Memphis cooled off the Norfolk Tides on Thursday night, beating them 10-3 before 2,539 at AutoZone Park in Tennessee.
The International League-leading Tides still are ahead 2-1 in the six-game series, heading into Friday’s 8:05 p.m. contest.
The Redbirds (26-22) had 16 hits — including three apiece by Moises Gomez and Juniel Querecuto. Ivan Herrera doubled twice and scored three runs, and Luken Baker and top St. Louis prospect Jordan Walker each scored twice and had two hits.
Memphis took a commanding lead in the first two innings, dooming Norfolk starter Drew Rom (4-3) to a defeat. Rom lasted just 1 2/3 innings, giving up six earned runs, seven hits and two walks. Reliever Kyle Dowdy gave up three earned runs and seven hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Starter Michael McGreevy (3-0) gained the victory for Memphis, giving up six hits and two earned runs in five innings. Lewin Diaz’s two-run homer in the third off McGreevy and Daz Cameron’s single in the seventh brought in Norfolk’s runs.
Connor Norby, Josh Lester and newcomer Ben DeLuzio, who played left field, each had two hits for the Tides, who stranded nine runners.
DeLuzio, a 28-year-old free agent from Florida State, was signed this week after being released by the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on May 16.
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE STANDINGS
(through Thursday’s games)
Team, W-L, Pct., GB
East Division
Norfolk (Orioles), 33-14, .702, -
Durham (Rays), 25-22, .532, 8.0
Charlotte (White Sox), 24-24, .500, 9.5
Worcester (Red Sox), 24-24, .500, 9.5
Lehigh Valley (Phillies), 23-24, .489, 10.0
Buffalo (Blue Jays), 23-25, .479, 10.5
Scranton/W-B (Yankees), 23-25, .479, 10.5
Jacksonville (Marlins), 21-25, .457, 11.5
Rochester (Nationals), 20-26, .435, 12.5
Syracuse (Mets), 19-29, .396, 14.5
West Division
Iowa (Cubs), 27-18, .600, -
St. Paul (Twins), 25-21, .543, 2.5
Memphis (Cardinals), 26-22, .542, 2.5
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Columbus (Guardians), 24-23, .511, 4.0
Louisville (Reds), 24-23, .511, 4.0
Nashville (Brewers), 24-23, .511, 4.0
Indianapolis (Pirates), 22-25, .468, 6.0
Toledo (Tigers), 22-25, .468, 6.0
Gwinnett (Braves), 21-26, .447, 7.0
Omaha (Royals), 20-26, .435, 7.5