Chasers Cannot Complete Comeback, Fall in Extra Innings

May 21, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release

OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers (22-21) missed an opportunity to move in to sole possession of first place in the American Northern Division by dropping the second game of the series to the Tucson Padres (24-21) by a score of 5-2 in ten innings. With Memphis losing their fourth consecutive game tonight in Salt Lake, the two teams remain in a first-place tie.

After Chad Tracy tied the game in the seventh inning at 2-2 on his 11th RBI in his last nine games, the Storm Chasers had the winning run in scoring position with one out in both the eighth and the ninth innings, but were unable to push the winning run across. When the game went to extra innings, the Tucson Padres pulled off the improbable feat of scoring three runs and batting around in the order with zero hits recorded as Omaha gave out four free passes and had an error in the extra frame. Omaha is now 3-3 in extra-inning games this season.

Lost in the disappointing result was a strong outing by Storm Chasers starter Justin Marks, who went seven innings allowing two runs in his longest career Triple-A start. Marks gave up his two runs in the first inning, but then proceeded to only let two Tucson batters aboard in his final 6.1 innings of work. Marks has allowed five runs in 12.0 innings at Werner Park in his Triple-A career, and 15 earned runs in 10.2 innings away from the Storm Chasers home field.

The loss snaps a six-game winning streak the Storm Chasers had against the Tucson Padres, but the Chasers still hold an impressive 8-2 record since San Diego switched its Triple-A affiliate from the Portland Beavers to Tucson. Second baseman Johnny Giavotella recorded his team-leading 30th RBI of the season on a RBI single in the sixth inning, and he is one of only nine players in the Pacific Coast League with 30 or more RBI already this season.

In the third game of the series, the Storm Chasers will send out left-hander Will Smith (3-2, 2.48 ERA), with the southpaw starter looking for his first home win of the season despite allowing only five runs in 18.0 innings at Werner Park this season. Smith will face off with San Diego top-ten prospect Robbie Erlin (3-0, 3.77 ERA) with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m., in a game where the team will honor longtime manager Mike Jirschele in the first of three "Wobblehead Wednesdays."

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 21, 2013

• Chasers Cannot Complete Comeback, Fall in Extra Innings - Omaha Storm Chasers
• No Hits, No Errors, No Problem for Padres in 10th - Tucson Padres
• Round Rock Shuts out Reno, 6-0 - Round Rock Express
• Express Blank Aces, 6-0 - Reno Aces
• Southpaw Gets Call-Up, Lindblom and Chirinos Return to Express - Round Rock Express
• Chasers to Hold Auctions for Oklahoma Tornado Relief for Remainder of Homestand - Omaha Storm Chasers
• RedHawks Run Over Grizzlies, 15-2 - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
• Grizzlies' Winning Streak Halted in 15-2 Loss - Fresno Grizzlies
• Magill Rejoins Isotopes - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Omaha Storm Chasers to Hold Auctions for Oklahoma Tornado Relief for Remainder of Homestand - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Memphis Loses 10-3 In Salt Lake On Big Inning - Memphis Redbirds
• Bees Surge Past Redbirds 10-3 - Salt Lake Bees
• RedHawks Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship Format Changed - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
• RedHawks vs. Grizzlies - Game Notes - May 21, 2013 - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
• RedHawks allow season-high four home runs in loss in Fresno - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
• Four Home Runs Power Grizzlies' Winning Streak to 5 Games - Fresno Grizzlies
• Zephyrs Drop Series Opener in Sac-Town - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Nakajima Leads Cats Past Zephyrs, 3-2 - Sacramento River Cats
• Chasers Pound Padres' Relievers in 11-8 Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Redbirds Suffer Third Straight Last At-Bat Loss - Memphis Redbirds
• Bees rally for win - Salt Lake Bees
• Blake Beavan Guides Rainiers Past Nashville, 5-2 - Tacoma Rainiers
• Six-Run Fourth Springs Isotopes to Win - Albuquerque Isotopes

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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