Omaha Drops Series Opener in Another Close Contest
June 28, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers (35-45) missed an opportunity to gain ground on the division-leading Iowa Cubs (40-41) with a 4-2 loss as the offense was held to less than five runs for the 11th time in their last 13 games. In the last ten games for Omaha, nine contests have been decided by two runs or less.
Right-hander Kelvin Herrera started off the game for the Storm Chasers, his first start since May of 2010, and the I-Cubs continued a dubious trend for the flamethrower as shortstop Donnie Murphy launched a two-run homer to right field in the first inning. Herrera has given up nine homers in 33.1 innings between Kansas City and Omaha this season, after he had allowed only 11 homers in the last two seasons combined over 154.0 innings.
Number three Royals prospect Yordano Ventura made his fifth career Triple-A appearance, entering the game in the third inning and allowing only one run over the next four frames despite racking up five walks. The 22-year-old has allowed only one run in three of his five appearances, and only two runs in 9.0 innings against Iowa. With three strikeouts on the night, Ventura has 21 in 23.2 innings for Omaha and 95 total punch-outs in his 81.1 innings across his time with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and the Storm Chasers.
Omaha attempted to make a comeback on two occasions in the game, as they had the tying run on third base after scoring a run in both the fourth and sixth innings but could not even the score. Johnny Giavotella blasted a solo homer to left field in the sixth, his first homer since May 18 against Las Vegas, and during his current nine-game hitting streak he is batting .469 (15-for-32). The now utility man has reached base in 47 of his 103 plate appearances in the month of June for a team-leading .456 on-base percentage.
With an attendance of 6,126 on the night, the Storm Chasers are only 5,403 fans away from reaching 1,000,000 in the history of Werner Park and should likely hit the mark in the second game of the series on Friday. Werner Park has seen 994,597 fans over 172 total game dates in the two plus year history of the stadium, for an average of 5,782 fans per game.
The Storm Chasers will look to shake off the series-opening loss as they send out left-hander Justin Marks (1-8, 7.20), who has suffered the loss in six straight starts for Omaha. Marks will face off with fellow southpaw Chris Rusin (6-7, 3.41), who tossed a nine-inning shutout in his last appearance against the Chasers on June 17 at Des Moines, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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