IL Omaha Storm Chasers

Storm Chasers Smash Four Homers in 3rd Straight Win Over Clippers

July 28, 2023 - International League (IL)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Omaha Storm scored in the top of the first inning and stayed ahead the rest of the night in a 7-6 win over the Columbus Clippers.

With two outs in the top of the first, Nick Loftin connected on a solo home run to left-center field, his 10th of the season. Nate Eaton quickly increased that lead in the second inning with a two-run homer, for a 3-0 lead, his ninth home run of the year with the Chasers.

Max Castillo struck out the side in the bottom of the first and cruised through his first four innings, as he at one point retired nine straight and had six strikeouts through the first four innings.

Columbus worked onto the board in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-run homer, the Clippers' first of four home runs in the game.

Omaha countered in the sixth with a pair of long balls - first a solo shot to open the inning from John Rave, then a two-run homer from Angelo Castellano that moved the score to 6-2.

The Clippers countered the Chasers' three runs with three of their own in the bottom of the sixth, on three solo homers - two against Castillo and one off of Collin Snider to cut Omaha's lead to one run.

Around the home run, Snider struck out a pair pitching behind Castillo, then fired a scoreless seventh inning. Christian Chamberlain struck out two in a 1-2-3 eighth inning, contributing to the pitching staff's second straight 12-strikeout game.

Clay Dungan opened the top of the ninth with a double, then soon came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Loftin, giving the Chasers a run of cushion and a 7-5 lead - the only run of the game Omaha scored not from a home run.

Will Klein took over in the bottom of the ninth to try and earn his third straight save and while he struck out one, allowed a run to score on a pair of hits and walk. With the tying run in scoring position and winning run on base, he worked out of the jam with a pop out to end the game and protect Omaha's one-run lead, securing a 7-6 win for Omaha's third straight victory over Columbus.

Rave reached in all four plate appearances, while designated hitter Matt Beaty reached in three of four plate appearances, including two hits from the big league rehabber.

The Storm Chasers will try and secure a series win over the Clippers Saturday at 6:05 p.m. CT as Anthony Veneziano heads to the mound at Huntington Park for Omaha.

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International League Stories from July 28, 2023


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