Daily Farm Report: Redbirds Keep Rolling

Only three teams were in action Wednesday, with Springfield on an off day. Memphis continued to rack up wins, Palm Beach split a double-header, and Peoria just kept on hitting.

Memphis Redbirds 3, Omaha Storm Chasers 2

Dakota Hudson (SP): 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K’s

Tyler O’Neill (DH): 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R

Adolis Garcia (RF): 1-3, 2B, RBI

Randy Arozarena (LF): 2-3, 2B

Memphis held off a late Omaha rally to improve to 6-1 on the season. Dakota Hudson turned in a solid start, limiting the damage over 5 innings. The offense, powered by the vaunted Redbirds outfield, broke the stalemate with three runs in the bottom of third.

An Oscar Mercado two-out single followed by a Range Ravelo walk set the stage for a Tyler O’Neill two-run double. Adolis Garcia then doubled to drive in O’Neill. The third inning homer was O’Neill’s fourth through the first six games. He’s slashing .357/.357/.857 out of the gate.

Game 1: Palm Beach Cardinals 2, Dunedin Blue Jays 1

Anthony Shew (SP): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K’s

Evan Mendoza (3B): 1-3

J.B. Woodman (LF): 2-3, RBI, R

Wednesday’s action included a double header in Palm Beach after Tuesday’s contest was postponed by rain. Both contests were limited to seven innings. Seven innings turned out to be all that starter Anthony Shew needed, limiting the Bluejays to a single run and only four baserunners.

The Palm Beach offense produced no extra base hits, but was still able to back up Shew’s stellar outing. J.B. Woodman drove in first baseman Stefan Trosclair against his former organization, only to score himself on a Jose Godoy sacrifice. Palm Beach stood at 4-2 heading into the second game.

Game 2: Dunedin Bluejays 2 at Palm Beach Cardinals 0

Ronnie Williams (SP): 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K’s

Andy Young (3B): 2-3

Johan Mieses (LF): 1-3

The offense remained quiet in the second half of the double header. Over seven innings of play, the Palm Beach lineup combined for only 6 hits. None went for extra bases. Third basemen Andy Young and second baseman Jose Martinez each collected two singles.

The bats couldn't pick the promising outing of starter Ronnie Williams. Williams, who has kicked between the rotation and the bullpen in the low minors, got through 3.2 innings of zero-run ball with only 50 pitches. Palm Beach ended Wednesday at 4-3.

Cedar Rapids Kernels 12 at Peoria Chiefs 9

Winston Nicacio (SP): 3 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 4 K’s, 3 HR

Taylor Bryant (3B): 3-5, 2B, RBI, 3 R

Juan Yepez (1B): 2-4, 2 RBI, 1 R

Dylan Carlson (RF): 2-5, HR, 3 RBI, R

Peoria might rival the Redbirds for hottest affiliate offense to start the season. The Chiefs piled on 9 runs on 14 hits, but 3 errors and a shaky start cost them the win. Starter Winston Nicacio was beat up early, only to be relieved in the fourth by righty Kevin Hamann. Hamann let up an additional 3 runs over 2.1 innings.

Offensively, the middle of the Chiefs lineup continued to produce. First baseman Juan Yepez is on fire to start the season, adding a pair of hits to improve his line to .526/.565/.842. Outfielder Dylan Carlson launched a three-run shot early, his first of the season. Nick Plummer failed to pick up a hit, but walked twice while playing center field.

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Thursday’s Probables

MEM: Austin Gomber

SPR: Ryan Helsley

PMB: Mike O’Reilly

PEO: Jake Walsh