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Chasers drop Sunday finale at Victory Field 

Isbel drives in four, hits eighth home run of the season
(Minda Haas Kuhlmann)
July 18, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Omaha Storm Chasers led 5-3 after three innings but allowed eight runs in the bottom of the sixth to the Indianapolis Indians, ultimately falling, 12-5. Omaha (40-24) and Indianapolis (32-32) finish the six-game set with a series split. The Chasers scored two runs in the top

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Omaha Storm Chasers led 5-3 after three innings but allowed eight runs in the bottom of the sixth to the Indianapolis Indians, ultimately falling, 12-5. Omaha (40-24) and Indianapolis (32-32) finish the six-game set with a series split.

The Chasers scored two runs in the top of first inning against right-hander Mitch Keller. Three batters after shortstop Lucius Fox and left-fielder Anderson Miller drew back-to-back walks, right-fielder Kyle Isbel lofted a two-run single to left-center to give Omaha and early lead.

The Indians tied the game in the bottom of the second. With runners on first and second and two outs, Chris Sharpe hit a pop up behind shortstop that Fox lost in the Sun, allowing two runs to scored.

Omaha pulled back ahead in the third inning. After Fox reached on an error and stole second—his third stolen base of the game—designated hitter Ryan McBroom drove him in with an RBI single to break the 2-2 tie. Isbel followed with a two-run homer down the right-field line, putting Omaha in front, 5-3.

Isbel finished the game 2-for-2 with a home run, four RBIs, two walks, and a stolen base. His steal in the sixth inning was Omaha's fifth of the game, tying a season high.

Indianapolis got a run back in the bottom of the third on an infield single, back-to-back walks from left-hander Marcelo Martinez, and a double-play groundout with the bases loaded.

Neither team scored until the sixth, when the Indians scored eight runs on five hits and four walks, sending 12 batters to the plate. The first four batters of the inning reached against right-hander Grant Gavin (Loss, 3-1). Sharpe made it a one-run game before Joe Hudson put the Indians in front with a two-run single up the middle. Right-hander Domingo Tapia entered the game two batters later, walked Cole Tucker to load the bases, and walked Christian Bethancourt to force in a run before yielding a grand slam to Bligh Madris. The eight runs is the most runs Omaha has allowed in a single inning this season.

Indianapolis capped its scoring the seventh with an RBI single from Bethancourt to drive in Dee Strange-Gordon from third after he led off with an infield single and moved to third on a single by Tucker.

Indians relievers Matt Eckelman, Braeden Ogle (Win, 2-2), Tanner Anderson, and Shea Spitzbarth combined to hold Omaha scoreless after the third inning.

The Storm Chasers begin a series with the St. Paul Saints on Tuesday, July 20, at Werner Park. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. and coverage begins at 10:45 a.m. CT with the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone.

The six-game homestnad features a Bubba Starling "Bubba Fett" bobblehead giveaway—presented by Fairfield Inn & Suites—to the first 1,500 fans on Friday, July 23 and the rescheduled FNBO Independence Fireworks Show following Friday’s game. For tickets and more information, please visit omahastormchasers.com, call the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100 and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.