Stripers Fall Short on Opening Night in Memphis

Kyle Muller strikes out seven over 4.2 one-run innings, but Gwinnett loses 2-1

(Will Fagan)

By Dave Lezotte

April 5, 2022

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Kyle Muller turned in a stellar Opening Night start with 4.2 one-run innings, but the Gwinnett Stripers (0-1) struggled to back him in a 2-1 loss to the Memphis Redbirds (1-0) on Tuesday night at AutoZone Park. Decisive Play: Alec Burleson’s solo home run (1) off Stripers

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Kyle Muller turned in a stellar Opening Night start with 4.2 one-run innings, but the Gwinnett Stripers (0-1) struggled to back him in a 2-1 loss to the Memphis Redbirds (1-0) on Tuesday night at AutoZone Park.

Decisive Play: Alec Burleson’s solo home run (1) off Stripers reliever Nick Vincent (L, 0-1) broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning. Gwinnett looked poised to go back ahead in the eighth with the bases loaded and one out, but Burleson made a diving catch on Braden Shewmake’s line drive to left-center and doubled off John Nogowski at second base to end the inning.

Key Contributors: Muller scattered four hits, walked one, and struck out seven over 4.2 innings in a no-decision. Chadwick Tromp drove in Gwinnett’s lone run with a solo homer (1) off T.J. Zeuch in the third. Shewmake went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in his Triple-A debut.

Noteworthy: Muller became the first pitcher in Gwinnett history to log back-to-back Opening Day starts, having also started on May 4, 2021 at Charlotte. The Stripers saw their three-game Opening Night winning streak snapped, and Gwinnett is now 8-5 all-time in season openers.

Next Game (Wednesday, April 6): Gwinnett at Memphis, 1:05 p.m. EDT at AutoZone Park. RHP Touki Toussaint (NR) for the Stripers vs. LHP Matthew Liberatore (NR) for the Redbirds. Radio Broadcast: 12:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, April 12): Gwinnett vs. Nashville, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. Opening Night features a 2022 Schedule Cling Giveaway (first 2,500 fans, presented by Georgia Power), plus a visit from the Atlanta Braves World Champions Trophy Tour (presented by Truist) and Family Value Tuesday ($2 hot dogs and $1 desserts, presented by Coolray Heating & Cooling).