Memphis, TN-The Memphis Redbirds gave their fans an outstanding sendoff on Tuesday evening at AutoZone Park, closing out their 2013 regular season home slate with a 4-0 victory over the division-leading Omaha Storm Chasers in the finale of a five-game series.
With the win, Memphis (62-69) now trails Omaha by three games in the PCL American Northern Division with 13 games to play.
A crowd of 7,920 was on hand for the contest, bringing the Redbirds’ seasonal attendance total to 498,362, nearly 6,000 higher than last year.
Nick Additon (9-7) hurled seven shutout innings of two-hit ball while striking out seven in his team-leading 10th quality start. In two starts against Omaha this season, Additon is a combined 2-0 with 14.0 shutout frames with 12 strikeouts. Keith Butler and Sam Freeman each tossed scoreless innings to preserve the Redbirds’ PCL-leading 14th shutout.
Outfielder Jamie Romak went 2-for-4 with two runs scores while crushing his 21st home run of the season. His towering home run – which was the club’s first in the last eight games – traveled over the left field foul pole in the eighth inning.
The Redbirds jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against John Lamb in his second Triple-A start. After singles from first baseman Brock Peterson and Romak, designated hitter Chad Huffman lined a two-run double to left field.
Memphis extended its lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth. Catcher Travis Tartamella smoked a leadoff double down the third base line, moved to third on a Mike O’Neill single, and came home to score as Ryan Jackson grounded into a double play.
Lamb (0-2) gave up three runs on five hits and a pair of walks in six innings for the loss.
The Redbirds embark on a season-ending 13-game road trip through Iowa, New Orleans, and Oklahoma City. Right-hander Scott McGregor (4-9, 5.27) will start Wednesday’s 6:35 pm CT series opener in at Principal Park in Iowa against Cubs right-hander Yoanner Negrin (3-6, 4.59).