Ninth-inning rally falls short in loss to Clippers

Papillion, Neb. – The Omaha Storm Chasers (33-36) put together a ninth-inning rally but stranded the bases loaded, losing to the Columbus Clippers (41-31) 3-2. Columbus leads the series 3-2 and looks to tie up the season series tomorrow.

Columbus put a run up in the second to take an early lead on a walk and an RBI double.

Center fielder Nate Eaton and designated hitter Nick Pratto put up a couple of two-out singles in the third, but the pair would end up stranded to leave the score at 1-0 in favor of Columbus.

Eaton put up a double with two away in the fifth before Pratto was hit by a pitch to again put the pair on first and second. A strikeout would produce the same result and get Columbus out of the inning.

Third baseman Jimmy Govern started a rally in the bottom of the seventh with a double to right field. Eaton drew a two-out walk to reach base for the third time before Pratto hit a single into center to score Govern and move Eaton to third. Eaton would come in and score on a Clippers wild pitch to give the Storm Chasers a 2-1 lead.

Columbus came out in the top of the eighth and retook the lead. Columbus’ leadoff hitter hit a single before the next man up hit a homer to left field.

After blanking the Clippers in the top of the ninth, the Storm Chasers put a rally together in the bottom of the frame. Shortstop Angelo Castellano hit a single before Eaton hit into a force out that erased Castellano. Pratto drew a walk to again put Pratto and Eaton on the bags and after going ahead in the count 3-0, right fielder Brewer Hicklen drew an intentional walk. A pair of strikeouts stopped the Chasers in their tracks and secured the 3-2 win for Columbus.

Eaton is now 9-for-15 over his last four games with three doubles and four RBIs.

Omaha closes out their series with Columbus on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. with coverage beginning at 1:45 p.m. on the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone. Tomorrow’s probable starter for Omaha is right-hander Jackson Kowar (3-6, 6.34) while Columbus sends right-hander Peyton Battenfield to the mound.

Tomorrow’s game is a Canned Food Sunday presented by Hy-Vee. Fans that bring three non-perishable food items will receive a free berm ticket. It is also Gretna and Elkhorn community celebration day.

Next week, the Storm Chasers head to St. Paul to take on the Saints. Game one is a 7:07 p.m. first pitch. After the six-game series with St. Paul, Omaha returns home to face off with the Toledo Mud Hens in a six-game series that starts on July 4.

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.