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Omaha suffers walk-off loss to St. Paul in series opener

Chasers collect eight extra-base hits, including three home runs
(Minda Haas Kuhlmann)
September 7, 2021

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Omaha Storm Chasers scored five runs on eight extra-base hits—including three home runs—but lost to the St. Paul Saints, 6-5, on a walk-off infield single in the bottom of the ninth inning by Gilberto Celestino. With the game tied, 5-5, in the bottom of the

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Omaha Storm Chasers scored five runs on eight extra-base hits—including three home runs—but lost to the St. Paul Saints, 6-5, on a walk-off infield single in the bottom of the ninth inning by Gilberto Celestino.

With the game tied, 5-5, in the bottom of the ninth, right-hander Collin Snider (Loss, 2-2) loaded the bases on a leadoff four-pitch walk and two singles. Next, Celestino hit a high chopper down the third base line that brought in Drew Stankiewicz from third as the game-winning run for St. Paul (56-53). It was the second walk-off loss of the season for Omaha (61-48).

The Saints scored first, playing a run on an RBI double from Celestino in the first inning against left-hander Jake Kalish.

The Storm Chasers responded in the top of the second when right-fielder Erick Mejia launched a solo home run to left field, his fourth home run of the season. Omaha took the lead the following inning when shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. collected a two-out double—his 30th double of the season—and first baseman Nick Pratto followed with a two-run blast to right-center. It was Pratto's 14th home run at the Triple-A level and 29th of the season.

Omaha added two more—its final runs of the game—in the top of the fifth. Left-fielder Dairon Blanco crushed the first pitch from left-hander Bryan Sammons over the left-center field fence for a solo home run. Next, after third baseman Angelo Castellano doubled, he scored on a throwing error from first baseman Damek Tomscha, who was trying to throw out Castellano at third trying to advance on a groundout.

Seven of the Storm Chasers eight hits and all five of their runs came in the first five inning. All of Omaha's eight hits—three home runs and five doubles—were extra-base hits. The eight extra-base hits were one shy of tying a season high and the five doubles were one shy of tying a season high.

The Saints tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Stankiewicz doubled with one out and scored on an RBI single by Tomas Telis. Then, after Celestino singled to put runners on first and second and two outs, Mark Contreras hit a game-tying, three-run homer over the right-center field fence.

Omaha brought the potential go-ahead run to third base with one out in the top of the ninth when Mejia doubled and move to third on a sacrifice bunt by Blanco, but right-hander Kyle Barraclough (Win, 8-1) struck out back-to-back batters to end the inning.

The Storm Chasers continue their six-game series against the St. Paul Saints (MIN) at CHS Field in St. Paul, Minn. on Wednesday, when right-hander Ronald Bolaños (0-1, 2.95) faces St. Paul right-hander Drew Strotman (7-3, 4.80). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and coverage begins at 12:45 p.m. CT with the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone.

After a week-long series against the Saints, the Omaha Storm Chasers return to Werner Park for a six-game series against the Iowa Cubs (CHC) from Sept. 14-19 and a five-game series against the Indianapolis Indians (PIT) as part of the Triple-A Final Stretch from Sept. 22-26, the final home games of the 2021 season. A special ticket package for the Triple-A Final Stretch is available now. 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.