I-Cubs Stay Undefeated at Home

The Iowa Cubs (7-2) continue their best start since 1998 with a 9-6 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers (5-5) Tuesday night.

Iowa jumped out early with a Matt Mervis solo home run in the bottom of the first, his third on the season. The long balls continued just an inning later as Dom Nuñez launched a three-run shot 424 feet to put the I-Cubs up 4-0.

The hot bats continued with a five-run inning in the third. The Cubs loaded the bases with their first three hitters and Yonathan Perlaza continued the rally with an RBI single. Nuñez followed with an RBI walk. A deep double to left-center field by Darius Hill cleared the bases and gave Iowa a 9-0 lead.

Omaha would not light up their side of the board until the fifth when Samad Taylor clubbed a three-run homer. A Logan Porter double and Freddy Fermin home run gave the Storm Chasers three more in the sixth. That would be the end of scoring for both sides.

Roenis Elías earned the first win for an Iowa starting pitcher this season. He allowed three runs on four hits in his 5.0 innings. Cam Sanders and Nick Burdi each tossed scoreless frames to earn themselves a hold. Manuel Rodriguez recorded his first save of the year with a shutout ninth inning.

POSTGAME NOTES:

• Matt Mervis continued his hot offensive start going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. His first-inning homer was his second at Principal Park this season.
• Dom Nuñez drove in a season-high 4 RBI with his three-run home run and RBI walk.
• The I-Cubs 7-2 start is the best through nine games since 1998 where Iowa was 8-1.

Iowa and Omaha will play game two of their six game series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch will come at 12:08 pm from Principal Park. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.