Juan Yepez hit a pair of three-run homers and Gordon Graceffo and Connor Thomas combined on a three-hitter as the Memphis Redbirds routed the Norfolk Tides 10-0 on Wednesday night in Tennessee.
The Redbirds (58-58, 19-22 in second half) limited the Tides (69-46, 21-20) to three hits for the second straight night in taking a 2-0 series lead.
Norfolk has dropped eight of its past nine games and has been held to two or fewer runs in those eight defeats.
Tides starter Cade Povich (0-2) had pitched well in his previous two starts, but Memphis roughed him up for nine runs on seven hits in 1.2 innings.
Yepez, who finished 2 for 4 with six RBIs and has played in 96 games in the majors, hit his homers in his first two at-bats as the Redbirds scored three runs in the first inning and six in the second.
Graceffo (4-2) allowed two hits in five innings with six strikeouts and three walks. Thomas earned his first save of the season by giving up a hit in four innings with four strikeouts and no walks.
Lewin Díaz had two of the Tides’ three hits, including a double, and Colton Cowser had the other hit in his first game back with Norfolk since the Baltimore Orioles optioned him two days ago.
The two teams will play again at 7:45 p.m. Thursday.
