PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers (16-14/49-55) fell 4-1 to the St. Paul Saints (18-12/60-44) despite holding the Saints to just 4 hits. Omaha’s bullpen combined for 3.2 hitless and scoreless innings, but the Storm Chasers couldn’t claw out of an early deficit in the 3-run loss.
The Saints got on the scoreboard first, taking a 3-0 lead on a 3-run home run off Storm Chasers starter Ryan Ramsey (5-5) four batters into the top of the 1st inning.
Ramsey worked a scoreless 2nd inning, but a wild pitch in the top of the 3rd inning brought home another run for St. Paul to bring the score to 4-0.
The Saints failed to score on Ramsey in the 4th inning, then he struck out the side in a perfect top of the 5th inning.
The Storm Chasers got on the board in the bottom of the 5th inning when Gavin Cross plated Drew Waters on a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 4-1.
Ramsey then returned for the top of the 6th inning and sat down the only batter he faced before Scott Barlow took over and put away the final 2 hitters of the frame.
Barlow then worked a scoreless 7th and 8th inning and Dan Altavilla pitched a perfect 9th inning, but Omaha still trailed 4-1 heading into the final frame.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, the Storm Chasers went down in order, finishing their second straight loss to the Saints.
Omaha will host St. Paul again on Friday for the fourth game of their series at Werner Park. First pitch is set for 7:05 P.M. CT and Mitch Spence is scheduled to start for the Storm Chasers.