The Omaha Storm Chasers pummeled the St. Paul Saints 11-2 behind big games from Ryan Fitzgerald, CJ Alexander, and Daniel Lynch IV. The Storm Chasers won the series over St. Paul 4-2 with the victory.
The Storm Chasers came out swinging to start the contest. A single by Nate Eaton is followed up by a double by Nick Pratto. Both come in on Brian O’Keefe’s single to center. CJ Alexander and Tyler Gentry scored O’Keefe on back-to-back singles before Ryan Fitzgerald blasted his 4th home run of the season to the home run porch in right field. The Chasers opened up a 6-0 left after just a half inning of play.
Errors came back to haunt the Chasers in the 2nd Inning. Errors by Ryan Fitzgerald and Cam Devanney allowed two Saints to reach base. Patrick Winkel scored Tony Kemp with an RBI single, then Will Holland scored Anthony Prato with an RBI single. A throwing error by Austin Nola made it three errors for Omaha, but a groundout by Yoyner Fajardo ended the inning. The Chasers would maintain their lead 6-2 through two innings.
The Chasers would take full control of the game from there. In the 4th Inning, Nate Eaton drove in Austin Nola on an RBI double to left field, Eaton’s 15th of the season.
Ryan Fitzgerald would stay hot with another home run, a two-run blast, in the 5th to make it 9-2 Chasers.
CJ Alexander scored two on an RBI single to center with the bases loaded in the 6th to give the Chasers an 11-2 lead.
All the talk about Omaha’s offense but aside from the four errors, the defense was excellent. Daniel Lynch IV went six strong innings allowing just two runs (both unearned) on two hits while striking out six. He didn’t allow a walk. He retired 13 straight batters at one point.
St. Paul did threaten in the 8th Inning by loading the bases, but Jake Brentz struck out Chris Williams to keep the lead intact.
Omaha would close out the game thanks to a scoreless 9th from John McMillon.
With the win, the Chasers secured the series victory over the Saints. It’s the fourth straight series win for the Chasers and their second consecutive road series win.
NOTES:
- Omaha moves to 28-14 on the season. The Storm Chasers are now tied with Scranton/WB for 1st Place in the International League.
- The Storm Chasers have won four straight series and are 16-5 in that stretch.
- Omaha has the IL’s best run differential at +59.
- The Chasers committed a game-high four errors.
- Sundays are for Ryan Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has homered in back-to-back Sundays. He finished the game 4-5 with a single, double, two homers, and five RBIs.
- CJ Alexander had another great game, going 3-5 with three singles, two runs scored, and two RBIs.
- Nick Pratto doubled twice and scored twice today.
- Daniel Lynch was phenomenal, going 6.2 innings allowing two runs (both unearned) on three hits, walking none, and striking out six.
NEXT GAME:
The Storm Chasers head back to Werner Park for a six-game homestand against the Columbus Clippers (CLE) beginning on Tuesday at 6:35 pm.
