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| Lorenzo Cain's two-run double in the ninth lifted Omaha to its fifth straight win (File Photo: Gage Matthews / Kings of Kauffman) |
The Storm Chasers won their fifth straight to finish an eight-game road trip with six wins and a five-game lead over Memphis in the PCL American North with just 17 games remaining.
Clint Robinson led off the second inning with an opposite field home run to left, his 20th of the season, to give the visitors the early lead before Michael Saunders doubled home Mike Wilson in the home fourth to even the count.
Tacoma starter Jarrett Grube was tremendous through a season-high seven innings, allowing only the one hit while striking out six, including the last four batters he faced. Robinson, who was also hit by a pitch, was the only batter to reach base against the Rainiers right-hander.
Fabio Castro took over for Grube and retired the side in order in the eighth before walking the leadoff man, Joaquin Arias, in the ninth. Jarrod Dyson moved Arias to second base with a sacrifice bunt in front of Irving Falu, who legged out an infield hit that pushed Arias to third. Castro gave way to Shawn Kelly, who saw his first pitch smashed into the alley in right-center field by Cain for the game’s the decisive hit.
Vin Mazzaro, who started for Omaha, allowed just a lone run on nine hits over 6.2 innings and was followed by Zach Miner, who retired all four batters he faced to pick up the win. Kelvin Herrera struck out all three batters he encountered in the ninth to preserve the victory, displaying a dynamite curve ball and changeup, to earn his fourth save.
Tacoma finished 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and committed base-running mistakes in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings that ultimately proved costly.
Omaha southpaw Mike Montgomery takes the hill Saturday against Nashville right-hander Josh Butler when the Storm Chasers return to Werner Park to begin a four-game series against the Sounds. Game time is 7:05 pm.
Clint Robinson led off the second inning with an opposite field home run to left, his 20th of the season, to give the visitors the early lead before Michael Saunders doubled home Mike Wilson in the home fourth to even the count.
Tacoma starter Jarrett Grube was tremendous through a season-high seven innings, allowing only the one hit while striking out six, including the last four batters he faced. Robinson, who was also hit by a pitch, was the only batter to reach base against the Rainiers right-hander.
Fabio Castro took over for Grube and retired the side in order in the eighth before walking the leadoff man, Joaquin Arias, in the ninth. Jarrod Dyson moved Arias to second base with a sacrifice bunt in front of Irving Falu, who legged out an infield hit that pushed Arias to third. Castro gave way to Shawn Kelly, who saw his first pitch smashed into the alley in right-center field by Cain for the game’s the decisive hit.
Vin Mazzaro, who started for Omaha, allowed just a lone run on nine hits over 6.2 innings and was followed by Zach Miner, who retired all four batters he faced to pick up the win. Kelvin Herrera struck out all three batters he encountered in the ninth to preserve the victory, displaying a dynamite curve ball and changeup, to earn his fourth save.
Tacoma finished 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and committed base-running mistakes in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings that ultimately proved costly.
Omaha southpaw Mike Montgomery takes the hill Saturday against Nashville right-hander Josh Butler when the Storm Chasers return to Werner Park to begin a four-game series against the Sounds. Game time is 7:05 pm.
