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Valbuena Lifts Cubs over Redbirds

May 26, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL) Iowa Cubs

Memphis, TN - Luis Valbuena's home run in the top of the ninth inning lifted the Iowa Cubs (20-27) to a 2-1 victory over the Memphis Redbirds (17-31) at Auto Zone Park tonight. The win opens a four-game series against the Redbirds and a 12-game road trip for the Cubs.

Cubs' starter Rodrigo Lopez came out of the game after throwing just one pitch. His status is uncertain. Jay Jackson was pressed into action and gave the Cubs a big lift with five strong innings. He allowed one run in the bottom of the fifth. Eugenio Velez singled, stole second, moved to third on a base hit, and scored on a squeeze bunt by pitcher Joe Kelly.

The Cubs tied the game against Kelly in the seventh inning. Steve Clevenger led off with a double and moved to third on a ground out. After Josh Vitters was hit by a pitch, Brett Jackson drove in Clevenger with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

Carlos Marmol followed Jackson with a scoreless sixth inning. It was his first game action as part of his Major League rehab assignment. He allowed one hit, one walk, and struck out one. Mike MacDougal allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless seventh.

Maikel Cleto followed Kelly with a scoreless eighth and retired the first two men he faced in the ninth before Valbuena drilled a 2-1 pitch over the wall in right field for his sixth home run of the season to give the Cubs the lead.

Scott Maine pitched a scoreless eighth inning and came back out for the ninth. With one out, Mitch Canham reached on an error. WIth two outs, Zach Cox singled and Ryan Jackson walked to load the bases before Mark Hamilton popped out to catcher Juan Apodaca in foul territory to end the game.

Maine (3-2) earned the win and Cleto (1-1) was charged with the loss.

The Cubs and Redbirds continue this series tomorrow night at 7:05. RH Frankie De La Cruz (1-1, 2.57) is scheduled to start for the Cubs against RH Shelby Miller (4-3, 4.30) for the Redbirds. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 6:45.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 26, 2012


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