Sanchez’s Second Solo Homer Sends Stripers Past Redbirds

Yolmer Sanchez blasts two home runs in come-from-behind 8-7 win

Yolmer Sanchez has homered three times in the series at Memphis, raising his season total to five. (Will Fagan)

By Dave Lezotte

July 31, 2021

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Yolmer Sanchez launched a pair of solo home runs, including a go-ahead shot in the eighth inning as the Gwinnett Stripers (39-37) rallied to defeat the Memphis Redbirds (38-38) 8-7 on Friday night at AutoZone Park. Gwinnett won despite trailing 5-0 through four innings. Decisive Play: With

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Yolmer Sanchez launched a pair of solo home runs, including a go-ahead shot in the eighth inning as the Gwinnett Stripers (39-37) rallied to defeat the Memphis Redbirds (38-38) 8-7 on Friday night at AutoZone Park. Gwinnett won despite trailing 5-0 through four innings.

Decisive Play: With two outs and the bases empty, Sanchez belted a solo homer (5) into the Redbirds’ bullpen off Connor Thomas (L, 5-1) to give the Stripers an 8-7 lead. A.J. Minter (S, 4) struck out two and worked around a walk to preserve the one-run lead in the ninth.

Key Contributors:Sanchez also went deep in the fifth inning as part of a 2-for-3, two-homer, two-RBI performance. Johan Camargo homered as well (9) in a 2-for-4, four-RBI effort. Travis Demeritte went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. For Memphis, Ali Sanchez went 4-for-5 with a double and three RBIs and Clint Coulter connected on a two-run homer (8).

Noteworthy: All four games in the series at Memphis have been decided by one run. The multi-homer game was just the second of Sanchez’s career, first since May 2, 2015 with Triple-A Charlotte vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud started behind the plate for the first game of a rehab assignment and went 0-for-1 with a walk.

Next Game (**Satuday, July 31*): *Gwinnett at Memphis, 7:35 p.m. at AutoZone Park. RHP **Connor Johnstone (3-6, 5.55 ERA) for the Stripers vs. RHP Johan Oviedo (1-0, 6.43 ERA) for the Redbirds. Radio Broadcast: 7:20 p.m. on MyCountry993.com.

*Next Home Game (Tuesday, August 3): *Gwinnett vs. Charlotte, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field (Family Value Tuesday, $2 hot dogs and $1 desserts, presented by Coolray Heating & Cooling).