Iowa Cubs Wrap: October 2

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 10-6. It was Iowa’s seventh-straight loss.

The Storm Chasers jumped out to an early lead off of Iowa starter Luis Lugo when leadoff hitter Edward Olivares doubled and the next batter, Bobby Witt Jr., singled him home.

But Iowa got that run back in the bottom of the inning when, with one out, left fielder Ian Miller reached on a bunt single and after right fielder Brennen Davis walked, first baseman Matt Mervis singled home Miller.

Iowa loaded the bases in the second inning on a walk, a hit batsman and another walk. Then a throwing error by Omaha third baseman Gabriel Cancel gave Iowa a 3-1 lead. Brennen Davis then made it 4-1 Iowa with an RBI ground out.

But Lugo coughed the lead back up in the top of the third when he gave up a three-run home run to Nick Pratto.

With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the third, Iowa re-took the lead with an RBI single by second baseman Liam Spence, scoring third baseman Levi Jordan.

But Lugo would give up another three-run home run, this time to Emmanuel Rivera, in the top of the fifth inning. Omaha never trailed again after that.

Shortstop Andrew Romine had an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth for Iowa’s sixth and final run.

Lugo took the loss after giving up seven runs on six hits over five innings. Six of those runs scored on the two three-run home runs. Lugo walked five and struck out five.

One bright spot for Iowa’s pitching was Dillon Maples, who struck out the side in order in the seventh inning. Also of note:

Brenden Little gave up one run on three hits over the two innings he pitched. He struck out four and did not issue a walk, so that was a positive.

Third baseman Levi Jordan was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored twice. Jordan now has an eight-game hitting streak.

Second baseman Liam Spence went 2 for 4. He had one run batted in and one run scored.

Making his Triple-A debut, catcher Casey Optiz went 1 for 2 with two walks. He scored one run. Opitz also threw out Bobby Witt Jr. trying to steal second in the first inning. Witt is one steal short of a 30 HR, 30 double and 30 steal season. (He actually got a steal in Thursday’s game, but the game was washed out in the third inning and none of the stats counted.)

The two teams will finish the minor league season tomorrow at 1:08 pm at Principal Park in Des Moines.