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.”

Chasers down the Express in 11 innings

Omaha, Neb. – Lorenzo Cain capped a three-hit game with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th inning, leading the Storm Chasers over the Round Rock Express in front of 7,055 fans Saturday night at Werner Park. It was the club’s third walk-off victory of the season and their 55th overall win in 100 tries.

After a lead-off walk to Jarrod Dyson by losing pitcher Pedro Strop (4-4), Johnny Giavotella – who had squared around to bunt one pitch earlier – doubled to right-center to put the winning run just 90 feet away. David Lough was walked intentionally to load the bases, and Cain followed by ripping a 3-2 offering into left to plate Dyson for the game-winner.

Three innings earlier, it was a Jarrod Dyson two-out, two-run single off Round Rock reliever Cody Eppley that knotted the score at 5-5, setting the stage for extra innings. Dyson’s base-hit brought home Irving Falu and Lance Zawadzki, who moved into scoring position with a double-steal. It was each player’s 12th stolen base of the season.

Memphis wins in extra innings to trim Omaha's lead to three games

Johnny Giavotella was 3-for-7, raising his
average to .390 in the month of July
(File photo: Gage Matthews / Kings of Kauffman)

Memphis, TN – Pete Kozma singled in the game-winning run with one out in the bottom of the 14th inning to finish a five-hour marathon and lift Memphis past Omaha, 6-5, Tuesday night in the second of a four-game series at Auto Zone Park.

The Redbirds rebounded from being no-hit in the series opener to pull within three games of the PCL American North-leading Storm Chasers, who had a three-game win streak snapped.

Mario Santiago stranded two runners in the 12th and 13th innings but could not work himself out of trouble in the 14th. Matt Carpenter, who went 5-for-6, drew a leadoff walk and moved to second base on an Aaron Luna sacrifice bunt. Following an intentional base on balls to Bryan Anderson, the fourth time he walked in the game, Kozma delivered a base hit to left field that brought Carpenter home with the decisive run. Kozma was 2-for-29 without an RBI against the Chasers before coming through with the winning hit.

Cancel's late inning home run lifts the RedHawks

Oklahoma City, OK – Robinson Cancel’s three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted Oklahoma City to a 7-5 come-from-behind win over Omaha Thursday night in the opener of a four-game set at Bricktown Ballpark.

The Storm Chasers dropped to 48-40 but maintained their 1.5 game lead over Memphis in the PCL American North after the Redbirds lost at Round Rock.

Jesse Chavez was brought on to face Cancel with runners at first and second one out in the decisive inning. The right-hander ran the count full before the OKC first baseman, with the runners in motion, hit his fourth home run of the season to left field to put the RedHawks back in front, 7-5. Mickey Storey came on to retire the Chasers in the ninth to earn the save.

The hosts broke up a scoreless game with three runs in the fourth when J.B. Shuck doubled home a run and scored on a Drew Locke sacrifice fly. Koby Clemens then hit a solo home run off the left field foul pole to complete the three-run burst against Omaha starter Sean O’Sullivan.

Mike & Mike provide 1-2 punch in shutout win

Mike Montgomery celebrated his 22nd birthday in style, throwing 6.2 shutout innings en route to a 6-0 blanking of the Albuquerque Isotopes Friday night at Werner Park. Shortstop Mike Aviles provided Montgomery and the bullpen all the offense they would need, belting a third-inning grand slam to put the Chasers up for good.

It was the Storm Chasers third win in a row, each of which have come in dramatically different types of ballgames. First it was Kila Ka’aihue’s walk-off grand slam on Tuesday to beat Memphis 6-2, then Thursday’s 18-13 slugfest against the Isotopes that featured nine home runs. This time, Montgomery came back strong after taking a start off.

The 6-foot-4 lefty allowed just a pair of singles, walked three and struck out seven in 98 pitches. He exited to a standing ovation from many of the 6,805 in attendance, improving his record to 3-4 on the season. It was Montgomery’s first home win since his first home start back on April 17 against Nashville. Mario Santiago and Jesse Chavez retired seven of the eight batters they faced to finish off the ballgame.

Mike Jirschele wins his 1,000th career game as a manager

Photo: Andrea Stava / Omaha Storm Chasers

He had to wait for a while to get it, but Mike Jirschele won his 1000th game as a professional manager Monday night when the Omaha Storm Chasers defeated the Tucson Padres 2-1, thanks in part to a strong pitching effort from starter Kevin Pucetas (1 ER in 7.0 IP) and an outstanding effort from reliever Mario Santiago (0 ER in 2.0 IP).

Jirschele sounded more relieved than happy after the game.

“I’m just happy it’s over because we’ve been waiting for a while for this one,” Jirschele said. “I just wanted to get it out of the way. In fact, I didn’t even know I was that close to a thousand until we were on that last road trip and Mark Nasser, the radio guy, said, ‘Do you know what win that was? 999.’ I had no idea.

“You know, to me that doesn’t mean anything. Yeah, you won a thousand games, but I don’t win the games anyway. Those guys out there playing are the ones that win the games.”