I-Cubs Take Game One Against Omaha

PAPILLION, NE - The Iowa Cubs (46-63) came away with a victory by a score of 4-2 against their I-80 rivals the Omaha Storm Chasers (67-40) to kickoff their six-game series on Tuesday night from Werner Park.

It was Omaha who struck first to open the scoring in tonight’s contest as it claimed an early 1-0 lead over Iowa in the bottom of the first. After Drew Waters singled, stole second base, and was moved over to third, he came in to score off a sacrifice fly by CJ Alexander.

Following a scoreless second frame, Iowa brought the game even with one swing of the bat. Outfielder Trayce Thompson got a hold of one and sent it out over the left center field wall for a solo shot.

Omaha quickly regained the lead in the bottom half of the third with Alexander continuing his productive day at the plate. After a double by Nick Loftin and a pitching change, Alexander roped a double of his own to make the score 2-1.

The back-and-forth action continued in the fifth with the I-Cubs jumping out in front this time as they plated a pair of runs in the frame. The first run for Iowa in the inning came courtesy of a sacrifice fly off the bat of William Simoneit. The second run scored off a wild pitch.

In the seventh, Owen Caissie got in on the offensive action and increased Iowa’s lead to 4-2 with a solo shot to straightaway center field. That proved to be the final run of the night as the I-Cub bullpen shutout out any hope of an Omaha comeback over the final two innings.

POSTGAME NOTES:

• Recently promoted prospects Matt Shaw and Kevin Alcantara each recorded a base knock in their Triple-A debuts. Shaw went 1-for-4 at the dish and Alcantara went 1-for-3. James Triantos, another recently promoted prospect, went 0-for-4 in his Iowa debut.
• Newly acquired pitcher Adrian Houser started the game on the mound and made his I-Cub debut as well. He finished with a final line of 2.2 innings pitched, four hits, two earned runs, no walks, and three strikeouts.
• Keegan Thompson made the fourth appearance of his current Major League Rehab assignment and struck out the side with no hits allowed in his inning of work.
• Jack Neely earned his first save donning an I-Cub uniform after tossing a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Iowa and Omaha will continue their six-game series with game two tomorrow, August 7. First pitch from Werner Park is slated for 7:05 p.m. You can listen to all Iowa Cubs games on Hope AM940 and stream every home game for free on the Bally Live App. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.