Lou's Blast Sends I-Cubs over Topes, 9-4
April 21, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Lou Montanez hit a towering grand slam and Jay Jackson pitched five strong innings to lead the Iowa Cubs over the Isotopes, 9-4 Thursday night at Principal Park.
With Iowa up 3-0 entering the bottom of the third, Topes starting pitcher Randy Keisler issued three consecutive one-out walks to Bobby Scales, Welington Castillo and Marquez Smith to load the bases. Matt Camp poked an RBI single through the infield and after Jay Jackson struck out looking, Keisler walked Fernando Perez to bring in a run and put the Cubs up 5-0.
Keisler was pulled in favor of Jon Huber to face Montanez, who jumped on a 2-1 offering from the right-hander and deposited it over the skyboxes in left-center field to put Iowa up big, 9-0. Montanez finished his night going 4-for-5 at the plate with four RBI. He currently leads the team in batting (.423), hits (22) and RBI (19).
Castillo, in his first game back after rehabbing a finger injury with single-A Daytona, hit a broken-bat double in his first at-bat in the second inning. Castillo came home to score the Cubs' first run on a throwing error by Topes third baseman Russ Mitchell. Mitchell's error was the second of three on the night for Albuquerque.
Iowa also welcomed back starting pitcher Jay Jackson (1-0, 3.60) who spent time in extended spring training nursing a sore shoulder. Jackson looked sharp on the mound, giving up only two runs on two hits and striking out four over five innings in his winning effort.
Albuquerque threatened in the top of the sixth as Esmailin Caridad came into the game to relieve Jackson. Caridad got two quick outs before running into trouble. Trent Oeltjen drew a walk and Corey Smith reached first base on a throwing error by Scott Moore as Oeltjen moved to third. Trayvon Robinson then hit a 2-RBI single to cut Iowa's lead to 9-4. J.D. Closser was issued a free pass to load the bases but Caridad was able to strike out Justin Sellers to end the rally.
Keisler (0-2, 10.32) took the loss for Albuquerque, lasting only two and two-thirds innings. He gave up eight runs (five earned) on six hits and four walks.
Polin Trinidad worked three shutout innings of relief, allowing three hits while striking out three. He picked up his first save of the season for Iowa.
The I-Cubs and Isotopes will wrap up the four-game series Friday night at Principal Park. Iowa will send LH J.R. Mathes (0-0, 4.50) to the mound to face Albuquerque RH Tim Redding (0-1, 14.04). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. Former Iowa Hawkeye and current Indianapolis Colt Dallas Clark will be at the ballpark to throw out the first pitch and the first 1,500 fans will receive a bobblehead bearing Clark's likeness.
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