Iowa Cubs 7, Round Rock Express 5
April 20, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
A two-run single by Nate Spears highlighted a five-run sixth inning as the Iowa Cubs rallied for a 7-5 victory over the Round Rock Express on Monday afternoon at blustery Principal Park. J.R. Mathes (2-1) earned the win in relief, as the Cubs took the series three games to one over Round Rock and improved their record to 8-4 overall.
Trailing by a 4-2 score, bunt singles by Doug Deeds and Mark Johnson sandwiched a sharp single by Jason Dubois to load the bases with nobody out to start the sixth. Iowa shortstop Andres Blanco then rallied from an 0-2 hole to work Round Rock starter Jose Capellan (0-3) for a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 4-3. Pinch hitter Sam Fuld then walked to re-load the bases with one out to chase Capellan and set up Spears' heroics.
Spears poked a first-pitch fastball from Round Rock reliever Casey Daigle past first baseman John Gall and into right field, scoring Dubois and Johnson to give the Cubs a 5-4 lead they would not relinquish. Bobby Scales followed with an RBI single and Brad Snyder capped the scoring with the Cubs' second sacrifice fly of the inning.
Following the rally, Jason Waddell pitched a scoreless seventh and Kevin Hart struck out three over the last two innings to pin down his second save.
Jose Ascanio started for the Cubs and allowed just one earned run in 4.2 innings of work. The right-hander allowed three hits and three walks while striking out a pair. Ascanio left after throwing a season- high 75 pitches.
The Express touched Ascanio for three unearned runs in the top of the third inning. All three runs came across after a questionable call on force play that resulted in a Spears error that loaded the bases with no outs. An RBI groundout by Tommy Manzella and a two-run double off the bat of cleanup hitter Mark Saccomanno helped Round Rock to an early 3-0 lead.
Jake Fox helped the Cubs bounce right back in the bottom of the third, as his two-run double off the left field wall scored a pair to cut the lead to 3-2. Fox has knocked in multiple runs in eight of the Cubs' 12 games this season.
Esmailin Caridad (2-0) will take the ball tomorrow opposite veteran Eric Milton (0-2) as the Cubs open a four-game set against Albuquerque at Principal Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
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