Mark Nasser celebrates with the Storm Chasers

Omaha Storm Chasers' radio broadcaster Mark Nasser celebrates with the team after they clinched the PCL American Conference Championship on September 10, 2011. Nasser was having a little fun, as if he were in a dance off against pitcher Sean O'Sullivan, who did a Michael Jackson dance impersonation earlier.

Jeff Suppan's reaction at the 27 second mark is priceless.

Omaha drops final regular season home game

Kevin Pucetas threw four innings of scoreless relief,
extending his scoreless innings streak to 9.2.
(File photo: Brad Williams Photography)

Omaha, Neb. – A day after clinching the franchise’s first postseason berth in 12 years, the Storm Chasers got off to a hot start before running out of gas in a 9-4 defeat to the Round Rock Express. The Thursday night crowd of 8,927 pushed the Werner Park inaugural season attendance total to 410,326.

All of the Chasers’ scoring took place in the bottom of the first inning off eventual winning pitcher Martin Perez (4-4). After loading the bases with nobody out on two walks and a bunt single, Lorenzo Cain drove in a run with a ground out to make it 1-0 in favor of Omaha. Joaquin Arias followed with a two-run single and Manny Pina added a sacrifice fly, making it a 4-0 ballgame in the early going.

Perez held the Storm Chasers to just two hits and no walks in his next four innings, departing with a 6-4 lead after five innings of play. The 20-year-old lefty struck out five, keeping the Chasers off-balance with his excellent change-up.

Omaha and Memphis both lose, magic number drops to five

Metairie, LA – Alex Romero had four hits, scored a run and drove in a run as New Orleans held off Omaha, 6-3, Saturday evening in the fourth of a five-game series at Zephyr Field. The Storm Chasers fell to 75-59, but maintained their four-game lead over Memphis, since they lost as well, in the PCL American North. The Chaser's magic number dropped to five.

 Trailing 6-3, the Chasers two last-gasp efforts failed when they put runners at second and third with nobody out in the eighth but could not score, as Dan Jennings got Clint Robinson to fly out before striking out Kila Ka’aihue and retiring Irving Falu on a ground out. Victor Garate was called on with runners at the corners and two out in the ninth and got David Lough to fly out to end the game and secure the hosts second win of the series.

Jorge Padilla and Joe Thurston opened the home first with back-to-back doubles to produce the game’s first run against Omaha starter Jeff Suppan, who avoided further damage by stranding Thurston at third with one out.

New Orleans expanded its lead to 4-0 in the fifth on a run-scoring base hit by Padilla, a former Omaha outfielder, and a two-run double from Vinny Rottino. Omaha started its comeback in the next half inning as the middle of the order rallied for three runs with two out against New Orleans starter Tom Koehler, who lasted 5.2 innings to pick up his 11th win of the season.

Navarro’s 9th inning home run gives Chasers another win

Yamaico Navarro blasted a three-run home run
to give Omaha a 4-2 win at Tacoma
(File photo: Lee Warren)

Tacoma, Wash. – Yamaico Navarro’s three-run home run in the ninth inning lifted Omaha to a 4-2 come-from-behind win over Tacoma Wednesday night in the second of a four-game series at Cheney Stadium.

The Storm Chasers improved to 69-55 and lengthened their lead to five games over Memphis in the PCL American North with just 19 regular season games left to play.

Trailing 2-1 after Tacoma had scored in the home eighth, the Chasers got back-to-back singles from Irving Falu and Lorenzo Cain to begin the decisive inning. Rainiers reliever Scott Patterson battled back to strike out Clint Robinson and Kila Ka’aihue and was one strike away from doing the same to Navarro before the shortstop drilled a line drive that cleared the left field wall to dramatically alter the contest with his first three runs driven in wearing an Omaha uniform.

Suppan loses second game since early May

Clint Robinson was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored
(File photo: Lee Warren)

Salt Lake City, UT – Ronald “Bear” Bay worked seven solid innings and received home run support from Efren Navarro and Paul McAnulty in Salt Lake’s 6-2 victory over Omaha Friday night in the opener of a four-game series at Spring Mobile Ballpark. 

The Storm Chasers dropped to 65-54 and saw their lead in the PCL American North sliced to 4.5 games over now-second place Nashville.

Gil Velazquez’s RBI single, a solo home run by Navarro and a sacrifice fly to center by Alexi Amarista gave the Bees a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

Perez has big night in Chasers win

Salvador Perez was 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs
(File photo: Brad Williams /
Brad Williams Photography)

Omaha, Neb. – With violent storms whipping across the Omaha metro area Saturday night, the Chasers felt right at home, winning a 7-5 decision over the Sacramento River Cats at Werner Park. The game was delayed two times due to the weather, once with Omaha leading 6-4 in the fifth and again with the Storm Chasers on top 7-5 in the eighth.

The win by the Chasers, coupled with a loss by second place Memphis, gives Omaha a six game lead in the PCL American North. The Chasers are now 63-51 and they are 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Jeff Suppan (11-5) eventually earned the win in this one, as the 36-year-old righthander completed five innings of work just before the first storm hit. The 11 victories move him into a first-place tie for most wins in the league this season, matching Albuquerque’s Dana Eveland and Sacramento’s Graham Godfrey. He allowed four runs on four hits, walked two and struck out three in the game.

Catcher Salvador Perez, 15 years Suppan’s junior, was the hitting star for the Chasers in the ballgame. He ripped a pair of RBI doubles in the first three innings, giving him three runs batted in on the night and 10 in his short time in a Storm Chasers’ uniform. His second-inning double scored new shortstop Yamaico Navarro, who arrived in Omaha just three hours prior to first pitch. Navarro went 1-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.

Chasers win fourth in a row behind strong pitching

Jeff Suppan won his 10th game of
the season. (File photo: Lee Warren)

Oklahoma City, OK – The Omaha Storm Chasers managed just two runs against Oklahoma City pitching Monday night at Bricktown Ballpark, but that was all they needed because Omaha starter Jeff Suppan and reliever Kevin Pucetas tossed a six-hit shutout.

The 2-0 Chasers win, their fourth win in a row, means the Chasers remain 5.0 games up on the second place Memphis Redbirds, who won at home tonight against Iowa, in the PCL American North.

One of the Chasers runs came on a controversial fielder’s choice in the second inning. With one out and Kila Ka’aihue at third base, Jarrod Dyson hit a chopper up the third base line. Oklahoma City starter Lucas Harrell fielded the ball and attempted to tag Ka’aihue but he appeared to tag him with his glove while the ball was in his other hand. Home plate umpire Brett Robson called Ka’aihue safe at home. Harrell argued and Robson ejected him. It was a controversial play all the way around because Dyson should have been credited with a hit on the play since he would have beat the throw to first base.

The Chasers picked up another run later in the inning on a sacrifice fly to center field by Johnny Giavotella. Salvador Perez scored on the play.

Two-run double by Robinson powers Omaha past Albuquerque

Clint Robinson drove in the winning run with
a double in the eighth inning
(File photo: Lee Warren)

Omaha, Neb. – After trailing most of the night, the Omaha Storm Chasers got a boost from a struggling Clint Robinson who stroked a two-run double to give Omaha a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the bullpen shut down the Albuquerque Isotopes over the final three innings and the Chasers went on to win, 6-4.

Omaha manager Mike Jirschele said it was a big win for the Chasers, who had lost three games in a row. The Chasers now lead the PCL American North by four games since second place Memphis lost in Round Rock 13-4.

“It’s huge,” Jirschele said after the game. “Right now, if you can play .500 the rest of the way out, you’ve got a chance at winning this division, the way it looks. It’d be nice to put a streak together where you win seven, eight in a row, but I think if we continue to go out and do our thing, I think we’ve got enough fire power to have a chance at winning this division.”

Suppan pitching in Omaha because he still loves the game

Jeff Suppan is 9-5 with a 4.60 ERA in 20

appearances (19 starts) for Omaha this season

(File photo: Gage Matthews / Kings of Kauffman)

Jeff Suppan’s performance Friday night at Werner Park is exactly what you would expect from him. He didn’t have his best stuff, but he pitched to contact, tweaked his game plan, gave up a lot of hits, and still found a way to keep the Storm Chasers in the game long enough for their offense to kick in.

Suppan picked up his ninth win of the season, which ties him for second in the PCL, while at no point looking to be in control of the game.

“To me, that’s what pitching is all about,” Suppan said after the game. “Knowing what’s working, knowing what’s not. Changing speeds, trying to work as fast as we can. It’s one of those days where my fastball really wasn’t how I like it to be – down in the zone. Getting on top of the ball, getting underneath it and the cutter a lot, so I was having to change speeds in different ways.

Chasers erupt for five runs in the fifth, go on to win 10-4

Jeff Suppan in action Friday night at Werner Park.
He picked up his ninth win of the season.
(Photo: Lee Warren)

Omaha, Neb. – David Lough led the Omaha Storm Chasers offensive attack Friday night at Werner Park, going 3-for-5 with a home run and 2 RBIs, meanwhile, starting pitcher Jeff Suppan wiggled off the hook on numerous occasions en route to a 10-4 win for Omaha.

The win was Suppan’s ninth of the season. And the Chasers extended their lead in the PCL American North to three games since Memphis lost in Oklahoma City.

After the game, interim manager Tommy Gregg said he was pleased with everyone’s effort because it was a tough day. The team woke up at 3:30 am in Memphis to catch their plane. They endured a delay at one point and had to fly around a storm at another point. Then, later in the day, they found out that some of their gear was delayed.

Giavotella powers Chasers past hometown Zephyrs

Omaha, Neb. – Second baseman Johnny Giavotella had a career day against the New Orleans Zephyrs Sunday at Werner Park, going 4-for-4 with two home runs in a 7-4 Omaha victory that gave the Chasers a three-game lead over second place Memphis in the PCL American North.

The Jesuit High School (New Orleans) and University of New Orleans alumnus homered in the first, doubled in the third, homered again in the fourth and singled and scored in the seventh. His performance raised his batting average to .334 for the year with nine home runs, 64 RBIs, 56 runs scored and 28 doubles, while raising his batting average to .394 since June 1st.

Giavotella’s big afternoon helped veteran righthander Jeff Suppan to his team-leading eighth win of the year. Suppan (8-5) went seven innings, allowing four runs, staying in long enough to take advantage of the Chasers three-run seventh spurred by Giavotella’s fourth hit of the game. The Zephyrs had rallied with two runs to tie the game at 4-4 in the top half of the inning.

RedHawks walk off with win over Chasers

Oklahoma City, OK – Tommy Manzella's sacrifice fly brought home the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to push Oklahoma City past Omaha, 4-3, Friday night in the second of a four-game set at Bricktown Ballpark. The Storm Chasers dropped their second straight game to fall to 48-41 and saw their lead over Memphis in the PCL American North trimmed to one-half game.

Anderson Hernandez led off the home ninth with a looping single off Robinson Tejeda and moved to second base on a balk. Oswaldo Navarro dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Hernandez to third from where he scored the decisive marker on Manzella's fly ball to center field.

Brandon Barnes drove in the first run of the game in the home third with a fielder's choice grounder before Lorenzo Cain laced a line drive home run to left to even the score in the fourth and match a career-high with his 11th round tripper of the season.

OKC moved back in front 2-1 in the sixth when Drew Locke singled home Luis Durango before the Storm Chasers countered in the seventh with a two-out run of their own courtesy of a Johnny Giavotella single that plated Irving Falu.

Ely shuts down the Chasers to end Omaha’s winning streak

Suppan pitched seven innings, giving up two
earned runs on five hits and two walks
(Photo: Lee Warren)

Jeff Suppan’s bid for his fourth win in five starts came up short on Sunday, even though he pitched well enough to win – giving up just two earned runs in seven innings of work. But Albuquerque starter John Ely was even more efficient – tossing seven shutout innings while yielding just four hits and two walks in a 2-0 Albuquerque win in front of 9,023 fans, a new Werner Park record. 

The only scoring came in the fifth inning when Albuquerque first baseman Russell Mitchell took a 1-0 offering from Suppan over the left field wall with centerfielder Jamie Hoffmann on base. After the game, hitting coach Tommy Gregg – who is managing the team while Mike Jirschele is away on personal business – spoke about Suppan’s outing and the pitch Mitchell hit out of the park.

“That pitch was down,” Gregg said. “It was over the plate, but it was down and Mitchell did a good job of just getting the barrel to it and hit a line drive out of the park. But it wasn’t a bad pitch. You’ve got to give Mitchell the credit for putting the barrel on it good. That’s the way the game goes.

Omaha and Memphis split twin bill

Manny Pina homered, doubled and walked in game one
(Photo: Gage Matthews, Kings of Kauffman)

The Omaha Storm Chasers and Memphis Redbirds split a sun-soaked doubleheader Monday afternoon at Werner Park, with the Chasers (42-37) taking game one 2-1 and Memphis (41-37) rallying to win game two 5-2. The seven-inning contests were played in front of 6,917 fans, the most-ever to watch day baseball at Werner Park.

Game one was a tidy 2-1 victory for the Storm Chasers, backed by yet another solid outing from veteran Jeff Suppan. The 36-year-old righthander improved his record to 7-4 on the season, with wins in each of his past three starts and 10-consecutive outings without a defeat. Jesse Chavez came on with a runner on in the seventh, retiring all three batters he faced to earn his ninth save.

Omaha Storm Chasers on Cox Cable today

Omaha (41-36) will play a double header today with Memphis (40-36) to make up for the game that was postponed between the two clubs yesterday. Omaha leads Memphis by a half a game in the PCL American North headed into play.

Pitching match ups:

Game 1: RHP P.J. Walters (6-3, 4.55) @ RHP Jeff Suppan (6-4, 5.11)
Game 2: RHP Brandon Dickson (3-7, 3.95) @ RHP Sean O’Sullivan (0-1, 15.43)

Time Warner Cable Metro Sports will broadcast today’s first game beginning at 12:05 p.m. The game can be found on Cox Cable channel 2 in Omaha, Time Warner Cable Ch. 310 Digital in Lincoln and Time Warner Cable HD 1310 and Digital 310 in Kansas City.

UPDATE: Time Warner Cable Metro Sports will televise GAME TWO of the doubleheader between the Omaha Storm Chasers and Memphis Redbirds today, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Originally, game one (12:05 p.m.) was to be aired.

OKC wins the battle of the bullpens

Jeff Suppan prepares to throw a
pitch in the early innings tonight.
(Photo: Lee Warren)

In a battle of bullpens tonight at Werner Park, Omaha’s blinked when Blaine Hardy gave up two runs in the top of the eleventh inning to give the RedHawks a 6-4 win.

Omaha took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Johnny Giavotella blasted his fourth home run of the season to left field. The Chasers added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings on a Clint Robinson home run – his 15th – and a wild pitch by RedHawks starting pitcher Sergio Perez.

Jeff Suppan got the start for Omaha and looked strong early on. He sat down the first eight hitters he faced. He gave up a run in the fifth inning and made it to the seventh inning before running into real trouble. He walked the leadoff hitter Brandon Barnes setting the stage for a two-run home run by the RedHawks number nine hitter, Oswaldo Navarro – who had a big night, going 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs. Suppan went 6.1 innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out five.

“I thought he threw the ball real well tonight,” said Storm Chasers manager Mike Jirschele after the game. “And then he gave up the home run. That’s part of the game. You make one bad pitch and it ruins your night. Overall though I thought he mixed his pitches well and kept the ball down. And really, they were struggling against him.”

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.

Suppan pitches well, Duffy on his retirement, and more

There is rain in the forecast for the home opener tomorrow
(Photo: emples)

Jeff Suppan looked much better in his second start of the season last night in Round Rock than in his first start this season. In his first start on April 8 at Albuquerque, he gave up 7 ER on 7 H in 4.0 IP. Last night he gave up just 1 ER on 6 H in 5.1 IP.

Rob White from the Omaha World Herald wrote a feature about LHP Danny Duffy, who is scheduled to start tomorrow night for the first ever Storm Chasers game at Werner Park. The feature includes this quote about Duffy's brief retirement last year: “I knew I wanted to come back a while before I did. Watching 'Baseball Tonight' (on television), and seeing people I had faced kind of lit that fire. Baseball has always been what I was meant to do. I just had to go home for a while to realize that.”

Suppan roughed up in Storm Chaser loss

Jeff Suppan working out on Wednesday at Werner Park

Another night, another 10 runs for the Isotopes. They downed the Storm Chasers last night in Albuquerque 10-6.

Jeff Suppan got the start for Omaha and gave up 7 earned runs in 4.0 innings – including two home runs to Albuquerque second baseman Justin Sellers, who isn’t exactly known for his power. He had 31 home runs as he entered his seventh season of minor league baseball this year.

Irving Falu played right field again, taking over for David Lough who is day-to-day after he and Paulo Orlando collided in right center field on Thursday night.

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.