Chasers Rally in Ninth to Down Cubs
Published on June 7, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
Des Moines, IA - Omaha rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to complete an 8-6 come-from-behind win over Iowa Tuesday night in the last of a four-game set at Principal Park. The Storm Chasers earned a series split to improve to 33-26 on the season and maintain their 4 1/2 game lead on Memphis in the American Conference North Division. The Cubs ended the series right where they started, six games out, heading into another meeting with the division pace-setters next week in Omaha.
Trailing 6-5 going into the ninth inning, the Storm Chasers received a leadoff double from Jarrod Dyson, who advanced to third on a base hit by Johnny Giavotella that chased Marcos Mateo from the hill. Left-hander Scott Maine took over and struck out David Lough before Mike Moustakas doubled to knock in the tying run. Clint Robinson was intentionally passed to load the bases for Kila Ka'aihue, who walked to force in Giavotella with the go-ahead run. Maine then walked Joaquin Arias to push across another run and was removed from the game after issuing the last of seven free passes by four different relievers.
Blake Johnson (3-1) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win in relief after Robinson Tejeda threw 1 1/3 shutout frames behind starter Kevin Pucetas.
Lough started the scoring for a second straight night in the first inning, as he doubled home Dyson, who scored for the 13th consecutive game. The Storm Chasers weren't done, though, as Moustakas drew a two-out walk and scored when Robinson followed with his 13th home run of the season.
However, the Cubs responded right away, as Bryan LaHair's three-run blast in the bottom of the inning got the game tied. Marquez Smith, who would finish 5-for-5, added a solo shot two outs later to put the hosts in the lead that would stand up until the ninth.
Bobby Scales hit a solo homer in the second and Wellington Castillo's leadoff long ball in third increased the Iowa lead to 6-3. From there, Pucetas settled down and worked into the sixth inning when he was lifted with two outs and two runners on. He was charged with six runs on 11 hits while walking two and striking out five.
Giavotella's two-run single in the seventh sliced the lead to 6-5 and extended his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest for an Omaha hitter this season.
The Storm Chasers return home to Werner Park Thursday to begin a four-game series with left-hander Mike Montgomery taking the hill against Oklahoma City right-hander Nelson Figueroa. Coverage of the game gets underway at 6:45 p.m. and can be heard locally on KOIL AM 1180 and online at omahastormchasers.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 7, 2011
- Sky Sox Tally Seven Home Runs in 12-9 Victory Over Sacramento - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Chasers Rally in Ninth to Down Cubs - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Isotopes Seize First Place with 6-3 Win Over Express - Albuquerque Isotopes
- I-Cubs Fall Late, 8-6 - Iowa Cubs
- Round Rock Express Relinquish Division Lead - Round Rock Express
- Zephyrs Edge Sounds to Avoid Sweep - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Albuquerque Isotopes - Round Rock Express
- Luna Home Run in 12th Completes Sweep for Redbirds - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds End Winning Streak with 5-4 Loss in New Orleans - Nashville Sounds
- Family Campout and Bark in the Ballpark on Deck for River Cats - Sacramento River Cats
- Bees Announce 2011 Knothole Club Player Clinic Dates - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks Make Roster Moves - Oklahoma City Comets
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- One to Forget for Padres - Tucson Padres
- Tough Call Seals Fresno's Fate - Fresno Grizzlies
- Aces Jump on Bees Early, Coast to 7-4 Win - Reno Aces
- Sky Sox Drop Third in a Row to River Cats 12-4 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
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