A 2-0 deficit through three innings was no problem for the Memphis Redbirds, as they proceeded to blast four home runs and toss three scoreless innings to finish an 8-4 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) in the series opener Friday night in Omaha, Neb.
Adolis Garcia homered twice for his 19th and 20th long balls of the season, John Nogowski went deep for the third time in two games, and Johan Mieses went yard for the third-straight game to power the Memphis offense. Nogowski also doubled, Jose Godoy hit two two-baggers, and Randy Arozarena also had a double in the game.
The first four hitters in the Memphis (40-59) lineup all had two-hit games as part of the Redbirds’ 13-hit attack, and defensively the club turned four double plays. Garcia also had an outfield assist at second base.
Harold Arauz moved to 6-2 on the season with 5.2 innings of work, allowing four runs on six hits with two strikeouts and three walks. Tyler Webb, Mike Mayers, and Hunter Cervenka combined to finish the ballgame in scoreless fashion.
With Omaha (45-54) threatening, Webb got a double play to finish the seventh inning, Mayers got two groundouts and a strikeout around a walk in the eighth, and Cervenka induced a double play to finish the ballgame.
Arozarena is now on a five-game hitting streak after his 2-for-5 game.
Memphis and Omaha continue their three-game series tomorrow night at 7:05. The Redbirds return to AutoZone Park on Tuesday.
