Bullpen Struggles in Loss to Memphis
April 22, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) - Iowa Cubs News Release
Des Moines, IA - The Cubs fell to the Redbirds 12-7 after enduring a one-hour rain delay to open an eight-game home stand. Memphis (5-11) exploded for nine runs in the eighth inning against Iowa (7-10), topped off by two two-run blasts by Adron Chambers and Eugenio Velez, respectively.
The Redbirds rocked Cubs' relievers for ten runs on nine hits over the final four innings. Manny Corpas was charged with the loss and R.J. Swindle earned the win. Iowa's pitchers combined to surrender a season-high nine walks. The I-Cubs' bullpen could not quell the Memphis offense after a quality start from Casey Coleman.
Coleman fanned seven Redbirds, tying the team, and setting a personal high for strikeouts in a game this season. The Florida native received a no decision, surrendering two runs on five hits and four walks over six innings. The righty has given up just five runs in his last 16.1 IP and now leads the team with 18 strikeouts.
Iowa's offense was not enough to match Memphis, but the Cubs did keep things interesting. Dave Sappelt hit an inside-the-park home run in the eighth to bring Iowa within four. Starting catcher Blake Lalli and second baseman Alfredo Amezaga combined to toss the ninth inning for the Cubs.
1B Anthony Rizzo (2-for-5) drove in three of the Cubs seven runs, putting him in second for the league lead in RBI. His two-run single in the third gave the Cubs their first lead and his RBI-single in the fifth broke a 2-2 tie.
2B Adrian Cardenas continued his hot hitting with an RBI single, a double, and a walk on the night. After struggling on the road, CF Brett Jackson was happy to be back home going 2-for-5. He hit his sixth double of the season in the third, giving him the team lead.
The Cubs will look to right the ship tomorrow with a 1:05 p.m. start at Principal Park. LHP Chris Rusin (1-2) will toe the rubber for the Cubs tomorrow against RHP Brian Broderick (1-2) for the second Iowa Oaks throwback day of the season. Fans can tune in to Iowa Cubs action with Deene Ehlis and Randy Wehofer on AM 940 with the pregame show beginning at 12:45 p.m.
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