Zephyrs Make it Two Straight Over Omaha

Metairie, LA - Justin Bour had three hits that each drove in a run and the New Orleans bullpen spun four scoreless frames to preserve a 10-5 victory over Omaha Friday night in the second of four meetings at Zephyr Field. The Storm Chasers dipped to 10-11 overall and 1-4 on the road after allowing double figures in runs in consecutive games for the first time this season.

The two teams wasted no time getting on the board, as the visitors quickly put the loss in the series starter behind them when Carlos Peguero smacked a two-out, two-run home run in the first inning before Kyle Jensen and Bour countered with run-scoring hits in the home half. Omaha loaded the bases with one out in the second and regained the lead on a Brett Eibner sacrifice fly but it was short-lived after the Zephyrs rallied for six runs, including RBI hits by Jensen and Bour that knocked starter Chris Dwyer out of the game after he had recorded only four outs. Ramon Troncoso assumed the hill and allowed a run-scoring hit to Mark Canha that was followed by a throwing error and Rob Brantly's two-run single that finished the uprising and extended the hosts advantage to 8-3.

 

Peguero blasted a solo shot in the third and knocked in his fourth run of the night with a fielder's choice grounder in the fifth that trimmed the margin to three but that was as close as the Storm Chasers would get. NOLA starter Bryan Evans grabbed the win after he allowed those five runs on eight hits over his five frames and was followed by Sam Dyson and Chris Hatcher, each of whom tossed two shutout innings. The right-handed duo combined to give up two hits and strike out four.

Troncoso lasted 3 2/3 innings in relief and was charged with an unearned run before giving way to veteran right-hander Kameron Loe, who was making his Omaha debut. Bour doubled home a run against him in the sixth and Jake Marisnick clubbed his first Triple-A home run leading off the in the seventh to finish the scoring. Tim Collins then struck out the side in order in the eighth in the first appearance of his rehab assignment with Omaha.

New Orleans native Johnny Giavotella had three hits for the Chasers and is now 28 for 64 (.438) in 16 games played in his hometown.

The series continues Saturday evening with Omaha right-hander Aaron Brooks getting the starting nod against NOLA southpaw Adam Conley. Coverage of the game gets underway at 5:40 pm and can be heard locally on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and online at omahastormchasers.com.