Chasers hang on for 7-6 win

Lorenzo Cain belted his career
high 15th home run of the season
(Photo: Brad Williams Photography)

Omaha, Neb. — The Storm Chasers jumped out to an early five-run lead against the Fresno Grizzlies, ultimately hanging on for a 7-6 victory Wednesday afternoon at Werner Park. The Chasers improved to 11-2 in games while trailing 2-1 in a series.

Down 2-1 entering the third inning, Cody Clark lead off with a bloop single and moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jarrod Dyson, with Dyson reaching safely on an error. David Lough followed with a bunt single – which resulted in yet another error, allowing Clark to score from second to make it 2-2.

After Lorenzo Cain – who homered in the first inning – was hit by a pitch, Clint Robinson ripped a two-run double to make it 4-2 Chasers. Kila Ka’aihue then stepped to the plate and belted his eighth home run of the season and third in his past five games, making it a 7-2 ballgame in favor of Omaha.

The Grizzlies clawed their way back into the game. They picked up two runs in the fourth inning on a double by third baseman Edgar Gonazalez to pull within three runs.

Mike Montgomery got through six innings to get the win and improve to 5-7 on the season, allowing five runs on eight hits with three walks and six strikeouts. He had good control of his curveball, which has been an issue lately, but caught too much of the plate with his fastball a couple of times and that hurt him.

Jesse Chavez pitched the seventh and eighth, surrendering one run, but a potential game-tying run was erased on the bases when Brandon Crawford was caught stealing home on the back end of a double steal with one out in the eighth. Chavez retired Gonzalez for the final out, keeping the lead at 7-6, before Kelvin Herrera pitched the ninth for his second save.

Robinson finished the game 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two runs batted in, giving him 77 RBIs for the season. He also saw his average jump to .313 with the strong performance. Cain’s 15th homer, a long blast to straightaway left off losing pitcher Andrew Kown (10-8), improved upon his career-high total.

The Storm Chasers (65-53) are off Thursday. Then, starting Friday, they visit Salt Lake and Tacoma for eight games. Jeff Suppan (11-5, 4.52) will be in search of his league-leading 12th win for the Chasers, while righthander Ronald “Bear” Bay (7-8, 4.72) will go for the Bees. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 8:05 pm from Spring Mobile Ballpark.