Chasers Shut out by Clippers 3-0

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped a second straight game to the Columbus Clippers, losing 3-0 Wednesday night at Huntington Park.

Storm Chasers starter John Gant retired his first 9 Clippers batters, throwing 1-2-3 innings in the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd. After a leadoff walk opened the bottom of the 4^th, Gant surrendered back-to-back home runs, a solo shot and 2-run homer for a 3-0 Clippers lead.

Behind Gant, Major League rehabber Steven Cruz pitched 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, retiring 4 of 5 batters faced. Behind Cruz, right-hander Eric Cerantola struck out the side in the 8^th, stretching his scoreless streak to 8 games and 10.1 innings.

The Storm Chasers saw baserunners erased in the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th innings, with a pair of double plays and a runner caught stealing erasing scoring opportunities. Harold Castro doubled in the 4^th inning to stretch his hitting streak to a season-high 11, while Peyton Wilson doubled in the 5^th – both times, the runner was stranded on 3^rd base to end the inning.

In the game, the Storm Chasers were held to 4 hits and 4 walks, suffering the team’s 11^th shutout loss of the season and 2^nd in the last 3 games.

The Chasers and Clippers continue this week’s series Thursday at 5:15 p.m. CT in the 3^rd of games at Huntington Park.