LOCAL BRIEF

Redbirds slip past New Orleans in series finale: After back-to-backto-back games against visiting New Orleans that just didn’t go the way of the Memphis Redbirds, the defending Pacific Coast League champions ultimately turned their luck around on Thursday.

Swinging the timely stick on this night was centerfielder Lane Thomas, who homered in the third inning, to account for all the Memphis offense in a 3-2 victory over the Baby Cakes at AutoZone Park.

The shot to right center was the third of the season for Thomas, playing in his 16th game with the Redbirds (75-48) since being promoted from Double-A Springfield. Randy Arozarena and Tommy Edman, who doubled and walked, respectively, scored on the play.

New Orleans (60-62) plated its two runs on the strength of fourth-inning RBI doubles by Peter O’Brien and Jonathan Rodriguez. Each team finished the contest with just four hits. Former Ole Miss standout Chris Ellis (5-4) picked up the win in relief, striking out five in his 3 2/3 innings of work. Andrew Morales notched his sixth save.

Memphis entered Friday night’s series opener versus Round Rock at AZP with a nine-game lead on Nashville in the PCL American Southern Division. The quick three-gamer with the Express continues Saturday (6:35 p.m.) and concludes Sunday afternoon at 2:05. — Chris Van Tuyl