Cancel's late inning home run lifts the RedHawks

Oklahoma City, OK – Robinson Cancel’s three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted Oklahoma City to a 7-5 come-from-behind win over Omaha Thursday night in the opener of a four-game set at Bricktown Ballpark.

The Storm Chasers dropped to 48-40 but maintained their 1.5 game lead over Memphis in the PCL American North after the Redbirds lost at Round Rock.

Jesse Chavez was brought on to face Cancel with runners at first and second one out in the decisive inning. The right-hander ran the count full before the OKC first baseman, with the runners in motion, hit his fourth home run of the season to left field to put the RedHawks back in front, 7-5. Mickey Storey came on to retire the Chasers in the ninth to earn the save.

The hosts broke up a scoreless game with three runs in the fourth when J.B. Shuck doubled home a run and scored on a Drew Locke sacrifice fly. Koby Clemens then hit a solo home run off the left field foul pole to complete the three-run burst against Omaha starter Sean O’Sullivan.

RedHawks starter Brad Hennessey retired the first 12 batters he faced before Clint Robinson singled and advanced to third on a Mike Aviles base hit to open the fifth. Kila Ka’aihue grounded into a double play, driving in Robinson – Omaha’s first run of the night, but OKC got the run back in the bottom of the inning.

Hennessey was lifted after five innings and replaced by Daniel Meszaros, who gave up a home run to Manny Pina, the first batter he faced, that trimmed the lead to 4-2. David Lough and Robinson would deliver back-to-back two-out doubles to tie the game before Aviles tripled in Robinson to finish off the four-run rally that put the visitors in the lead for the first time.

O’Sullivan allowed four runs on five hits over six innings and gave way to Mario Santiago, who retired the side in order in the seventh before he was lifted with one on and one out in the eighth. Brandon Sisk then walked Shuck, the only batter he encountered, and suffered his first loss with Omaha.

The series continues Friday with Omaha right-hander Jeff Suppan taking the hill against Oklahoma City right-hander Sergio Perez.