It was like watching the same movie again for the second straight night.
Last night the Omaha Storm Chasers started slow, came from behind, took a late lead, struggled to add on to it, and gave up go-ahead runs and lost to the Iowa Cubs 5-4 in heartbreaking fashion.
Tonight the Omaha Storm Chasers started slow, came from behind, took a late lead, struggled to add on to it, and gave up go-ahead runs and lost to the Iowa Cubs 6-5 in heartbreaking fashion.
For the fifth consecutive game, it was the Cubs who started the scoring. BJ Murray Jr. singled, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by Austin Nola, and scored on a single from Jack Reinheimer. Reinheimer and Darius Hill would later score on a double from Chase Strumpf to give Iowa an early 3-0 lead.
The Chasers started another comeback thanks to a two-run single from Nick Pratto. After Austin Nola walked and Drew Waters doubled, Pratto drove both runners in with a single to right field to cut the deficit to one.
Iowa got one of those runs back thanks to an RBI single from Murray Jr. that scored Cole Roederer and made it 4-2 Cubs after three.
The Comeback Chasers finished the job in the 4th Inning. Back-to-back singles from Devin Mann and Nelson Velazquez got the rally started. Then Ryan Fitzgerald lashed a double down the right field line to score both runners and tie the game at four after three and a half innings.
Omaha took the lead on a bases-loaded walk from Velazquez and that’s how the Chasers downfall began. With the bases still loaded, Tyler Gentry grounded into a 5-3 double play to end the inning.
It only got worse from there. In the 6th, the Chasers got runners at second and third with one out. John Rave lined one right to Reinheimer, then Waters struck out to end the threat. Nelson Velazquez singled and stole second in the 7th, but was stranded there after Gentry struck out to end the inning.
Iowa capitalized on an opportunity after the stretch. Strumpf walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Bryce Windham. Moises Ballesteros drove in Strumpf on a single to center field to tie the game at five for the I-Cubs.
In the 9th, John Rave walked and took second on a balk with Omaha’s heart of the order due up. However, three strikeouts from Waters, Pratto, and Devin Mann ended the inning.
It took Chase Strumpf one pitch to send everyone home as he drilled a Tyler Duffey slider over the left field fence and gave Iowa the 6-5 victory.
NOTES:
- Entering today’s game, the Chasers were 7-27 with runners in scoring position. Tonight, they were 2-14. They also stranded eight men.
- As mentioned earlier, the I-Cubs have scored the first run in every game of this series.
- The combination of starting slow and not being able to produce runs with men on base is becoming an issue for the Storm Chasers these last few days. Even if the bullpen struggles, going 2-14 with RISP is not good. There’s plenty of season left to clean it up, but it’s a big issue at the moment.
- Nelson Velazquez had a perfect batting average tonight. He finished 2-2 with two singles, two walks, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base.
- Drew Waters started the game 3-3 with two doubles and two runs scored. He finished 0-2 with two strikeouts.
- Nick Pratto was 2-5 with two RBIs tonight.
- Austin Nola continues to get better at the plate. He finished 1-3 with a walk and a run scored, but I thought he had great plate appearances. He looks more confident and is finding an offensive rhythm.
- Ryan Fitzgerald hit his tenth double of the season tonight, one that drove in two runs.
- I thought Chandler Champlain pitched well in a short outing. He went four innings, allowing four runs on four hits while walking three and striking out six.
- Austin Cox was sharp, allowing just one hit while striking out three in 1 2/3 innings.
- Steven Cruz and Evan Sisk each struck out two batters in an inning of work.
- Tyler Duffey was handed the loss after allowing the walk-off homer.
NEXT GAME:
The Storm Chasers and I-Cubs wrap up their series tomorrow at 6:08 pm at Principal Park before a two-day break that leads into their final series before the All-Star Break. Anthony Veneziano is expected to start for Omaha tomorrow.
