Hayes Plays Hero with Walk-Off Homer
August 23, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, Neb. - Brett Hayes launched a walk-off solo homer in the 10th inning to lift the Omaha Storm Chasers (66-67) over the New Orleans Zephyrs (66-67) by a score of 3-2, maintaining their 2.0-game advantage in the American Conference North Division. It was Omaha's first walk-off homer this season, and first since July of 2012.
Hayes' walk-off job was his second long ball of the game, giving him two multi-homer games in as many days against his former team. Hayes has five of the six multi-homer games this season, the most multi-homer games for one player in a season for Omaha since Calvin Pickering totaled eight in 2004. The catcher has a team-leading 15 round-trippers this season, with 14 of those 15 coming off right-handed pitching for the right-handed hitting Hayes.
Before the dramatic finish a game that featured two premiere left-handers in the PCL this season lived up to the billing as Chris Dwyer and Brian Flynn, who came in to the game both ranked in the top-five in ERA, did not allow a hit through the first 21 batters of the game. Dwyer retired the first 17 batters he faced through 5.2 innings, but a bunt base hit ended his no-hit bid. The two pitchers combined to allow only three runs (one earned) in 6.0 innings for Flynn and 7.1 innings for Dwyer, but each were left with a no decision.
Right-hander Michael Mariot came on in relief and shut the door on the Zephyrs over the final 2.2 innings, as the University of Nebraska alum has not allowed an earned run in 13.2 innings over his last ten outings dating back to July 27. The extra-inning win was the ninth on the season for the Chasers, and eighth at Werner Park.
The Chasers still have the 2.0-game advantage as Memphis won their fourth straight game tonight, and Omaha will look to keep the pressure on the Redbirds as they send out right-hander Felipe Paulino (0-1, 8.10) for his fourth MLB Rehab start. Paulino will face off with Zephyrs righty Elih Villanueva (1-2, 3.49) with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 23, 2013
- Sky Sox & River Cats Split Double Header - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Taylor Homers, River Cats Split Doubleheader - Sacramento River Cats
- Sixth inning key again in Round Rock, but this time in OKC's favor - Oklahoma City Comets
- Chasers Miss Chance to Stretch Division Lead - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Pair of Homers Sinks Express in 4-2 Loss - Round Rock Express
- Mattison Homers Twice in Zephyrs' Win - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Redbirds Blanked in Iowa on Friday, 2-0 - Memphis Redbirds
- Grill Honored With "Best Of" Awards - Reno Aces
- C Eli Whiteside and INF Greg Miclat Activated from Disabled List - Round Rock Express
- PCL Announces 2013 Sports Turf Manager of the Year - PCL1
- RedHawks vs. Express - Game Notes - August 23, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Join Us for Postgame Fireworks Tonight - Round Rock Express
- Redbirds Playoff Tickets On Sale Saturday - Memphis Redbirds
- Hayes Plays Hero with Walk-Off Homer - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Bear Down Friday at Kino Stadium August 23 - Tucson Padres
- Thursday's River Cats Game Postponed Due to Heavy Rain - Sacramento River Cats
- Aces Take Second-Straight, 8-3 - Reno Aces
- Tucson beats Tacoma - Tucson Padres
- Rainiers Fall To Padres, 9-6 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Albuquerque Sounds off in Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
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.
