Chasers take series finale over Saints in extras

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Omaha Storm Chasers earned an extra-inning win over the St. Paul Saints, winning, 3-2, in 10 innings on Sunday at CHS Field. Omaha (64-50) earned a series split with St. Paul (58-56) and finishes the year 15-15 in 30 games against the Saints.

The Storm Chasers took the lead on a solo home run from third baseman MJ Melendez in the second inning when he rocketed the first pitch from left-hander Bryan Sammons over the right-field fence. It was his ninth home run at the Triple-A level and 37th of the season, giving him the most home runs in Minor League Baseball.

The Saints responded in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run from Jimmy Kerrigan against left-hander Jake Kalish to tie the game.

Omaha pulled back in front in the fourth when first baseman Travis Jones hit a one-out single, moved to second on a walk, and scored on an RBI single by designated hitter Emmanuel Rivera.

Kalish threw a season-high 6.2 innings, retiring 13 of the 16 batters he faced after allowing the home run to Kerrigan to complete 6.0 innings for the first time this season. He struck out the first two batters in the seventh before allowing a game-tying, solo home run to Drew Maggi on a 3-2 pitch to end his outing. Kalish struck out five and did not issue a walk in his 6.2 innings, which is tied for the longest start by an Omaha pitcher this season.

In the top of the 10th inning, with placed runner Bobby Witt Jr. at third base and one out, right-fielder Ryan McBroom hit a pop-up off left-hander Chris Nunn (Loss, 0-1) down the right-field line that dropped in behind first baseman Tomas Telis to allow Witt Jr. to score the go-ahead run.

Right-hander Dylan Coleman (Win, 4-0), after striking out three to strand the potential winning run in the bottom of the ninth, retiring the side in order in the bottom of the 10th to secure the win.

Omaha improved to 8-3 in extra-inning games this season.

The Storm Chasers return to Werner Park on Tuesday, Sept. 14, to begin the final homestand of the season. It begins with a six-game series against the Iowa Cubs (CHC) from Sept. 14-19 and ends with a five-game series against the Indianapolis Indians (PIT) from Sept. 22-26 as part of the Triple-A Final Stretch. A special ticket package for the Triple-A Final Stretch is available now.

First pitch for the first game of the six-game series against the Iowa Cubs on Tuesday, Sept. 14 is set for 7:05 p.m. and coverage begins at 1:45 p.m. CT with the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone.

For tickets and more information, visit omahastormchasers.com or call the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100 and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.