Bonifacio Slams Chasers Toward 7-2 Win

DES MOINES - Jorge Bonifacio blasted his 2^nd Grand Slam of the month, sending Omaha on their way to a 7-2 win over Iowa in their 2016 road finale.

Bonifacio gave Omaha an ideal start in the top of the 1^st. After a walk to Ramon Torres and singles by Whit Merrifield and Hunter Dozier, Bonifacio crushed his Grand Slam to left field against Cubs starter Stephen Fife, giving the Chasers a 4-0 lead. It was Bonifacio's 18^th home run of the year.

Omaha made it 5-0 in the 3^rd, as Hunter Dozier doubled, and with 2 out, Irving Falu doubled him home.

In the 4^th, Dozier drove in 2 more with a 2-out double, scoring Whit Merrifield and Ramon Torres, and giving the Storm Chasers a 7-0 advantage. It was Dozier's team-leading 36^th double, and 44^th over two levels in 2016.

Stephen Fife (L, 0-2) was removed after the 4^th, having allowed 7 runs on 10 hits, with 2 walks and no strikeouts.

Alec Mills (W, 4-3) was stellar on the mound for Omaha; after loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the 1^st, he retired the next 15 Iowa batters. Mills worked 6 scoreless frames, allowing 3 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 2.

Brooks Pounders retired the I-Cubs in order in the 7^th, and Malcom Culver did the same in the 8^th. Scott Alexander yielded a pair of 2-out runs in the 9^th, but finished Iowa off to give Omaha victory in their final road contest of 2016.

The Chasers will return home tomorrow for the final 8-game stretch of 2016. The Round Rock Express will be in town, and LHP Jon Dziedzic (5-8, 4.02) will pitch for Omaha against RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (8-9, 4.60). First pitch will be at 7:05.