Chasers split in OKC, take 1.5 game lead into the break

Vin Mazzaro
(File photo: Lee Warren)

Oklahoma City, OK - Vin Mazzaro threw seven solid innings to pitch Omaha past Oklahoma City, 4-1, Sunday afternoon in the last of a four-game set at Bricktown Ballpark. The Storm Chasers held the RedHawks to four hits in winning the last two games to earn a series split and head into the All-Star break with a 1.5 game lead over Memphis in the PCL American North.

Koby Clemens doubled home Robinson Cancel with two outs in the fourth inning to produce the game’s first run before the Chasers took the lead for good in the fifth.

Mazzaro then blanked the hosts on two hits over the next six innings to earn his fifth win of the season. The right-hander walked one and fanned three and was followed by Brandon Sisk, who retired all six hitters he faced to close out the victory and earn his first Triple-A save.

Paulo Orlando singled in Kila Ka’aihue to tie the game and a fielding error by Luis Durango in centerfield allowed Lance Zawadzki to cross the plate to put the visitors in front to stay. Jarrod Dyson then bunted for a base hit and after an errant throw on the play by Clemens, the first baseman, Orlando was able to dash to the plate and score to push the Omaha advantage to 3-1.

Dyson singled home Manny Pina in the seventh to lengthen the lead to three.

Left-hander Danny Duffy will take the mound Thursday when the Storm Chasers return to action at Werner Park to host New Orleans and right-hander Elih Villanueva in the opener of a four-game series.