Stripers Homer Three Times to Mash Memphis 10-4

Culberson, Fuentes, Hudson all homer to back Soroka’s 4.2 one-run innings

Charlie Culberson blasted his first home run with Gwinnett on Wednesday at Memphis, a solo shot in a 2-for-5, two-RBI effort. (Josh Conner)

By Dave Lezotte (@davelezotte)

May 17, 2023

MEMPHIS, Tenn.– The Gwinnett Stripers (17-23) scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back, riding home runs from Charlie Culberson, Joshua Fuentes, and Joe Hudson to a 10-4 win over the Memphis Redbirds (24-17) on Wednesday afternoon at AutoZone Park. Michael Soroka struck out five over 4.2

Decisive Plays: The Stripers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning thanks in part to a two-run single from Daniel Robertson off Memphis starter Zack Thompson (L, 0-1). Solo homers by Culberson (1) and Fuentes (2) helped stretch the lead to 6-1 after three innings. Hudson belted a two-run shot (4) in the fifth as Gwinnett boosted the lead to 9-1. After a three-run sixth from the Redbirds, Culberson’s RBI double in the seventh put the game out of reach at 10-4.

Key Contributors: Soroka yielded one run on two hits, walked one, and struck out five over 4.2 innings in his seventh start for the Stripers this year. Robertson went 3-for-4 with a game-high three RBIs, while Culberson (2-for-5, double, homer, 2 RBIs), Fuentes (2-for-5, homer, RBI), Hudson (2-for-3, homer, 2 RBIs), Yolmer Sanchez (2-for-3, double, RBI), and Eli White (2-for-5, double) all had multi-hit efforts. Juniel Querecuto hit a two-run homer (7) for Memphis.

Noteworthy: With the win, the Stripers improved to 3-10 in day games and 3-2 when scoring in double digits this season. Sanchez extended his on-base streak to 16 games with a first-inning double. Culberson’s 387-foot solo homer to left was his first in Minor League Baseball since August 20, 2017 with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Colorado Springs.

Next Game (Thursday, May 18): Gwinnett at Memphis, 12:05 p.m. ET at AutoZone Park. RHP Beau Burrows (2-0, 5.23 ERA) for the Stripers vs. TBD for the Redbirds. Broadcast: 11:50a.m. on MyCountry993.com and the Bally Live app.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, May 23): Gwinnett vs. Durham, 7:05 p.m. ET at Coolray Field. Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com and the Bally Live app. It’s Family Value Tuesday, presented by Coolray Heating & Cooling, with hot dogs for $2 and desserts for $1.