PAPILLION, Neb. – Termarr Johnson hit a leadoff home run and Jack Brannigan hit his first Triple-A home run in the ninth inning, but that was all the Indianapolis Indians mustered as they were defeated by the Omaha Storm Chasers, 4-2, on Wednesday night at Werner Park.
The Indians (4-4, 35-48) struck on the third pitch of the game as Johnson launched his fifth homer of the season 411 feet into deep right center field. Omaha (4-4, 37-45) quickly answered back as Abraham Toro homered in the bottom of the first to knot the score.
A three-run fourth frame from the Storm Chasers put the game away, capped by a two-run long ball from Luca Tresh. Jack Brannigan left the yard with the Indians down to their final strike.
Connor Wietgrefe (L, 0-2) worked 6.0 frames for Indy, allowing all four Omaha runs. Ethan Bosacker allowed just one run across 4.0 innings for the Storm Chasers and Oscar Rayo (W, 1-0) followed with 3.0 shutout stanzas. Eli Morgan (S, 3) recorded the final three outs.
Indy and Omaha continue the six-game series on Thursday at 8:05 PM ET. RHP Noah Davis (1-7, 4.67) will take the mound for the Indians, and he will be opposed by Storm Chasers RHP Mitch Spence (1-4, 6.47).