Pete Hansen Delivers Five Scoreless Frames for Memphis

Cardinal Chronicle
Pete Hansen Delivers Five Scoreless Frames for Memphis
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Pete Hansen did not need a big cushion Thursday afternoon.

He did not get one, either.

The Memphis left-hander earns Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Day honors after working five scoreless innings in the Redbirds’ 1-0 win over Iowa at Principal Park. In a game where one mistake could have flipped the afternoon, Hansen gave Memphis exactly what it needed — clean innings, command, and a chance to win a tight road game.

Hansen earned his first career Triple-A victory, allowing just two hits over five scoreless innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out six, setting the tone for a Memphis staff that blanked Iowa and helped the Redbirds take the series lead during their road trip.

That line matters because of the scoreboard. Pitching with a lead is one thing. Pitching in a game where the offense gives you almost nothing is another. Memphis scored its lone run on Leo Bernal’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, meaning Hansen’s five innings came with no margin for comfort.

Max Rajcic finished the job with his team-leading fifth save, lowering his ERA to 1.82, but Hansen set the table. He worked ahead, avoided free passes and gave the Redbirds the kind of start that lets a club win even when the bats are quiet.

That is real pitching.

Not fancy. Not loud. Just five zeroes in a one-run win.

Old School Take

There is still something beautiful about a 1-0 win when your starter gives you five shutout innings and does not walk anybody. Hansen did not try to win the game by himself. He simply controlled what he could control, handed the ball off with the game still clean, and let the bullpen finish it. That is professional pitching, and Thursday afternoon it was enough to carry Memphis.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports
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