PCL1 Memphis Redbirds

Redbirds Fall to Omaha in Front of Packed House

Published on August 17, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Omaha Storm Chasers scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning for a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the Memphis Redbirds in front of a capacity crowd of 17,048 fans on Saturday night at AutoZone Park. The crowd was the seventh-largest for a regular season game in franchise history.

With the loss, Memphis (60-68) has now dropped five straight and trail Omaha by four games in the PCL American Northern Division with 16 games to play.

Eight of the nine combined runs between the two teams reached on a walk. The other run scored reached on a fielding error.

Memphis failed to produce an extra-base hit for a season-high third straight game. Third baseman Jermaine Curtis had two of the Redbirds' four base hits. Outfielder Mike O'Neill matched a career high with three walks.

Omaha starter Brian Sanches tossed five scoreless innings of two-hit ball with three strikeouts before the rain delay ended his night at 55 pitches. Buddy Baumann (3-0) backed into the win with a blown save, allowing all three inherited runners to score over 1 2/3 innings.

Omaha jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first two innings against Eric Fornataro, who was making his first start since the 2011 season. After the first two Storm Chasers were retired, Johnny Giavotella walked and later scored on singles from Ben Brossard and Brian Fletcher. Pedro Ciraco came home on a fielding error in the next frame, followed by a Gorkys Hernandez RBI single.

After a one-hour and 39-minute rain delay, Memphis went ahead at 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth on a four-run rally, thanks to one hit and five walks issued by two Omaha relievers. Four free passes and two wild pitches gave the Redbirds their first two runs, which was followed by a sacrifice fly by Adron Chambers. Curtis delivered the club's lone hit of the wild inning and a 4-3 lead with a two-out, bloop single between the second baseman and right fielder.

Broussard and Fletcher cashed in both walks that began the seventh frame with RBI singles. Irving Falu came home to knot the contest while Giavotella scored the game-winning run.

Five relievers combined to pitch for the Redbirds on the night. Fornataro gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits in two frames in a spot start. Keith Butler pitched a season-high three shutout innings with a strikeout. Deryk Hooker retired one batter and left two aboard before the game delay.

Michael Blazek (0-2) gave up two runs in 1 2/3 innings while stranding both inherited runners, but came away with the defeat. Fernando Salas ended the night with two scoreless.

The two teams will continue their five-game series at 6:05 pm CT on Sunday night. Memphis will send right-hander Carlos Martinez (5-2, 2.05) to the hill to face right-hander Felipe Paulino (0-1, 9.95).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 17, 2013


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