Gordon, Martinez Hit Big Homers in Win

OMAHA, Neb. - Jose Martinez hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning to break up a tie ballgame, lifting the Omaha Storm Chasers (71-58) to a 4-3 win over the Sacramento River Cats (65-64). The victory broke up Sacramento's 13-game win streak, the longest in the PCL, and came in front of a sellout crowd of 9,023.

Alex Gordon was appearing with the Storm Chasers as part of his Major League Rehab Assignment, and after going 0-for-2 in his first two times up to bat he launched a two-run homer to right in the fifth inning. Gordon had not appeared in a game since injuring his groin on July 8, and was also appearing in his first professional game in Nebraska since the 2010 season. Gordon finished the night 1-for-4 with two RBI and one strikeout.

The biggest homer of the night came from Martinez, and with two more hits he now is batting .386 on the season. If he holds that average, it would be the highest mark in Omaha franchise history (the current record is .372 by Jeremy Giambi in 1998). It would also be the highest average since the Pacific Coast League expanded in 1998, as Rick Short of New Orleans hit .383 in 2005. Martinez has multiple hits in seven of his last nine games.

Also making the Cornhusker fans happy in the stands was former Nebraska standout Joba Chamberlain, who pitched a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts. He earned the win in his first ever professional game in his home state of Nebraska, then Scott Alexander came on in the ninth and picked up his team-leading 14th save.

In the second game of the series tomorrow, Omaha will send out RHP Andy Ferguson (4-3, 3.54 ERA) to face off with River Cats RHP Chris Stratton (3-4, 3.78 ERA). With Alex Gordon's Rehab Assignment scheduled to continue, first pitch on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and MiLB.TV is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.