PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Loss in Extras Drops Chasers out of First

Published on September 1, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


OMAHA, Neb. - A leadoff solo homer by Engel Beltre in the 11th inning handed the Omaha Storm Chasers (68-74) a 5-4 loss at the hands of the Round Rock Express (73-69), and with the loss the Chasers fall out of first place for the first time since July 26 with Memphis winning in Oklahoma City. In order to claim a third straight American North Division title Omaha must win their final two games and hope the Redbirds drop their final two games due to Memphis owning the tiebreaker.

Omaha led 4-3 entering the ninth inning, but a leadoff single by Beltre on an 0-2 count came around to score on a RBI single by Mike Bianucci three batters later. Bianucci drove in three of the five runs on the night for the Express, including a solo homer in the seventh inning that cut the Storm Chasers lead to 4-3 for his second long ball of the series. Round Rock scored three unanswered runs in the final five innings while Omaha was held to only two baserunners, and it is the first home loss for the Chasers when leading after eight innings (23-1).

Spoiled by the loss was a solid start by left-hander Justin Marks who allowed two runs in six innings of work but did walk seven, a season high for any Omaha pitcher this season. In his final eight appearances of the season, four starts and four in long relief, Marks did not allow more than three runs in any outing and finished his 2013 season with four straight quality starts. In the month of August, Marks led the Pacific Coast League with 45 strikeouts and has a team-leading 117 strikeouts on the year.

Paulo Orlando and Christian Colon both knocked in a run as part of a three-run second inning, with Orlando leading the team with 15 RBI in August and 29 RBI since the start of July while Colon has totaled a team-leading 57 RBI on the season. If Colon does not total at least three RBI in the final two games, it will be the lowest RBI leader in Omaha's 45-year history with the current low set by Jeff Grotewold in 1995 at 60 RBI.

The Storm Chasers held a 5.0-game lead on August 18, but in their last 13 games they have posted a record of 3-10 while the Memphis Redbirds have posted a 9-4 record during that same span. Omaha will look to put the pressure on the Redbirds as they send out left-hander Chris Dwyer (9-11, 3.63) to face off with Round Rock right-hander Scott Richmond (6-6, 5.65). First pitch of a special Sunday night game is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from September 1, 2013


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