Omaha Bounces Dodgers Again

A four-run sixth inning wasn’t enough for the Oklahoma City Dodgers to overcome an early deficit to the Omaha Storm Chasers in a 5-4 loss Wednesday afternoon at Werner Park.

Omaha built a 5-0 lead in the first inning before the Dodgers pitching staff held the Storm Chasers without a run the remainder of the game. The Dodgers’ offense broke through with four runs in the sixth inning, but Oklahoma City (60-36) went on to suffer a third straight loss to Omaha.

The Storm Chasers won for the eighth time in their last nine meetings with the Dodgers as Oklahoma City suffered a third straight road loss for the first time since losing four in a row May 11-13.

The win by Omaha (54-44) allowed the Storm Chasers to cut the league-leading Dodgers’ lead in the American Northern Division to seven games.

Omaha defeated the Dodgers twice in a Tuesday night doubleheader and the teams were back on the field at Werner Park Wednesday afternoon for their third game in less than 24 hours.

The Storm Chasers’ offense picked up right where it left off Tuesday, and scored five runs on six hits in the first inning to take a 5-0 lead.

Balbino Fuenmayor and Jose Martinez collected RBI singles. Francisco Pena then hit into a fielder’s choice to bring home Fuenmayor. Martinez also scored on the play due to a throwing error on Darnell Sweeney. Omaha added another run in the inning on a RBI single by Brett Eibner for a 5-0 lead.

The Dodgers got on the board in the sixth inning and cut Omaha’s lead to one run.

Sweeney singled, and Elliot Johnson drew a walk to put runners at first and second base for Scott Schebler. Schebler then doubled off the wall in right center field to bring home both runners and cut Omaha’s lead to 5-2 with one out. He led the Dodgers with two hits and two RBI.

Chris Heisey followed with a grounder to third base. Omaha third baseman Christian Colon was charged with a fielding error on the play, allowing Schebler to score and Heisey to advance to second base. Heisey stole third base before Andy Wilkins hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Heisey and cut the Storm Chasers’ lead to 5-4. But the Dodgers were unable to add further to their run total.

Omaha reliever Miguel Almonte (1-0) earned the win, replacing starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan after one inning. Almonte allowed four runs (two earned) and three hits over 5.0 innings. Matt Murray earned a hold and Scott Alexander picked up his 10th save of the season as they combined to hold Oklahoma City scoreless and to two hits over the final three innings.

Oklahoma City starting pitcher Trevor Cahill (0-1) was charged with his first loss with the Dodgers, allowing five runs (four earned) and eight hits over 4.0 innings. After the first inning, he held Omaha scoreless and to two hits over the next three innings. He did not issue a walk and struck out two. Relievers Steve Smith and Ramon Troncoso combined to hold Omaha scoreless and to two hits over the game’s final four frames.

The Storm Chasers took a 3-1 lead in the current series and ensured they would win the season series, which they now lead, 9-6.

The Dodgers wrap up their five-game road series – as well as the season series – against Omaha at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Werner Park.