Omaha first baseman Samir Dueñez and catcher Andrew Susac each mashed solo homers, however Iowa third baseman Robel Garcia dropped a go-ahead run-scoring single in the eighth inning to push the Cubs to a 3-2 victory over the Storm Chasers on Thursday evening at Werner Park.
Omaha first baseman Samir Dueñez and catcher Andrew Susac each mashed solo homers, however Iowa third baseman Robel Garcia dropped a go-ahead run-scoring single in the eighth inning to push the Cubs to a 3-2 victory over the Storm Chasers on Thursday evening at Werner Park.
Iowa went ahead with a longball of their own thanks to CF Johnny Field's two-run shot in the top of the first. Duenez would cut the deficit in half in the subsequent inning before Susac smacked a game-tying blast in the fifth. The game remained even until Garcia's clutch two-out go-ahead RBI knock to left in the eighth broke the draw.
Cubs shortstop Trent Giambrone (2-4, R, 2B) and 1B Jim Adduci (2-3, R, BB) each posted multi-hit efforts in the triumph, while no Omaha batters tallied more than one base knock. SS Erick Mejia did not record a hit in four at-bats, snapping his ten-game hit streak. Thanks to the big flies for Duenez and Susac, the Storm Chasers have homered in 15 consecutive contests.
Iowa starter Matt Swarmer (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) tossed a quality outing, though he ultimately did not factor in the final decisions. Reliever Dakota Mekkes (2.0 IP, 3 K) earned the win with two shutout frames, with Tim Collins (1.0 IP, 2 K) firing a perfect ninth to notch his first save. Omaha reliever Zach Lovvorn (5.2 IP, 6 H, R, ER, 6 K) suffered the defeat.
The two teams are set to conclude their four-game set on Friday night at Werner Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm CT. LHP Foster Griffin (4-1, 3.53) is anticipated to start for the Storm Chasers, while the Cubs' starter has not yet been announced.
Tickets for that game and all remaining Storm Chasers home contests can be purchased online at www.omahastormchasers.com, or by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office from noon until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at (402) 738-5100.
