OMAHA, Nebraska – The Memphis Redbirds (59-35) shutout the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) 8-0, Sunday afternoon at Werner Park in Omaha, Neb. It was the season-finale between the two teams. Memphis won three of the four series, and split the other. The Redbirds finished the season 11-5 against Omaha.
Memphis starter Daniel Poncedeleon turned in the finest start of his career. The righty threw a complete game shutout, the first of his career. It was the first complete game shutout by a Memphis pitcher since Jerome Williams accomplished the feat on June 11, 2016 against Colorado Springs. Poncedeleon allowed just one hit and two walks in the game, striking out five batters. With the dominant performance, Poncedeleon lowered his season ERA to 2.15, second lowest in the PCL.
The Redbirds started the scoring in the second inning when second baseman Alex Mejia launched his second home run of the season, and his first since April 29. In the third, the Redbirds added another run. They loaded the bases with no outs in the inning before Steven Baron scored when Luke Voit grounded into a double play.
In the seventh, Mejia reached on an error and scored three pitches later when Max Schrock launched his fourth home run of the season. Memphis loaded the bases in the top of the ninth and scored four more runs on singles from Wilfredo Tovar and Tyler O’Neill. The ‘Birds finished the game with eight hits.
Tovar and Rangel Ravelo went 2-for-5 and 2-for-4, respectively, recording the only multi-hit games of the day. Baron also collected a hit for the Redbirds, extending his season-long hitting streak to six games.
Memphis will return to AutoZone Park for seven games starting tomorrow against the Iowa Cubs and Colorado Springs Sky Sox. For more information on single-game tickets and ticket mini-memberships, visitwww.memphisredbirds.com.
