Chasers Drop Series Opener in St. Paul 13-7

SAINT PAUL, MINN. ― The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped game one of a six-game series 13-7 against the St. Paul Saints Tuesday at CHS Field.

The series opener started with the Saints plating three runs on two hits in the bottom of the second inning for a 3-0 lead, while Omaha was held scoreless over the first three frames, with the lineup retired in order the first time through.

The Chasers stormed ahead in the top of fourth inning and scored six runs on six hits, as the first six batters in the lineup reached base and scored. John Rave opened the inning with a double, then scored on a single from Drew Waters. Nick Loftin singled, then Nick Pratto drove home Waters and Loftin with a two-run single of his own to tie the game at 3-3. The next two pitches left the yard as Devin Mann and Ryan Fitzgerald became the first Chasers to hit back-to-back home runs this season, a two-run shot and solo homer respectively that put Omaha up 6-3.

Starting pitcher Daniel Lynch IV went 4.0 innings, struck out four and allowed four runs on four hits, with St. Paul adding a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Austin Cox entered the game for Lynch in the bottom of the fifth inning and the Saints continued to inch closer, tagging Cox for an unearned run on a Mann error that moved the score to 6-5.

Reliever John McMillon entered in the bottom of the sixth inning behind Cox as St. Paul continued to rally and plated three runs of McMillon to take an 8-6 lead. A home run, walk and three singles plated three runs to give the Saints a lead they held onto the rest of the game.

Omaha nearly made a comeback in the top of the seventh inning, as Tyler Gentry tripled to open the frame, then John Rave ripped a line drive single to right field to cut the deficit to 8-7, moving the potential tying run to third base with one out, represented by Cam Devanney. Devanney, who drew a walk after Gentry's triple, was stranded on third base and Omaha couldn't get any closer the rest of the afternoon.

Colin Selby worked out of McMillon's jam in the sixth inning, then allowed a leadoff home run to Alex Isola in the bottom of the seventh as St. Paul answered back the run Omaha scored in the top of the inning, but Selby retired his next three to finish the inning.

Major League rehabber Jake Brentz took over for the bottom of the eighth and struggled, as St. Paul plated four runs of insurance on three walks and three hits, capped by a three-run homer off the bat of Michael Helman, the Saints' fourth home run of the day, to give St. Paul a 13-7 lead over Omaha that ended as the final score of the game.

The Storm Chasers continue this week’s series against St. Paul on Wednesday at CHS Field with a 6:37 p.m. CT first pitch and right-handed pitcher Luis Cessa projected to start for Omaha.