Chasers Walk Off With 4-3 Win In Ten Innings

Following Omaha starter Jonathan Dziedzic 's strong seven-inning performance, the Storm Chasers plated two runs in the bottom of the tenth inning, capped by third baseman Jack Lopez 's game-ending bases-loaded walk, in a 4-3 victory over the Memphis Redbirds on Tuesday evening at Werner Park.

Tuesday's contest featured the first time the Storm Chasers participated in a game utilizing the rule enacted by Minor League Baseball that places a runner at second base to start an extra frame. After Memphis scored a run in the top of the tenth, Omaha CF Billy Burns began the last of the frame at second and then moved to third on 2B Ramón Torres ' single to right, before coming across on DH Frank Schwindel 's sacrifice fly to even the contest at 3-3. Torres would eventually come across when Lopez took the payoff pitch low to cap the celebration and give Omaha their second walk-off victory in a span of three home tilts.
The Storm Chasers drew first blood in the opening frame as well thanks to Schwindel, who laced a single to center to bring Burns plateward. The Redbirds answered with a single tally in the fourth prior to Omaha C Nick Dini lofting a run-scoring double to the right field wall that made it 2-1. That advantage would last until the ninth, when C Carson Kelly's RBI double to right evened the match at 2-2 and forced the extra frame.
Burns (2-4, 2 R, BB) was the lone batter from Omaha's side to collect two knocks. Kelly (2-4, 2B, RBI), CF Oscar Mercado (2-4, R, RBI) and 1B Alex Mejia (2-4) all tallied two hits apiece for Memphis. RF Hunter Dozier dropped a double into right field to start the fourth inning, which extended his on-base streak to ten. Dozier has reached base in 11 of his 12 games played with Omaha this year.
Dziedzic spun seven solid frames, yielding a lone earned run on seven scattered hits while striking out four. He and Memphis starter Austin Gomber (7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K), who nearly went stride-for-stride with Dziedzic did not factor in the final decisions despite quality outings. Storm Chasers reliever Richard Lovelady (1.1 IP, H, R, 0 ER, BB) earned the victory, while Redbirds righty Kevin Herget (0.2 IP, H, 2 R, ER, 3 BB, K) suffered the defeat.
Omaha and Memphis are slated to face off in the second matchup of their four-game series on Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm CT. The Redbirds are anticipated to send RHP Jack Flaherty (2-0, 2.77) to the hill, with the Storm Chasers' starter to be determined.
Tickets are still available for that game and all remaining Storm Chasers home dates in 2018, and may be purchased at www.omahastormchasers.com/tickets as well as by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100. To view Ticket Office hours, please click here.