Storm Chasers Walked off on by Bats, 3-2

LOUISVILLE, KEN. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored twice in the seventh inning to take a lead, but the Louisville Bats countered with two in the bottom of the ninth to take the series opener over Omaha, 3-2.

In a bullpen game for Omaha, left-hander Evan Sisk served as the Chasers’ opener and pitched into the third inning, facing a season-high 11 batters over 2.1 innings. Sisk allowed just one run on one hit with three strikeouts before giving way to the bullpen.

Collin Snider followed Sisk with 1.2 scoreless innings and Walter Pennington pitched 2.0 perfect frames, combining with Snider to retire seven straight hitters.

Taylor Hearn allowed a double to open his Royals organization debut but stranded the runner on for a scoreless inning. Steven Cruz pitched a scoreless eighth inning as the first five pitchers for the Storm Chasers combined to hold Louisville to two hits and one run over the first eight innings of the game.

After the Bats struck Sisk for a run in the bottom of the second, Louisville stayed ahead of Omaha 1-0 until the seventh inning, when the Chasers jumped ahead for a 2-1 lead.

Tyler Gentry was hit by a pitch to open the inning and Clay Dungan walked, then the two pulled off a double steal and an errant throw from the Louisville catcher scored Gentry to tie the game. Moments later, Adeiny Hechavarría grounded out to plate Dungan for Omaha’s 2-1 lead.

After Hearn and Cruz preserved the Omaha lead, Will Klein came on for the bottom of the ninth to try and earn his fourth save in as many tries this season. After a one-out hit batter, Klein recorded the second out but an RBI single quickly tied the game and a double off the bat of Alejo Lopez to win the game for the Bats, 3-2.

Logan Porter contributed two of Omaha’s four hits in the loss, the team’s first two pf the game – a single in the second inning a double in the fourth.

10 strikeouts combined for the pitching staff marks the fifth straight double-digit strikeout game for the pitching staff, the first time they’ve done so this year.

The Storm Chasers will try to bounce back Wednesday again at 5:35 p.m. CT in the second game of the six-game series at Louisville Slugger Field.