The Omaha Storm Chasers (10-9) split their doubleheader with the Oklahoma City Dodgers (15-5) today, winning the first game of the twin bill 3-2 and dropping Game 2 by a score of 3-1. The loss in the second game clinched the first series loss of the season for the Storm Chasers.
The opening game of the doubleheader was literally a slugfest, as all five runs in the game came via the long ball. Matt Fields and Lane Adams went back-to-back in the second inning, both being their first homers of the year, while Francisco Pena hit a go-ahead solo homer in the 5th for his first round-tripper of 2015 after Oklahoma City tied it in the fourth. The five combined home runs in the game were the most in any contest this season for Omaha.
Aaron Brooks (1-2, 4.43 ERA) earned his first victory of the season, tossing five innings while allowing two runs while striking out seven (tied for the most by an Omaha pitcher in a game this season). Brooks and the relievers Luke Hochevar and Louis Coleman stranded runners in scoring position in each of final three innings, with Coleman earning his first save of the season.
In the second game, Omaha jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Lane Adams’ second RBI of the day with a sac fly, but a rough third inning sunk their chances. Chasers starter Christian Binford and Chris Dwyer totaled for four walks, including one that walked in a run, and that combined with an error in the inning led to three Dodger runs. Omaha could not get more than one baserunner on in any inning the rest of the game.
With a hit in both games, Whit Merrifield and Cheslor Cuthbert both extended their respective hitting streaks. Merrifield is currently riding a 13-game hitting streak, the longest hitting streak in the PCL this season, while Cuthbert is now tied for the longest road game hitting streak in the PCL this season with a hit in his last nine road games.
After a league-wide off day tomorrow, Omaha will begin a four-game series with division foe Colorado Springs on Thursday. LHP John Lamb (0-0, 3.86 ERA) gets the start for the Chasers, and will go against Sky Sox RHP Tyler Cravy (1-2, 5.06 ERA).