Chasers Can't Hold Lead, Fall in 11
Published on June 11, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers looked like they would cruise to victory Saturday, but a troublesome seventh inning proved costly in a 6-4 loss that took 11 innings and 3 hours, 55 minutes to complete. Oklahoma City quietly put together a 17-hit attack, including four base hits in the decisive 11th frame to knock off the Storm Chasers, who had just five hits of their own.
The Chasers got off to a quick start in this one. Centerfielder Lorenzo Cain was hit by Oklahoma City starting pitcher Sergio Perez to lead off the bottom of the first, and second baseman Johnny Giavotella followed with a two-run home run to leftfield, his fourth long ball of the season. Meanwhile, Jeff Suppan cruised through the first four innings, including a stretch of eight straight retired to begin the game.
Clint Robinson pushed the Omaha lead to 3-0 with his 15th home run of the season in the fourth, and after Oklahoma City nudged back to within 3-1 the Storm Chasers capitalized on an error and wild pitch to make it a 4-1 ballgame after five.
Things would hit a rough patch in the top of the seventh. After walking the leadoff man and getting a force out, Suppan allowed a two-run home run to No. 9 hitter Oswaldo Navarro to suddenly make it a one-run game. That forced manager Mike Jirschele's hand, and he elected to bring in lefthander Brandon Sisk for his first-career Storm Chasers appearance. Sisk fared no better, allowing three hits and the game-tying run in two-thirds of an inning of work. Suppan finished his night allowing three runs over 6.1 innings, giving up seven hits and two walks while striking out five.
The Storm Chasers only had one true scoring chance after that, but David Lough flied out to centerfield with the bases loaded to end the bottom of the seventh. RedHawks pitchers faced the minimum 12 batters from the 8th-11th innings, including retiring the final 10 batters in order.
Blaine Hardy (2-3) eventually took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits in the 11th. Fernando Abad (1-0) got the victory for Oklahoma City, striking out three of the four batters he faced. Jeremy Jeffress and Robinson Tejeda each had scoreless relief appearances for the Storm Chasers, including a bases-loaded, no-out Houdini act by Jeffress in the ninth that was not quite enough to rally the Omaha bats.
The Werner Park crowd of 8,615 bested Friday night's 8,559 total, giving the Chasers their second consecutive game with a single-game attendance record. It was the third time in four games that the club topped the 8,000 fan mark.
Sunday's 2:05 p.m. contest will pit Omaha righthander Luis Mendoza (3-3, 3.67) against RedHawks southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-6, 5.86). Gates are scheduled to open at 12:45.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 11, 2011
- Rainiers Fall to River Cats, 11-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Chasers Can't Hold Lead, Fall in 11 - Omaha Storm Chasers
- 51s beat Padres - Tucson Padres
- Sky Sox fall to Aces 14-4 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- RedHawks Lead Series with 6-4 Win in 11 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Aces rout Sky Sox - Reno Aces
- Round Rock And Iowa Split Doubleheader - Round Rock Express
- Iowa and Round Rock Split Doubleheader - Iowa Cubs
- Keisler the Key to a 5-2 âTopes Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sounds Lose 5-2 In Albuquerque On Saturday Night - Nashville Sounds
- Coleman Recalled by Chicago; Harris to Join Iowa - Iowa Cubs
- Round Rock Express Game Notes - Round Rock Express
- Kinsler Reinstated from Paternity Leave List; Davis Optioned to Round Rock - Round Rock Express
- Oklahoma City RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Padres Avoid Shutout, Not Loss - Tucson Padres
- Robinson Belts Walk-Off Homer as 'Topes Win 7-6 in 10 - Albuquerque Isotopes
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