Chasers Cannot Clinch PCL Title, Suffer 9-0 Shutout Loss

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Omaha Storm Chasers could not clinch their second Pacific Coast League Championship in Game 3 of the best-of-five series, as they were shut out 9-0 by Salt Lake Bees at Spring Mobile Ballpark. The Chasers are the first team since the PCL expanded in 1998 to win the first two games of the Championship Series and not complete the sweep (eight previous times in that span).

The Salt Lake offense jumped on the Storm Chasers early and often in the game as the Omaha staff gave up 17 hits, tied for the second most allowed all season, and also allowed nine or more runs for the first time since August 10. The Bees had multiple baserunners on in every inning they batted, and scored multiple runs in four of the eight times up at bat. The Bees were led by their All-PCL First Baseman Efren Navarro, who had three hits and four RBI on the night.

On the flipside the Storm Chasers offense was completely shut down by Salt Lake starter Jarrett Grube, who tossed his first career complete game while striking out 11. Omaha managed only two hits, a season low, and only three total baserunners. The 9-0 loss is the worst shutout loss in the playoffs in team history as well as the worst shutout loss the 2013 season. Omaha has now been shut out twice in their 26 total PCL Playoff games, with the other time coming in Game 3 of last year's PCL Championship versus Reno.

The Chasers missed the chance to become only the third team to sweep the entirety of the PCL Playoffs since the league adopted two rounds of best-of-five series in 1983, with the only teams being the 2009 Memphis Redbirds and the 1985 Vancouver Canadians. The Salt Lake Bees have never been swept in their PCL Playoff history, and the loss snapped Omaha's season-high seven-game winning streak.

In Game 4 tomorrow, the Chasers will send out right-hander Brian Sanches to face off with Bees right-hander Matt Shoemaker. First pitch of the pivotal game with Omaha leading 2-1 is set for 7:35 p.m. CDT, with coverage on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and www.omahastormchasers.com getting underway at 7:15 p.m. CDT.