Chasers, Express Split Saturday Twinbill

Arnaldo Hernandez fires 7-inning 2-hitter in Omaha's 4-1 game 1 win

Omaha RF Elier Hernandez collected two hits and two RBI in game two of the Storm Chasers' doubleheader split with Round Rock on Saturday night. (Minda Haas Kuhlmann)

By Andrew Green

July 21, 2018

Omaha right-hander Arnaldo Hernandez tossed a seven-inning two-hit complete game in a 4-1 win aided by roundtrippers from second baseman Nicky Lopez and third baseman Jack Lopez in the first contest of Saturday's day-night doubleheader, while Round Rock left fielder Drew Robinson homered and drove in two runs in the

Omaha right-hander Arnaldo Hernandez tossed a seven-inning two-hit complete game in a 4-1 win aided by roundtrippers from second baseman Nicky Lopez and third baseman Jack Lopez in the first contest of Saturday's day-night doubleheader, while Round Rock left fielder Drew Robinson homered and drove in two runs in the Express' 6-3 game two win in front of 7,650 fans as part of a doubleheader split on Saturday evening at Werner Park.

Hernandez (7.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 6 K) retired 21 of 23 batters faced in the day's opener, earning his second career Triple-A victory. The only blemishes on Hernandez's resume were Express 3B Andy Ibáñez 's solo homer in the second and C Juan Centeno 's leadoff single in the fifth. Hernandez set down all nine batters after Centeno's knock. Round Rock starter Tyler Wagner (6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, K) suffered the loss.
The Lopez longballs provided all of the offense needed for the Storm Chasers in the day's initial matchup. Jack Lopez (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI) was the lone batter from either side to record a multi-hit effort in game one.
Robinson got Round Rock on the board immediately in the opening frame of the nightcap by blasting the first pitch to right for his seventh big fly of 2018. The Express later steamed ahead with a five-run fifth to extend the advantage to six. Omaha would narrow the margin to three with a three-run fifth thanks in part to Elier Hernandez 's two-run single to center.
Round Rock reliever Tayler Scott (2.0 IP, 3 H, BB) earned his fourth triumph with two shutout frames, while Storm Chasers righty Michael Mariot (3.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, BB, 4 K) suffered the defeat. Omaha southpaw Sam Selman (2.1 IP, 2 BB, 2 K) supported Mariot with 2.1 scoreless innings.
Robinson (2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), 2B Christian Lopes (2-2, RBI, 2 BB) and SS Hanser Alberto (2-3, R) each recorded two knocks for the Express. Elier Hernandez (2-3, 2 RBI) and C Parker Morin (2-3, R, 2 2B) added multiple hits for Omaha.
The two teams are set to complete their four-game set with a Sunday matinee at Werner Park. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. CT. The Storm Chasers are expected to give the ball to RHP Zach Lovvorn (1-3, 9.82), with the Express anticipated to send RHP Richelson Peña (2-1, 6.29) to the hill.
Tickets are still available all Storm Chasers contests throughout the 2018 season, and may be purchased at www.omahastormchasers.com/tickets as well as by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100. To view Ticket Office hours, please click here.