Houston Takes Series Opener at FedExPark

Thursday, April 13

Memphis, Tenn.

6:30 PM

University of Memphis

20-14, 2-5

Houston

24-9, 5-2

Houston

Memphis

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Apr 13, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score

Tigers and Cougars square off in Game 2 Friday at 6:30 p.m.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Houston scored the next 13 runs to take the series opener 13-3 Thursday at FedExPark. The Tigers lost their fifth-straight game and dropped to 20-14 and 2-5 in American Athletic Conference play.

Memphis jumped all over Houston starter Trey Cumbie with three runs on six hits in the bottom of the first inning. The Tigers started with three straight hits as Tyler Webb singled, Brandon Grudzielanek doubled and Chris Carrier singled to drive in the first run. Alec Trela drove in the second run with a sacrifice fly and Andy Bowman singled to make it 3-0.

Houston cut into the lead with solo home runs in both the second and third innings. The homers were the first given up by Hicks this season.

The game got away from the Tigers in the fourth inning as the Cougars took the lead with a six-run inning. Houston loaded the bases with one out and a slow roller was hit to first base that led to a fielding error. Two runs scored on the error to give Houston a 4-3 lead. After reloading the bases, a grand slam put Houston up 8-3.

Hunter Smith was called on out of the bullpen and he got out of the fourth inning, but Houston added two more runs to its lead off of Smith in the fifth to make the lead 10-3. Houston scored one more in the seventh and two more in the eighth.

After the three-run and six-hit first inning, Cumbie shut the Tigers down and allowed just four more hits through his eight innings pitched.

Memphis will try to even the series up Friday at 6:30 p.m. The series finale is slated for Saturday at noon.