Chasers allow four homers in 5-0 loss

PAPILLION, Neb. – The Saint Paul Saints needed 102 games, but they finally recorded their first shutout of the season, taking down the Omaha Storm Chasers (50-53) 5-0 on Saturday from Werner Park. The Saints (51-51) now lead the series 4-1 while Omaha leads the season series 9-8.

Left-hander Drew Parrish started the game well, needing just 11 pitches to get through the first inning for Omaha.

Through the first five innings, the Chasers were only able to muster four hits, keeping the scoreboard still.

After not allowing a hit through the first five innings, Parrish (Loss, 2-6) surrendered his first hit of the night in the sixth, and it was a big one. John Andreoli started the inning with an opposite field homer that barely cleared the right field wall. Two batters later, Jermaine Palacios went yard to centerfield, to chase Parrish from the game after 5.1 innings of work.

Omaha juiced the base in the bottom of the sixth but couldn’t plate a run. Left fielder Drew Waters drew a walk before shortstop Maikel Garcia got his first hit at the Triple-A level. A double-play lineout erased Waters, but center fielder Brewer Hicklen was hit by a pitch before third baseman Clay Dungan walked to fill the bases. Omaha couldn’t capitalize in the inning, still trailing 2-0 heading into the seven.

Right-hander Daniel Mengden was the first relief pitcher for the Chasers, getting a double play on a high-IQ play in the seventh. Mengden allowed a Nash Knight single but then Curtis Terry hit a short popup that froze the runner at first. Mengden allowed the ball to drop, throwing to second with Iván Castillo making the relay to first baseman Angelo Castellano to clear the bases.

Right fielder Brent Rooker continued his hot start with Omaha, hitting a one-out double in the eighth. Rooker has now hit an extra-base hit in each of his first three games for the Chasers.

The Saints sent two more homers over the fence in the ninth. Braden Bishop hit the Saints third solo shot before Palacios hit his second homer of the night, this time a two-run blast to put St. Paul ahead 5-0.

Designated hitter Freddy Fermin hit his second single of the night to start the ninth, but Omaha couldn’t plate a run, getting shutout for the ninth time this season 5-0.

The Storm Chasers and the Saints will finish their series with game six on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. with coverage set to begin at 4:45 p.m. on the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone. Omaha is scheduled to start left-hander Austin Cox (4-6, 4.52) while St. Paul looks to send Devin Smeltzer on the mound.

Tomorrow is Library Night presented by Sunbelt Bakery. It is also Family Funday with special family themed events presented by Nebraska Medicine. Sundays are also Bark in the Park and Canned Food Sunday. Fans that bring three cans of non-perishable food items will receive a berm ticket presented by Hy-Vee.

Kids can also run the bases postgame, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. The game is also High School Football Night.

The full 2022 schedule can be found here and single-game tickets are now available here.

For more tickets and more information, please visit omahastormchasers.com, call the Werner Park Ticket office at (402) 738-5100, and follow the team on social media. You can follow the team on Twitter @omastormchasers, on Instagram @omahastormchasers, and “like” the team on Facebook at facebook.com/omahastormchasers.