven innings of work in which gave up six hits, one walk, and struck out six.

The only blemish Thomas gave up was a solo home run to Indians’ catcher Endy RodrÍguez in the fourth inning. 

By the time the fifth inning came around, the Memphis bats had been silenced by Indianapolis’ starter Caleb Smith.

Then, like he has all season so far, third baseman Juniel Querecuto came up big with a two-run blast to give the ‘Birds a 2-1 lead.

It was the 30-year-old’s second home run of the year and gave him a team-second best 14 RBIs.

The next inning saw three more runs come across home plate for the Redbirds to make the lead 5-1.

Catcher Tres Barrera plated his eighth RBI on a single, and then center fielder Oscar Mercado brought home two runs on a single of his own to give him six RBIs.

Right fielder Juan Yepez scored his first RBI with the Redbirds with a double in the seventh inning for the final run scored of the game. 

The eighth inning saw a new face on the mound for Memphis, righty Wilking RodrÍguez who had just been sent by the Cardinals to begin a rehab assignment. 

The 33-year-old Venezuelan native retired all three batters in the inning, barely breaking a sweat in only nine pitches.

Guillermo Zuñiga was tasked with closing out the game in the ninth and was able to finish the game after allowing two hits. 

Friday night will be a chance for the Redbirds to keep the streak going at 11 with righty James Naile being tabbed to start the game at AutoZone Park.