PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Thompson Hit Hard in Redbirds Reunion

Published on April 11, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


OMAHA, NE - Brad Thompson enjoyed a lot of success pitching for the Memphis Redbirds over the past six seasons, when he wasn't holding his own pitching in the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, pitching against his former club on Sunday was anything but enjoyable for the Omaha right-hander, as Memphis pounded him for seven runs on eleven hits over five-and-two-thirds innings. The Redbirds went on to collect 19 hits in an 11-3 rout of the Royals, witnessed by 3,110 fans at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Pitching for Memphis in parts of each year from 2004-2009, Thompson was 8-2 with a 3.76 ERA in 34 games, including 15 starts. He was also named the Cardinals Rookie of the Year in 2005 when he made a splash in his first Major League campaign, going 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA and one save in 40 outings out of the St. Louis bullpen.

Thompson was staked to a 2-0 lead in the first inning Sunday, when Kila Ka'aihue hit an opposite field homer to left off Adam Ottavino with Marc Maddox on base. But, the Redbirds were teeing off on Thompson from the start. Kevin Howard's leadoff home run in the second inning cut the Royals' lead in half. Memphis batted around in the third, sending nine men to the plate in the first of a pair of four-run frames on the day. Thompson was chased in the midst of a four-run sixth inning that gave Memphis a 9-3 lead. A sinker-baller who relies on getting grounders, Thompson recorded only three groundouts compared to 12 flyouts in his Omaha debut.

Ottavino, who lost his first nine decisions of 2009 with Memphis, won his first outing of 2010. The Cardinals' 24-year old prospect allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings, walking one while striking out eight Omaha batters. Oneli Perez fired four scoreless innings to notch his first save.

Memphis took the series 3-1. The defending Pacific Coast League champs won three straight after the Royals prevailed on Opening Night last Thursday.

Next up for the Royals is a four-game series against American Northern Division foe Nashville, which completed a four-game sweep at Iowa on Sunday with a 4-2 victory. The series opener is Monday at 6:35 p.m. Sounds southpaw Chase Wright goes against Omaha right-hander Bryan Bullington in the season debut for both.

Fans will enjoy $1 hot dogs, courtesy of Rotella's Italian Bakery! Plus, it's another Nebraska College Savings Program "Hit the Books" game. The night is also presented by 89.7 The River.

For tickets, call (402) 738-5100, or print tickets online at www.oroyals.com .

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 11, 2010


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