Storm Chasers Dig the Long Ball in Win Over Aces

Reno, NV - Joaquin Arias and Clint Robinson belted home runs while Jesse Chavez survived a rocky ninth inning as Omaha hung on to defeat Reno, 6-5, Wednesday night in the second of a four-game set at Aces Ballpark. The 19-14 Storm Chasers stretched their lead to 4 1/2 games over idle Iowa in the American Conference North Division.

Chavez was called on to protect a 6-3 advantage but allowed a Brandon Allen sacrifice fly and a run-scoring hit by Wily Mo Pena that trimmed the margin to one. The right-hander then retired Cole Gillespie with two runners on to end the game and earn his fifth save of the season.

The Aces tallied first for a second straight night when Gillespie singled home a run with two outs in the first inning and made it a 2-0 game after Sean Burroughs led off the fourth inning with a triple and scored on a ground out.

After being blanked on one hit through the first four innings, the Storm Chasers struck back in the fifth when Arias unloaded a three-run home run to put them in front for the first time in the series.

Reno starter Barry Enright was removed after five frames and replaced by Rafael Rodriguez, who surrendered a two-run blast by Robinson in the sixth that extended the Omaha lead to 5-2.

The long balls made a winner of Jeff Suppan, who improved to 3-4 after yielding two runs on six hits while walking three and striking out three. Robinson Tejeda worked a perfect seventh inning before Luis Mendoza allowed a run in the eighth that sliced the lead to 6-3.

The series continues Thursday night with Chasers' right-hander Kevin Pucetas taking the hill against Reno southpaw and Omaha native Zack Kroenke. Coverage of the game gets underway at 8:45 p.m. and can be heard locally on KOIL AM 1180 and online at omahastormchasers.com.