Bocock Blasts Omaha to First Place

OMAHA, Neb. - Trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning, Brian Bocock hit a go-ahead two-run homer to propel the Omaha Storm Chasers (67-60) in to sole possession of first place in the division with a 3-2 win over the Las Vegas 51s (72-57), as Iowa lost to Salt Lake in Des Moines. The win was in front of the fourth sellout of the season at Werner Park, a new record in the four years at the ballpark.

The two teams were scoreless through the first six innings, only the second time this season that has happened in a Storm Chasers game this season, but Las Vegas' Taylor Teagarden hit a two-run shot to break up the tie. After Omaha got a run without a hit on a sacrifice fly by Francisco Pena, Bocock hit a line drive to leftfield for his second homer of the year and first at Werner Park. Bocock was a member of the Las Vegas 51s for 20 games during the 2012 season.

The late offense was not in time for Buddy Baumann to collect a win, but he tossed five stellar innings striking out a career high nine batters. It was Baumann's third scoreless start for Omaha after being converted from a reliever, and his longest start at the Triple-A level. Baumann had totaled 15 strikeouts in his first seven starts for Omaha spanning 26.0 innings. Chasers starters have allowed only seven earned runs in 23.1 combined innings (2.70 ERA) over the past four games.

Bocock's homer made him one of only four players to collect hits on the night, as Omaha as they won for only the seventh time this season when being outhit. Las Vegas came in to the game tied with Sacramento for the most wins in the league at 72, and the victory gives the Chasers a winning record at Werner Park this season at 32-31.

The last time Omaha had more than a one game lead was June 28. In the second game of the series RHP Liam Hendriks (2-1, 4.95 ERA) gets the start and faces off with Mets prospect RHP Noah Syndergaard (8-6, 4.76 ERA). First pitch on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and MiLB.TV is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.