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Omaha Storm Chasers

Mortensen Masterful in Season Debut

April 14, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


Memphis, TN - Clay Mortensen spun six shutout innings and Brett Eibner continued his torrid start with two hits and two runs batted in to lead Omaha to a 5-1 victory over Memphis Tuesday night in the first of an abbreviated three-game set at AutoZone Park. The Storm Chasers won their third straight game to improve to 4-1 and handed the Redbirds their third straight loss.

Mortensen and Memphis starter John Gast were locked in a pitcher's duel that kept the game scoreless through five innings before the Storm Chasers took advantage of some shoddy defense to break through in the sixth and seize the lead for good.

Whit Merrifield started decisive rally with a lead-off walk, moved to third on a Rey Fuentes single and came home on an Eibner base hit that also chased Gast from the hill after he had allowed five hits, issued a pair of free passes and struck out five. Sam Tuivailala took over and uncorked a wild pitch that advanced the runners before an intentional walk to Cheslor Cuthbert filled the bases with one out. The hard-throwing right-hander looked he was going to get the inning-ending double play ground ball off the bat of Matt Fields he needed to squash the threat but the relay throw to first base was an errant one allowing two runs to score to make it a 3-0 contest. Another miscue on a Francisco Pena grounder permitted Fields to cross the plate with the final run of the frame.

Omaha's 30-year-old right-hander earned the win after he yielded three hits, walked one, fanned three and did not permit a runner to advance past second base in his first start of the season. Brian Broderick, another former Redbird, assumed the hill in the seventh and gave up three straight singles to start the inning, the last of which by Cody Stanley ended the Chasers' 21-inning scoreless streak. Scott Alexander and Louis Coleman each tossed a scoreless inning to wrap up the visitors ninth straight series opening victory in Memphis.

The series continues Wednesday morning with Omaha right-hander Luke Hochevar getting the starting nod to be followed by right-hander Aaron Brooks against Memphis southpaw and top St. Louis pitching prospect Marco Gonzales. Coverage of the game gets underway at 10:45 am and can be heard locally on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and online at omahastormchasers.com.

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