PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Storm Chasers Shut Down, Swept in Twin Bill

Published on June 2, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


OMAHA, Neb. - Trailing by only 1.5 games entering the day, the Omaha Storm Chasers (25-30) missed an opportunity to gain ground and possibly pass the first place Memphis Redbirds (29-27) by getting swept in a doubleheader 7-0 and 5-0. The Storm Chasers had not been shut out in any of their first 53 games this season before the back-to-back blanking.

The sweep at the hands of Memphis on Sunday was the first time Omaha had not forced at least a split in a twin bill since June 7, 2009 versus the Nashville Sounds, and Omaha had not been shut out in back-to-back games since August 9 and 10 during the 2009 season against Reno. The Storm Chasers entered the day winners of five of their first six doubleheader games this year, and are the only team in the Pacific Coast League that has already played four doubleheaders in 2013.

In the first of the pair the Redbirds put up six runs with two outs in the second inning off Omaha starter Justin Marks, and the rally was capped by a grand slam by former Storm Chaser Jamie Romak for the first grand slam hit at Werner Park this season. Marks lasted only two innings in the game, the shortest outing of his Triple-A career (seven starts) and the six runs were a season high for the southpaw.

In the nightcap the Redbirds continued their dominance with the long ball as they hit two homers off Storm Chasers starter Will Smith, a three-run shot in the second and a two-run job in sixth to put the game away, after Smith had only allowed two homers all season before the game. Smith posted his eighth consecutive outing of at least six innings, but he has allowed 13 runs in his last three starts at Werner Park following his first two starts where he let only run one run across.

The Chasers offense managed only three hits in each of the two games, and catcher Brett Hayes was the lone player to collect more than one hit on the day. Omaha has been held to less than five hits six times this season, three at the hands of the Redbirds. During the first game of the set, Anthony Seratelli saw his team-high on-base streak of 20 games snapped as he went hitless for only the second time this season with multiple at-bats in a game.

The Storm Chasers will look to shake off the sweep tomorrow night as they send out left-hander Chris Dwyer (4-3, 3.49) in the fourth game of the series, who has allowed two runs or less in four of his five outings at Werner Park this season. Dwyer will face off with Memphis right-hander Maikel Cleto (2-2, 5.67) with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Omaha Storm Chasers Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 2, 2013


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