Chasers Rally in Ninth But Fall to I-Cubs 7-6
July 3, 2023 - International League (IL)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
PAPILLION, NEB. - In front of the 25th sellout crowd in Werner Park history, the Omaha Storm Chasers rallied for three runs in the ninth but fell short, falling to the Iowa Cubs 7-6 on Monday night.
Iowa struck for a pair of runs in the second off Omaha starter Angel Zerpa and led the rest of the night, but the Storm Chasers always kept within striking distance.
After Zerpa allowed a two-run homer in the top of the second, Omaha countered with a run in the bottom half, as Adeiny Hechavarría singled home Tucker Bradley and moved the tying run into scoring position.
The Cubs added two more in the fourth with a two-run double, but again Omaha countered in the bottom of the inning, on a Tyler Gentry solo homer, his seventh long ball of the year, to keep the Chasers within two.
Zerpa struck out a season-high seven over 4.1 innings and a season-high 80 pitches, then James McArthur followed and retired five straight batters, including a 1-2-3 sixth inning with three strikeouts across his outing to keep Omaha close.
While Walter Pennington surrendered an unearned run in the seventh, Dylan Coleman recorded a strikeout for the final out of the frame. Christian Chamberlain surrendered a pair of runs on a homer and sacrifice fly in the eighth, but the Chasers got to work in the bottom of the eighth to chip away at what was a five-run deficit. John Rave and Logan Porter drew walks, then a fielder's choice off the bat of Michael Massey scored Rave to cut the deficit to four runs.
After Will Klein fired a 1-2-3 ninth on 10 pitches, the Chasers loaded the bases with three straight walks to bring Rave to the plate with two outs. Down to the last strike of the game, Rave doubled off the top of the center field wall to clear the bases and bring the winning run to the plate, positioning himself as the tying run in scoring position.
However, the rally fell a run short as a strikeout ended the game to strand Rave on second.
Porter's walk stretched his career-best on-base streak to 29 games, while Rave extended his on-base streak to 15 games, every one he's played with Omaha this year. Over 15 games, Rave has driven in 16 runs, with hits in 14 of 15 and has scored in 11 straight games.
Omaha turns around quickly and hits the road Tuesday to begin a six-game series against the Gwinnett Stripers, the club's first ever trip to Coolray Field.
International League Stories from July 3, 2023
- Chasers Rally in Ninth But Fall to I-Cubs 7-6 - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Redbirds Drop Finale of Series Against Sounds at AutoZone Park - Memphis Redbirds
- I-Cubs Take Series Against Storm Chasers - Iowa Cubs
- St. Paul's Late Homers Lead to Sweep of Stripers - Gwinnett Stripers
- Sounds Stuff Redbirds in Series Finale - Nashville Sounds
- Saints Come from Four Back to Sweep Stripers, 6-4 - St. Paul Saints
- IronPigs and Red Wings Split Doubleheader and Series - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Syracuse Squanders Big Early Lead in 10-8 Loss to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday Night - Syracuse Mets
- Cal Mitchell's Three-Run Homer Leads Indians to Series Victory Over Bats, 5-3 - Indianapolis Indians
- Wings Split Twin Bill Against IronPigs - Rochester Red Wings
- Bisons Erupt for 16 Hits in 8-1 Romp Over Worcester - Buffalo Bisons
- Jacksonville Splits Series in Front of 10,280 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Bats Drop Series Finale Against Indianapolis - Louisville Bats
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Stops Mets 10-8 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Hens Outlast Clippers in Series Finale Slugfest - Toledo Mud Hens
- Gamel Blasts Bulls Past Jumbo Shrimp 8-5 - Durham Bulls
- Bisons' Pitching Stymies WooSox for Series Victory - Worcester Red Sox
- July 3 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs at Omaha Storm Chasers - Iowa Cubs
- Knights Postponed at Norfolk on Monday Due to Inclement Weather - Charlotte Knights
- Monday Night's Game vs. Charlotte Postponed - Norfolk Tides
- SWB Game Notes - July 3 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- On Deck at the Vic: July Fourth Celebration Opens Indians' Homestand - Indianapolis Indians
- 7.3.23 Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (36-43) at Louisville Bats (42-36) - Indianapolis Indians
- Abraham Toro Named International League Player of the Week - Nashville Sounds
- Bisons RHP Wes Parsons Named International League Pitcher of the Week - Buffalo Bisons
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - July 3 at Lehigh Valley - Rochester Red Wings
- Independence Day, Bark in the Park, Fairy Tale Night and Fireworks Highlight Upcoming Bulls Homestand - Durham Bulls
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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.
