Omaha Wins on Opening Day
April 10, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
Metairie, LA - Rey Fuentes delivered the tie-breaking two-run single in a four-run tenth inning that lifted Omaha to a 10-6 win over New Orleans Thursday night in the 2015 season opener at Zephyr Field. The Storm Chasers won for only a fifth time in their last 17 games in Louisiana despite allowing 18 hits and committing three errors.
Trailing 6-5, Omaha rallied to get the game tied in the ninth after Fuentes led off with a base hit, stole second base, advanced to third on a ground out and crossed the plate on a base hit by Moises Sierra. The two-time defending Pacific Coast League champions then used three walks to load the bases with one out in the decisive frame setting the stage for Fuentes to snap the deadlock with his third hit of the game. A wild pitch and a Brett Eibner double brought in the other pair of runs to complete the uprising. Whit Merrifield, Fuentes, Eibner and Sierra, the top four hitters in the lineup, combined to collect 10 hits, score six times and drive in a half dozen to lead the Storm Chasers to just their third win in the last nine season starters. Louis Coleman earned the victory with two scoreless innings.
The visitors strung together three consecutive two-out singles, the last of which by Merrifield plated Francisco Pena with the season's first run in the second inning. Jordany Valdespin, who had been stranded at third base after opening the first inning with a triple, came through with a two-out hit in the bottom half to get the game even and then put the hosts in front in the fourth with a sacrifice fly.
Eibner doubled to drive in Merrifield with the tying run and then scored to put the Chasers on top 3-2 on a two-out throwing error by Scott Sizemore that also spelled the end of the line for NOLA starter Justin Nicolino after 4 2/3 frames during which he allowed seven hits and struck out three. Fabian Willimason took over and was greeted by a Matt Fields base hit that chased home Cheslor Cuthbert to finish off the three-run rally.
Omaha's Aaron Brooks, making his second career Opening Day start, yielded three runs, two earned, on nine hits while walking two and fanning two but was not involved in the decision. Former NOLA southpaw Brian Flynn followed last year's PCL Playoffs MVP and recorded two outs before giving way to Brian Broderick, who registered the last out in the sixth but couldn't complete the seventh. Derek Dietrich and Miguel Rojas came through with run-producing hits to tie the game at five before a fielding error by Orlando Calixte permitted Austin Waites to score the go-ahead marker.
The series continues Friday night with Omaha right-hander Joe Blanton taking the hill against NOLA righty Jose Urena. Coverage of the game gets underway at 6:40 pm and can be heard locally on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and online at omahastormchasers.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 10, 2015
- Round Rock Express Suffer First Loss of 2015 in Oklahoma City - Round Rock Express
- Home Runs Fuel First Win for OKC Dodgers - Oklahoma City Comets
- Piscotty, Scruggs Homer in 8-1 Win over Cubs - Memphis Redbirds
- Urena Calms Storm Chasers in Zephyrs' 4-1 Win - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- NOLA Evens the Series - Omaha Storm Chasers
- NOLA Evens Series - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Reno Aces Game Information: Reno Aces at Albuquerque Isotopes - Reno Aces
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - April 10, 2015 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Storm Chasers Homestand Highlights: April 17-24 - Omaha Storm Chasers
- River Cats Walk Off on Opening Day - Sacramento River Cats
- Walk-Off Homer Spoils Bees' Opener - Salt Lake Bees
- A New Era of Colorado Springs Begins with a Blast - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Grizzlies Begin Growlifornia Era with 2-1 Victory over Las Vegas - Fresno Grizzlies
- De La Rosa Tosses Four Innings, Isotopes Fall to Aces 8-2 in Season - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Omaha Wins on Opening Day - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Omaha Rallies Late to Spoil Zephyrs' Opener - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Chihuahuas Beat Tacoma 11-4 on Opening Night - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Rainiers Drop Season Opener at El Paso, 11-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Omaha Wins on Opening Day - Omaha Storm Chasers
- OKC Dodgers Drop Debut, 2-0, to Round Rock - Oklahoma City Comets
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.
