Six-Run First Inning Dooms Iowa in 7-5 Loss at Memphis
July 25, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis Redbirds (53-48) scored six runs in the first inning and never looked back as they defeated the Iowa Cubs (52-48) 7-5 in Pacific Coast League action Saturday night at AutoZone Park.
Iowa has lost a season-high five straight games, and are 5-for-45 with runners in scoring position during the streak. It was the second straight night Iowa fell despite out-hitting Memphis.
The Redbirds jumped all over I-Cubs starter Drake Britton in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with one out. Jeremy Hazelbaker started the scoring with an RBI single, followed by Dean Anna's bases-clearing double to center. After an Alex Mejia single, Travis Tartamella clubbed a two RBI double to right to cap the six-spot.
Memphis added another run in the second on an RBI triple from Hazelbaker.
Iowa valiantly chipped away at the deficit over the next few innings. With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the second, Matt Szczur hit a single to plate two for the I-Cubs.
Mike Olt drew Iowa closer in the third inning with a two-run homer to make it 7-4, his third long ball of the season. Olt struck again in the fifth with a sacrifice fly to score Junior Lake, but that was all the I-Cubs could muster.
In total, Britton (6-5) allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 6.0 innings to suffer the loss for Iowa. Britton twirled 4.1 scoreless frames to finish his outing and recorded two hits at the plate, but couldn't overcome his early struggles. Lefty Joe Ortiz spun 2.0 scoreless innings in relief.
Redbirds lefty Nick Greenwood (9-3) allowed five runs on 11 hits and a walk with two strikeouts, but got excellent run support on the way to his league-leading ninth win. Righties Mitch Harris and Heath Wyatt combined for 3.0 scoreless frames before right-hander Marcus Hatley stranded two men in the ninth to record the save for Memphis, his second in two days and fifth of the season.
Lake led lowa with three hits, a walk and two runs. Szczur went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Olt drove in three. Jonathan Mota and Britton each had multi-hit nights.
Hazelbaker paced the Redbirds with two hits and two RBI. Anna drove in three and scored a run.
The I-Cubs and Redbirds will play game three of their four-game series on Sunday evening. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT at AutoZone Park. Left-hander Jeffry Antigua (1-1, 3.06) will take the mound for Iowa against Redbirds right-hander Thomas Lee (3-1, 1.69). The game can be heard live on AM 940, 104.5 FM, and live-streamed at Iowacubs.com. The On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show will begin 5:40 p.m. CT.
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