Hernandez, Chasers bust out in 12-run frame
Due to a doubleheader that featured delayed starts in both games, the Omaha Storm Chasers spent about 13 hours at AutoZone Park on Sunday, according to manager Brian Poldberg. So the plan for Monday's matinee with an 11:08 a.m. local start in Memphis was simple -- do some soft toss
Due to a doubleheader that featured delayed starts in both games, the Omaha Storm Chasers spent about 13 hours at AutoZone Park on Sunday, according to manager Brian Poldberg. So the plan for Monday's matinee with an 11:08 a.m. local start in Memphis was simple -- do some soft toss in the cage, let the pitchers get warmed up and get out there for the fifth game in a season-opening five-game series with the Redbirds. "Show and go," Poldberg called it.
In the second inning, the Royals' Triple-A affiliate did a bit more than that.
The Storm Chasers scored 12 times in the second frame alone -- with designated hitter Elier Hernandez driving in six of those runs himself -- on the way to beating Memphis, 14-3.
"I've never been part of a 12-run inning like that," said the 61-year-old Poldberg, who is in his 20th season managing a Minor League club and sixth with Omaha. "The most I can think of is many an 8- or 10-run inning, but nothing like that."
Gameday box score
It was the highest-scoring inning by an Omaha club since July 29, 1999 in a 13-11 win at Colorado Springs. The Pacific Coast League record for runs scored in a single inning is 16, set by Salt Lake City against Vernon on Aug. 18, 1923.
The Storm Chasers opened the frame with four straight singles by Erick Mejia, Bubba Starling, Hernandez (a two-run base hit) and Nick Dini, followed by a sacrifice fly from Jecksson Flores. Then, the visiting club got incredibly patient against Memphis right-handed starter Mike Hauschild (0-1) with four of the next five batters taking walks before he was pulled after 1 2/3 innings. Lefty reliever Tommy Layne walked Brett Phillips with the bases loaded, bringing up Hernandez for his second at-bat of the inning.
The 24-year-old slugger did not miss on his second chance to do damage. Facing a full count, the Hernandez connected on an 84 mph slider from Layne and lifted it well over the fence in left. The grand slam was the first of his career and also his first Triple-A home run. His six RBIs in the single inning fell one shy of the PCL record for an individual player, which has been done four times, most recently by Ryan Roberts for Oklahoma City on July 26, 2008.
A player who hit .279/.349/.357 over 40 games in the PCL last season and had struck out in 55.6 percent of his plate appearances to open 2019 may not have been the favorite to chase history Monday, but Poldberg hopes Hernandez's big frame can deliver increased power.
"Even in Spring Training, I thought he was driving the ball better," said the Omaha manager. "Even last year, he could the ball well to right-center and stuff like that, but in the spring, he showed it a little bit more. He just needs to stay within himself. He's a guy that can put the ball in play and not be an easy K when he's not chasing. ... He just has to make the pitcher throw those strikes."
Hernandez finished the day 4-for-5 and is now 7-for-14 with five strikeouts in his first four games back with the Storm Chasers.
Catcher Nick Dini homered off to left one batter after Hernandez's slam to give Omaha back-to-back blasts and 12 runs on the board in the second. Dini would add an RBI single in the sixth, and third baseman Erick Mejia tacked on his own solo homer in the eighth to round out the 14-run game -- Omaha's biggest scoring effort since a 15-4 win over Fresno last July 27.
But just because the Chasers got off to such a quick start Monday, don't expect their manager to let them off easy in their pregame routines as a new good-luck charm.
"I think we'll have plenty of those days with all of our travel as it is," Poldberg said. "It makes you less weary to show up like that, but we'll take it one game at a time here."
No. 15 Royals prospectScott Blewett (1-0) picked up the win in his Triple-A debut, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while fanning four over five innings. The earned run came on a solo homer by Joe Hudson in the fifth that bounced off the glove of a leaping Starling over the wall in left-center. The 22-year-old right-hander threw 79 pitches, 50 for strikes.
"He came out firing in the first inning," said Poldberg. "After all the time sitting, he got a little rusty in the second, but I thought he did a nice job of settling back in. I thought he'd go for an easy five [innings] after the way he started, but you could see him lose a little command as things went on. We'll work on that, but this is a good place to start."
Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB.
10 prospects at Spring Training who are lighting up Statcast
One of the best parts of Spring Training every year is getting to see the top prospects in baseball. A lot of the time, it's the first look fans get at MLB's future stars. But we also know a lot more about those prospects going into Spring Training than we
Questions plague Peeples' trailblazing story
A version of this story previously appeared on MiLB.com in 2007. We present it again as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
Prospects to watch this spring -- one for each team
Spring may not have arrived quite yet, but Spring Training has! Players have reported to camp and exhibition games kick off Thursday with the Cubs visiting the Dodgers in Glendale, Ariz.
8 of the best team matchups in Spring Breakout
After Spring Breakout's dynamic debut last year, the prospect showcase event returns in full force for 2025. All 30 Major League teams will field squads of top prospects to face off in 16 games from March 13-16 -- the Cubs and Nationals will play twice since there's an odd number
Fowler: A 19th-century baseball pioneer
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2006. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
Everything you need to know about prospects and Spring Training
This story was excerpted from MLB Pipeline's newsletter. Subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Arkansas-based Mariners affiliate to honor legacy of the Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine sounds like it could be the name of a baseball team playing in Arkansas' capital city, and for three nights during the 2025 season, it will be. The story behind the name transcends baseball, however. From Aug. 21-23, the Arkansas Travelers -- Seattle's Double-A affiliate --
MiLB podcast breaks down Spring Training storylines
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Leaf Peepers? Thunder Chickens?! Coming to the Minors this year
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Dodgers greats Newcombe and Campanella made history as Minors teammates
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2006. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
15 prospects primed for a bounceback season from injury
A lot of players will be getting a fresh start heading into the 2025 season. Prospects who missed significant time due to injury have had upwards of six months between regular-season games to return to health. Now they'll be looking to re-establish their value and maybe even reach new heights.
Check out the newest Minor League team logos for 2025
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Here are 18 prospects who also starred on the gridiron
The two-time defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs are set to meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and plenty of baseball prospects will be keeping a close eye. After all, many current Minor Leaguers played football at a high level before committing fully to the diamond. No, there aren't any
Did you know the Superdome was once home to a Minor League team?
On Sunday, one of the world’s most-watched sporting events will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Believe it or not, decades before Super Bowl LIX came to town, the same building was home to a Minor League Baseball team for one season. The 1977 Triple-A New Orleans Pelicans
How a Black pitcher's brief PCL stint in 1916 generated a historic card
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2010. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
The Show Before the Show: Episode 489
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minors legend Jones still holds batting record
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2008. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers. Grover "Deacon" Jones spent more than a half-century in baseball, serving the game at almost every level and in
Hooks have a new look -- and more -- on the line for 20th season
In advance of a milestone season at Whataburger Field, the Corpus Christi Hooks are making a change. The Houston Astros' Double-A affiliate unveiled new logos and uniforms on Friday evening, marking the first time they have significantly altered their look since debuting in 2005. According to Hooks general manager Brady
Here's how Jackie Robinson fueled Montreal to a Minor League title in 1946
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2006. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
They're due! MiLB's longest active title droughts
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
These players could earn teams extra Draft picks in 2025
Since the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) was implemented under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, four players have earned their clubs extra Draft picks. The PPI rewards teams for promoting their best prospects to the big leagues at the start of the season, enabling them to earn a Draft pick if
Each team's best non-Top 100 prospect
There just isn't enough room to fit all the worthy talents on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. We unveiled our latest rankings last Friday, and now we're going to spotlight the best prospect in each farm system who couldn't quite make the cut. We undertook the same exercise last