Ninth-inning homers by Storm Chasers sink Baby Cakes

METAIRIE – Frank Schwindel broke a ninth-inning tie with a leadoff home run, and Paul Orlando added a two-run shot later in the inning as the Omaha Storm Chasers defeated the New Orleans Baby Cakes, 4-2 on Monday night.

After ‘Cakes starter Adam Conley worked eight innings, Schwindel greeted reliever Joe Gunkel (0-1) with his sixth home run of the season to put Omaha on top. Cam Gallagher singled one out later, and Orlando followed with his third home run of the year to provide the Storm Chasers with a three-run cushion.

Austin Dean tripled to lead off the bottom of the ninth and scored on Austin Nola’s second double of the game, but Mike Broadway (2-0) recovered to strike out three in a row to end the game.

Conley appeared to be headed for the second loss of eight innings in his last three starts before the Baby Cakes rallied in the bottom of the eighth. Conley gave up a single to Ryan O’Hearn to lead off the second and a double to Gallagher, allowing Omaha to grab a 1-0 lead when Orlando grounded out to short.

That was the only run allowed by the New Orleans left-hander, who needed only 91 pitches to complete eight innings. Conley also worked eight innings in a loss to Round Rock on May 2.

The ‘Cakes got Conley off the hook for the defeat when JT Riddle drew a one-out walk in the eighth, stole second base, and scored on the third single of the night by Tomas Telis. The run handed a no-decision to Chasers starter Trevor Oaks, who worked around four walks to limit New Orleans to two hits in 5 2/3 shutout innings.

The Baby Cakes and Storm Chasers conclude the four-game set on Tuesday at 11 a.m.