Cubs Blast Past RedHawks
Published on July 7, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Oklahoma City, OK - The Iowa Cubs (48-41) hit three home runs in a 5-4 win over the Oklahoma City RedHawks (47-44) at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Sunday night. The win snapped the Cubs' three-game losing streak and ended a stretch of seven straight losses in Oklahoma City going back to last season.
The RedHawks scored first with a run in the bottom of the first inning off Cubs' starter Kyle Hendricks when Preston Tuckers lined a two-out single to drive in Robbie Grossman. Hendricks came out after just two innings, allowing just the one run on three hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out four.
The Cubs answered quickly in the top of the second. Chris Valaika led off with a double to the wall in right field and scored as Kris Bryant launched a home run that went over the back wall of the stadium. It was Bryant's eighth home run of the season with Iowa and his 30th overall on the season, tying Joey Gallo of double-A Frisco for the most homers in minor league baseball.
The Cubs added a run in the sixth when Javy Baez smashed a home run over the Cubs' bullpen in right-center field leading off the inning for his 13th home run of the year and his second of the series.
The RedHawks got the run back on a sacrifice fly by Marc Krauss in the bottom of the sixth, by Ryan Kalish homered to lead off the top of the seventh, extending the Cubs' lead to 4-2. All three homers came off RedHawks' starter Rudy Owens. Owens was charged with four runs in 6.1 innings and struck out five.
The RedHawks rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. Yoanner Negrin took over for Hendricks in the third inning and was strong in relief, but allowed a hit and walk to start the seventh before giving way to Armando Rivero. Grossman greeted Rivero with an RBI single to cut the Cubs' lead to 4-3. After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk loaded the bases, Austin Wates hit a soft one-hopper to Valaika at second base. The Cubs got a force out at second base, but couldn't complete the double play and Joe Sclafani scored to tie the game. Rivero got Tucker to fly out to end the inning.
Alex White finished the seventh inning for Owens and was back on the mound for the top of the eighth. Valiaka led off with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a base hit by Manny Ramirez to put the Cubs back on top at 5-4. Ramirez finished 2-for-4 in the game.
Rivero pitched a scoreless eighth and Zac Rosscup came in for the save in the ninth. Rosscup allowed a hit and a walk, but struck out two, including Wates looking to end the game, and earned his second save of the season. Rivero (3-0) picked up the win. White (1-2) suffered the loss.
The Cubs continue this road trip with the first of a four-game series at Werner Park in Omaha on Monday night. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 and the game will be broadcast live on AM 940, and streamed live at iowacubs.com, with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 6:45.
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