Stripers’ Losing Streak Extends to Eight as Memphis Overcomes Early Deficit 

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.. – Jared Shuster struck out eight and delivered the second consecutive quality start for the Gwinnett Stripers (2-10), but the Memphis Redbirds (8-5) scored eight unanswered runs after Shuster’s exit to hand the Stripers their eighth straight loss on Friday night at Coolray Field.

Decisive Plays: Locked at 1-1 in the bottom of the second, Justin Dean (1-for-2, triple, 2 RBIs, 2 walks) smoked a triple off Connor Thomas (W, 1-1) to right-center field, scoring Joe Hudson and Jacob Pearson to claim a 3-1 lead. With the advantage trimmed to 3-2 in the top of the seventh, Chase Pinder scored to tie the game when Pearson committed a throwing error from right field on a single by Kramer Robertson. Two batters later, Ivan Herrera drove in Robertson for the go-ahead run to make it 4-3. The Redbirds scored insurance runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to take the series win.

Key Contributors: Shuster allowed just one earned run on three hits over 6.0 innings for the Stripers. Charlie Culberson (2-for-4), Yolmer Sanchez (2-for-4), and Forrest Wall (2-for-5, double, RBI) collected multi-hit nights for the Stripers. Thomas (W, 1-1) shook off a three-run Stripers’ second and did not allow another run in 7.0 innings of work for the Redbirds. Tres Barrera (2-for-5, home run, 2 RBIs) hit his first home run of the season and Juniel Querecuto (1-for-5, 2 RBIs) had his third multi-RBI game of the series.

Noteworthy: Dean’s triple in the second inning was the first of his Triple-A career. At 2-10, the Stripers are off to their worst start through 12 games since the club moved to Gwinnett ahead of the 2009 season. Shuster’s eight strikeouts tonight was the second-highest total in his 11 starts for the Stripers. His previous high of 10 strikeouts also came against the Redbirds on September 23, 2022.

Next Game (Saturday, April 15): Gwinnett vs. Memphis, 6:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. Radio Broadcast: 5:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. RHP Allan Winans (0-1, 3.72 ERA) will make his second start for the Stripers against RHP James Naile (2-0, 0.00 ERA) for the Redbirds. In conjunction with Jackie Robinson Day, the Stripers will mark Giveaway Saturday with a special throwback shirt honoring the Atlanta Black Crackers Negro League Baseball team, with sizes of Medium and XL available for the first 2,000 fans.