Storm Chasers can’t overcome Iowa Cubs’ early homers
The Iowa Cubs hit three home runs before holding on for a 5-4 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Wednesday night.
By News Channel Nebraska
DES MOINES — The Iowa Cubs hit three home runs before holding on for a 5-4 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Wednesday night.
The Cubs, who have won seven of their last 10, led throughout, as they hit two homers in the second inning, a solo shot by Robel Garcia and a two-run drive by Trent Giambrone. It was Giambrone’s team-leading 16th homer this season.
The Chasers pulled within 4-2 in the fifth, as Elier Hernandez hit a two-run homer to left. Hernandez, who had two hits Wednesday, is 8 for his last 22 to raise his average to .279.
Iowa stretched its lead on Dixon Machado’s solo homer in the bottom of the fifth before the Chasers rallied in the seventh.
With two on and two outs, Kelvin Gutierrez singled up the middle to make it 5-4. But Iowa’s relievers retired seven of the last eight Chasers, with Dillon Maples pitching a perfect ninth for his third save.
Nick Dini and Jorge Bonifacio also had two hits each for the Chasers, while starter Zach Lovvorn allowed five runs in six innings to drop to 3-7.
Omaha and Iowa continue their series at 7:08 p.m. Thursday.