Video+Gallery+Story: One Down, One to Go! Chihuahuas Chomp Redbirds 5-1
The El Paso Chihuahuas scored all five of their runs in the bottom of the third inning Saturday and beat the Memphis Redbirds 5-1.
The eight-batter rally included an RBI single by Rafael Ortega, a sacrifice fly by Hunter Renfroe and a three-run home run by Nick Buss. Jacob Nix allowed only one run in his Triple-A debut, pitching 6.2 innings for El Paso to earn the win.
The victory sets up a decisive Game 5 for the 2017 Pacific Coast League Championship Sunday at 6:05 pm.
It is the first Game 5 in Chihuahuas’ postseason history and the first Game 5 in the PCL finals since 2015, when Fresno defeated Round Rock at home.
The Chihuahuas are attempting to be the first PCL team since Tucson in 1991 to win a championship series after being down two games to zero.
The Chihuahuas have won two games in a row and all three home playoff games this season. El Paso pitching has held Memphis to only three runs in the last 31 innings.
Next Game: Sunday, 6:05 pm at Southwest University Park. Memphis RHP Matt Pearce (0-0, -.–) vs. El Paso RHP Kyle Lloyd (0-0, -.–). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso.
Box Score | Team Records: Memphis (2-2), El Paso (2-2)
El Paso 5 Memphis 1 – Saturday
WP: Nix (1-0)
LP: Gallen (0-1)
S: None
Time: 2:28
Attn: 4,067
Photo gallery by Andres Acosta, Chief Photographer, El Paso Herald-Post