The Omaha Storm Chasers (42-34) forced extra innings after falling behind 5-0 early to the El Paso Chihuahuas (35-43), and fell behind again in the extra frame only to complete the comeback win 7-6 on a two-RBI walk-off single for Johnny Giavotella. It was the third walk-off win for Omaha this season, and snapped a three-game losing streak.
El Paso’s home run leader Brooks Conrad hit a solo homer in the top of the 10th, but in the bottom of the extra frame Matt Fields and Whit Merrifield singled to start the game-winning rally. After a Christian Colon walk loaded the bases, Giavotella took the second pitch he saw for a single to left field to score the two runs for his only hit of the day. The five-run comeback is the largest margin overcome by the Storm Chasers this season.
Omaha starter Aaron Brooks gave up five runs in the first three innings, but allowed no runs over his final 3.1 innings combined with 1.2 innings from Casey Coleman to put the Chasers in position to erase the deficit. Brett Eibner hit a solo homer in the third and Christian Colon singled in a run in the sixth, but the Chasers rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth with Colon plating two runs on an error by shortstop Tyler Greene and Giavotella knocking in a run in the next at-bat on a sac fly.
Whit Merrifield collected his first career four-hit game, scoring the tying run in the eighth and the winning run in the tenth. Colon and Giavotella both collected multiple RBI in the game, are two of four players for Omaha with at least 30 RBI this season, while Colon extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
The Storm Chasers will look to carry the momentum of the win to tomorrow as they send out LHP John Lamb (4-5, 3.87 ERA), who has not allowed more than three earned runs in ten straight starts. First pitch on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and MiLB.TV is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.