Cox throws another quality start, and two Chasers go yard in 5-3 win

Papillion, Neb. – The Omaha Storm Chasers (33-34) grow closer to the .500 mark, taking game three of the six-game series against the Columbus Clippers (39-30) 5-3 on Thursday night from Werner Park. Omaha now leads the series 2-1 and the season series 6-3.

After allowing a leadoff home run in each of the first two games of the series, Omaha bucked the trend and trend and kept the Clippers off the scoreboard early.

In the first few innings of ball, the game was a pitcher’s duel with both starters allowing only one hit through the first four innings.

The Storm Chasers put a rally together in the bottom of the fifth to tally the game’s first run. Third baseman Clay Dungan and catcher Freddy Fermin started the frame by each drawing a walk. Shortstop Iván Castillo hit an RBI single into centerfield to score Dungan and leave runners on first and second with no outs. The Clippers retired the next two batters before left fielder Nate Eaton was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Omaha would strand the bases loaded with the 1-0 lead after five innings.

Center fielder Brewer Hicklen started the sixth with a walk before second baseman Michael Massey came up and hit his second home run at the Triple-A level, pushing the score to 3-0.

Left-hander Austin Cox would go 6.2 innings, allowing no runs on two hits with six strikeouts. The performance was Cox’s third quality start in his last four outings, now tied for the team lead with three quality starts.

With one away in the bottom of the seventh, first baseman Nick Pratto hit a double into left field to put a runner in scoring position. Designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino hit his 18th home run of the season to extend Omaha’s lead to 5-0 through seven innings.

The Clippers got a trio of runs back in the eighth, using a hit batter, a walk, a triple, and a single to cut the deficit to two.

Right-hander Brad Peacock came in to pitch the ninth and earn his third save of the season and secure the 5-3 Storm Chasers win.

The Storm Chasers host the Clippers Friday for game four with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone. Tomorrow’s probable starter for Omaha is right-hander Carlos Hernández (1-3, 4.28) while Columbus sends left-hander Kirk McCarty to the mound.

Tomorrow night is Girl Scout Night, as well as a Friday Fireworks night presented by Hy-Vee. Make sure to check out 90’s Night on Saturday for a game filled with nostalgia.

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.