Chasers Rout Redbirds 14-3
April 8, 2019 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
Omaha designated hitter Elier Hernandez collected four hits and drove in six runs, with all six RBI coming as part of the Storm Chasers' 12-run second-inning offensive explosion, resulting in a 14-3 series-ending rout of the Memphis Redbirds on Monday afternoon at AutoZone Park.
Hernandez (4-5, 2 R, HR, 6 RBI) began the scoring spurt with a two-run single to left prior to bashing a grand slam later in the inning, placing him one RBI shy of matching the Pacific Coast League record for runs driven in in one inning. The 12-run second frame was Omaha's single-highest scoring output in an inning since 1999, when the Omaha Golden Spikes plated 12 tallies as part of a 13-11 victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
In addition to Hernandez's heroics, 1B Kelvin Gutierrez , LF Jorge Bonifacio , CF Bubba Starling and RF Brett Phillips each drew bases-loaded walks in the second inning. 2B Jecksson Flores added a sacrifice fly, while C Nick Dini capped the big inning with a solo homer to left, his first longball of 2019. Dini drove in his second run of the contest with a run-scoring single in the sixth, with 3B Erick Mejia putting an exclamation mark on the afternoon courtesy of a solo blast in the eighth.
Dini (3-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI), Starling (3-5, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB), Gutierrez (3-4, R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB), and Mejia (2-5, 3 R, HR, RBI, BB) joined Hernandez in adding multi-hit efforts of their own. Gutierrez has gotten off to a hot start in 2019, recordng at least one hit in each of his first five career Triple-A contests with the Storm Chasers to post a .474 batting average (9-19). SS Humberto Arteaga added a single in the seventh inning to extend his hit streak to 13 games dating back to 2018.
Omaha starter Scott Blewett (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 4 K) earned the victory in his Triple-A debut, while Memphis starter Mike Hauschild (1.2 IP, 6 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 4 BB) suffered the defeat. Storm Chasers relievers Richard Lovelady (1.0 IP, H, K), Zach Lovvorn (2.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 2 K) and Michael Ynoa (1.0 IP, BB, 2 K) finished the job in support of Blewett.
Omaha returns to Werner Park to begin a seven-game homestand on Tuesday, April 9, starting with a three-game series versus the Oklahoma City Dodgers. First pitch that evening is set for 6:35pm CT. RHP Heath Fillmyer (0-1, 13.50) is expected toe the rubber for the Storm Chasers, while the Dodgers have not yet announced their starter.
Single-game tickets for all 70 Storm Chasers home contests can be purchased online at www.omahastormchasers.com, or by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office from noon until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at (402) 738-5100.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 8, 2019
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- Aces Return to Greater Nevada Field April 9 Following Five-Game Road Trip - Reno Aces
- Isotopes Take Series Finale - Salt Lake Bees
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- Nashville Sounds Game Information: Iowa Cubs (3-1) at Nashville Sounds (1-3) - Nashville Sounds
- Missions Fall in Series Finale - San Antonio Missions
- Chasers Rout Redbirds 14-3 - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Redbirds on Wrong End of 14-3 Series Finale - Memphis Redbirds
- Express Use Long Ball to Take Series from 'Cakes - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Oklahoma City scores five runs in the seventh inning of its series finale against San Antonio Monday - Oklahoma City Comets
- Express Top Baby Cakes 5-4 in Series Finale - Round Rock Express
- Game Notes: San Antonio Missions at Oklahoma City Dodgers - San Antonio Missions
- Game Notes: Memphis Redbirds (2-2) vs Omaha Storm Chasers (2-2) - Memphis Redbirds
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - April 8, 2019 - Oklahoma City Comets
- 'Birds Beat Chasers 3-2 - Omaha Storm Chasers
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