MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The first-place Memphis Redbirds (55-34) scored three runs in the second inning and did not look back in a 3-2 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) Saturday night at AutoZone Park.
Carson Kelly was 3-for-4 with a run, and Alex Mejia drove in two runs in the second inning with a single. Oscar Mercado drove in the other Memphis run in the inning with an RBI double that scored Patrick Wisdom, who singled to start the frame.
Chris Ellis moved to 2-0 with 6.0 innings of two-run baseball, giving up five hits. He did not allow an Omaha baserunner until the top of the fourth. Conner Greene worked the seventh inning and avoided a leadoff walk coming back to haunt him with a fielder’s choice groundout and a double play.
Tommy Layne pitched 1.1 innings and struck out three. Since joining the Redbirds, Layne has recorded 17 outs, 13 via strikeout.
Edward Mujica relieved Layne with two outs to go in the game and allowed the tying run to reach base on a single, but he finished out the contest and earned his eighth save of the year.
The Redbirds turned three double plays in the game, and Mejia stole his fifth base of the year.
The Redbirds and Storm Chasers finish their series tomorrow at 2:05, which leads into the All-Star Break. For more information on single-game tickets and ticket mini-memberships, visitwww.memphisredbirds.com.
