Redbirds claim season opener against Knights 6-5
MEMPHIS, Tenn — With excitement throughout AutoZone Park for Opening Day, the Memphis Redbirds pulled off a 6-5 win against the Charlotte Knights.
” It was a lot of fun it was an exciting ball game close game, it kind of came down to the end. We had some good fans here so a great Opening Day and a lot of fun for everybody, especially our ball club,” said Redbirds manager Ben Johnson.
Though the Redbirds pulled off the win, the offense recorded only one run on three hits through five innings. However, in the sixth inning, the runs poured in after reigning minor league home run king Luken Baker launched his first long ball of the season as Memphis scored five runs in the inning.
” It was fun to see Luken pick us up right there. We saw a lot of that last year so it was good to see that today,” said Johnson.
Along with being proud of his club’s defense in the opener, Johnson was thrilled by center fielder Mike Antico who went 2 for 4 with two stolen bases and an RBI in his triple-A debut.
” I didn’t have a chance to be with him a lot this spring I knew a lot from him years past from reading reports from when he was in Springfield but it was great to see him kind of be the igniter for our offense today”.
The Redbirds continue their home series with the Knights on Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 pm
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