Perez hits a grand slam in 10-1 Chasers win

Robinson Tejeda pitched the final inning
in relief, giving up two hits, but not allowing a run
(File photo: Corey O'Malley)

Omaha, Neb. – Salvador Perez hit two grand slam home runs in his last four games at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, winning the Texas League Player of the Week award. Three games into his Triple-A career, he hasn’t missed a beat. Perez hit yet another grand slam, his first home run with Omaha, and later added an RBI single in the Storm Chasers 10-1 victory over Albuquerque in front of 8,791 fans Friday night at Werner Park.

The 21-year-old catcher, noted more for his defense than for his bat, went after the second pitch from reliever Ramon Troncoso in the bottom of the sixth inning, knocking it just over the wall in deep left-center, some 385 feet from home plate. His grand slam gave him a 20 runs batted in over his last seven games, surpassing the season total of 14 he had through the end of June. His 34 RBIs during the month of July is three more than any other player in all of professional baseball.

Perez’s heroics were plenty enough for Omaha starting pitcher Sean O’Sullivan (3-2), who allowed one run on three hits over six innings of work. He walked two and struck out five on the night. Kelvin Herrera, who came up with Perez from Double-A Wednesday, threw a scoreless seventh before Everett Teaford and Robinson Tejeda finished off the Isotopes with one scoreless inning apiece.

Mitchell's home run lifts Albuquerque over the Chasers

Omaha, Neb. – The last time the Albuquerque Isotopes ventured into Werner Park, third baseman Russ Mitchell hit a two-run home run to beat the Storm Chasers, 2-0, on July 3rd. Twenty-three days later, Mitchell delivered a repeat performance, blasting a two-run, go-ahead home run in the Isotopes’ 6-4 victory Tuesday night.

The ninth-inning long ball spoiled what was shaping up to be a fine performance by the Omaha bullpen, which was called upon in the fifth to replace ineffective starting pitcher Mike Montgomery. Right-hander Zach Miner held Albuquerque scoreless over the next four innings, giving the Storm Chasers an opportunity to get back in the game and have a chance at victory.

As has been the case quite often this season, Montgomery struggled with his control. Making his 20th start of the season, he allowed four runs on seven hits over four innings pitched, walking four and striking out three. He needed 93 pitches to get his first 10 outs, with the final two coming on a hard smash with the bases loaded that the Omaha defense turned into a 5-4-3, inning-ending double play with the Chasers trailing 4-1.

“He’s just been inconsistent with his command, and it’s something that’s got to get better,” said manager Mike Jirschele after the game. “He was fortunate to get through as far as he did.”

Jarrod Dyson steals the show in Omaha win

Jarrod Dyson stole the show Wednesday
(Photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues)

Metairie, LA – Jarrod Dyson scored the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning on a wild pitch as Omaha upended New Orleans, 5-4, Wednesday afternoon to finish off a three-game set at Zephyr Field. The Storm Chasers took the last two games to improve to 48-39 and temporarily increase their lead over Memphis to two games in the PCL American North.

Dyson singled with two outs in the ninth, stole second, stole third and then scored on a Frank Mata offering that hit in the dirt and skipped past catcher Gregg Clime to move the visitors in front, 5-4. Jesse Chavez then worked a scoreless bottom of the frame to register his 10th save of the season.

Giavotella stays hot; Omaha wins 4th straight

Giavotella continues to swing a hot stick, belting
a home run and driving in three
(Photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues)

The calendar may have changed from June to July, but Omaha second baseman Johnny Giavotella hasn’t missed a beat at the plate. Following a calendar month in which he hit .398 with 49 hits, 25 runs batted in and 20 runs scored, the 5-foot-8 Giavotella belted a home run and drove in three runs in a 4-1 Storm Chasers victory over Albuquerque Saturday night at Werner Park.

Righthander Sean O’Sullivan (1-1), making his third rehabilitation start for the Storm Chasers, held the Isotopes to a run on four hits over six solid innings. He walked two and struck out five, throwing 59 of his 88 pitches for strikes. After giving up four runs on six hits in his first two rehab innings on June 22nd, O’Sullivan has allowed a total of one run on five hits in 10 innings since. He allowed his lone run in the top of the second, spotting Albuquerque a 1-0 lead, but that was all the visitors would manage to muster.

In the bottom of the third inning, Joaquin Arias led off with a triple to the left-center gap off losing pitching Randy Keisler (4-4). After an Irving Falu groundout kept Arias at third base, Giavotella lined one over the left field wall to make it 2-1 Storm Chasers. The PCL All-Star would add a sacrifice fly in the fifth, giving him seven home runs and a team-leading 59 runs batted in this season, all while hitting .328.

Storm Chasers take a seven game winning streak into tonight

Lorenzo Cain on the basepaths
(Photo: Lee Warren)

A seven game winning streak that started with a win from Jeff Suppan at home against Nashville on April 17 continued on Sunday with another win by Suppan against Nashville – this one on the road.

Suppan, gave up a two-run home run in the first inning on Sunday, but the runs were not earned due to an error by Irving Falu. Then he went on a roll, shutting down the Sounds over the next five innings, retiring the last 11 batters he faced.

Omaha has outscored their opponents 40-12 during their winning streak and their pitching staff has tossed three shutouts during that stretch.

At 11-7, they are in first place in the PCL American North – 1.5 games ahead of Iowa. The last time they lead their division by 1.5 games was May 10, 2008.

A few player player notes:

• Gregor Blanco drew three walks on Sunday, stealing a base, scoring twice and ripping an RBI double in his only official at-bat. He has reached base safely in 13 of his past 18 plate appearances (.722 OBP). Before that he mired in an 0-for-12 skid with no walks. He has stolen bases in each of his past five games.

Historic night at Werner Park ends with a Storm Chaser victory

George Brett, Bob Gibson and Jeff Suppan chat in the
Storm Chasers' dugout before the game.

The Omaha Storm Chasers got a strong effort from their starting pitcher Danny Duffy and got just enough offense to win their inaugural game at Werner Park 2-1 against Nashville in front of 6,533 fans.

Duffy was on a strict pitch count limit (he threw 76 pitches), so he had to be removed one out shy of qualifying for the win (he pitched 4.2 innings). His final line was impressive though: 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB and 7 Ks.

Everett Teaford, Luis Mendoza, Blaine Hardy, Jesse Chavez and Luis Coleman combined to only allow one earned run over the final 4.1 innings. Chavez got the win. Coleman picked up the save.

Express rally past Omaha 5-2

Here's a summary of the game tonight between the Storm Chasers and the Round Rock Express, as issued in a press release from the Express:

ROUND ROCK, Texas – Matt Kata’s game-winning, two-run homer keyed a four-run fifth inning as the Round Rock Express rallied past the Omaha Storm Chasers 5-2 in Monday night’s Pacific Coast League action at The Dell Diamond. It was the first home run of the season for Kata, who is in his third season as a member of the Express.

Brian Barden broke up Everett Teaford’s no-hit bid with a one-out, wind-aided single in the fifth. After Brad Nelson struck out, Kata followed with a two-out homer that easily cleared the Express bullpen beyond the left-centerfield wall. That erased a 2-1 Omaha lead, and the Express never trailed again. Taylor Teagarden followed with a solo homer, and Endy Chavez capped the frame with an RBI double.

Meanwhile, three Round Rock pitchers combined to hold Omaha to three hits on the night. David Lough had a first-pitch solo homer in the first inning, and Clint Robinson led off the top of the fifth with a home run. Omaha’s only other hit on the night was Johnny Giavotella’s one-out bunt single in the seventh.

Starter Derek Hankins (1-0) worked 5.0 innings and allowed only the two solo homers with two strikeouts. Ramon Aguero walked the first batter he faced in the sixth on four pitches but disposed of the next three batters on six pitches. Zach Phillips worked the final three frames without allowing a run; he walked one and struck out three.

Jirschele, Hosmer and Montgomery talk about the upcoming season

Mike Montgomery signing autographs at Family Fest

The Omaha Storm Chasers finally got the weather they were looking for yesterday when they opened the gate for Family Fest. The two previous open houses drew thousands of fans in cold and windy weather.

Families sat in the seats watching players work out and take batting practice. They enjoyed the free pop and popcorn offered by the Storm Chasers. And they lined up for autographs with players such as Everett Teaford, Mike Mongtomery, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer.

After the team finished their workout, they hopped on a plane bound for Albuquerque, where they will open the season tonight. Before they left, manager Mike Jirschele, pitcher Mike Montgomery, third baseman Mike Moustakas and first baseman Eric Hosmer met with the media.

Storm Chasers win Futures Game against the Naturals

Eric Hosmer signs autographs after the
game (Photo: Kansas City Royals)

While the Kansas City Royals were staging their second straight come from behind victory against the Angels this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, players from the Omaha Storm Chasers and NW Arkansas Naturals watched in anticipation – knowing they would get their shot soon enough in the Futures Game that started at 3:40 pm.

Behind extraordinary efforts on the hill from Mike Montgomery and Danny Duffy, the Storm Chasers won the game 4-1. The two teams continued to play for three additional innings, after the game was final, to give the pitchers some extra work. The Naturals scored an additional run in the eleventh inning.

• Mike Montgomery got the start for the Storm Chasers. He was sharp in the first inning, prompting this response on Twitter from Terez Paylor, who covers the Royals for the KC Star, “Mike Montgomery is filthy. Just blew away Wil Myers with some 96 MPH heat that drew oohs and aahs from the crowd.”