PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Zephyrs Continue Dominance over Chasers

Published on July 19, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


OMAHA, Neb. - A capacity crowd of 9,023 saw five early runs spelled a defeat for the Omaha Storm Chasers (51-47) to the New Orleans Zephyrs (51-48) by a score of 5-3. Omaha has now lost eight of the ten meetings with the Miami Marlins top affiliate this season, their worst winning percentage against any PCL opponent. The loss also drops Omaha to 1.5 games behind division-leading Iowa.

The Zephyrs won the series opener Thursday with power and six home runs, but in tonight's game they singled and doubled Omaha to death for eight hits and five runs off Chasers starter Joe Saunders in his 4.2 innings. Three of the five runs were driven in with two outs, and 10 of the 19 runs for the Zephyrs in the series have come with two men out in the inning. The New Orleans attack was led by Mark Canha's three hits, who leads the PCL with 62 hits since June 1.

After Saunders' exit, the Omaha bullpen of Casey Coleman and Buddy Baumann shut down the Zephyrs allowing just one baserunner in the final 4.1 innings and nobody past first. Johnny Giavotella tried to spark a Chasers comeback scoring on a wild pitch in the sixth and hitting a solo homer in the eighth, but Omaha did not have a runner in scoring position in the final three innings. Giavotella now ranks 10th all-time in Omaha history with 463 hits, passing his former teammate David Lough for sole possession on the night.

Whit Merrifield's 15-game hitting streak, a season high for any Omaha batter, was snapped as he went 0-for-3. Omaha is now 4-20 when equaling hits or being outhit by their opponent at home this season, while they have a record of 20-4 when outhitting their opponent. The Storm Chasers have lost 10 of their last 15 games at Werner Park.

The Chasers will look to notch their first win since the All-Star Break as they send out RHP Aaron Brooks (7-2, 3.75 ERA), as Omaha has notched 12 wins in his 14 starts this season. Brooks will face off with LHP Brian Flynn (7-6, 3.67 ERA), with first pitch on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and MiLB.TV scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 19, 2014


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