PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers (31-39/64-80) were swept in a doubleheader for the first time this season on Friday night, falling in both games to the Iowa Cubs (32-39/62-81) at Werner Park. The Storm Chasers narrowly lost the first game 2-1 despite a strong pitching performance, then fell 10-2 in the second game after a the Cubs scored 8 runs in the 6th inning.
GAME 1: OMAHA 1, IOWA 2 (7 Innings)
The Cubs scored in the top of the 1st inning, taking a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout off Storm Chasers starter John Means (0-1).
Iowa extended its lead to 2-0 with a solo home run off Means in the top of the 2nd inning, but Omaha’s starter came back with a pair of strikeouts in a perfect top of the 3rd inning.
Means worked another 1-2-3 frame in the top of the 4th inning, then Brett Squires put the Storm Chasers on the board with an RBI single in the bottom of the 4th inning to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Omaha turned back to Means for the top of the 5th inning, but Matt Moore finished a scoreless frame after taking over for Means with two on and one out.
Moore came back with a 3-up, 3-down top of the 6th inning and Spencer Bivens fired a scoreless top of the 7th inning in his Storm Chasers debut, but Omaha went down in order in the bottom of the 7th inning to finish the 1-run loss.
GAME 2: OMAHA 2, IOWA 10 (7 Innings)
The two teams traded scoreless frames through the end of the 3rd inning, with Storm Chasers starter Henry Williams (5-6) working a perfect 2nd inning as part of that stretch.
The Cubs were first on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the 4th inning, scoring on an RBI single and double off Williams to take a 2-0 lead.
Williams returned with a scoreless top of the 5th inning, and Alejo Lopez subsequently hit an RBI single in the bottom half to bring the score to 2-1.
Williams finished the night allowing 2 runs over 5.0 innings, striking out 6 while issuing just 1 walk. The Storm Chasers called on Luke Little for the top of the 6th inning, but he gave up a trio of runs on an RBI double, a throwing error and an RBI single before recording an out. Hunter Owen entered with runners on the corners, but walked one of the inherited runners home then allowed the other to cross on a grand slam to make it a 10-1 game.
Scott Alexander worked out of a bases-loaded jam for a scoreless top of the 7th inning and Omar Hernandez hit his first career Triple-A home run in the bottom of the frame, but Omaha still fell 10-2.
The Storm Chasers will host the Cubs for the penultimate game of their season on Saturday afternoon at Werner Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 P.M. CT and Vince Velasquez is in line to start for Omaha.