Mendoza Three-Hit Night for Memphis

The Cardinal Chronicle
Mendoza Three-Hit Night for Memphis
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Ramon Mendoza is the Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day after putting together the cleanest offensive performance in the Cardinals’ minor league system Friday night.

Mendoza went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, helping lead the Memphis Redbirds to an 11-7 comeback win over Indianapolis. In a game that featured plenty of offense and multiple lead changes, Mendoza gave Memphis the steady production it needed in the middle of another strong team win.

The Redbirds had several contributors, but Mendoza stood out because of the completeness of his night. He reached base, drove in runs, scored runs, and stayed involved in the offense from start to finish. That is the kind of all-around line that gets noticed, especially when it comes in a comeback victory for a first-place club.

Memphis continues to play the kind of baseball that keeps pressure on opponents. The Redbirds did not win Friday night with one swing or one inning. They kept grinding through the game, answered back when Indianapolis put runs on the board, and eventually took control with a lineup that refused to go quiet.
Mendoza was right in the middle of that effort.

For a Player of the Day selection, the choice usually comes down to impact. Mendoza’s three-hit night gave Memphis exactly what it needed — traffic on the bases, run production and momentum. On a night when the Redbirds needed the offense to carry the load, Mendoza helped make sure it did.

Honorable Mention

Blaze Jordan also deserves recognition after collecting two doubles and driving in two runs for Memphis. His extra-base production was a major part of the Redbirds' offensive attack.

Tai Peete earns a nod as well after extending his hitting streak to 10 games for Peoria. That kind of consistency matters, and Peete continues to give the Chiefs a steady presence in the lineup.

Old School Take

A 3-for-4 night with two RBIs and two runs scored may not always come with the loudest headline, but it is winning baseball. Mendoza did a little bit of everything Friday night, and for a Memphis club that keeps finding ways to win, that kind of performance is exactly what keeps the train moving.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports