Flaherty Fans 11 in Spectacular Outing; Redbirds Move to 4-0

April 8, 2018 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release

ROUND ROCK, Texas - Jack Flaherty made his Triple-A season debut and struck out 11 without a walk in 7.0 innings, and Tyler O'Neill hit his fourth home run in three games as the Memphis Redbirds improved to 4-0 on the season with a 4-1 win over the Round Rock Express (Rangers) Sunday afternoon in Round Rock, Texas.

Flaherty gave up just one run on five hits, and he only allowed two singles after the second inning. Combining this start with his outing for St. Louis earlier this season, Flaherty has struck out 20 with one walk, 11 hits, and two earned runs in 12.0 innings in 2018.

O'Neill finished 3-for-4 with three RBI thanks to his fifth-inning home run, a two-run shot, and Randy Arozarena walked three times and stole three bases, becoming the first Redbird with three steals in a game since Matt Williams at Nashville on June 13, 2016. The Redbirds were held to their fewest runs in a game this season, but the club has still tallied double-digit hits in each of the four games this year.

Oscar Mercado, Alex Mejia, and Wilfredo Tovar also had two-hit games for Memphis (4-0).

Memphis trailed 1-0 after two innings with Round Rock's Hanser Alberto doubling home a run off Flaherty in the second, but the Redbirds regained the lead in the next half-inning with Mercado and O'Neill providing RBI singles.

From there it was all Flaherty, as he recorded the longest outing by a Redbird so far this season and gave up only two base hits after that second inning. He finished the game with 72 strikes in 103 pitches.

Derian Gonzalez rebounded from a rough season debut and picked up the save with 2.0 perfect innings of relief.

Mercado also had a steal in the game, his second of the year.

Memphis and Round Rock conclude their series tomorrow night at 7:05 (CT). The Redbirds' home opener is set for Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. against the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals). For more information on single-game tickets and ticket mini-memberships, visit www.memphisredbirds.com/tickets.

Pacific Coast League Stories from April 8, 2018

• Rainiers Walk Off River Cats, 7-6, In Game One; Game Two Postponed - Tacoma Rainiers
• Grizzlies even record at 2-2 on Sunday - Fresno Grizzlies
• Cody Decker Homers in Aces 9-4 Loss - Reno Aces
• Isotopes Bats Remain Hot, Defeat Bees 11-4 - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Johnson Homers in Bees Loss - Salt Lake Bees
• Chihuahuas Rally for 8-5 win - El Paso Chihuahuas
• Round Rock Drops Fourth Straight to Memphis, 4-1 - Round Rock Express
• Flaherty Fans 11 in Spectacular Outing; Redbirds Move to 4-0 - Memphis Redbirds
• Baby Cakes Blank Sounds for Third Straight Win - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Offense Falters, Sounds Lose to Baby Cakes - Nashville Sounds
• Reno Aces Game Notes - Reno Aces
• Nashville Sounds Game Information: Nashville Sounds (1-2) at New Orleans Baby Cakes (2-1) - Nashville Sounds
• Game Notes: Memphis Redbirds (3-0) at Round Rock Express (0-3) - Memphis Redbirds
• Bees Fall to Isotopes After Rain Delay - Salt Lake Bees
• Tapia Powers Albuquerque to 9-4 Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Four Homers Lead Chihuahuas to Win - El Paso Chihuahuas
• Three Hits Enough as Baby Cakes Slip by Sounds - New Orleans Baby Cakes

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Memphis Redbirds Stories

• Redbirds Announce $10 Field Box Flash Sale for Sandlot Night
• Crooks Cracks Three-Run Homer to Seal Redbirds Win against Tides
• Mathews Shines, Bats Blast in Memphis Victory over Norfolk
• Saggese Three-Run Homer Not Enough for Redbirds in Opener against Tides
• Redbirds Drop Finale at Stripers, Hold on for Series Victory