Three Tigers tally multiple hits as Memphis falls 7-5

Saturday, May 15

Memphis, Tenn.

2 p.m.

University of Memphis

15-34, 5-22

Houston

19-27, 7-16

Houston

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Three Tigers tally multiple hits as Memphis falls 7-5

May 15, 2021 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Despite multi-hit performances from Zach Wilson, Ian Bibiloni, and Braden Webb, the Memphis Tigers couldn't hold an early 4-0 lead, as they fell 7-5 to the Houston Cougars. The visitors plated seven of the game's final eight runs, while Memphis couldn't muster any scoring despite a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth and three cracks with the tying run at the plate.

Memphis (15-34, 5-22) got off to a torrid start Saturday and had Carter Henry (W, 2-4) on the ropes over the first two innings, though the Houston starter survived and pitched into the sixth. In the opening frame, Memphis' first three batters all notched hits, as an RBI double from Bibiloni put the Tigers in front 1-0, while Hunter Goodman followed with an RBI single and later scored on a wild pitch. The Tigers added a run in the second on Wilson's second hit in as many innings, as Memphis led 4-0 after two frames.

Blake Wimberley (L, 2-8) didn't allow a walk or a hit until the third inning, but gave up at least one run in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. A leadoff walk with three straight one-out singles led to two runs in the third, while the Cougars pulled within one on a sacrifice fly from Samuel Tormos in the fourth inning. Wimberley walked the leadoff man in the fifth and hit the next batter that he faced, as he departed the game for Walker Brockhouse. Steven Rivas greeted Brockhouse with an RBI double, which tied the game, while two batters later, Dylan Post put the Cougars ahead 5-4 with a sacrifice fly. Wimberley gave up five runs on five hits over four+ innings, as Houston (19-27, 7-16) led 5-4 after 4.5 frames.

Brockhouse issued walks to the first two batters that he faced in the sixth inning, and an errant pickoff attempt by Goodman plated Trevino, who became the fourth consecutive leadoff baserunner to score for the Cougars, who led 6-4 after 5.5 innings.

After Henry walked two of the four batters that he faced in the sixth, Derrick Cherry (SV, 5) retired Wilson, as the Tigers left the tying run at the plate. Bibiloni led off the seventh with a home run, his third of the season, but that was Memphis' final run. Webb began the ninth with a single, but Cherry got Wilson to pop out before he struck out both Bibiloni and Goodman to seal Houston's 7-5 win.

Sunday, in Memphis' final home game of the season, the Tigers will try to earn their first conference series split of the season. James Muse (0-0, 6.29) will make his first start of the season for Memphis after 10 relief outings. Must has allowed just one earned run in each of his last outings, which include 3.1 and 4.2 inning performances in his last two appearances. First pitch of the series finale is set for 11 a.m. at FedExPark.