Wada, Homers Help I-Cubs Down Redbirds 8-3 in Series Finale
July 27, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (July 27, 2015) - The Iowa Cubs (53-49) clubbed three home runs en route to a 8-3 victory over the Memphis Redbirds (54-49) in Pacific Coast League action Monday night at AutoZone Park. The win snapped Iowa's season-high six-game losing streak, and secured a 9-7 season series victory over the Redbirds.
Memphis struck first in the bottom of the first when Ed Easley scored on a throwing error by Arismendy Alcantara.
Mike Olt got the scoring started for Iowa in the top of the second with a solo home run, his fifth of the season and the third straight day he has homered.
Iowa took the lead three innings later when Chris Valaika popped a two-run home run to center field, his fifth of the season and first since June 21.
The teams traded runs in the fifth inning, Iowa's coming on an Alcantara sacrifice fly, and the Redbirds getting theirs on a sacrifice fly from Jacob Wilson.
Iowa opened up the game with a four-spot in the top of the eighth. Junior Lake led off the frame with a walk, followed by a Christian Villanueva two-run homer, his 14th of the season. Four batters later, John Andreoli drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in a run before Valaika skied a sacrifice fly to left field give Iowa an 8-2 lead.
Memphis notched one more run in the bottom of the eighth when Alex Mejia scampered home on a wild pitch from Iowa righty Carl Edwards Jr.
Iowa lefty Tsuyoshi Wada (2-4) allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits and a walk with six strikeouts over 6.0 innings in his rehab start. Edwards Jr. tossed 2.0 innings and allowed one run on one hit with four strikeouts in relief. Righty Frank Batista slammed the door with a perfect ninth.
Memphis starter Marco Gonzales (0-2) surrendered four runs on seven hits and a walk with three strikeouts over 5.1 innings in a rehab start for the Redbirds.
Olt led Iowa with three hits, an RBI and three runs scored. Matt Szczur, Villanueva and Valaika each recorded multi-hit nights. Valaika drove in three, while Villanueva drove in a pair. Iowa clubbed three home runs in the game, the eighth game with three or more homers this season.
Five Memphis hitters had one hit apiece. Easley had the lone extra-base hit for the Redbirds, a double in the first inning.
The I-Cubs will now head to First Tennessee Park to begin a four-game series with the Nashville Sounds on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT. Left-hander Clayton Richard (0-0, ---) will make his I-Cubs debut against Sounds righty Zach Neal (7-3, 3.22). 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 6:40 p.m. CT.
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