PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Burns' 5-RBI Night Leads Chasers to 13-9 Win

Published on April 27, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Storm Chasers built an early 8-1 lead, then hung on in the rarefied air of Security Services Field, as Billy Burns' big offensive night paced them to a 13-8 victory over the Sky Sox on Thursday night.

Colorado Springs took a 1-0 in the bottom of the 1st on an RBI single by Andres Blanco. Omaha answered with 4 in the top of the 2nd, as Ryan O'Hearn scored on an outfield error following a single by Jack Lopez , and Billy Burns put Omaha ahead with a safety squeeze to drive in Cam Gallagher . Humberto Arteaga followed with a double to left field, scoring Lopez and Burns for a 4-1 lead.

The Chasers added 4 more in the top of the 3rd. Frank Schwindel drove in Hunter Dozier with a groundout, and later in the inning, Billy Burns clubbed a 3-run homer to right-center, making it 8-1. It was Burns' first professional home run since 2015, when he hit 5 in the Major Leagues for the Oakland Athletics.

After the Sky Sox plated a run in the bottom of the 3rd on a Brett Phillips RBI groundout, the Chasers grabbed it back in the top of the 4th. Ramon Torres reached 2nd on a single and a stolen base, advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch, and came home after an errant throw by catcher Jacob Nottingham, giving Omaha a 9-2 advantage.

Those tallies chased Sky Sox starter Freddy Peralta (L, 4-1), who was tagged for 9 runs (8 earned), 8 hits, and 2 walks. He struck out 5.

Colorado Springs reduced the lead to 9-5 with a 3-run bottom of the 4th. Keon Broxton doubled in a run, Kyle Wren drove home another with a sacrifice fly, and Mauricio Dubon singled in Broxton to make it 9-5.

Heath Fillmyer exited after 4 frames; he allowed 5 runs on 7 hits, with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.

Billy Burns drove in his 5th run of the game with a single in the top of the 5th, bringing home Jack Lopez for a 10-5 Storm Chaser lead. Burns went 2 for 3 with a walk and a sacrifice, and enjoyed his best night of the young 2018 season.

Josh Staumont (W, 1-0) was awarded the victory after pitching a scoreless 5th and 6th inning. He struck out 5 and walked none over his two frames.

Shane Optiz trimmed the margin to 10-6 with an RBI triple in the bottom of the 7th against Wily Peralta . Peralta worked 1.2 innings, departing with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th. Mike Broadway entered the game with 2 runners on, and allowed a 2-run single to Andres Blanco, trimming Omaha's lead to 10-8.

Frank Schwindel gave the Chasers some breathing space again in the top of the 9th; with Hunter Dozier and Terrance Gore on base, Schwindel blasted a 3-run homer to push the score to 13-8. It was Schwindel's 3rd longball of the season.

Broadway returned to close out the game in the bottom of the 9th, earning his 1st save of the season. Keon Broxton drove in another run for the Sky Sox with a double, but the Chasers still had enough to even the series.

The Storm Chasers (7-13) will continue the series against the Sky Sox tomorrow night at 7:40 Central time. RHP Clay Buchholz (1-0, 0.00) will pitch for Omaha, while Colorado Springs' starter is to be announced.

Single-game tickets are available for all remaining 2018 Storm Chasers home contests, and may be purchased online at www.omahastormchasers.com/tickets, or through the Werner Park Ticket Office during open hours from noon until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday either in-person or by calling (402) 738-5100.

Check out the Omaha Storm Chasers Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 27, 2018


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