Omaha Edges Out Iowa 3-2

DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (42-57) dropped a close one in game three against the Omaha Storm Chasers (54-44) on Thursday night, falling 3-2 at Principal Park.

Luis Lugo started the game for Iowa and went five innings in his second appearance since his August 18 promotion from Double-A Tennessee. He faced some adversity off the bat when he surrendered back-to-back singles to the first two batters of the game, but he managed to pitch around the runners without allowing a run.

The Iowa offense got off to a quick start too, as Trayce Thompson followed up a walk to Abiatal Avelino with his sixteenth home run of the year, giving Iowa an early 2-0 lead. Omaha answered in the top half of the next inning with a run of their own, however, taking advantage of a walk and a double from Dairon Blanco to cut Iowa’s lead in half.

From there, it was a pitchers’ duel through the middle innings. Lugo allowed only one more walk and no more hits through his final three innings of work, while Omaha starter Jake Kalish limited the Iowa lineup to just one more walk and one more hit through three more innings of his own.

Both bullpens took over in the sixth, and it yielded quick results for the Storm Chasers. Dillon Maples entered in relief of Lugo and surrendered a solo home run to the second batter he faced, Nick Pratto, to tie the game at two runs apiece.

That’s where the game would stay until the top of the eighth, when Adalberto Mondesi led off with a single before stealing both second and third base. Ryan McBroom drove him home with an RBI groundout, and the Storm Chasers took their first lead of the game.

While the I-Cubs threatened in the ninth after a pair of walks, they couldn’t finish the job against Tyler Zuber, and Omaha won by a final score of 3-2.

POSTGAME NOTES:

• Marcus Walden was credited with the loss after two innings of work, moving him to 1-1 after two outings for Iowa.
• Scott Effross pitched a hitless, scoreless ninth. He has not allowed an earned run since July 30, a streak which spans eight outings and 11.1 innings.
• Taylor Gushue went 1-for-3 with a walk tonight, breaking his five-game hitless streak.
• Although he took two walks, Alfonso Rivas went 0-for-2 tonight and ended his season-long hitting streak at 12 games.

Iowa will face off with Omaha again tomorrow for game four of the six-game series. First pitch between the two teams is scheduled for 7:08. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.