Stewart Slugs Cubs to Victory
Published on June 8, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Des Moines, IA - Ian Stewart clubbed the Iowa Cubs (26-34) to an 8-5 victory over the Round Rock Express (35-27) and etched his named in the record book with three home runs and eight RBI at Principal Park this afternoon. His eight RBI tied a franchise record and lifted the Cubs to their first win in three games in this series.
The Express claimed the early lead on a solo home run by former Cub Robinson Chirinos in the top of the first inning before Stewart started his home run derby in the bottom of the second. With two on and one out, Stewart drilled the first pitch he saw from Express starter Jake Brigham onto the party deck in deep right-center for his first dinger of the day and his second of the season. Stewart connected again off Brigham in the fourth inning, with one man on, to extend the Cubs' lead to 5-1.
The Express rallied with three runs in the top of the seventh and knocked Cubs' starter Nick Struck out of the game after a season-high 6.2 innings. With runners on first and second and one out, Engel Beltre singled to center. As Mike Olt scored, Brett Jackson threw towards third base to try to cut down Jose Felix. The throw was offline and Junior Lake barreled through Felix in an attempt to catch it. Interference was called to award Felix home, but he was shaken up on the collision and had to leave the game. Mike Bianucci had to come out of the dugout to "pinch-run" and travel from third base to the plate in Felix' place. Chirinos followed with a base hit off reliever Alex Burnett to pull the Express to within one at 5-4.
The Express tied the game against Burnett in the eighth. With one out, former Cub Jim Adduci singled, stole second, and scored on a two-out single by Jared Hoying, making his triple-A debut today for Round Rock. Burnett was charged with a blown save.
Evan Meek went back to the mound in the bottom of the eighth for his fourth inning in relief of Brigham. With one out, Steve Clevenger walked. With two outs, Dave Sappelt singled to keep the inning alive for Stewart. The Express brought in lefty Joseph Ortiz, but Stewart was up to the task. After working the count full and fouling off one pitch, Stewart hit the eighth pitch of the at-bat into the outfield skyboxes in left-center for his third homer of the game to put the Cubs back on top at 8-5.
Casey Coleman came in for the top of the ninth and gave up a one-out single, but got Chirinos to ground into a double play to end the game. It was the Cubs' fourth double play of the game. Burnett (1-0) was credited with the win while Meek (0-3) suffered the loss. Coleman earned his second save and extended his scoreless innings streak to 15.1 innings over his last seven appearances.
Stewart is the first Cub to hit three home runs in a game since Bryan LaHair on July 31, 2010 at Oklahoma City. This was the 12th multi-homer game of Stewart's career, including four in the big leagues, but his first time hitting three in a game. Eight RBI is also a career-high for Stewart, tying the Iowa franchise record set by Larry Haney on August 15, 1971 and matched by Tom Egan on July 13, 1973.
The Cubs and Express play the second game of today's day/night double-header tonight at 7:05. RH Barret Loux (3-2, 6.29) will start for the Cubs against RH Josh Lindblom (6-0, 2.04) for the Express. The gates will open at 5:35 and the game will be broadcast live on AM 940, and streamed at iowacubs.com, with the pre-game show starting at 6:45.
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