PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

"Balk-Off" Win Snaps Chasers Losing Streak

Published on June 6, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers (26-32) snapped their four-game losing streak with an improbable win against the Oklahoma City RedHawks (32-26), as the game-winning run scored on a two-out balk by Oklahoma City reliever Jose Valdez. It was the first balk at Werner Park this season, and gave the Chasers their third walk-off win of 2013.

Trailing 1-0 entering the final frame, designated hitter Max Ramirez and shortstop Irving Falu both drew one-out walks to put the tying run in to scoring position. Catcher Adam Moore then grounded into what seemed to be a game-ending 5-4-3 double play, but RedHawks second baseman Jake Elmore's throw to first sailed wide and allowed pinch runner Chase Lambin to score the tying run. After a Willy Taveras infield single put the winning run 90 feet away Valdez balked by motioning to third then first, a move recently classified as a balk for this season by Major League Baseball. The two runs scored in the ninth equaled the amount the Chasers had scored in the previous 40 innings.

The comeback got Royals prospect Yordano Ventura off the hook for what would have been a tough loss in his Triple-A debut, as the 22-year-old flamethrower allowed just one run and one hit in his five innings. Ventura allowed a first inning run without a hit, with Oklahoma City scoring on a two-out wild pitch, but after the run he did not allow a baserunner past second base in his final four innings. Ventura now has four career outings of at least five innings allowing just one hit, and has only seven hits against him in his last 18.0 innings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Omaha while striking out 20 during that same span.

The come-from-behind win was 11th of the season for the Chasers, and eighth at Werner Park, but was the first win when Omaha had trailed after six innings in the books. Omaha matched a season-low for hits allowed with Oklahoma City managing three, with relievers Francisley Bueno and Buddy Baumann shutting out the RedHawks over the final four innings and Baumann not letting a man reach base in the final two frames to earn his first career Triple-A win. The lefty has allowed only one run in 11.2 innings while totaling 19 strikeouts in his first five Triple-A appearances.

With Nashville defeating first place Memphis 2-1 at AutoZone Park, the Storm Chasers gain a game and now sit 4.5 out of first place in the division despite being six games under .500. In the second game of the series, Omaha will send out left-hander Justin Marks (1-4, 7.07 ERA) to face off with fellow lefty Brett Oberholtzer (3-4, 5.36 ERA) with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 6, 2013


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