Omaha Moves a Little Closer to OKC

Oklahoma City, OK - Francisco Pena homered and Jose Martinez drove in three runs in support of six strong innings from Kris Medlen as Omaha knocked off Oklahoma City, 8-2, Sunday evening in the second of four meetings at Bricktown Ballpark. The Storm Chasers have taken the first two games of the series to lift their record to 45-39 and move to within nine games of the American Conference North division leaders.

The Storm Chasers jumped on OKC starter Rudy Owens for a run in the first inning on a two-out RBI hit by Balbino Fuenmayor and for another in the second on a Martinez sacrifice fly that followed Brett Eibner's lead-off triple. The hosts got a run back in the fourth on a ground out by Corey Seager but failed to bring in a runner from third with one out and left the bases loaded when Medlen fanned Kyle Jensen to end the threat.

Whit Merrifield doubled to start the fifth and stayed put when first baseman Andy Wilkins misplayed a Rey Fuentes bunt attempt to allow him to reach safely. One out later, the runners pulled off a double steal before Fuenmayor struck again with a base hit that plated Merrifield to make it 3-1 and pushed Fuentes to third base from where he scored on Pena fielder's choice grounder. Following an Eibner infield hit and subsequent throwing error, Martinez doubled in both runners before coming around on a Moises Sierra base hit that capped a five-run thrust to stretch the advantage to six and chased Owens from the hill after he had allowed 12 hits, walked one and struck out three over 4 2/3 innings.

Medlen gave up a home run to Seager in the sixth that made it 7-2 and finished off his second Triple-A rehab start allowing five hits, while walking one and striking out a pair. Veteran left-hander Troy Patton took over and spun two scoreless innings in his Storm Chasers debut before Brian Broderick closed the door in the ninth on the visitors fourth straight victory over the Dodgers, during which they have collected 62 hits.

The series continues Monday night with Omaha right-hander Yohan Pino taking the hill against OKC right-hander Brandon Beachy. Coverage gets underway at 6:45 pm with the Metropolitan Community College pre-game show and can be heard on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and online at omahastormchasers.com.