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| Jarrod Dyson drove in the only run for Omaha (File photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues) |
The Storm Chasers fell to 79-62 and will have one last chance to win 80-or-more games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.
D.J. LeMahieu’s run-scoring single in the first inning put the Cubs in front before Jarrod Dyson’s RBI double in third evened the count. From there, the Chasers were shut down by Chris Rusin, Andrew Cashner, Chris Carpenter and Scott Maine, who held them scoreless on six hits over the final six innings.
Omaha starter Vin Mazzaro was lifted after two frames to prepare for his upcoming playoff turn on Thursday and was followed to the hill by Mike Montgomery, who kept the hosts blanked for three innings before they struck to produce what turned out to be the decisive run.
Marquez Smith doubled with one out and scored when Mercedes followed with his three-base hit down the left field line. Montgomery was able to avoid further damage by striking out Brett Jackson and getting Marwin Gonzalez to ground out on a diving stop by third baseman Joaquin Arias.
Omaha loaded the bases with one out in the fifth against Rusin, but the rally ended when Clint Robinson bounced into a double play. They then put two runners on with nobody out in the ninth before Maine struck out Manny Pina and Kurt Mertins and induced Dyson to ground into a force play at second base to end the game.
Box Score
The series and 2011 regular season conclude Monday afternoon when Omaha dips into its bullpen to give Kevin Pucetas a spot start against Iowa right-hander Jay Jackson.
In playoff-related news, Round Rock has received right-hander Neil Ramirez for its post-season run. Between three levels, Ramirez is 5-3 with a 3.15 ERA in 97 innings, piling up 118 strikeouts. He faced the Chasers twice this season, going 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched. The Express will re-set their rotation to reflect his addition to their roster.
And infielder Yamaico Navarro has been recalled by Kansas City so infielder John Whittleman, 24, has been activated by the Chasers from Wilmington. Whittleman is a left-handed power hitter (20 HR, 68 RBIs in 123 games for Wilmington this year. The 6-2, 195-pounder can play first and third base, but he has committed 22 errors at third base this season in just 76 games.
