Storm Chasers pitching shines in series opener in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Storm Chasers started the game with six no-hit innings before securing the 4-2 win over the Clippers. Omaha (66-70) takes a 1-0 series lead over Columbus (78-56), with the Storm Chasers leading the season series 8-5.

Left-hander Angel Zerpa got the start for the Storm Chasers, making his second MLB rehab assignment start. Zerpa got through the first inning, facing the minimum. He did allow a walk in the frame but picked off the runner to finish the inning.

In the top of the second, left fielder Brent Rooker hit his fourth home run in seven games with Omaha to open the scoring.

Shortstop Maikel Garcia stole a run in the sixth inning for Omaha, starting the inning with a ground-rule double. Garcia stole third base and scored when the throw to third went past the third baseman, giving the Storm Chasers a 2-0 lead.

Right-hander Daniel Mengden (Win, 7-5) came in to pitch in the second, taking the combined no-hitter into the seventh inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Bo Naylor hit his 12th home run of the season to provide Columbus’ first hit of the game.

In the eighth inning, first baseman Logan Porter started a rally with a double. Second baseman Clay Dungan put runners at the corners before Garcia grounded out, scoring Porter on the play. Third baseman Nick Loftin scored Garcia from first base with a double to put Omaha ahead 4-1.

Right-hander Andrés Sotillet came in and tossed the eighth for Omaha, allowing just one run on one hit. Will Brennan hit an RBI double to score Mitchell Tolman, putting the Storm Chasers’ lead at 4-2 heading into the ninth inning.

With one out in the top of the ninth inning, catcher Freddy Fermin hit a single through the right side, reaching base for the first time in the game. With the hit, Fermin extended his on-base streak to 32 games, the longest active on-base streak in the International League.

Right-hander Andrés Núñez came in and kept the Clippers off the scoreboard in the ninth to secure the 4-2 win for the Storm Chasers. He earned his sixth save over his last six appearances, now the fourth pitcher in the International League to earn a save in six consecutive games this season. Núñez has also appeared in 51 games this season, a new Storm Chasers-era record (2011-pres.)

Omaha and Columbus will square off in game two on Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 5:35 p.m. CDT. Coverage is set to start at 5:15 on the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone. The Storm Chasers are scheduled to start left-hander Austin Cox (6-7, 4.35) while the Clippers look to send Payton Battenfield to the mound.

After this road trip, the Storm Chasers return home for their final home series of the season, taking on their I-80 rivals, the Iowa Cubs. Omaha and Iowa will play six games in five days with a doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday, starting at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday’s series opener is scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m.

On Saturday, September 24, the Storm Chasers will host Fan Appreciation Night presented by Werner Enterprises, with a post-game concert from Flo Rida.

The full 2022 schedule can be found here and single-game tickets are now available here.

For more tickets and more information, please visit omahastormchasers.com, call the Werner Park Ticket office at (402) 738-5100, and follow the team on social media. You can follow the team on Twitter @omastormchasers, on Instagram @omahastormchasers, and “like” the team on Facebook at facebook.com/omahastormchasers.