The Omaha Storm Chasers put up alot of crooked numbers against the Salt Lake Bees, including a four-spot in the top of the first inning. They pounded out 15 hits en route to their 11-6 victory. Omaha also stole four bases, as Jarrod Dyson picked up his 33rd and 34th stolen base of the season in Triple-A. Dyson also went 4-for-6 at the plate with a homerun. Clint Robinson, Manny Pina, Irving Falu, and Lance Zawadzki each had two hits in the win. Sean O’Sullivan earned the win, as he allowed two runs on five hits over six innings.

The NW Arkansas Naturals scored five runs over the first three innings en route to their 9-3 win over the Midland RockHounds. They again beat up Midland starter Shawn Haviland (who had allowed 15 runs in two early season starts against the Naturals). Haviland allowed six runs on seven hits over just 3.2 innings. The Naturals pounded out 11 hits and stole four bases (Derrick Robinson picked up two to now tally 45 on the season). Anthony Seratelli had three hits, while Christian Colon, Paulo Orlando (who hit a first inning homerun), and Mario Lisson all had two hits each in the win.

Mario Santiago got the start for the Naturals and allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits over six innings. Blaine Hardy pitched three scoreless innings of relief to pick up the save.

Prior to Saturday night’s game, the Wilmington Blue Rocks made yet another roster move. They sent their third catcher, Travis Jones, back to Low-A Kane County and received yet another pitcher, right-hander Tyler Graham from Rookie ball. It has also been reported that starter Noel Arguelles has been shut down for the rest of the season (and has been sent to the spring training complex in Arizona).

The game between the Blue Rocks and visiting Lynchburg Hillcats was delayed at the start by rain (41 minutes) and played through a mist the entire night. When the game did start, it was a battle between the two teams’ starters, Justin Marks of the Blue Rocks and Chris Masters of the Hillcats. Marks carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning. The Blue Rocks got to Masters in the 6th inning for two runs. However the Hillcats came right back with two runs of their own in the top of the 7th inning.

The score would stay tied until the 9th inning. The Hillcats had Eliecer Cardenas on the mound (he had not allowed a run since July 11th). Nick Van Stratten and John Whittleman opened the bottom of the 9th inning with infield singles. With runners at the corners and the infield in with nobody out, Ryan Stovall hit a smash to shortstop Andrelton Simmons that he couldn’t handle. Van Stratten scored with the game winner.

At the start, the Kane County Cougars and Cedar Rapids Kernels game was a pitcher’s duel. It had a wild, extra inning finish. The Kernels got to Cougars starter Antonio Cruz in the 5th inning for two runs. Jason Mitchell came on in the 5th inning and pitched 4.2 shutout innings with four strikeouts. The Cougars finally got on the board in the 8th inning to tie the game at 2-2. After chasing Kernels starter Brian Diemer with two men on base and two outs, Brian Fletcher delivered a two-run double to tie the game.

The game would head to the top of the 10th inning, as the Cougars tacked on two runs. With the bases loaded and just one out, just called on Kernels reliever Manny Correa uncorked a wild pitch, scoring two runs to give the Cougars the 4-2 lead. The Kernels would score one against Chase Boruff in the bottom of the 10th inning, but Boruff finished them off to win 4-3.

The NW Arkansas Naturals were rained out for the third straight day, this time at Springfield. The two teams will try to play a doubleheader this evening.

The Omaha Storm Chasers continue to stay hot in close games and thus received stellar pitching. With the game tied at 1-1 in the top of the 9th, Eric Hosmer led the inning off with a single. With  two outs, he was still standing on first base, so he stole second. Johnny Giavotella drove him in with a double to give Omaha a 2-1 lead. Luis Mendoza pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the 9th after pitching the previous two innings to earn the win. He allowed just one hit. Omaha starter Everett Teaford allowed Nashville’s lone run on three hits over six innings.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks continued their winning ways. They busted out for eight runs and 14 hits in Lynchburg as leadoff man Whit Merrifield and second baseman Rey Navarro collected three hits each. Nick Francis and Carlo Testa had two hits while Testa and Joey Lewis drove in two runs each (Lewis hit a two-run homerun). Blue Rocks starter Tim Melville became their first pitcher to finish seven innings as he allowed just one run on five hits. Manuaris Baez pitched two shutout innings of relief.

The Kane County Cougars lost at Cedar Rapids 6-1. The Cougars collected just four hits, while committing four errors. There were just 506 in attendance at the Kernels home ballpark (all I think of is popcorn when I hear this team’s name). The Kernels 4-5-6 hitters went 6-for-10. The Kernels Suammy Baez allowed one run on four hits over six innings while striking out six and Dakota Robinson followed with three perfect innings of relief. Cougars starter Sugar Ray Marimom lasted just 2.2 innings as he allowed two runs on four hits.