April 8, 2023 – International League (IL) – Memphis Redbirds News Release
The Memphis Redbirds continue their six-game homestand against the
Nashville Sounds at AutoZone Park. Left-handed pitcher Connor Thomas makes his 2023
home debut against right-handed pitcher Pedro Fernandez. First pitch is scheduled for
3:05pm CDT.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT:
The Memphis Redbirds were shut out once again at the hands of the
Nashville Sounds on Friday night at AutoZone Park by a final score of 3-0. On the night, six
Memphis batters reached base safely in 33 plate appearances. First baseman Luken Baker
continued his tremendous start to the season, tallying two more base hits to bring his season
total to 10, tied for fifth most in the International League. Starting pitcher Dakota Hudson
(0-1) lasted 4.2 innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits, one walk and struck
out four Sounds batters. Left-handed pitcher Andrew Suarez retired all seven batters he saw
in relief, while left-handed reliever Genesis Cabrera provided 2.0 scoreless innings of one-hit
baseball. The shutout marks the second time in the last three games in which the Redbirds
(3-4) have been shut out by Nashville pitching. Starting pitcher Colin Rea and reliever Janson
Junk combined for the shutout, with Junk earning the win after 5.0 innings pitched of two
hit, one walk and two strikeout baseball.With the win, Nashville (4-3) evens the series at two
games apiece with two games remaining to close out Opening Week in Memphis.
AGAINST NASHVILLE:
Last season, Memphis dueled it’s Volunteer State rival Nashville
Sounds in 21 total contests, taking nine games and dropping 12. Current Redbird outfielder
Scott Hurst did his best damage against Nashville pitching. The left-handed hitter batted
.383 in 13 games, recording 18 hits, driving in six runs and walking nine times. Overall, Hurst
slashed .383/.500/.468 against in 58 plate appearances (fifth most among Redbirds batters)
against the Sounds in 2022. In ten games, Moises Gomez batted .302 with two home runs and
eight RBI.
BAKER’S BLISTERING BAT:
Redbirds first baseman Luken Baker is of to a tremendous start
to the 2023 campaign. The right-handed hitter tallied two more base hits in Friday night’s loss
to bring his season total to 10, the first Memphis batter to reach double digits this season.
Among International League leaders, Baker ranks tied-6th in AVG (.417), T-3rd in homers (3),
T-5th in RBI (8), 7th in SLG (.875), 6th in OPS (1.356) and T-5th in base…
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