Redbirds Upended in Series Opener

MEMPHIS, Tennessee -Irving Lopez was 2-for-4 with his first Triple-A home run and Adolis García had three hits, but the Memphis Redbirds dropped the series opener to the Nashville Sounds (Rangers) Tuesday night at AutoZone Park, 10-4.
Eight of Nashville's (32-45) 10 runs and all four of Memphis' (33-45) were scored in the first three innings. The Sounds got a pair of unearned runs in the top of the ninth.
The Redbirds led 2-0 after the first inning, with Edmundo Sosa walking, going to third on a Rangel Ravelo single, and scoring on a balk. Ravelo then crossed the plate on an Andrew Knizner single.
The Sounds scored three in the second inning off Anthony Shew, but Lopez tied the game in the home-half with his first-career Triple-A long ball.
With the score tied at 3, Nashville came back with five runs in the third inning off Seth Elledge to open a lead it would not relinquish.
Junior Fernandez made his Triple-A debut with 3.1 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just two singles, one erased on a double play, with no walks and five strikeouts. The No. 20 St. Louis Cardinals prospect was transferred from Double-A Springfield earlier in the day.
In addition to his walk and run in the first, Sosa hit his eighth home run of the season in the third.
Sosa is now on a five-game hitting streak and has four extra-base hits during the span. He has also scored a run in five-straight games and seven overall during that period.
After his 3-for-4 game, Garcia is riding a seven-game hitting streak and has stolen three bases in the last two games.
The loss snapped Memphis' four-game winning streak, one shy of a season long.
The Redbirds and Nashville continue their four-game series tomorrow night at 6:35. Memphis is home through its Independence Day Celebration presented by AutoZone on Wednesday, July 3.
Upcoming Games of Note at AutoZone Park
Wednesday, June 26 at 6:35: Woof Wednesday presented by Invisible Fence Brand of Memphis with dogs able to come to the stadium along with their parents
Thursday, June 27 at 7:05: Throwback Thursday presented by Polk's Meat Products featuring the Redbirds suiting up as the Memphis Chicks and throwback concession pricing of $2 beers and $1 Polk's hot dogs; green hat giveaway on Silky O'Sullivan's Irish Heritage Night
Friday, June 28 at 7:05: Wizards & Wands Night featuring a handmade wand specialty ticket at www.memphisredbirds.com/wizardsandwands; All-You-Can-Eat Night specialty ticket presented by Dave & Buster's featuring an all-you-can-eat wings buffet and a free $15 Dave & Buster's Power Card available at www.memphisredbirds.com/allyoucaneat
Saturday, June 29 at 6:35: Terminix Saturday Fireworks Show after the game; Yadier Molina and Roberto Clemente Double Bobblehead specialty ticket available at www.memphisredbirds.com/cardinals; Win-a-Rolex Contest presented by Sissy's Log Cabin with fans able to register a guess of the time the game will end to win a $5,400 Rolex watch; Aldo's Pizza specialty ticket available at www.memphisredbirds.com/aldos
Sunday, June 30 at 2:05: Prairie Farms Ice Cream Sunday (free ice cream for kids upon entering); pregame player autographs presented by Allegiant Air; kids run the bases after the game
Monday, July 1 at 6:35: the Redbirds will take the field as the Memphis Música as part of Minor League Baseball's "Copa de la Diversión" series
Tuesday, July 2 at 6:35: "Stranger Wings" Night two days before the season premiere of the television series Stranger Things, with an exclusive "Stranger Wings" t-shirt available with a specialty ticket purchase at www.memphisredbirds.com/strangerwings
Wednesday, July 3 at 6:35: Independence Day Celebration presented by AutoZone with a hamburger/hot dog buffet specialty ticket available at www.memphisredbirds.com/4thofJuly

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