Two-Run Eighth Puts Iowa Back in Win Column

PAPILLION, NE – After nine straight losses, the Iowa Cubs (10-14) finally got to double-digit wins with a 2-0 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers (17-8), Wednesday at Werner Park.

Starters Alec Mills and Jackson Kowar set the tone early, mowing through the opposing lineups. In his third major league rehab start with Iowa, Mills earned a quality start, tossing six scoreless innings of two-hit ball.

Kowar matched Mills pitch-for-pitch, spinning five scoreless one-hit innings of his own, striking out five batters. The righty didn’t get his sixth win of the season, but he did lower his ERA to just 0.85 on the young season.

Iowa finally cracked into the run column in the eighth inning when Dee Gordon scored Andrew Romine on a bunt single. They extended their lead to 2-0 with a Vance Vizcaino RBI single, scoring Strange-Gordon.

Two runs is all the I-Cubs would need, as Kyle Ryan and Jake Jewell combined to toss three scoreless frames, ending Iowa’s nine-game losing streak and Omaha’s nine-game winning streak with a 2-0 win.

POSTGAME NOTES:

• Omaha got one hit in each the fifth, sixth and ninth innings, but that is all the offense they could create against Iowa pitching. The I-Cubs staff combined to allow just the three hits, while walking two and striking out seven over their nine innings of work.

• In his first game of a major league rehab stint,Jake Marisnick doubled in his first at-bat. The center fielder went 1-for-3 with a strikeout.

• Jason Heyward, also in his first rehab game with the I-Cubs, went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout, but made a diving catch in right field.

• Kyle Ryan lowered his ERA to 0.84 with two scoreless innings, only to be out-done by Jake Jewell, who earned his first save of the season and lowered his ERA to 0.73.

Iowa and Omaha are set to face-off for game three of the six-game set at Werner Park on Thursday. First pitch between the two teams is set for 7:05 pm. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.