EL PASO - Frank Schwindel led an early offensive onslaught with another home run, and the Storm Chasers clung on late to defeat El Paso 7-6 on Friday night at Southwest University Park.
EL PASO - Frank Schwindel led an early offensive onslaught with another home run, and the Storm Chasers clung on late to defeat El Paso 7-6 on Friday night at Southwest University Park.
Despite a tiring travel day, the Chasers looked fresh as they jumped to a big early lead. In the top of the 1st, Ruben Sosa walked, and with 1 out, Jorge Soler singled. Ryan O'Hearn drove both of them in with a 2-run double, giving Omaha a 2-0 lead.
In the 2nd, Dean Anna led off with a double, went to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a Jack Lopez single. It was Lopez's first Triple-A RBI.
The Chasers tacked on 3 more in the 3rd. Ryan O'Hearn singled, Cam Gallagher singled, and Frank Schwindel clubbed his 4th home run in his last 5 games. The 3-run shot put Omaha ahead 6-0.
Eric Skoglund cruised through the first 5 innings before Nick Schulz broke up his shutout with a leadoff homer in the 6th, and El Paso added 2 more in the frame on 3 singles, an error, and a sacrifice fly by Ryan Schimpf, cutting the Chasers' lead to 6-3.
The Chasers added a run in the top of the 7th; Ruben Sosa walked, stole 2nd, went to 3rd on a single by Jorge Soler, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Cam Gallagher. It was 7-3.
Michael Kelly (L, 2-2) worked 6.1 innings for El Paso; he was charged with 7 runs, 10 hits, and 3 walks. He struck out 5.
El Paso pulled closer in the bottom of the 7th; Collin Cowgill singled, Nick Schulz doubled, and Peter Van Gansen grounded out to bring Cowgill home, trimming the margin to 7-4.
In the bottom of the 8th, Christian Villanueva singled, and Ryan Schimpf blasted a long home run to cut Omaha's lead to just 7-6. It marked the end of the night for Eric Skoglund (W, 4-4), who was charged with 6 runs (5 earned) on 11 hits. He struck out 8 and walked none.
Kyle Zimmer (S, 1) finished the 8th inning, and then returned to nail down a clutch 2-inning save with a scoreless 9th, giving the Chasers their 2nd consecutive victory.
The Storm Chasers will continue the series in El Paso tomorrow. RHP Christian Binford (3-7, 8.80) will pitch for Omaha, while the Chihuahuas will counter with RHP Bryan Rodriguez (3-7, 5.20). First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 Central.
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