Casteel's Slam Supports Shuster's First Win as Stripers Clip Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ryan Casteel drove in all four runs with a sixth-inning grand slam, leading the Gwinnett Stripers (67-76) to a 4-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds (71-74) on Friday night at AutoZone Park. Jared Shuster struck out 10 and matched a career high with 7.0 innings to earn
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ryan Casteel drove in all four runs with a sixth-inning grand slam, leading the Gwinnett Stripers (67-76) to a 4-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds (71-74) on Friday night at AutoZone Park. Jared Shuster struck out 10 and matched a career high with 7.0 innings to earn his first Triple-A victory.
Decisive Plays: Shuster and Memphis starter Tommy Parsons (L, 11-4) dueled through four scoreless innings to start the game, but the Redbirds took a 2-0 lead in the fifth on a two-run home run from Moises Gomez (15). The Stripers answered back in the sixth, loading the bases on a Taylor Motter double and two walks before Casteel's grand slam (17) down the left-field line. Gwinnett's lead was cut to 4-3 in the eighth on a solo homer by Clint Coulter (9), but Jay Jackson (H, 6) and Victor Vodnik (S, 2) were able to hold the one-run advantage.
Key Contributors: Casteel went 1-for-4 with the homer and a game-high four RBIs, while Greyson Jenista went 2-for-4 with a double. Shuster (W, 1-2) held Memphis to two runs on two hits, walked one, and struck out 10 over his 7.0 innings. Gomez finished 1-for-4 with his Minor League-leading 38th homer and two RBIs for the Redbirds.
Noteworthy: Casteel's grand slam was the third hit by a Stripers player this season and his second career slam with Gwinnett (also had one on June 24, 2021 at Norfolk). Shuster had his third career double-digit strikeout game, all coming this season (had a pair of 12-strikeout games with Double-A Mississippi).
Next Game (Saturday, September 24): Gwinnett at Memphis, 4:05 p.m. ET at AutoZone Park. RHP Darius Vines (1-0, 2.93 ERA) for the Stripers vs. TBD for the Redbirds. Radio Broadcast: 3:30 p.m. ET on MyCountry993.com.
Next Home Game (Monday, September 26): Gwinnett vs. Louisville, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. In honor of Braves legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, the first 755 ticketed fans through the gates will receive a 2021 Braves replica championship ring, courtesy of Coolray Heating & Cooling. Please note, this giveaway is ONE PER PERSON, and fans with extra tickets will not be permitted to exit the ballpark and re-enter to claim additional rings.