Storm Chasers Tame the I-Cubs on Friday, Win 5-4

PAPILLION, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers salvaged a series split as they defeated the Iowa Cubs on Friday night, 5-4, in front of 7,847 cheering fans at Werner Park. Wil Myers went 2-for-4 at the plate and homered, for the second day in a row, to dead center field. Anthony Seratelli also connected for a homer to help propel Omaha to their 33rd win of the season.

Left-hander Ryan Verdugo started for the Storm Chasers (33-23) but was unable to earn a decision after tossing five innings of five-hit, two-run baseball. However, reliever Jeremy Jeffress was credited with the win after working the eighth inning.

Iowa (25-29) leapt out to a 1-0 lead in the first on a lead-off home run by Brett Jackson. Omaha responded in the bottom half of the inning when a Derrick Robinson single was followed up by Seratelli's two-run jack to right field. The Storm Chasers struck again in the bottom of the third when Seratelli singled, advanced to second on a balk and stole third, all before being brought home on Myers' two-run bomb that cleared the 402' sign in center field.

The I-Cubs inched closer by scratching out a run in sixth and tied the ballgame at 4-4 with a two-run eighth inning. Tony Abreu singled in the bottom of the eighth and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by David Lough. Max Ramirez then walked while the next batter, Kevin Kouzmanoff, singled in Abreu for what would turn out to be the game's winning run.

Roman Colon shut the door on the Cubs by pitching a scoreless ninth inning for his third save of 2012. The Storm Chasers will welcome the Memphis Redbirds to Werner Park on Saturday for a four-game series. Saturday's contest begins at 7:05 p.m. and will feature post-game fireworks thanks to the National Safety Council. The game against the Redbirds can be heard locally on AM 1180 and online at omahastormchasers.com.