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PCL1 Memphis Redbirds

Game Notes: Memphis Redbirds (10-3) at Omaha Storm Chasers (3-9)

April 19, 2018 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


Memphis Redbirds (10-3) at Omaha Storm Chasers (3-9)

Thursday, April 19 - 5:05 p.m. (CT) (DH) - Werner Park (9,023) - Omaha, Nebraska

Games #14 and #15 - Road Games #7 and #8 (4-2)

RHP Jack Flaherty (2-0, 2.77) vs. TBA - LHP Sean Gilmartin (0-1, 15.75) vs. RHP Andres Machado (0-1, 6.00)

THE GAME

TODAY'S GAME: After a postponement last night due to inclement winter weather, the Memphis Redbirds and Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) are slated to play a doubleheader tonight starting at 5:05 p.m. The Redbirds and Storm Chasers faced off just a few days ago during Memphis' homestand, and the 'Birds swept the series 3-0. The 2018 Redbirds are currently tied with the 2000 and 2001 teams for the best-13 game start in franchise history. With a win tonight, the Redbirds would secure the best 14-game start in franchise history. Today's game will be broadcast live on www.memphisredbirds.com with Steve Selby on the call.

ON THE HILL: Right-hander Jack Flaherty will get the ball for the Redbirds in the first game tonight, making his third start for Memphis, and his third overall. The Cardinals' No. 2 prospect is coming off two-consecutive wins to start his season. In his last start against Iowa, he went 6.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits, while striking out five batters. Between St. Louis and Memphis this season, Flaherty is 2-0 in 18.0 innings pitched. He has allowed 16 hits and five earned runs, while walking just three and striking out 25 batters. His season ERA is 2.50, and he is holding batters to a .239 average.

Left-hander Sean Gilmartin is slated to get the ball in game two for his first start of the season after four relief appearances. Gilmartin started one game for Memphis last year before being injured, and he made seven regular-season relief appearances upon his return. In his Minor League career, Gilmartin has made 111 starts and 13 relief appearances, 11 of which have been since joining the Cardinals organization midway through last year.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Storm Chasers have not announced a starting pitcher for the first game. The nightcap is scheduled to be started by Andres Machado, who did not face Memphis earlier this season. He made one start against the Redbirds in 2017, working 3.2 innings at AutoZone Park on Aug. 7 and allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four.

HISTORY WITH OMAHA: The Redbirds and Storm Chasers have played each other every year dating back to 1998. The Redbirds hold the advantage against Omaha with an all-time record of 153-136 against the Storm Chasers. Memphis also holds the upper-hand on the road, with a slight two-game advantage in the all-time series record at 72-71. Before last night's loss, the 'Birds had won seven-straight against Omaha dating back to the end of the 2017 season. So far against the Storm Chasers this year, Memphis is hitting .246 against Omaha pitching compared to .220 for Omaha. Memphis also holds the pitching advantage, boasting a 2.21 ERA compared to a 3.97 ERA for Omaha pitching.

THIS DATE IN REDBIRDS HISTORY (2007): Manager Chris Maloney was ejected for the second consecutive game at New Orleans for arguing ball and strikes.

BIRD BITES

AROZARENA: Six stolen bases is tied with Mercado for PCL lead; stole three bases in the third game of his Triple-A career

BARON: Joins St. Louis organization after spending entire career in Seattle organization

GARCIA: Is hitting .313 in 52-career Triple-A games with 15 doubles, three triples, and four home runs

KELLY: Third stint with Memphis; spent second half of 2017 on St. Louis roster backing up Yadier Molina

MEJIA: Fourth stint with Memphis, appearing with team in each of the last four years; made MLB debut last season

MERCADO: Six stolen bases is tied with Arozarena for PCL lead; currently on a seven-game hitting streak (.444, 12-27)

MUNOZ: Joins the team after spending the first three weeks of the season with St. Louis

RAVELO: Second season in organization and with team; helped lead Memphis to PCL Pennant in 2017

SCHROCK: Ranks second in the PCL in hits and eighth in batting average

TOVAR: Second season with Memphis; has hits in seven games this season

URIAS: Is making Triple-A debut after spending last five years in the Mexican League

VOIT: Played in the first game of the season before going on the Disabled List; Redbirds went 9-3 in absence

WISDOM: Reigning PCL Playoffs MVP; hit career-high 31 home runs for Memphis last season

BY THE NUMBERS

9-0 record for Memphis starting pitchers this season with eight quality starts and a 2.61 ERA

THE SEASON

ABOUT THE LAST ONE: The defending Pacific Coast League champion Memphis Redbirds' vaulted a late comeback, but couldn't hang on in extra innings, and fell to the Omaha Storm Chasers 4-3 last night.

Austin Gomber had his best start of the young season. The lefty lasted a season-high 7.0 innings, allowing just five hits, two runs, and three walks, while striking out three en route to the no-decision.

Neither team strung enough hits together to put up big offensive numbers, managing to only score four combined runs until the 10th inning. Oscar Mercado led the charge for Memphis, going 3-for-4 with two RBI, and two stolen bases.

The new Minor-League extra inning rule that has a runner start on second base for both teams payed off for Omaha and Memphis, as both of those runners scored, but Omaha managed to put another one on the board to grab the walk-off win.

BEST START IN FRANCHISE HISTORY: The Redbirds have been on fire to start the 2018 season. Despite the loss Tuesday night, the 'Birds are still tied with the 2000 and 2001 teams for the best 13-game start in franchise history at 10-3. With a win tonight, the club would move past the 2000 Redbirds team that started 10-4. So far, the team has dominated in all aspects of the game. Offensively, they have outscored opponents 83-to-46. The club is hitting .305, has hit 13 home runs, 25 doubles, and two triples, while collecting 42 walks. They also have a collective OBP of .373 and an OPS of .827. The pitching staff has gotten off to a hot start, as well. The staff has a collective ERA of 3.32, have allowed just nine home runs, have struck out 105 batters, have a WHIP of 1.27, and are holding opposing hitters to a .238 average.

CAN'T STOP HITTING: Before his promotion to St. Louis for his Major League debut, outfielder and No. 4 Cardinals' prospect Tyler O'Neill was on a tear to start the season. O'Neill played in 12 of 13 games for Memphis this season, and had hit safely in 10-straight before Tuesday night. Since the season-opener, O'Neill hit .432 (19-for-44) in those 11 games. O'Neill was tied for the PCL lead in home runs (6) and lead in RBI (18), total bases (41), and was tied for third with nine extra-base hits. The slugging outfielder was also tied for fourth in hits (19) and tied for fifth in runs scored (13), second in slugging percentage (.837), and third in home runs per at-bat ratio (1/8.17).

FLASHIN' THE WHEELS AND POP: Outfielder and Cardinals' No. 13 prospect Oscar Mercado has gotten off to a hot start this season. Through the first 11 games of his Triple-A career, Mercado is hitting .378 (17-for-45). He has also recorded a hit in his last seven games and is hitting .444 (12-for-27) over that stretch. Mercado has crushed two home runs in the last three games, and has also continued his dominance on the base paths. A three-time stolen base leader, he has gotten off to a quick start this season. After stealing two bases Tuesday night, he has six steals on the season, tied for the PCL lead with teammate Randy Arozarena.

MAD MAX: Infielder Max Schrock has been nothing short of consistent in his first season at the Triple-A level. In 12 games so far this season, Schrock is hitting .389 (21-for-54), has scored 11 runs, has two doubles, one homer, eight RBI, and two walks, while striking out just three times. He currently is second in the PCL with 21 hits, and he is also third in total plate appearances per strikeout ratio at 19.00. Schrock also comes into tonight's game with the eighth-best batting average in the PCL at .389. Schrock has been a force on defense, as well. Despite making his first error of the season Tuesday night, the infielder has made just seven errors in his last 118 games dating back to the beginning of the 2017 season.

GOMBER'S HOT START: After struggling in his Triple-A debut two weeks ago, St. Louis' No. 14 has been phenomenal. The lanky lefty took the no-decision Tuesday night after pitching a season-high 7.0 innings, allowing just two runs on five hits, bringing his ERA down to 3.57. After his performance Tuesday night, opposing hitters have a collective batting average of just .238 against him this season, and just .222 over his career.

BLINK AND YOU MIGHT MISS THEM: While the Redbirds have proved they can smash the baseball, starting the season by notching at least one extra-base hit in the first 12 of the first 13 games, they have also proved that they can put runs on the board by dominating on the base paths. On Saturday, they stole five bases as a team for the first time since June 13, 2016 at Nashville. After stealing another three Tuesday night, the 'Birds have now stolen 19 bases as a team through the first 13 games of the season, and have been caught just six times, good for a .760 stolen base percentage. The 19 stolen bases lead the PCL, two ahead of Colorado Springs. Memphis is one of 10 PCL teams with at least 10 stolen bases, and among those teams, they are fourth in stolen base percentage (.760) behind New Orleans (.846, 11-13), Colorado Springs (.810, 17-21), and Nashville (.778, 14-18). Last season, Memphis did not record their 19th stolen base until the 52nd game on May 29.

GIVE ME GUILMET: After spending the 2017 season in Japan trying to get his stuff back, reliever Preston Guilmet is turning heads out of the Memphis bullpen. The veteran righty has been manager Stubby Clapp's most reliable arm out of the 'pen. So far, he has made five appearances, spanning 8.2 innings, allowing just two hits and one run, while striking out 12 and holding batters to a .077 (2-for-26) average. Guilmet leads the PCL with four saves, is tied for the lead with five games finished, and leads the league in fewest baserunners per nine innings at 3.12.

PITCHING PROWESS: Memphis' 2017 pitching staff was one of its main reasons for success. The 'Birds led the PCL in ERA (3.77), which was a franchise record (3.89, 1998 and 2003), and Memphis was the only club in the PCL with a team ERA under 4.20. They have gotten off to a hot start this season, as well. Memphis boasts a 3.32 ERA through the first 13 games, including a 2.61 ERA and eight quality starts from the starting rotation. The 3.32 team ERA is third in the PCL behind Nashville (2.47) and Oklahoma City (2.91).

GARCIA'S GAME: Outfielder and No. 9 prospect in the organization, Adolis Garcia has proven he's a hitter at every level, and has been dominating this season with the Redbirds. So far, Garcia has played in 12-of-13 games, starting 11 of them, and is hitting .350 with four doubles, a home run, seven RBI, and has swiped two bases. Garcia is hitting .350 (7-for-20) with runners on so far, and is hitting .571 (4-for-7, 2 2B, 4 RBI) with runners on with two outs and .750 (3-for-4, 2 2B, 4 RBI) with runners in scoring position with two outs. In his 52 career-regular season games at the Triple-A level, Garcia is hitting .313 (55-for-176) with 29 runs scored, 15 doubles, three triples, four home runs, 17 RBI, 11 walks and 41 strikeouts.

WINNING WAYS: The 2017 Redbirds became the winningest club in the franchise's 20 seasons with their 84th win on Aug. 21 against New Orleans. The previous record was 83 wins, set by the 2000 team. The 'Birds have continued their winning ways to begin the 2018 season. They have started 10-3, and have matched the 2000 and 2001 clubs with the best 13-game start in franchise history. With a win tonight, they would move into sole possession of the best 14-game start in franchise history.

Last season, Memphis became the first PCL team since Tucson in 2006 to win 90 games in the regular season. They finished the season with a record of 91-50, and went on to win an additional six games in the PCL playoffs, giving them a total of 97 for the year.

FASTEST TO 100: With the win Saturday night, second-year manager Stubby Clapp secured his 100th regular season win as manager of the Redbirds. The accomplishment made him the fastest manager in Redbird history to reach 100 games. He also sits at sixth on the all-time win list for the Redbirds and has the best winning percentage at .656. Clapp's regular season record now sits at 101-53.

2017 PCL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

START THE SLOW CLAPP: In 2017, first-year skipper Stubby Clapp led the Redbirds to their best season in franchise history. The 'Birds soared to a 91-50 record in the 2017 regular season and added six more wins in the PCL playoffs to win 97 total games on the year. Clapp was named the 2017 PCL Manager of the Year for his efforts, and was also named the 2017 Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year. Clapp became the first minor league manager in the history of the St. Louis organization to win the Baseball America award. Clapp also earned the organization's prestigious George Kissell award.

FOR THE RECORD:

- Memphis' 91 wins in 2017 were the 10th-most in 119 seasons of professional baseball in Memphis dating back to 1877, and the season's .645 winning percentage was fourth-best

- Memphis was one of four teams in MiLB in 2017 with 90+ wins (Trenton Thunder [AA], 92-48; West Michigan Whitecaps [A], 91-45; Chattanooga Lookouts [AA], 91-49; Memphis Redbirds [AAA], 91-50)

- Memphis went 41 games over .500 during the regular season, the most by a PCL club since Albuquerque was 56 games over at 94-38 in 1981

- The Redbirds won the PCL American Southern Division by 22.0 games, and since divisions were established in the PCL in 1963, only two other teams won their division by 20 or more games (1970 Spokane Indians, 26.0 games; 1981 Albuquerque Dukes, 25.0 games)

- Memphis ended the season with its best ERA in franchise history (3.77) (3.89, 1998 and 2003), matched its best fielding percentage (.984) (.984, 2014), and had its third-best batting average (.278) (.284, 1999; .279, 2004)

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