Ortiz' Gem Leads Iowa to Victory, 3-1
Published on May 4, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Ramon Ortiz pitched seven strong innings for Iowa, holding Round Rock to a single run, and Iowa was able to put up some early runs in support of their starting pitcher for a 3-1 win against the Express Wednesday night at Principal Park.
Ortiz (1-1, 3.45) picked up his first victory of the 2011 season and did so in good fashion. The veteran right-hander limited Round Rock to four hits and one run over seven innings while striking out five and only walking a single batter.
He faced some trouble early on in the top of the first inning as Endy Chavez reached on a fielding error by first baseman Bryan LaHair. Chavez moved to third on singe from Chad Tracy, but Ortiz was able to escape as he retired the fifth batter of the inning, Brad Nelson, on a fly-out to left field.
After struggling to find their offensive rhythm in the first two games of the series, Iowa wasted no time in getting to Express starter Michael Kirkman. LaHair led off the bottom of the second with a single and moved to third on a double from Welington Castillo. Scott Moore then hit a sharp ground ball to shortstop and LaHair tried to score but was thrown out at the plate by Luis Cruz with Moore taking first on a fielder's choice. Chris Robinson delivered the game's first run with an RBI-single and Matt Camp followed with a bunt single to load the bases. Kirkman then walked Fernando Perez to bring in another run and put Iowa up 2-0.
Ortiz only got stronger as the game went on, facing the minimum over the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, while allowing only a single baserunner. The Express did tag him for a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from former I-Cub Doug Deeds.
Iowa was able to add an insurance run on an error in the seventh inning. With Robinson on second and Perez on first, Lou Montanez grounded to second baseman Esteban German. German, caught between second and first base, forwent the tag on the incoming Perez and instead fired to first base for the out. First baseman Chad Tracy then threw a wild pitch back to second base which found the outfield and allowed Robinson to score.
The I-Cub bullpen finished the job as John Gaub pitched a scoreless eighth and Scott Maine closed the door in the ninth for his fifth save of the season.
Kirkman (0-3, 7.77) took the loss for Round Rock, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits. The southpaw walked two and struck out four over his seven innings.
Iowa will try and go for the series split in the finale Thursday afternoon at Principal Park. The matinee will match up Express RH Neil Ramirez (2-1, 1.69) against I-Cub RH Thomas Diamond (0-2, 8.86). First pitch is slated for 12:05 p.m.
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