MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The Memphis Redbirds (6-1) used a big third inning to win their second-straight over the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) (1-5), 3-2 Wednesday afternoon at AutoZone Park.
The ‘Birds were outhit for the first time this season, but strung enough hits together to snag the win in front of a crowd largely made up of school kids from the year’s first Education Day.
Dakota Hudson tossed 4.0 innings scoreless innings for the Redbirds before allowing two runs in the fifth. Hudson got out of the jam, and finished the inning. Hudson’s final line was 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, and 5 K, and he is now 2-0 with a 4.35 ERA through his first two starts this season.
The Redbirds scored three runs in the third inning, driven in on back-to-back doubles from Tyler O’Neill and Adolis Garcia. O’Neill’s double scored Oscar Mercado and Rangel Ravelo after they singled and walked, respectively. Garcia’s hit drove in O’Neill in what proved to be the winning run.
Omaha’s two runs came after a walk and two-straight hits in the top of the fifth from Hunter Dozier and Ryan O’Hearn.
Arturo Reyes and Preston Guilmet came on in relief of Hudson, and combined to twirl four scoreless innings. Both allowed a single hit, and combined to strikeout six Storm Chasers.
Memphis and Omaha play the finale of their three-game series tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. The Redbirds’ season-opening homestand continues through Monday against the Iowa Cubs (Cubs). For more information on single-game tickets and ticket mini-memberships, visit www.memphisredbirds.com/tickets.
