Redbirds Win Ninth Straight on the Back of 12 Runs

11 runs came across home plate in the first three innings to push the longest winning streak in the International League to nine.

The Memphis Redbirds beat the Indianapolis Indians 12-7 in the second game of the series.

It was the Redbirds’ ninth win in a row, and it gave the club a record of 12-5 in the early season.

The night started with a bang when catcher Tres Barrera hit a grand slam to left field in the bottom of the first to give Memphis an early 4-0 lead. 

The grand slam was the 28-year-old’s second home run of the season, and he later singled home a run for a five-RBI night, giving him seven for the year.

Right fielder Moisés Gómez and Designated hitter Paul DeJong hit back-to-back RBI singles in the second inning, and Luken Baker smacked a three-run homer to make it 9-0 Memphis.

With the blast, Baker added to his already team-leading home run total with now six and his RBI total at 15.

MLB veteran Dakota Hudson now had nine runs to work with while on the mound Wednesday night.

It was a good thing there was that many because the Redbirds sure did need it after the third inning.

Six runs in the top of the third brought an abrupt end to Hudson’s night, and he was pulled from the game without being able to finish the inning. 

Andrew Suárez pitched the next 2 ⅔ innings in relief and was very solid, giving up no runs, three hits, a walk, and three strikeouts.

With the lead now cut to 9-6, the Redbirds were in a tight game after feeling like they could be on cruise control.

In need of more breathing room to calm the nerves, center fielder Justin Toerner answered the bell with a two-run homer in the bottom of the third, his second homer.

Kodi Whitley was the next pitcher to come in relief for Memphis, and he also was respectable in his outing, lasting 2 ⅔ innings as well with one run, two hits, no walks, and three strikeouts credited to him.

That left the ninth inning of this high-scoring affair to Guillermo Zuñiga to finish it out. 

He only needed twelve pitches to finish off the Indians and put the final touches on a ninth straight win for the Redbirds.

The Redbirds now have a chance to put their winning streak to double digits with Connor Thomas taking the mound for them at AutoZone Park.