Chasers Shut Out 'Cats in Front of 7,353

Omaha starting pitcher Onelki Garcia tossed seven shutout innings while scattering four hits and right fielder Jorge Soler smashed two home runs in the Storm Chasers' 5-0 shutout victory over the Sacramento River Cats in front of 7,535 fans on Sunday afternoon at Werner Park.

Garcia (7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K) fanned eight while walking just one over his solid seven frames to earn his fourth straight victory. The southpaw in that span has posted a 2.59 ERA (7 ER/24.1 IP) with 27 strikeouts over those four outings. Relievers Kevin McCarthy (1.0 IP) and Sam Selman (1.0 IP, H, 2 K) completed the shutout with one scoreless inning apiece, while River Cats starter Jose Flores (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) suffered the defeat.
The Storm Chasers got all the scoring they would need thanks to 3B Cheslor Cuthbert 's sacrifice fly to center in the opening frame. Soler crushed his first of two longballs, a solo shot, as part of a two-run sixth frame, prior to going deep in the subsequent inning with a two-run blast to cap Omaha's scoring.
It was the third time this season Soler has blasted two roundtrippers in a game for the Storm Chasers, previously doing so on July 20 and June 11, both games of which were at Werner Park. 11 of his 15 home runs with Omaha in 2017 have come at home. The victory also gave the Storm Chasers their first series victory since winning two of three matchups with the New Orleans Baby Cakes between from June 9-11.
Soler (3-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB) reached base in all four plate appearances and collected thre hits to lead all Storm Chasers batters, with CF Billy Burns (2-5, R, 2 SB) tallying a multi-hit effort while stealing three bases to extend his hit streak to eight. Sacramento LF Chris Shaw (2-4) was the only hitter from his side to collect two or more knocks.
Omaha now heads to Memphis to begin a four-game road series on Monday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT at Autozone Park. The Storm Chasers are anticipated to send RHP Seth Maness (1-0, 8.89) to the hill, with the Redbirds expected to give the nod to RHP Luke Weaver (9-1, 1.91).
Following that road trip, Omaha returns to Werner Park to begin an eight-game homestand on Friday, August 11, starting with a four-game series against the Iowa Cubs. First pitch of the series opener is set for 7:05 p.m. CT.
Tickets are still available for that game and all remaining Storm Chasers contests, and may be purchased at www.omahastormchasers.com/tickets, as well as by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100. To view Ticket Office ours, please click here.