Bases Loaded: Strong season sees Rebirds come up just short

September 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Leading Off: After a strong 2011 campaign, the Memphis Redbirds came up just short of capturing the PCL Northern Division crown. The ‘Birds finished with a 77-66 record, just 2 1/2 games behind Omaha, and they certainly have nothing to hang their heads about.

On Deck: A strong finish to the season will see the Redbirds anxious to try again in 2012. What happens with Albert Pujols in St. Louis will largely decide what Memphis’s roster will look like.

Single: Brandon Dickson finished fifth in the PCL in both ERA and strikeouts. It might not be realistic to expect him to spend much time in the minor leagues next year. He will certainly get a long look in Spring Training with the big club.

Double: Nick Stavinoha had a spectacular season in Memphis, finishing with 28 home runs and 109 RBI. He was easily the Redbirds’ most valuable player. He will also likely spend a great deal of time in St. Louis next season.

Triple: Attendance numbers were up from last year’s total, a sign that the front office is doing something right. With the likelihood that highly touted pitching prospect Shelby Miller will spend at least some time in Memphis next year, look for that number to possibly go up again.

Homerun:  Though the ‘Birds couldn’t quite make a championship run again this season, the year has to be viewed as an overall success.

Bases Loaded is a weekly recap of the past week’s storylines and news from the Memphis Redbirds.

Michael Jones covers the Redbirds for MemphiSport. You can follow him via Twitter @MemphisMJ.

Photo by Justin Ford.

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Bases Loaded: Rebirds come home

June 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Leading Off-  The Redbirds are 7-4 during the month of June, helping guide them up the American North Standings.  Memphis has been led by good pitching so far this summer and with some consistent run support being added since Memorial Day weekend, the next few weeks hold a stretch of divisional games that could help take the Redbirds into first place.

On Deck-  Home sweet home; at least for the next 8 games as the Birds begin a homestand vs New Orleans and Nashville.

Single- With a team ERA of 3.94, the Redbirds are first in the PCL.  They are the only team yet to give up 300 runs for the season.

Double- The Redbirds are in 2nd place for the first time this season coming into the current homestand.  Now boasting a record of 30-32, the Birds are 4.5 games out of first place.

Triple- This Friday, be sure to check the Redbirds out at Autozone Park as they welcome the San Diego Chicken to the ballpark.. if you haven’t seen him, look him up.

Homerun-  46… Redbirds got four deep shots during the roadtrip.

Bases Loaded is a weekly recap of the past week’s story-lines and news from the Memphis Redbirds.

Brennan Somers covers the Redbirds for MemphiSport. You can follow him via Twitter @brennansomers.

 

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Bases Loaded: Third for the Birds

June 6, 2011 by
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Bases Loaded: Birds’ Bats Light Up

May 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Leading Off-  The Redbirds are 4-4 since our last update, due much in part to added run support.  Memphis scored a combined 42 runs in their last eight contests, including one goose egg posted midweek vs NOLA.  Memphis heads into Monday’s match-up vs Fresno having taken the first two games of the four game match-up this weekend.  Memphis will play two more home games vs Fresno before heading back on the road.

On Deck-  Memphis is 4-6 in their last ten games.  Now 14-22 on the year, the Redbirds will look to build some road success having won only three times away from downtown Memphis.

Single- For the second week running, the Redbirds have a stronghold on the 3rd place of the division.  The PCL American North ranks from 1st-4th: Omaha, Iowa, Memphis, Nashville.  Memphis is 6.5 games behind the leading Cubs.

Double- Second from bottom, even with the added run support this week the Redbirds are still batting under .300 as a team this year.  Now hitting .255, only Nashville sits below them in the standings.

Triple- Memphis is third from top in team ERA.  The pitching has been good for the Birds this season, and now with an ERA of 4.24, the Redbirds will be hoping the bats continue to produce runs for a second week in a row.

Homerun-  Seven homeruns in seven days, not a great stat, but it moves the total from 18 to 25 for the 2011 campaign.

Bases Loaded is a weekly recap of the past week’s story-lines and news from the Memphis Redbirds.

Brennan Somers covers the Redbirds for MemphiSport. You can follow him via Twitter @brennansomers.

 

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