Omaha Storm Chasers break through late to sink Mud Hens 4-0

PAPILLION, Neb. — In a game in which both starters had quality performances, the host Omaha Storm Chasers eventually broke through, scoring four times in the bottom of the eighth inning to secure a 4-0 win over the Toledo Mud Hens on Thursday at Werner Park.

Toledo starting pitcher Lael Lockhart went five innings, allowing zero runs on one hit with five strikeouts. Omaha’s Jonathan Bowlan went six innings, allowing no runs on five hits, also with five strikeouts.

The Storm Chasers took advantage off Toledo’s third pitcher, Sean Guenther, in the bottom of the eighth. With runners on second and third, Drew Waters smacked a two-run single to left field to break the scoreless tie. Nelson Velazquez followed with a home run to left that extended the lead at 4-0.

The Mud Hens (41-48) went down in order in their half of the ninth.

Toledo missed an opportunity in the top of the eighth when it had the bases loaded — albeit with two outs.

Stephen Scott and Andrew Navigato reached with base hits, and a catcher’s interference put Bligh Madris on to fill the basepaths. Omaha reliever Walter Pennington — who earned the win — got out of the jam by drawing a flyout from Dillon Dingler.

Outside of that play, Dingler paced the Hens with a pair of hits in the game. Tyler Gentry finished 2 for 3 for Omaha (57-31).

Toledo, which has dropped the first three games of the series, takes on Omaha at 8:05 p.m. Friday. Brant Hurter (1-3) will get the start for the Mud Hens, while Chandler Champlain is on the bump for the Storm Chasers.