PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Omaha Storm Chasers August 13th Game Notes

Published on August 13, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


LAST NIGHT'S LOSS: Omaha had totaled 71 hits in their last five games (more than 14 hits per game) but were held to just four hits (and only one in the final six innings) in a series-opening loss to Salt Lake 8-1. Omaha has now dropped four straight homestand openers (4-7 overall this season) and in those four straight losses they have been outscored by a margin of 32-7.

NON-CONFERENCE STRUGGLES: The Chasers have a winning record against non- conference opponents this season at 9-7, but are 2-6 at Werner Park. Since the ballpark opened in 2011, Omaha has posted a 23-33 record against non-conference opponents (2014: 2-6, 2013: 7-9, 2012: 7-9, 2011: 7-9) and have lost or split 13 of the 14 series. The only series win the Chasers have pulled off against a non-conference opponent was against Tucson in 2011 (3-1).

HIT MERRIFIELD: Whit Merrifield has reached base in 50 of his 55 starts for Omaha this season, and since he joined the league on June 7 he leads the PCL with 89 hits (ten more than any player). His double last night was also his PCL-leading 22nd since he joined the league.

BRINGIN THE PENA: Francisco Pena is tied for the third most homers in the PCL trailing Fresno's Adam Duvall and Albuquerque's Joc Pederson at 26. The 24 blasts tied for the most home runs ever by an Omaha catcher as Russ McGinnis also hit 24 homers for Omaha back in 1994.

NO PLACE AT HOME: Omaha has lost three straight games at Werner Park, one shy of their longest home losing streak of 2014 (set June 23-24 vs El Paso and July 4-5 vs Colorado Springs). Omaha is 29-30 at Werner Park this season, and dating back to last season they are now 65-66 at home. Omaha has the most road wins in the PCL at 35, and the only other team in the league with a losing record at home and a winning record on the road is Round Rock (30-32, 32-29).

TO ALL FIELDS: Matt Fields is tied for the PCL lead with 52 extra-base hits, a new career high. In the last ten seasons (since 2005), only four Omaha players have had more than 52 extra-base hits: Aaron Guiel in 2005 with 66, Craig Brazell with 65 in 2007, Clint Robinson with 58 in 2011 and Scott Thorman with 55 in 2010. Omaha's PCL high for XBH was 69 by Chris Hatcher in 1998.

GOING GOING JANISH: Paul Janish has 11 hits in his last five games (.524 average) to raise his batting average while with Omaha from .286 (22-for-77) to .337. But while he has been with Omaha, Janish has hit just .224 (11-for-49) at home compared to .449 (22-for-49) on the road.

CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH: Omaha has five active players from the 2013 PCL Championship (Buddy Baumann, Chris Dwyer, John Lamb, Clay Mortensen, Paulo Orlando). Salt Lake has three players on the roster (Jarrett Grube, Roberto Lopez, Dustin Richardson).

Check out the Omaha Storm Chasers Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 13, 2014


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