Late Chasers Rally Cut Down by Inches
August 26, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, Neb. - Francisco Pena was thrown out on a close play at first with the bases loaded in the ninth, and a comeback attempt by the Omaha Storm Chasers (72-59) fell just short in a 5-4 loss to the Sacramento River Cats (66-65). Alex Gordon went 2-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout in his third MLB Rehab Assignment start.
After Pena hit a two-run homer in the eighth to trim the deficit to 5-4, the Storm Chasers staged a late attempt to tie the game in the ninth. After a Brett Eibner single put runners on second and first with one out, Casey Kotchman singled and Jose Martinez was thrown out at home by Sacramento right fielder Ryan Lollis on a close play. Christian Colon walked, then Pena hit a grounder up the middle that Everth Cabrera back-handed behind second base before rifling a throw to first that barely beat the Omaha catcher.
The Storm Chasers lost despite 13 hits, and six players notching multi-hit games. One of the six was Martinez, who now has 12 multi-hit performances in his last 14 starts and is batting .527 (29-for-55) in that stretch. His average now sits at .391 with 13 games left in the season, and he needs just more than three plate appearances per game to qualify for the Pacific Coast League batting title. If he holds his average, it would be a modern day PCL record (current record is .383 by Rick Short in 2005 for New Orleans).
The Omaha loss combined with an Oklahoma City win puts the Storm Chasers 7.5 games back of division leader, and snapped the four-game home win streak Omaha had strung together. Before the game, Werner Park welcomed the "2 Millionth Fan" at Storm Chasers games in just four plus years of existence.
In the series finale tomorrow, Omaha will send out RHP J.C. Sulbaran (2-1, 6.08 ERA) to face off with River Cats RHP Clayton Blackburn (8-3, 3.26 ERA). First pitch on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and MiLB.TV is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 26, 2015
- Martinez Marching Toward PCL Batting Title - Omaha Storm Chasers
- River Cats Fall to Storm Chasers 5-1 in Series Finale - Sacramento River Cats
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- Fresno Threatens In Ninth At Iowa, But Comes Up Short - Fresno Grizzlies
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- RHP Rafael Soriano Assigned to Iowa on Major League Rehab - Iowa Cubs
- Zephyrs Conclude Home Schedule against Bees - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - August 26, 2015 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Final Homestand for Salt Lake Bees Begins Monday - Salt Lake Bees
- Storm Chasers Weekend Highlights: August 27-30 - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Rangers Receive LHP Chris Rearick on Waiver Claim, Option to Round Rock - Round Rock Express
- San Diego Padres and Chihuahuas to Play Spring Training Exhibition Game - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Middle Innings a Problem in Aces' Loss to Nashville - Reno Aces
- Sounds Take Down Aces in Team Win - Nashville Sounds
- Redbirds Power Past Rainiers, 8-2 - Memphis Redbirds
- Burgos, Sox Offense Tame Chihuahuas in 10-4 Win - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Redbirds Roll Rainiers, 8-2 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Fresno Grizzlies Win PCL Northern Division Title - Fresno Grizzlies
- Colorado Springs Wins Third Straight in El Paso - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Late Chasers Rally Cut Down by Inches - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Freese, Kieschnick Power Bees Past Express - Salt Lake Bees
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