Mark Nasser talks about Mendoza's no-hitter

Omaha Storm Chasers radio broadcaster Mark Nasser made some time for Omaha Baseball 360 this morning to talk about Luis Mendoza's no-hitter, turned one-hitter, turned no-hitter last night in Memphis. He spoke about why Mendoza has been so effective this season, the controversial play that nearly cost Mendoza the no-hitter and Nasser offered his opinion of the play. Just click the play button below to listen to the interview.

UPDATE from the Storm Chasers on July 19 @ 4:02 pm: The Memphis coaching staff, led by manager Chris Maloney – who, incidentally, was ejected during the 5th inning last night – is protesting the scoring decision and has filed a formal appeal to the Pacific Coast League office. A final decision could be made within the next 24-48 hours.

UPDATE from the PCL on July 20 @ 5:13 pm: The PCL has overturned Medoza's no-hitter. It will go down in the record books as a one-hitter. See the PCL's complete response here.

Luis Mendoza tosses his second career PCL no-hitter

Luis Mendoza tossed his second career PCL no-hitter
in Memphis last night (File photo: Lee Warren)

Memphis, TN – Luis Mendoza tossed the first Omaha no-hitter in 23 years Monday night. He shut down the Memphis Redbirds and Omaha cruised to a 4-0 win, improving to 53-43 and increasing their lead over the Redbirds in the PCL American North to four games.

The Chasers also clinched the divisional tie-breaker over the Redbirds and are now 9-4 against them this season with three games remaining.

But the story everyone is talking about is the no-hitter that was changed to a one-hitter after the game and then reversed back to a no-hitter later in the night.

 

Giavotella powers Chasers past hometown Zephyrs

Omaha, Neb. – Second baseman Johnny Giavotella had a career day against the New Orleans Zephyrs Sunday at Werner Park, going 4-for-4 with two home runs in a 7-4 Omaha victory that gave the Chasers a three-game lead over second place Memphis in the PCL American North.

The Jesuit High School (New Orleans) and University of New Orleans alumnus homered in the first, doubled in the third, homered again in the fourth and singled and scored in the seventh. His performance raised his batting average to .334 for the year with nine home runs, 64 RBIs, 56 runs scored and 28 doubles, while raising his batting average to .394 since June 1st.

Giavotella’s big afternoon helped veteran righthander Jeff Suppan to his team-leading eighth win of the year. Suppan (8-5) went seven innings, allowing four runs, staying in long enough to take advantage of the Chasers three-run seventh spurred by Giavotella’s fourth hit of the game. The Zephyrs had rallied with two runs to tie the game at 4-4 in the top half of the inning.

Aviles leads the charge in Chasers win

Omaha, Neb. – The Storm Chasers turned the tables on New Orleans on Saturday, coming back to beat the Zephyrs 9-5 at Werner Park. Mike Aviles had a big night at the plate, belting three doubles and driving in four runs in the winning effort.

After starting and winning pitcher Sean O’Sullivan spotted New Orleans three quick runs in the top of the first inning, the Chasers began chipping away. Jarrod Dyson chopped a single over the mound leading off the bottom of the first, and one out later Aviles ripped an RBI double past a diving Joe Thurston in left, bringing home Dyson on the play. Aviles tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth on a two-run gap shot, and later drilled an RBI double to center to extend the lead to 9-4. The four runs batted in matched a season high for the 30-year-old shortstop.

O’Sullivan (2-1) settled down, finishing seven strong innings despite a triple-digit heat index. He allowed four runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out five in 105 pitches. He was particularly effective with his breaking pitches, consistently getting his curve ball over for strikes. O’Sullivan then gave way to Kevin Pucetas, who allowed a run in two innings of relief duty.

Zephyrs down the Chasers, Omaha clings to one game lead

Mike Montgomery gave up three
earned runs in 6.0 innings
(File photo: Dennis Hubbard)

Omaha, Neb. – Everything turned on one at bat during the sixth inning on Friday night. New Orleans shortstop Ozzie Martinez blasted a two-run, two-out home run to give New Orleans a 3-2 lead. The Chasers hung in the game until the eighth inning when the Zephyrs sent 10 men to the plate, scoring six runs to take a 9-2 lead. That turned out to be the final score and the Chasers fell to 50-43 on the season.

Omaha scored in the first inning on a solid single to right field by Clint Robinson. He drove in Jarrod Dyson, who had no problem scoring from second base and didn't even draw a throw from right fielder Chris Aguila. Omaha scored again in the second inning when Irving Falu drove in Lorenzo Cain with a sharp single to center field on an 0-1 pitch to give Omaha the 2-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Mike Montgomery looked strong early, retiring the first nine hitters he faced. He changed speeds and located well with the exception of his curve ball, which he was eventually able to command. He cruised through the first five innings, giving up just a single run.

Zephyrs three-run rally sinks the Chasers

Danny Duffy gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings
(File photo: Lee Warren)

Omaha, Neb. – The New Orleans Zephyrs rallied for three runs with two outs in the top of the seventh inning Thursday night, knocking off the Storm Chasers 7-5 in front of 7,766 fans at Werner Park. The late surge took the luster off the one-night return of Danny Duffy, who pitched six innings in his first Triple-A start since early May.

Duffy, 22, used just 78 pitches in a tune-up start before he makes his expected return to the Kansas City rotation next week. He allowed four runs on seven hits in his six innings of work, striking out five without walking a batter. He now has a 48-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 42.0 innings this season with the Chasers.

Alternative Routes from Omaha to Kansas City

Flooding has caused a shutdown of I-29 from Bartlett, Iowa to Rock Port, Missouri. If you are looking for an alternative route between Omaha and Kansas City here are a couple:

Route #1

• Take I-29 South out of Omaha to Highway 34 East at the Glenwood, Iowa exit.
• Take Highway 34 East to Highway 59 South.
• Take Highway 59 South to Craig, Missouri where you can jump back onto I-29 South into Kansas City.

This past weekend, two people said this route takes 3.5 hours. One said he has made the drive four times in the last week and the roads were in good shape.

Route #2

• Take Highway 92 East out of Omaha to Highway 71 South in Lyman, Iowa.
• Take Highway 71 South to I-29 South (just north of St. Joseph).
• Take I-29 South into Kansas City.

I took this route this past weekend and it took 4.0 hours. The roads were good and I experienced very little traffic.

For other routes, check the KFAB website.

Obviously, this information could become outdated quickly as conditions change so check the Iowa Department of Roads (takes a while to load) and Missouri Department of Transportation websites. Also check this Google map (takes a while to load) for flooded routes.

Chasers split in OKC, take 1.5 game lead into the break

Vin Mazzaro
(File photo: Lee Warren)

Oklahoma City, OK - Vin Mazzaro threw seven solid innings to pitch Omaha past Oklahoma City, 4-1, Sunday afternoon in the last of a four-game set at Bricktown Ballpark. The Storm Chasers held the RedHawks to four hits in winning the last two games to earn a series split and head into the All-Star break with a 1.5 game lead over Memphis in the PCL American North.

Koby Clemens doubled home Robinson Cancel with two outs in the fourth inning to produce the game’s first run before the Chasers took the lead for good in the fifth.

Mazzaro then blanked the hosts on two hits over the next six innings to earn his fifth win of the season. The right-hander walked one and fanned three and was followed by Brandon Sisk, who retired all six hitters he faced to close out the victory and earn his first Triple-A save.

Mendoza flirts with no-hitter in Omaha win

Luis Mendoza
(File photo: Lee Warren)

Oklahoma City, OK – Luis Mendoza threw seven no-hit innings as Omaha downed Oklahoma City, 7-1, Saturday night in the third of a four-game set at Bricktown Ballpark. The Storm Chasers stopped a two-game slide to lift their record to 49-41 and increase their lead over Memphis to 1.5 games in the PCL American North after the Redbirds fell at Round Rock.

Mendoza opened the eighth inning by issuing a walk to the leadoff man, J.R. Towles, his fourth of the night. Anderson Hernandez then looped a base hit into right-center field to spoil the no-hit bid and spell the end of the evening for the All-Star right-hander. Luis Aquino was the last Omaha hurler to toss a no-hitter – he did so on June 20, 1988.