51s blow five-run lead at Memphis, lose ninth straight
Dan Johnson went 3-for-4 with two home runs, four RBIs and four runs to help the Memphis Redbirds overcome a five-run deficit and down the 51s 10-9 in a Pacific Coast League game Thursday in Memphis, Tenn.
The win was the sixth straight for the Redbirds (29-26), who dealt Las Vegas (29-26) its ninth straight loss.
Johnson’s second homer, a two-run shot off reliever Vic Black, was the big blow in Memphis’ four-run seventh inning that tied the score at 8.
Black, making his first 51s appearance of the season while on a New York Mets rehabilitation assignment for right shoulder tendinitis, gave up four runs on two hits and two walks in one-third of an inning.
Brooks Conrad’s grand slam highlighted a six-run third inning for the 51s, who had totaled 10 runs in their previous eight losses.
After Wilfredo Tovar’s RBI single put the 51s up 9-8 in the eighth, Memphis scored twice in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single and sacrifice fly.