Omaha chases Neidert, rolls past New Orleans, 10-4

METAIRIE – A disastrous start for Nick Neidert spelled doom immediately for the New Orleans Baby Cakes, as the Omaha Storm Chasers rolled to a 10-4 victory on Friday night.

Neidert (1-2) retired only one hitter in the game, then allowed six consecutive baserunners, all of whom would come around to score, highlighted by back-to-back doubles Frank Schwindel and Jorge Bonifacio. Neidert had the shortest start by a New Orleans pitcher since Doug Mathis exited without retiring a batter due to injury on August 3, 2012 against Reno.

Peter O’Brien led an early charge to try to cut into the deficit, launching a two-run homer in the bottom of the first as part of a 3-for-4 effort.

Monte Harrison roped a two-run double into the right field corner an inning later to bring the ‘Cakes within 6-4, but Bubba Starling hit a solo homer in the third, and Brett Phillips added a two-run shot in the fifth as Omaha stretched its lead back to five runs.

Ben Lively (2-1) scattered four runs and seven hits in five innings to pick up the victory, as the Baby Cakes had just one hit in eight at-bats with runners in scoring position.

The ‘Cakes and Storm Chasers meet again Saturday at 6 p.m. Right-hander Elieser Hernandez gets the call for New Orleans, opposing Scott Blewett.