Martinez leads Storm Chasers to win with quality start

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Left-hander Marcelo Martinez tossed 6.1 innings of one-run ball while catcher Nick Dini, right-fielder Ryan McBroom, and first baseman Nick Pratto each hit home runs to lead the Omaha Storm Chasers to a 7-4 win over the Columbus Clippers on Thursday at Huntington Park.

Dini gave Martinez an early lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning against Columbus (35-43) right-hander Heath Fillmyer (Loss, 1-5). Fillmyer, who pitched for Omaha (46-33) in 2018 and 2019, made his first start against his former team, ultimately allowing six runs on six hits in 5.0 innings.

McBroom doubled the Storm Chasers' lead in the third inning with a two-run blast to left-center field. It was McBroom's 20th home run of the season, tying him for the Triple-A East league lead.

Omaha extended its lead to 6-0 in the fifth, when Kyle Isbel smacked a bases-loaded, two-run single. Isbel finished the game 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

Meanwhile, Martinez held the Clippers scoreless for 6.1 innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out six. He exited in the seventh after allowing a one-out single to Nolan Jones. Martinez retired 11 of the final 12 batters he faced to tie right-hander Brandon Barker for the longest start by an Omaha pitcher this season. It was Martinez' second quality start of the year.

After Martinez exited, right-hander Grant Gavin allowed a single to Oscar Gonzalez that put runners on first and second. Next, Trenton Brooks grounded into a fielder's choice. In trying to turn an inning-ending double play, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. threw wide of first, allowing Jones to score and Brooks to reach second. The next batter, Richie Palacios, drove an RBI single off the right-field fence to bring in Brooks and cut Omaha's lead to 7-2.

Columbus added two runs in the ninth before right-hander Joel Payamps recorded the final out. Gonzalez drove in a run with a one-out triple to left-center before scoring on an RBI double by Palacios.

The Storm Chasers continue their six-game series against the Columbus Clippers (CLE) on Thursday at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio, when left-hander Jake Kalish (1-3, 8.44) faces Columbus left-hander Kirk McCarty (6-2, 4.68). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT and coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. CT with the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone.

After a two-week road trip with series against Toledo and Columbus, the Storm Chasers return to Werner Park for a two-week homestand from August 10-22 featuring six games against the Iowa Cubs and six game against the Columbus Clippers. For tickets and more information, please visit omahastormchasers.com, call the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100 and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.