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Continuing a trend that led them to a 91-50 record in the regular season, the Memphis Redbirds used four long balls - including three in the top of the first inning - to power their way past the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 13-10. With their win in Sunday’s fifth and final game of the semifinal series, the Redbirds advanced to the Pacific Coast League Finals.
AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS! The 'Birds did it!
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 10, 2017
The PCL Championship Series begins Tuesday and Wednesday at @AutoZone_Park! pic.twitter.com/hLWWeLya6U
Tyler O’Neill hit his third home run of the series to lead off the power-happy frame, a two-run long ball. Adolis Garcia followed with a solo homer, his second of the postseason. And after Jacob Wilson drew a walk, Patrick Wilson cleared the wall for the first time in the playoffs. Wilfredo Tovar got in on the homer fun with a two-run shot in the seventh.
Matt Pearce started the game for Redbirds and allowed three earned runs over 4 1⁄3 innings. Josh Zeid finished out the fifth inning before Sean Gilmartin got in some trouble in the sixth, allowing three runs. Mike Mayers came up huge with 2 1⁄3 innings of scoreless relief, ultimately resulting in his first win of the postseason. Miguel Socolovich, Mark Montgomery, and Josh Lucas recorded the final three outs.
Despite seven different pitchers being used in the game, Redbirds starter Pearce recorded the only strikeout of the day for the Memphis pitching staff.
The Redbirds are off on Monday before beginning the PCL Finals Tuesday evening against the El Paso Chihuahuas. The Redbirds will host the first two games of the best-of-five series before it shifts to El Paso, Texas, for the final three.
Dakota Hudson, who twirled six innings of one-run ball in his assignment against the Sky Sox, will take the mound to kick off the series against the Chihuahuas. Tuesday’s game will start at 7:05 PM Central time. Kevin Herget will take the mound in the second game, followed by Ryan Helsley in Game Three, and Zac Gallen and Matt Pearce in the fourth and fifth games, respectively, if necessary.
For tickets and more game information, please visit the official site of the Redbirds.