Memphis scored three runs in the top of the first inning on Sunday afternoon at Truist Field. For about forty minutes, the Redbirds looked like they might close the homestand the way they opened it — in command.
Then the bottom of the third happened.
Charlotte plated seven runs in the frame to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 7-3 lead. Darren Baker started it with an RBI triple to the right field corner. Everson Pereira tied the game with a solo home run. A Redbirds error and a Korey Lee sacrifice fly pushed Charlotte ahead. Jarred Kelenic's two-run homer to right capped the inning and removed any remaining suspense.
Kelenic finished the day with three RBIs. Jacob Gonzalez and LaMonte Wade Jr. each added RBI base hits in the sixth. Mario Camilletti — whose walk-off single won Game 4 in extra innings — delivered a two-run double in the eighth for good measure.
Starting pitcher Shane Smith allowed three runs in the first inning but settled in thereafter. Ben Peoples earned the win with two shutout innings in relief. Tyler Gilbert and Adisyn Coffey closed it out.
The six-game homestand ended in a 3-3 split. Memphis took Games 1, 3, and 5. Charlotte answered with Games 2, 4, and 6 — a pattern of alternating results that made for an entertaining if inconsistent stretch. Saturday's 6-4 loss wasted eight strikeouts from Tanner McDougal. Sunday's response left no doubt.
Charlotte has a league-wide off day Monday before opening a series at Jacksonville — the defending Triple-A champions — on Tuesday at 11:05 a.m.