PCL1 Iowa Cubs

Big First Inning Carries Cubs Past Storm Chasers

Published on April 26, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release


Papillion, NE - The Iowa Cubs (7-12) scored six runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed in a 9-3 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers (12-8) at Werner Park tonight. The first-inning outburst was the Cubs' biggest inning of the season and marked the first time the team has batted around this year, as 11 men came to the plate. The win opens a four-game series against the division-leading Storm Chasers.

Omaha starter Nate Adcock struggled with his control and didn't make it out of the first inning. He walked Logan Watkins and Brent Lillibridge to start the game. After Ian Stewart reached on a fielder's choice, Ryan Sweeney launched his fourth homer of the season to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. The homer carried over the grass berm, landed on the walkway in right-center field, and extended Sweeney's team-high hitting streak to 11 games. Following the homer, Brian Bogusevic walked, stole second, and scored on a two-out hit by Darnell McDonald. After another walk to J.C. Boscan, the Storm Chasers pulled Adcock in favor of lefty Everett Teaford. Edwin Maysonet greeted Teaford with a single to drive in McDonald. After another walk to Watkins reloaded the bases, Lillibridge singled to right. Boscan scored, but Maysonet was thrown out at the plate to end the inning with the Cubs leading 6-0.

Cubs' starter Barret Loux didn't have his best command, but worked through some tough innings. He allowed a solo homer to Johnny Giavotella in the first inning, but stranded two runners in each of the second, third, and fourth innings to keep the Storm Chasers from adding to that run. In the bottom of the fifth, the Chasers loaded the bases with two outs and Adam Moore drove in two runs with a base hit to right. At 96 pitches (49 strikes, 47 balls), Loux came out of the game one out shy of qualifying for the decision. Esmailin Caridad came in and got Irving Falu to get out of the inning. Caridad (1-1) worked through 2.1 innings without allowing a run and was credited with the win.

The Cubs added to their lead with a run in each of the final three innings. McDonald led off the seventh with a double and scored on a two-out hit by Lillibridge. In the eighth, Sweeney drew a leadoff walk and scored on a two-out double by Boscan. In the ninth, Lillibridge led off with his fourth single of the game, but was forced out at second on a ground ball by Alberto Gonzalez. Sweeney followed with a triple to the gap in right-center for his fourth hit and fourth RBI. Sweeney finished a double shy of the cycle.

Cory Wade followed Caridad to the mound for the Cubs in the eighth inning. The Storm Chasers loaded the bases with no outs before Wade got Christian Colon to popout and struck out Giavotella. The Cubs brought in Rafael Dolis and he got Xavier Nady to ground out to end the inning. Since the Cubs' lead was five runs at the time, and the potential tying run was on deck when Dolis came into the game, he was credited with his first save of the season when he came back out for the ninth and struck out two to end the game. Adcock (2-1) suffered the loss and the Storm Chasers used six pitchers in the game.

The Cubs and Storm Chasers continue this series tomorrow night at 7:05 at Werner Park. LH Chris Rusin (1-2, 5.64) will start for the Cubs against RH Brian Sanches (1-1, 5.93) for the Storm Chasers. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 and streamed at iowacubs.com with the pre-game show starting at 6:45.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 26, 2013


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