Omaha drops Game 3 of PCL Championship Series

By Jen Nevius |

Despite once again out-hitting Reno 8-4, Omaha lost Game 3 of the Pacific Coast League Championship Series by a 2-1 score. The Aces now have a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 to be played Saturday afternoon in Omaha. The Storm Chasers have Andy Ferguson listed as the starter (he has not pitched so far this postseason).

It was a pitcher’s duel until the Aces finally got to Storm Chasers starter Sugar Ray Marimon in the top of the sixth. He allowed a leadoff double to Nick Ahmed before giving up a two-run home run to Roger Kieschnick. After getting a fly out, Marimon was lifted for lefty Scott Alexander, who recorded the final two outs of the inning.

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Marimon allowed the two runs on three hits (all for extra bases) and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

Kyle Zimmer was next in relief for Omaha, pitching for the first time at Werner Park. He was perfect in the seventh, but allowed a one out single to Ahmed in the eighth. Zimmer picked him off and then struck out Kieschnick to end the inning. Lefty Tim Collins pitched a perfect ninth.

Meanwhile, Reno starter Andrew Chafin won his second game of the playoffs. He allowed four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out four.

The Storm Chasers had two on and two outs in the fourth, but Brett Eibner struck out. They had a runner on second base and one out in the fifth, but a strike out and a ground out ended the threat.

In the 8th inning, Whit Merrifield singled with one out, but Pedro Ciriaco then struck out. Paulo Orlando singled for the second time, but Matt Fields struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Storm Chasers finally got on the scoreboard. Brett Hayes, who was 2-for-3 with a walk, doubled to leadoff. Eibner followed with an RBI single. However, Cheslor Cuthbert ended the rally with a double play before Brian Bocock grounded out to end the game.

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