Bullpen Struggles in Albuquerque
Published on June 15, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES, IA -The Cubs lost their fifth straight game falling to the Isotopes 4-3 at Principal Park Friday night. After a fifteen minute rain delay, Stephen Fife and Frankie De La Cruz engaged in a pitchers' duel at Principal Park. Iowa's (29-40) bullpen struggled to hold the lead in Albuquerque's (39-30) comeback victory.
Frankie De La Cruz tossed five innings of one-run ball, surrendering five hits and two walks while fanning three in his return from the disabled list. Albuquerque got ahead early scoring the game's first run in the first on an RBI-double by Scott Van Slyke. With a second inning single in his first at bat, Fife is now 4-for-5 against the Cubs this season.
Brett Jackson proved lead off walks lead to trouble, taking a free pass to start the second and later scored the Cubs first run to knot the game at one. Iowa threatened stringing together three consecutive hits with no outs, but De La Cruz did not help his own cause hitting into a 1-2-3 double play. Alfredo Amezaga (3-for-4) kept the rally alive for one more play, plating Apodaca with a single to right before Tolbert was gunned down at home to end the inning.
In his return to the lineup Anthony Rizzo went 1-for-3 with a single to right in the third and a walk. The first baseman's glove work made the difference though, robbing two potential doubles on a diving stop to end the second and a perfectly timed jump on a frozen rope to cap the fifth.
Michael Bowden entered in the sixth in relief, recovering from a leadoff walk to pitch a scoreless inning. Matt Tolbert (3-for-4) provided Iowa with some insurance in the bottom of the inning, hitting an RBI-single to score Ty Wright. Iowa loaded the bases in the seventh, but Josh Vitters lined into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
The Cubs bullpen struggled to hold that lead though. Mike MacDougal surrendered two runs on an RBI double off of Luis Cruz's bat to tie the score at three. Rafael Dolis then took the reigns, but failed to keep Cruz at second, allowing his inherited run to score to surrender the go-ahead run. Dolis did not give up a run in 1.2 innings of work.
MacDougal suffered the loss, while reliever Troncoso picked up his first win on the year. Despite a single by Hernandez in the ninth, Ledezma closed the game to record the save.
The Cubs and Isotopes will play game three of the four-game set tomorrow with another 7:05 p.m. start at Principal Park tomorrow night. LHP Chris Rusin will toe the rubber looking for his team-leading sixth victory against RHP John Ely (6-4). The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 with the On Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 6:45 p.m.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 15, 2012
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- 'Topes Rally Past I-Cubs for 4-3 Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
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- Zephyrs and Birds Split Twilight Twin-Bill - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Round Rock Express Blank Oklahoma City 2-0 - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Derailed in Round Rock, 2-0 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Storm Chasers Rained Out - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sounds, Storm Chasers Postponed on Friday Night - Nashville Sounds
- Oakland A's Grant Manny Ramirez His Outright Release - Sacramento River Cats
- 'Topes Cap off June with Camo Hats, Fireworks - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Oklahoma City RedHawks - Round Rock Express
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- Bees to Host Father's Day Catch on the Field - Salt Lake Bees
- Pitcher Frankie De La Cruz Activated from D.L. - Iowa Cubs
- RedHawks Game Notes: June 15, 2012 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Orbit Reaches Finals of Mascot Mania - Albuquerque Isotopes
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