Memphis Beats RedHawks

It wasn't a great day for Oklahoma City against the city of Memphis, as the Redbirds hit three home runs, sending RedHawks to fourth loss in last five games.

Monday, April 21st 2014, 11:29 pm

By: News 9

The Memphis Redbirds slugged three home runs and totaled 13 hits as they defeated the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 7-4, at AutoZone Park Monday night.

The RedHawks (11-8) jumped in front in the second inning on a home run by Max Stassi. His solo blast to right field made it 1-0 as Stassi homered in a third straight game.

An inning later, the Redbirds (10-8) tied the score with a home run of their own. Pete Kozma sent one into the Redbirds' bullpen in left-center field for his first homer of the season, evening the score at 1-1 in the third inning.

However, the RedHawks regained the lead in their next at-bat. Stassi collected his second RBI of the night with a sac fly, and Domingo Santana followed with a RBI single to make it 3-1.

The Redbirds answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Stephen Piscotty led off with a solo homer to cut Oklahoma City's lead to one. With a runner at third and two outs, Ed Easley hit a ground ball to shortstop Gregorio Petit that took a sharp hop off Petit and into the outfield for an RBI single.

The game stayed tied until the seventh inning. With a runner aboard and one out, Greg Garcia launched a home run to right field off Josh Zeid (2-1), giving the Redbirds their first lead of the night at 5-3.

The RedHawks got back within one run in the eighth inning when Robbie Grossman hit a home run to right-center field. They would put the tying run in scoring position with two outs, but Redbirds reliever Keith Butler struck out Stassi to end the inning.

Memphis was able to put the game away with a big two-out, two-run double by Randal Grichuk in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Redbirds reliever David Aardsma held the RedHawks scoreless in the ninth inning, earning his first save of the season. Jorge Rondon (1-1) picked up his first win, allowing one run over 1.1 innings.

With the loss, the RedHawks have now dropped four of their last five games. They will try and earn a split in their series and road trip when they wrap things up in Memphis at 11:02 a.m. Tuesday.