Omaha Shuts Down Memphis 3-2

Storm Chasers second baseman Humberto Arteaga extended his hit streak dating back to last season to ten with a pair of knocks and the Omaha bullpen duo of Richard Lovelady and Michael Ynoa combined for three perfect innings of relief in a 3-2 victory over the Memphis Redbirds on Friday night at Autozone Park.

Over his last ten games going back to the 2018 campaign, Arteaga (2-4) has hit .417 (15-36) with four runs, two doubles and four RBI. It is the third hit streak of ten or more games he has recorded since the start of last year. He was the lone Storm Chasers batter to collect two or more hits, while Redbirds DH Max Schrock (2-4, RBI) and LF Lane Thomas (2-4) each collected multiple knocks.
Omaha scored the game's first run for the second time in as many games in 2019, taking advantage of a Redbirds throwing error in the third to grab the early 1-0 advantage. Memphis DH Max Schrock then evened the score at 1-1 with an RBI single in the fourth, while 3B Evan Mendoza scored in subsequent frame when 2B Ramón Urías reached on a fielder's choice to push the Redbirds ahead 2-1.
The Storm Chasers later capitalized on more Memphis miscues in the seventh, though. C Andrew Susac drew a game-tying bases-loaded walk prior to the go-ahead run being forced home when SS Nicky Lopez was hit by a pitch with the bases full.
Neither Omaha starter Arnaldo Hernandez (4.0 IP, 5 H, R, ER, BB, 3 K), nor his Memphis counterpart Jake Woodford (5.0 IP, 2 H, R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) factored in the final decisions. Storm Chasers reliever Zach Lovvorn (2.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 2 K) earned the win, while Lovelady (1.2 IP, K) and Ynoa (1.1 IP, K) shut the door by combining final three hitless innings, with the latter notching his first save. Redbirds reliever Ryan Webb (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 2 K) suffered the defeat.
Omaha and Memphis are slated to face off again on Saturday night at Autozone Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm CT. LHP Foster Griffin is expected to make his Triple-A debut for the Storm Chasers, while the Redbirds are anticipated to give the nod to RHP Ryan Helsley .
Omaha returns to Werner Park to begin a seven-game homestand on Tuesday, April 9. First pitch that evening is set for 6:35pm CT.
Single-game tickets for all 70 Storm Chasers home contests can be purchased online at www.omahastormchasers.com, or by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office from noon until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at (402) 738-5100.