Frustrating Loss for Chasers in NOLA
April 30, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
Metairie, LA - Gorkys Hernandez scored both runs and the bullpen tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings as New Orleans squeezed past Omaha, 2-1, Tuesday night in the second of four meetings at Zephyr Field. The Storm Chasers suffered their third straight loss but again held on to the top spot in the American Conference North Division after Albuquerque came back to defeat Memphis.
Hernandez drew a leadoff walk in the first inning, stole second base and scored on a single by Bryan Petersen, making it three straight games and four out of the last six in which he Storm Chasers opponents have scored in their initial at-bat. After stranding a runner at third with one out in the second, the visitors got the game tied in the third on a David Lough sacrifice fly that plated Willy Taveras, who had singled and scooted to third on an Irving Falu base hit.
NOLA pushed across what turned out to be the deciding run in the home half of the third when Hernandez singled with two away and came around to score on a double by Ed Lucas, who played in Omaha in the three seasons between 2008-10. The Chasers loaded the bases in the fourth on a hit and two walks that spelled the end of the night for spot starter A.J. Battisto, who was filling in for scheduled starter Brad Hand, who was called to the big leagues after the Miami Marlins game on Monday went 15 innings. Jordan Smith took over and needed only one pitch to retire Taveras to end the threat.
Justin Marks, making his second regular season start, and first in 2013, with Omaha, was lifted after allowing the first two hitters to reach in the fifth and was followed by Francisley Bueno, who worked out of trouble with the aid of a line drive double play and a strikeout. The second Storm Chasers left-hander tossed another scoreless frame before Everett Teaford and Michael Mariot each spun a shutout inning of their own. Marks was tagged with the loss after he was charged with two runs on five hits and four free passes while striking out three.
Smith was able to navigate his way through 2 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the victory despite allowing five hits. David Aardsma assumed the hill in the seventh and blanked Omaha over two innings before Chris Hatcher retired the side in order in the ninth to sew up the win and register his league-best ninth save. Omaha left runners on in six different innings, including two each in the fifth and sixth innings.
The series continues Wednesday morning with Omaha left-hander Chris Dwyer taking the hill against New Orleans right-hander Doug Mathis. Coverage of the game gets underway at 11:10 am and can be heard locally on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and online at omahastormchasers.com.
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