Chasers Routed by Cubs in 8-1 Defeat

DES MOINES - Iowa piled up all the runs they would need in the first 3 innings, and the Storm Chasers fell to an 8-1 defeat in the series opener on Saturday night at Principal Park.

Josh Staumont endured a rough start, yielding 4 runs in the bottom of the 1^st. Jacob Hannemann put down a 1-out bunt single, and with 2 out, Bijan Rademacher walked. Victor Caratini singled home Hanneman, and Stephen Bruno doubled in Rademacher and Caratini. Taylor Davis made it 4-0 with an RBI single, driving home Bruno.
The Cubs added 2 more in the 2^nd, as Mark Zagunis and Jacob Hannemann singled, and with 2 away, Bijan Rademacher walked, and Victor Caratini knocked in a pair with a single. It was 6-0 Cubs.
Iowa scored more 2-out tallies in the bottom of the 3^rd. Taylor Davis led off with a walk, and after a pair of strikeouts, Mark Zagunis drilled a homer to center field, making it 8-0.
Staumont (L, 3-6) was charged with 8 runs on 8 hits in 4 innings. He struck out 6 and walked 3.
Bubba Starling pulled a run back for Omaha by crushing a long home run to left in the top of the 4^th. It was his 5^th of the season, and it cut Iowa's lead to 8-1.
That was the only run the Chasers would score against Cubs starter Aaron Brooks (W, 4-5), who allowed 1 run, 4 hits, and 1 walk in 7 innings. He struck out 6.
The Chasers bullpen enjoyed a strong night; Kyle Zimmer worked 2 scoreless innings in relief for the Chasers, continuing a successful transition to the bullpen. Kevin McCarthy tossed a scoreless 7^th, and Al Albuquerque followed suit in the 8^th.
But Omaha couldn't mount any kind of rally against the Cubs bullpen, and saw their record drop to 34-32.
The Chasers will continue the series in Des Moines tomorrow afternoon. RHP Christian Binford (3-4, 5.18) will toss for Omaha, while RHP Casey Kelly (3-1, 5.10) will throw for Iowa. First pitch will be at 1:08.
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