I-Cubs Take Series Against Storm Chasers

PAPILLION, NE – The Iowa Cubs (47-32) claimed another series victory on the season in dramatic fashion with a win against the Omaha Storm Chasers (40-38) by a score of 7-6 on Monday night from Werner Park.

After a scoreless first inning, it was Iowa who struck first to get the scoring started in the second. With one out and a runner on first, David Bote launched a two-run opposite field home run to give Iowa an early lead. The home run marked Bote’s eighth of the year and his third over his past 10 games.

Omaha would get a run back in the bottom half of the frame, however, to cut Iowa’s lead in half. Following a leadoff single and walk, Adeiny Hechavarría sent a line drive to center field to bring in Tucker Bradley setting the score at 2-1.

In the fourth, Iowa was able to add to its lead with a pair of runs. Nelson Velazquez started the inning off with a single and Edwin Ríos immediately followed with a double down the left field line to place runners on second and third. Miles Mastrobuoni then followed up Ríos with a double of his own to the right center field gap to plate the two runners. Turning over to the bottom of the fourth, the Storm Chasers made it a 4-2 ballgame with a solo home run from Tyler Gentry.

Iowa went on to add three insurance runs over the seventh and eighth innings to stretch its lead out to 7-2. Matt Mervis brought in a run with a groundout, Ríos called his own number with a solo homer, and Luis Vazquez recorded a sacrifice fly.

Omaha wouldn’t go away quietly, however. After scoring a run in the bottom of the eighth off a fielding error, the Storm Chasers put together a comeback bid in the ninth. With two outs and the bases loaded, John Rave sent a bases clearing double off the wall in center field to make it a one run game at 7-6. Ultimately, the I-Cubs held on for the win as Manuel Rodriguez struck out Logan Porter for the final out of the game.

POSTGAME NOTES:
• After not making it out of the first inning in his last start, Ben Brown bounced back nicely to earn the win. The right-hander finished with a final line of 5.0 innings pitched, two earned runs off four hits, and six strikeouts compared to one walk.
• With his home run, David Bote extended his on-base streak to 18 games, which is the longest active streak by an I-Cub.
• Relief pitcher Bailey Horn had a great showing in his appearance, tossing two scoreless, hitless innings with a pair of strikeouts.

Iowa will now return home and start a six-game series versus the International League West leading St. Paul Saints. Game one versus the Saints is set for tomorrow, July 4, with first pitch at 7:08 p.m. CT from Principal Park. You can listen to all Iowa Cubs games on Hope AM940 and stream them for free on the Bally Live App. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.