Storm Chasers tie modern franchise record with seven home runs in blowout win over I-Cubs

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Omaha Storm Chasers scored a season-high 22 runs on 18 hits—including seven home runs to tie a modern franchise record—to trounce the Iowa Cubs, 22-4, on Friday at Principal Park.

Omaha (71-56, 5-2) began its home run barrage one batter into the game, when second baseman Lucius Fox launched a solo home run over the left field fence. Third baseman MJ Melendez brought in two more runs later in the inning with a two-run double to left-center field to record his 100th and 101st RBIs of the season.

Fox finished the game 2-for-5 with a home run, two walks, and four runs scored to extend his hitting streak to nine games. His home run was his fourth of the season, a new career high. Melendez went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored, becoming the second player in Minor League Baseball to record 100+ home runs this season.

The Storm Chasers added five more runs against left-hander Luis Rodriguez (Loss, 0-1) in the second inning on a pair of home runs. Shortstop Angelo Castellano drilled a two-run homer two batters into the inning before centerfielder Edward Olivares blasted a three-run shot later in the inning. Omaha added three runs in the third inning on four consecutive two-out hits, including RBI hits from right fielder Erick Mejia, designated hitter Nick Pratto, and first baseman Emmanuel Rivera.

Iowa (51-76, 1-6) scored its lone run against right-hander Ándres Núñez—who made his first career start—in the third inning on an RBI groundout from Brennen Davis. Right-hander Jose Cuas (Win, 1-0) struck out the final batter of the third inning en route to throwing 2.1 scoreless innings to record his first career Triple-A win.

Omaha's onslaught continued in the fourth with a three-run home from catcher Nick Dini, before Pratto hit a solo shot in the fifth—his 20th at the Triple-A level and 35th of the season—and Olivares smacked his second home run of the game in the seventh.

Pratto went 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBIs, three runs scored, two walks, and a stolen base. Olivares recorded his first multi-homer game of the season, going 2-for-5 with two home runs and a team-best five RBIs.

The Storm Chasers offense capped the historic night with six runs on three hits in the eighth inning. After recording a season-high 17th run on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, Melendez drove in the 18th run with an opposite-field single. Left fielder Dairon Blanco completed the team's scoring with a grand slam for Omaha's seventh home run of the game.

The seven home runs in a single game tie a modern franchise record set earlier in the season on June 13, when Omaha hit seven home runs en route to a 16-9 win at St. Paul. Omaha's 22 runs are the most since April 9, 2014, a 20-3 win vs. Memphis. The Storm Chasers recorded 10 extra-base hits—seven home runs and three doubles—for the first time since April 27, 2013, a 13-2 win vs. Iowa.

Iowa scored a run in the eighth and two runs in the ninth against right-hander Ruben Ramirez before he ended the game with a strikeout.

With seven home runs on Friday, the Storm Chasers have hit 21 home runs during the Triple-A Final Stretch, amounting to a $1,050 donation from Minor League Baseball to B&B Sports Academy. Whichever Triple-A team finishes the Triple-A Final Stretch with the most home runs earns an additional $5000 donation to their selected charity. Omaha currently leads Triple-A in home runs during the Triple-A Final Stretch.

The Storm Chasers continue their season-ending, four-game series against the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park in Des Moines on Saturday, when left-hander Austin Cox (0-0, 22.50) is slated to start against Iowa left-hander Luis Lugo (1-5, 5.85). First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 6:08 p.m. and coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. with the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on News Talk 1290.

Ticket packages for the 2022 season, as well as Chasers Blue Books and undated voucher packs, are available for purchase through the Werner Park Ticket Office. For more information, visit omahastormchasers.com or call the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100 and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.