Flynn Shuts Down Cubs
April 18, 2014 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Des Moines, IA - New Orleans' left-hander Brian Flynn dominated the Iowa Cubs (8-7) lineup, giving up one hit in seven shutout innings and striking out a season-high seven as the Zephyrs (5-11) blanked the Cubs 1-0 in front of a season-best 5,246 fans on Saturday night at Principal Park.
After giving up a single and two-out walk in the first inning, Flynn retired the final 19 I-Cub hitters he faced, throwing an efficient 79 pitches, in picking up his first victory of the season. Flynn moves to 3-0 in his career against Iowa with two walks and 26 strikeouts in 22.2 innings covering four starts. Former Cub Henry Rodriguez pitched the final two innings to earn his first save of the season.
The only scoring of the contest came on the second pitch of the game. Zephyr third baseman Josh Rodriguez hit his third home run of the season over the suites in left field to give New Orleans the 1-0 lead. It was the Zephyr's first leadoff homer since Kevin Mattison hit one on August 23, 2013 at Omaha. Rodriguez was 5-for-17 in the series.
Tsuyoshi Wada, making his first start since being named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, was excellent once again for Iowa. He set down 24 of the final 26 hitters he faced after the first two Zephyrs reached base to start the game. Wada worked a season-high eight innings, allowing three hits and one walk with five strikeouts, throwing 69 of his 101 pitches for strikes. Wada has surrendered just two runs -- both on solo home runs -- in 21.1 innings (0.84 ERA) through three starts on the campaign.
The Cubs only two hits on the evening were singles by Chris Valaika and Logan Watkins. Valaika has hit safely in eight of his last nine games, batting .414 (12-for-29) in that stretch. Watkins extended his hitting streak to a team-high six games with a ninth inning single after entering the game in a double-switch in the top of the frame.
Marcus Hatley worked a scoreless ninth inning for Iowa, continuing the bullpen's stellar work. Over the last 11 games, the relievers have allowed seven runs in 34 innings for a 1.85 ERA and have recorded 35 strikeouts to just six walks in that span.
The Cubs were shut out for the second time at home this season after being shut out that many times all of last year at Principal Park.
The Cubs continue their eight-game home stand Saturday evening by starting a four-game series with the Round Rock Express. LH Chris Rusin (0-2, 6.52) takes the mound for the Cubs against LH Ryan Feierabend (2-0, 3.95). First pitch from Principal Park is scheduled for 7:05. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 and streamed live at iowacubs.com with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 6:45.
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