Stripers Falter in 6-4 Loss as Memphis Blasts Way to Four-Run Ninth Inning Comeback

Zach Logue opened with 5.0 scoreless innings and appeared on the way to his third win of the season before Memphis erupted for a four-run ninth inning. (Jamie Spaar)

Jack Johnson

@jackjohnson25

The Gwinnett Stripers (1-1) led on Wednesday night at Coolray Field for eight innings before the Memphis Redbirds (1-1) erupted for four runs on two home runs in a ninth inning that turned the game around and handed the Stripers a 6-4 loss.

Decisive Plays: As was the case a night ago, Gwinnett took an early 3-0 lead, this time in the third inning on RBIs from Chadwick Tromp, Yuli Gurriel, and J.P. Martinez. Gwinnett could not build on the lead and a two-run home run by Luken Baker (20) in the sixth inning brought the Redbirds within a run. Still clinging to a 3-2 advantage, Ken Giles (L, 3-1, BS, 1) allowed a three-run home run to Matt Koperniak (10) and a solo blast by Baker (21) that vaulted Memphis ahead 6-3. The Stripers got another RBI from Tromp in the home half to make it 6-4, but Martinez struck out with the bases loaded to end the game.

Key Contributors: Tromp had the only multi-RBI game for Gwinnett while Gurriel (2-for-5, RBI) and Drake Baldwin (3-for-5) had the two multi-hit games. On the mound, Logue (5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO) opened with 5.0 scoreless innings before allowing the two-run home run to Baker. For Memphis, Baker hit two home runs with 3 RBI while Koperniak had 3 RBI on his home run. Cesar Prieto also went 4-for-5 with two doubles.