The Memphis Redbirds blasted the Rochester Red Wings 15-4 in Game 2 of the International League Championship Series at AutoZone Park on Sept. 23.
The blowout win sets up a decisive Game 3. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 24 in Memphis.
Jimmy Crooks powered the Redbirds (the St. Louis Cardinals' AAA affiliate) with two hits (including his second home run in as many nights and 16th of the season) and five RBIs. Trey Paige also had a pair of hits and drove in three runs.
The Red Wings (the AAA farm club for the Washington Nationals) grabbed a 4-3 victory in Game 1 on Sept. 22. But the Redbirds bested their run total from the night before in the first two innings of Game 2, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the second. A nine-run third inning gave
manager Ben Johnson's club a commanding 13-0 advantage.
Memphis starting pitcher Mason Molina held Rochester to one hit across five innings, striking out six and walking two.
The Red Wings (the Washington Nationals' AAA farm team) qualified for the International League Championship Series by winning the season's second-half title. The Redbirds won the right to host the series after claiming the first-half championship on June 21.
The winner of the Red Wings-Redbirds series will advance to the AAA national championship, a single game that will be played against the Pacific Coast League champion on Sept. 26 in Las Vegas.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Redbirds rip Red Wings to set up decisive Game 3 in championship series
