Luis Mendoza Almost Throws No-Hitter For Storm Chasers
Published on July 18, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
Memphis, TN - Luis Mendoza authored a complete-game one-hitter as Omaha shut out Memphis, 4-0, Monday night in the opener of a crucial four-game set at Auto Zone Park. The Storm Chasers won their third in a row to improve to 53-43 and increase their lead over the Redbirds to four games in the American Conference North Division.
The night didn't start off well for Mendoza, who walked Jim Rapoport to open the home first. However, he quickly assumed control and proceeded to retire the next 14 hitters before issuing a two-out free pass to Bryan Anderson in the fifth.
The All-Star right-hander set down the ensuing seven hitters to take a no-hit bid into the eighth inning for a second straight turn. His prior attempt at keeping Oklahoma City hitless on July 9 ended after Anderson Hernandez followed a leadoff walk to J.R. Towles with a looping single to rightfield.
Matt Carpenter and Anderson drew back-to-back walks to start the Memphis eighth but remained stationary after Pete Kozma and Adrin Chambers struck out and Rapoport grounded out to end the frame.
Tyler Greene led off the ninth inning with a line drive that ticked off the glove of a leaping David Lough in left field and off the base of the wall that was initally ruled an error. Nick Stavinoha fouled out to shortstop Mike Aviles for the first out before Mark Hamilton grounded out to second baseman Johnny Giavotella to move Greene to third. Mendoza then struck out Andrew Brown to end the contest after tossing 118 pitches as a fairly subdued celebration took place on the field.
However, shortly after the game ended, the official scorer reviewed the play and changed Lough's error to a hit for Greene, leaving Mendoza one batter shy of etching his name in the record books again.
Mendoza has been very stingy over two starts and two relief outings against the Redbirds this season, yielding only a pair of runs on eight hits over 25 2/3 innings of work.
Luis Aquino was the last Omaha pitcher to toss a complete-game, nine-inning no-hitter on June 20, 1988 and Mendoza was the last to do so in the PCL on August 14, 2009 while pitching for Oklahoma City.
Lough's base hit that plated Jarrod Dyson in the third inning would provide Mendoza with all of the offensive support he would need. Clint Robinson's two-run bases loaded single in the fifth pushed the lead to 3-0 and a run-producing ground out by Dyson in the eighth accounted for the visitors final run.
The series continues Tuesday night with Omaha right-hander Vin Mazzaro taking the mound against Memphis right-hander Maikel Cleto. Coverage of the game begins at 6:45 p.m. and can be heard locally on KOIL AM 1180 and online at omahastormchasers.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 18, 2011
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- Chasers Blank 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
- Sounds Score Two In Tenth To Win Series Opener In Iowa - Nashville Sounds
- Luis Mendoza Almost Throws No-Hitter For Storm Chasers - Omaha Storm Chasers
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