Gwinnett completes the extra-inning comeback for an 8-7 win in 10 innings for 2-0 series lead

Preview of the Omaha Storm Chasers (40-39) vs Gwinnett Stripers (34-48)

The July 5, 2023 game (tonight) between the Omaha Storm Chasers (the AAA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals) and the Gwinnett Stripers (the AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves) is the second of a 6-game series. Gwinnett takes the series opener by a 3-1 margin as they focus on working their way out of the International League Western Division cellar (as they are 15.5 games out of first place).

Justus Sheffield (1-3, 7.64 ERA) takes the hill this evening as the starter for the Stripers as he looks to build off the team's shutdown pitching effort from the previous game. Vaughn Grissom (.309 BA with 31 RBI's and 10 stolen bases) and Joe Dunand (.315 BA with 13 HR and 31 RBI's) are among those who are expected to set the tone for the team's offense.

Sitting 8 games out of first place in the International League West, this is an important series for the Storm Chasers as they look to even the score against their division foe. Flowery Branch (GA) native Brad Keller (0-1, 7.71 ERA) looks to improve as he works his way from his rehab assignment to rejoin the Royals. Tyler Gentry (.227 BA with 45 RBI's) and Samad Taylor (.303 BA with 37 RBI's and 34 stolen bases) look to jumpstart the offense and improve on the 1 run scored in yesterday's game.

Game highlights: the Stripers surprise the Storm Chasers with an 8-7 comeback win in 10 innings

Omaha gets the scoring started in the top of the 2nd inning, as they score more runs in the inning (3) than they did in the entire opening game of the series.

Angelo Castellano's RBI double gives the Storm Chasers a 1-0 lead. It would increase to 3-0 thanks to Samad Taylor's 2 RBI single. The Stripers' Luke Williams would cut the deficit to a 3-1 score thanks to his RBI double.

Logan Porter's solo home run in the top of the 3rd off starter Justus Sheffield makes it a 4-1 game, but Gwinnett would make an offensive move in the bottom half of the inning. Jesus Aguilar's mammoth shot to left field results in not only a grand slam, but the Stripers' first lead of the game (5-4).

The Stripers have Sheffield start the top of the 5th inning to qualify for a possible win, but the Storm Chasers would be disruptive yet again (he goes 4.2 innings and allows 6 runs (all earned) on 8 hits with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks) to retake the lead thanks to RBI's by John Rave and Nate Eaton.

In the top of the 6th inning, Omaha's Angel Castellano would strike again with another RBI double to give them a 7-5 lead.

Gwinnett would battle back in the bottom of the 6th inning. Eli White's sacrifice fly and Joe Dunand would draw a walk with the bases loaded off Omaha reliver Will Klein to tie the game at 7.

After extending the game to extra innings, the Stripers would complete the comeback; Luke Williams' RBI single drives in the winning run (Braden Shewmake) to complete the 8-7 extra inning win (10 innings).

Beau Burroughs (3-2) would get the win after 1.1 innings of relief (and one strikeout) for the Stripers, as the bullpen would record 5.1 innings of allowing a run on 5 hits. On offense, Jesus Aguiliar (grand slam/4 RBI's) and Luke Williams (3 for 5 with 2 RBI's, including the game-winner), would lead the offense.

Omaha's Samad Taylor provides the offensive push, as he goes 3 for 5 with 2 RBI's and 4 stolen bases. Angelo Castelano would contribute with a 3 for 5 effort and 2 RBI's.

Brooks Kriske (0-4) would take the loss.

The series resumes tomorrow (July 6, 2023) and concludes this Sunday, July 9th.

Notes: All video recorded by Andrew Snorton.

The team links are as follows:

Gwinnett: milb.com/gwinnett

Atlanta Braves: mlb.com/braves

Omaha: milb.com/omaha

Kansas City Royals: mlb.com/royals

For the box score, click HERE.