When the Omaha Storm Chasers were hot in the first half, they were dominant on both sides of the ball. The offense and defense were superb and matched each other in terms of consistency.

Omaha’s pitching continues to play well, but the Chasers offense has taken a step back and it plagued them again tonight. 

Despite homers from Nick Pratto and John Rave, the Chasers struggled to produce with runners on base and dropped a 4-3 game at home to the Iowa Cubs.

The Chasers three-game winning streak is snapped and the series is even at one heading into Wednesday night.

BJ Murray Jr. did most of the heavy lifting tonight for Iowa. In the 2nd Inning, Murray Jr. lashed a double off the wall that scored Owen Caissie to give Iowa an early lead. Murray Jr. scored later on a fielder’s choice to give Iowa a 2-0 lead after two innings. 

Matt Mervis cranked a solo shot onto the berm in right field to extend Iowa’s lead in the 6th and make it 3-0. 

The Chasers kickstarted a comeback effort thanks to a two-run homer from Nick Pratto that landed in the same spot as Mervis’s homer. Pratto’s 11th of the season cut the deficit to one after six innings.

Omaha missed multiple opportunities to tie the game or take the lead late. With runners on first and second and two outs in the 6th, Tyler Gentry struck out to end the inning. Gentry struck out again with runners at first and second in the 8th. Omaha finished the game 0-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine guys on base overall.

Murray Jr. added insurance for Iowa in the 9th with a solo shot onto the berm in right field to make it 4-2. He finished the game 2-3 with a double, a homer, and two RBIs.

That insurance run was critical as John Rave blasted one to right field to make it a one-run game in the Bottom of the 9th. However, Nick Pratto struck out with a runner at second base to end the game.

NOTES:

• The first six Chaser batters were struck out to begin the game. 15 Chasers were struck out in total.
• John Rave was the only Omaha hitter with two hits. He homered and singled, finishing 2-4.
• Great outing from Andrew Hoffman. He struck out eight and only allowed two runs, but was dealt his fourth loss of the season.
• Evan Sisk tossed a scoreless inning and lowered his ERA to 2.08.
• Omaha’s pitching staff struck out 11 tonight. 
• Brian O’Keefe had a good game going 1-2 with two walks tonight. 
• Kevin Padlo is struggling in Omaha. He went 0-4 and struck out twice. Since being promoted from AA NW Arkansas, he has a .038 average in 26 at-bats as a Chaser. Yikes.
• Nelson Velazquez was taken out of yesterday’s game after being hit by a pitch. He was on the bench today so it looks like he’ll be good to go for his next start.
• Drew Waters was 0-4 with two strikeouts also.

NEXT GAME:

It is fireworks night tomorrow at Werner Park as the Chasers and I-Cubs go at it again at 7:05 pm. Chandler Champlain will start for Omaha.