Chasers Drop Third Straight; Mud Hens Clinch Midwest Division
September 17, 2021 - International League (IL)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
PAPILLION, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers lost their third straight game on Thursday at Werner Park, falling, 8-5, to the Iowa Cubs. Toledo clinched the Midwest Division with a win over Columbus, while Durham clinched the best record in Triple-A East with a win over Charlotte.
Iowa (49-68) scored first, plating a run in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Johneshwy Fargas against left-hander Foster Griffin.
Omaha (64-53) took the lead in the bottom of the first inning against right-hander Matt Swarmer. After loading the bases on two walks and a double, left-fielder Ryan McBroom drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game. Next, third baseman MJ Melendez hit a sacrifice fly down the right-field line to put the Storm Chasers in front, 2-1.
McBroom went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI to extend his on-base streak to 21 games and collect his league-leading 84th RBI of the year.
Catcher Nate Esposito extended the Chasers' lead in the second inning, bashing a solo home run off the top of the left-field foul pole. It was Esposito's first home run of the season.
The I-Cubs struck for three runs in the third to take the lead. Two batters after shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. committed an error to begin the inning, the I-Cubs strung together four straight singles-including RBI singles from Brennan Davis and Jared Young-to pull ahead, 4-3.
Omaha tied the game in the sixth against right-hander Jackson McClelland (Win, 2-1). Melendez drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dairon Blanco, and scored on a single by Esposito. Esposito finished the game 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs for his first multi-hit and multi-RBI game of the season.
Iowa took the lead for good in the seventh against right-hander Grant Gavin, when Abiatal Avelino and Brennan Davis hit back-to-back solo home runs. Tyler Ladendorf added a solo shot in the eighth before Levi Jordan singled, stole second, moved to third on a passed ball, and scored on a sacrifice fly to cap the I-Cubs scoring.
Right-hander Dylan Coleman struck out two in a scoreless ninth to extend his scoreless streak to 6.2 innings.
Witt Jr. smacked a solo home run to lead off the ninth inning, but right-hander Aneuris Rosario recorded the final three outs to finish the game.
The Storm Chasers continue their six-game series with the Iowa Cubs on Friday, when right-hander Brandon Barker (1-3, 10.07) faces right-hander Joe Biagini (3-7, 5.65). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. CT with the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone.
Following a six-game series against Iowa, the Storm Chasers play their final five home games of the season against the Indianapolis Indians (PIT) from Sept. 22-26 as part of the Triple-A Final Stretch. A special ticket package for the Triple-A Final Stretch is available now. For tickets and more information, visit omahastormchasers.com or call the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100 and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
International League Stories from September 17, 2021
- Dakota Hudson Impresses and Redbirds Rally to Win Again - Memphis Redbirds
- Jacksonville Stumbles in 4-3 10-Inning Defeat - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Pigs outslug RailRiders on Friday night - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Early Pitching Trouble Dooms RailRiders - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Hiura Homers Twice, Sounds Blank Stripers Again - Nashville Sounds
- Torkelson Drives in Pair as Comeback Falls Short - Toledo Mud Hens
- Charlotte Defeats Durham 5-4 - Durham Bulls
- Red Wings Play Spoiler, Beating Bisons 7-3 - Buffalo Bisons
- Miguel Yajure's Gem Shuts Down St. Paul, 2-0 - Indianapolis Indians
- Braymer Deals Wings to Victory Friday Night - Rochester Red Wings
- Reversal of Fortune, Saints Blanked by Indianapolis - St. Paul Saints
- Mark Vientos Hits First Triple-A Home Run in Three-Hit Night, Leads Syracuse to 7-1 Win over Worcester - Syracuse Mets
- Downs Homers Again in Loss to Syracuse - Worcester Red Sox
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (54-62) vs. St. Paul Saints (61-56) - Indianapolis Indians
- Memphis Redbirds Game Notes: September 17, 2021 - Memphis Redbirds
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes - September 17, 2021 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- September 17 Game Notes: Iowa at Omaha - Iowa Cubs
- Ernie Yake, Twins 2021 10th Round Draft Pick, to Join Saints - St. Paul Saints
- Knights Drop Thursday's Contest to Bulls 8-6 - Charlotte Knights
- I-Cubs Top Storm Chasers for Third Straight Victory - Iowa Cubs
- Chasers Drop Third Straight; Mud Hens Clinch Midwest Division - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Bulls Clinch Triple-A East League Title with 8-6 Win over Knights - Durham Bulls
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.
