6-Run 6th Lifts Omaha in 7-0 Shutout
OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers (27-33) notched their second shutout of the season, and first at Werner Park this year, to take the series finale with the Oklahoma City RedHawks (33-27) by a score of 7-0. The win combined with a Memphis loss moves Omaha to within 4.0 games of the division lead.
The Storm Chasers jumped on the board early with a run in the opening frame, the first time in 16 games they had scored in the first inning, but a six-run explosion in the sixth inning broke up a close 1-0 game and sealed the win. The offensive outburst was capped by catcher Adam Moore blasting a two-out, three-run homer to centerfield for his sixth long ball of the year. Omaha had scored six runs in their previous four games before today's game.
Starter Everett Teaford and three Chasers relievers combined for a five-hit shutout, with the relievers allowing just three hits in the final five innings of the contest. Both shutouts for the Storm Chasers this year have been started with four innings by Teaford, and the left-hander has not lost a start in 13 consecutive outings dating back to the beginning of the 2011 season. The shutout was the seventh in the two plus years of Werner Park's existence.
In the game, longtime Omaha utility man Irving Falu appeared in his 500th game as a Royal/Storm Chaser to become only the sixth player in franchise history to reach the 500 game mark. Falu ranks in the top ten all-time in at-bats, hits, runs, triples, stolen bases and with his next RBI with become the 11th player in team history to notch 200.
The Storm Chasers next travel to division rival Nashville for the second and final trip to Greer Stadium of the 2013 season. Left-hander Danny Duffy will be making his first Major League rehab assignment with Omaha in the series opener, after making three starts with Double-A Northwest Arkansas earlier this year. Duffy will face off with Sounds right-hander R.J. Seidel (1-2, 2.93 ERA) with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and coverage on 1180 Zone 2 The Duece and www.omahastormchasers.com beginning at 6:45 p.m.