Storm Chasers Blank Punchless Redbirds
Teaford (1-1) allowed just one hit - a first inning single - while walking three and striking out four over six shutout innings. He was followed by Chavez, who earned the save with three shutout innings of his own. Chavez has not allowed a run in 9.1 innings pitched on the season.
Both Storm Chasers runs came via critical throwing errors by the Redbirds' defense. With two on and none out in the sixth, cleanup hitter Mike Moustakas laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt toward third base, which was fielded cleanly by losing pitcher Brandon Dickson (0-2) but thrown high and wide of the bag at first. David Lough raced around from second base on the play, giving the Chasers a 1-0 lead. The next batter, 6-foot-5, 238-pound Clint Robinson, swung and dribbled the ball a few feet in front of home plate, where Memphis catcher Tony Cruz fielded it and promptly threw the ball directly over the uncovered second base bag into centerfield, bringing Eric Hosmer across the plate to cap the scoring.
Moustakas, in addition to his rare bunt, turned in a pair of fine defensive plays at third base. He twice snared line drives inches off the ground and was able to double runners off first base, including on the game's final play when he doubled up Freddie Bynum at first after snaring a Matt Carpenter liner.
It was the second game in a row to feature terrific Storm Chasers defense. Second baseman Johnny Giavotella was featured on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays on Monday, when he started a spectacular 4-6-3 double play against the Nashville Sounds.
Omaha (6-7) will look to even its record at .500 for the first time since they reached the 2-2 mark on April 10 at Albuquerque. They are now even with Iowa and Nashville in the win column, though the 6-5 I-Cubs have played two fewer games than the Storm Chasers and Sounds. Righthander Kevin Pucetas of the Storm Chasers will face Cuban lefthander Raul Valdes, with an 11:05 a.m. first pitch scheduled at Werner Park.