PAPILLION, NEB. — The Omaha Storm Chasers took the series lead two games to one with a 6-5 win against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Thursday at Werner Park.
Omaha got the scoring going in the bottom of the first inning as Nick Loftin grounded out into a double play but was able to bring home John Rave for a 1-0 Chasers lead after he got on base off of a single to right field.
The Jumbo Shrimp answered quickly and took the lead right back as they put four runs on the board in the second inning. A Nate Eaton fielding error plated one, a single that plated a second run and a double drove in two more for a 4-1 Jacksonville lead in the second.
Omaha starting pitcher Luis Cessa worked two outs into the fourth inning and struck out four, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits before left-handed reliever Anthony Veneziano relieved for Cessa.
The Chasers added two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings as Devin Mann singled to right and plated Loftin. The following inning, Tyler Gentry smashed his second home run of the season to left field and cut the deficit down to 4-3, still in favor of the Jumbo Shrimp.
Veneziano took the mound in the fourth and struck out two batters, allowing just one hit in 2.1 scoreless innings, before Colin Selby took the reins in the seventh inning. Omaha’s pitching staff held Jacksonville in check after the four-run second inning, keeping the Jumbo Shrimp for te next five innings.
Omaha knocked in two more runs down the stretch as Cam Devanney hit a soft bunt and was able to cross home Eaton in the bottom of the seventh inning. Two at-bats later, Rave singled to bring home Gentry for a 5-4 Chaser lead.
Selby pitched 1.1 innings on two hits with no strikeouts before he handed the duties to Evan Sisk in the top of the eighth inning. Sisk allowed the game-tying run to score in the eighth on a sacrifice fly, a run charged to Selby, but Omaha was able to charge ahead in the bottom half.
Omaha took a 6-5 lead in the bottom half, as Drew Waters stole for home on bizarre play where Eaton and was called as ball three, but Jacksonville’s catcher threw to first base to leave home plate open and Waters crossed home for the go-ahead run.
Major League rehabber Carlos Hernández closed the game for the Chasers and earned his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.
The Storm Chasers continue this week’s series against the Jumbo Shrimp Friday, May 10 for Star Wars night with a 7:05 p.m. CT first pitch as right-handed pitcher Jonathan Bowlan is slated for Omaha.
