Iowa Swept in Historic Doubleheader at Oklahoma City
September 2, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Sept. 1, 2015) - Iowa and Oklahoma City arrived at the ballpark Tuesday expecting to play two seven inning games. However, fans at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City were treated to plenty of extra baseball as it took a two-run walk-off home run from Bruck Britton in the 19th inning for the Dodgers to down the I-Cubs (78-59) 6-4 in game one. Oklahoma City (82-55) followed up the marathon opener with a 3-1 win in game two to sweep the twin bill in Pacific Coast League action Tuesday evening.
The doubleheader sweep dropped Iowa to 5.0 games back of the Dodgers in the American Northern Division. Iowa's elimination number is down to one, meaning a loss or Dodgers win in any of the final six regular season games would mean the end of the I-Cubs' playoff hopes.
Iowa's 19-inning loss in game one was the longest game by innings in team history.
The Dodgers squandered a two-run lead when Iowa plated two in the sixth. However, Iowa returned the favor and gave up its own two-run lead in the 10th, as both teams pushed across a pair to keep the game going.
The teams traded zeros until the 19th when Britton clubbed his walk-off tater off Iowa right-hander Frank Batista (1-5). It was the eighth walk-off loss for Iowa this season, and fourth by a home run.
Dodgers left-hander Daniel Coulombe (3-1) earned the win by tossing a scoreless top of the 19th.
Iowa walked a franchise-record 17 batters and struck out 19, tied for second-most in team history. The I-Cubs used seven pitchers. Right-hander Michael Wagner started the game for Iowa and allowed two runs, one earned, on a hit and three walks with three strikeouts. Right-handers Blake Cooper and P.J. Francescon each tossed 4.0 scoreless innings in relief, career-high for both.
Emilio Bonifacio reached base seven times to pace Iowa offensively, picking up four hits and walking twice.
In game two, which started at 11:00 p.m. CT, Iowa ace Carlos Pimentel (12-6) suffered his second complete-game loss in a doubleheader this season. The righty went 6.0 innings and allowed three runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts.
Pimentel allowed all three runs in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted b Corey Seager's two-RBI triple. He was outdueled by the combination of Dodgers right-handers Ramon Troncoso and Deck McGuire (5-4).
Troncoso started the game and tossed 4.0 scoreless innings with a strikeout. McGuire, who drove to Oklahoma City from Tulsa during game one's extra innings, allowed one run on three hits and two walks with one strikeout to earn the win.
Ryan Dent drove in the lone Iowa run of game two with a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning.
The I-Cubs had a chance to rally in the top of the seventh of game two. Iowa loaded the bases with two outs with the pitcher's spot due to hit. However, instead of pinch-hitting, Chris Valaika was pulled back so Pimentel could hit for himself since there were no more available pitchers in the Iowa bullpen.
The I-Cubs and Dodgers will play game four of their five-game series Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. 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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