Giavotella Powers Chasers Past Hometown Zephyrs
Published on July 17, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, Neb. - Second baseman Johnny Giavotella had a career day against the New Orleans Zephyrs Sunday at Werner Park, going 4-for-4 with two home runs in a 7-4 Omaha victory that gave the Chasers a three-game lead over second place Memphis in the American Conference Northern Division.
The Jesuit High School (New Orleans) and University of New Orleans alumnus homered in the first, doubled in the third, homered again in the fourth and singled and scored in the seventh. His performance raised his batting average to .334 for the year with nine home runs, 64 RBI, 56 runs scored and 28 doubles, while raising his batting average to .394 since June 1st.
Giavotella's big afternoon helped veteran righthander Jeff Suppan to his team-leading eighth win of the year. Suppan (8-5) went seven innings, allowing four runs, staying in long enough to take advantage of the Storm Chasers' three-run seventh spurred by Giavotella's fourth hit of the game. The Zephyrs had rallied with two runs to tie the game at 4-4 in the top half of the frame.
Clint Robinson belted a towering two-run home run in the third inning to make it 3-1 at the time, snapping a drought of 129 plate appearances and 31 games since his last long ball. Robinson had five RBI and reached base seven times in the last three games of the series, pushing his batting average up to .325 after bottoming out at .315 on July 6. The three home runs by the Storm Chasers also snapped a five-game homerless streak for the team.
By boosting their advantage over Memphis to three games in the division, the Storm Chasers enter their Monday-Thursday series with the Redbirds with their largest lead since entering play June 15 up 3.5 games. Omaha has won 8-of-12 games from Memphis this season, meaning a single victory in the four-game set would clinch the season tiebreaker with the Redbirds and ensure that the Chasers return home with a lead in the division.
Pacific Coast League earned run average leader Luis Mendoza (6-3, 2.53) will face the man fifth in the league in ERA, Memphis righthander Adam Ottavino (3-5, 3.91). Game time from AutoZone Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 17, 2011
- Robinson Slam Sends 'Topes to 9-5 Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Padres Return Home Monday for First Time in 12 Days - Tucson Padres
- Giavotella Powers Chasers Past Hometown Zephyrs - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Express Leaves 'Birds at the Station - Memphis Redbirds
- Round Rock Express Take Finale at Memphis 8-5 - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Drop Homestand Finale to Isotopes, 9-5 - Nashville Sounds
- Rainiers Stung by Salt Lake, 5-2 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Raley Field Plays Hero, Grizzlies Can't Complete Sweep - Fresno Grizzlies
- Aces Sweep Sky Sox with 6-4 Win - Reno Aces
- Zephyrs Fall to Omaha 7-4 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Cubs Take Series with 3-2 Sunday Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Robinson Blasts Cubs Past RedHawks - Iowa Cubs
- Tucson Shut Out by Las Vegas, 5-0 - Las Vegas Aviators
- Round Rock Express Game Notes - Round Rock Express
- Oklahoma City RedHawks Transactions - Oklahoma City Comets
- Bush Joins Iowa Rotation - Iowa Cubs
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Aces Drop Sky Sox, 8-6, for Fifth-Straight Win - Reno Aces
- Pill's Slam Keys Grizzlies Comeback - Fresno Grizzlies
- Rainiers Stifle Salt Lake, 4-1 - Tacoma Rainiers
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