Giavotella hits a home run in Omaha’s loss

It was a happy homecoming for Johnny Giavotella, who hit a three-run home run Thursday as part of a three-hit night, but Class AAA Omaha lost 12-8 at New Orleans.

A pair of pitchers with major-league experience had a rough night for the Storm Chasers. Starter Brett Tomko gave up eight runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. He walked two, but struck out three. Reliever P.J. Walters allowed four runs on five hits and two walks, while recording just two outs in the sixth inning.

The Storm Chasers were down 12-3, but scored twice in the seventh and Giavotella added his first homer of the season in the eighth. Giavotella, who played third base on Thursday, went to Jesuit High School in New Orleans and attended the University of New Orleans.

Catcher Francisco Pena hit a solo homer, his fourth of the season, while left fielder Melky Mesa and second baseman Christian Colon each had two hits. Colon also walked twice as did Brett Eibner, who scored twice.

The Storm Chasers had 12 hits and walked eight times, but they were just four for 18 with runners in scoring position.

• Relievers Cody Fassold and Scott Alexander gave up a combined five runs in the eighth inning as Class AA Northwest Arkansas lost 8-2 to Springfield. Starter Andy Ferguson gave up three runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out seven, walked one and left with the Naturals trailing 3-2. Designated hitter Edinson Rincon had two hits, including a double, for Northwest Arkansas.

• Designated hitter Zane Evans had two of Class A-Advanced Wilmington’s six hits in a 7-0 loss to Carolina. Blue Rocks starter Jonathan Dziedzic, 3-1, gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in six innings. He has a 1.64 ERA. Aroni Nina (three runs in two-thirds of an inning), Zeb Sneed (one unearned run in 1 1/3 innings) and Matthew Murray (one run in one inning) each were scored upon.

• Luke Farrell allowed four runs in four innings and the Class A Lexington bullpen didn’t fare much better in a 9-4 loss at Greenville. Farrell gave up five hits, walked three and struck out five. Second baseman Carlos Garcia hit a two-run triple for the Legends.

This story was originally published April 24, 2014 at 11:22 PM with the headline "Giavotella hits a home run in Omaha’s loss."