Omaha drops third straight, finishes June in first place

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Omaha Storm Chasers could not overcome an early five-run deficit, ultimately losing, 7-4, to the St. Paul Saints on Wednesday at CHS Field. It was the third straight loss for Omaha (32-17), tying the longest losing streak of the season.

Omaha finishes the month of June in first place in the Triple-A East Midwest Division, going 16-10 in 26 games in June. The Chasers have held sole possession of first place every day since May 26, and currently lead the Midwest Division by 5.0 games.

St. Paul (23-26) jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when Brent Rooker hit a two-run homer against right-hander Scott Blewett (Loss, 3-3). The Saints scored another run in the second on three singles before added two more in the third inning on a two-run homer by Mark Contreras.

The Chasers mustered just one hit through the first three innings against left-hander Andrew Albers (Win, 3-3) before striking for two runs on three doubles in the fourth inning. After doubles from centerfielder Erick Mejia and designated hitter Ryan McBroom, right fielder Bubba Starling smacked a double off the wall in right field.

Starling finished the game 3-for-4 with three doubles, becoming the first Chasers to record three doubles in a single game since Paulo Orlando on May 28, 2018, in a 3-2 win over Round Rock.

McBroom added a run in the sixth with a solo home run down the left field line. It was McBroom's 15th home run of the season, tying him for the league lead.

The Saints extended their lead in the seventh, plating a run on a bases-loaded walk, before finishing their scoring with a run in the eighth on three straight singles, including an RBI single by Willans Astudillo.

Omaha mustered a run in the ninth when catcher Nick Dini doubled home Starling, but failed to complete a comeback against right-hander Nick Vincent (Save, 2).

The Storm Chasers continue their series with the St. Paul Saints on Thursday at CHS Field in St. Paul, Minn., when left-hander Marcelo Martinez (0-1, 11.57) faces St. Paul right-hander Michael Pineda (MLB rehab). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m. on 1180 The Zone.

After the series in St. Paul, the Omaha Storm Chasers return to Werner Park on Tuesday, July 6, to begin a six-game series against the Toledo Mud Hens that features special FNBO Summer Fireworks Series shows on July 8 and July 10 and an Adalberto Mondesi bobblehead giveaway on July 9. 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.