MEMPHIS - After 2 home runs on Sunday, Jorge Soler drove in 4 more runs on Monday night, as the Storm Chasers defeated the Redbirds 8-4 in their series opener at AutoZone Park.
MEMPHIS - After 2 home runs on Sunday, Jorge Soler drove in 4 more runs on Monday night, as the Storm Chasers defeated the Redbirds 8-4 in their series opener at AutoZone Park.
Omaha scored twice in the opening inning; Billy Burns walked, Dean Anna singled, and Cheslor Cuthbert singled to load the bases. Soler followed with a 2-run single, giving Omaha a 2-0 lead.
Memphis responded with a run in the bottom of the 1st. Rangel Ravelo singled, stole 2nd, and scored on a single by Alex Mejia.
The Redbirds then grabbed the lead in the bottom of the 4th, on a home run by Patrick Wisdom, a double by Wilfredo Tovar, and a single by Alberto Rosario.
The home run ended the night for spot-starter Andres Machado , who allowed 2 runs on 3 hits over 3.2 innings, with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Pedro Fernandez allowed the Redbirds' 2nd run in the 4th inning, but recovered with a scoreless 5th.
The Storm Chasers then rallied for 5 in the top of the 6th. Frank Schwindel doubled, Logan Moon doubled him home, and Garin Cecchini doubled Moon to 3rd. With 1 out, Corey Toups bounced a single into center to plate both Moon and Cecchini, making it 5-3 Omaha. After the 2nd out, Dean Anna drew a walk, marking the end of the night for Redbirds starter Luke Weaver.
Josh Zeid was summoned out of the Memphis bullpen, but the Chasers scored twice more before the inning was over. Cheslor Cuthbert walked to load the bases, and Jorge Soler singled home 2 more runs, giving Omaha a 7-3 advantage.
Weaver (L, 9-2) was charged with 7 runs, 12 hits, and 2 walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out 2.
Pedro Fernandez (W, 1-0), meanwhile, threw 2 more scoreless innings, working through the bottom of the 7th. He allowed just 1 run in 3.1 total innings, and earned his first Triple-A win.
Kyle Zimmer allowed a leadoff homer to Harrison Bader in the bottom of the 8th inning, cutting the lead to 7-4. Zimmer then proceeded to strike out the side.
Omaha gained that run right back in the top of the 9th. Frank Schwindel doubled, went to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt by Logan Moon, and was pinch-run for by Terrance Gore . Garin Cecchini was intentionally walked, and Brayan Peña beat out a fielder's choice at 1st, earning an RBI and allowing Gore to score for an 8-4 lead.
Zimmer returned for the bottom of the 9th, closing out the game and giving Omaha their 5th win in their last 6 games.
The Storm Chasers will continue the series with a doubleheader in Memphis tomorrow. Game 1 will begin at 5:35, with LHP Brian Flynn (4-2, 6.00) tossing for Omaha against RHP Kevin Herget (3-1, 4.14).
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