Wainwright strong in rehab start in Memphis

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - While the Memphis Redbirds have plenty to celebrate after winning back-to-back Pacific Coast League Division Championships, they still have plenty to do before the regular season comes to a close.

The Redbirds closed our their final home series against Nashville Monday night at AutoZone Park.

On the mound Monday was Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, who's in Memphis on a rehab start.

The big right hander is trying to get his arm back together after elbow inflammation caused him to miss most of the season.

Waino played in only four games in the bigs after going on the disabled list May 13.

Monday's start in Triple-A was Wainwright's 3rd stop on the road back after making two starts in Single-A Palm Beach and two more in Double-A Springfield.

He dazzled in his Bluff City appearance against the Sounds.

His four inning stat line: 3 hits, no runs, 4 strikeouts and 2 walks on 61 pitches, 38 of them for strikes.

After his outing, Wainwright looked at the positives.

"It was good. I was trying to contain my fastball to both sides," Wainwright said. "I commanded it to first base side better than I had been today. Still got a little bit of work, maybe, on the third base side. The breaking balls were good. Cutter's good. The change ups--I don't know, it was a good outing. I'm glad to be here and competing in Memphis. I love Memphis. I love the people here, the food here. The city is great. It was great for two years in the minor leagues, and it's always good to come back to a familiar place."

Wainwright is expected to rejoin the Cardinals by Friday..

As for the offense, there was no score in the 3rd inning when the Redbirds bats got busy.

That's when Rangel Ravello slapped a base hit to the left side with two on.

Edwardo Sosa came in to score easily and Lane Thomas went from first to third with speed to set up another run.

That run comes from the very next batter as Alex Mejia gets the RBI single up the middle.

That made it 2-0, the score the Redbirds would win the game with.

The Redbirds close out the regular season on the road at Round Rock and Nashville.

On Monday, Tyler O'Neill and Dakota Hudson, who are both in the major leagues, were named to the All-PCL Team.

The PCL Playoffs start September 5.

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